There was still about half an hour left before the next training block. He left quickly with Fara originally and it took only fifteen minutes for estrogen-fueled schemes to originate with the idea of a cake-meeting. The boys' acceptance was immediate. And his feet took him much quicker to the field than usual - in fear of being dragged back into the incessantly noisy environment.

Even though he was wide-awake, he was still fatigued from a lack of sleep.

And so should've been the other boy training alone in the field.

James was practising his stance with sword-and-shield; cutting left, right, raising the shield, slashing down, before finally stabbing forward. The movements were all rather rough. It was to be expected from someone who had no exposure to either of the arms he carried; yet, he apparently did not ask for help from Erik or any of the others yet.

He even earned enough social credit where many would jump at the chance to help him - if only for the side benefit of saying they 'trained the guy who fought and won five consecutive duels'. That was already discounting the adoring fans who were at least more knowledgeable about the arms than he was.

Yet, James was training alone.

"Hey, why aren't you with the others?"

James' sword slowed and he sheathed the blade. He missed at first, but the second try worked. He did not seem to be embarrassed; rather, he seemed to be analyzing how he could do it better.

"Hello. I'd like to-"

"Don't say it. Move onto the next part."

"That... fine." James seemed uncomfortable since Mathias rejected his gratitude again. He'd accept it once or twice, but James was overbearing in his desire to follow honourable conduct, even if it was trying on the other party. "I'm training. I need to work on the sword since I can not always rely on your help."

Mathias clicked his tongue, fully cognizant of the indirect compliment. "You said you wanted to spar before, right? I'll ask you not to reinforce your blade too much though."

"Really? I'd be honoured," James' eyes lit up, but he nodded seriously.

Mathias drew one of the short staves. Since it was three-feet long by itself, it was a sufficient length to mirror a common blade, if one counted the guard, grip, and pommel.

For James' benefit alone, he coated ice over it to make it look the part. Naturally, it was dulled, and the transparent ice offered a full view of the wooden-core originally, but it was soon dressed in a frosted exterior.

"Are you ready?" Mathias said as he tested the balance.

He preferred the half-staves original shape, but seeing as how fast James learned to use the shield, he figured it would be more effective to have another sword to directly mirror in a fight.

"Yes."

James lowered his stance slightly, becoming more rigid. Mathias frowned at the display, but he too made those kinds of mistakes.

"Be solid but not inflexible."

James nodded at the advice and tried to correct it. His legs were too far apart and on top of his weight being disproportionately on his thighs.

Mathias sighed and said, "I'm coming."

He stepped forward, into James' range, and slashed towards James' shoulder. The boy took the blow with the shield and tried to cut at Mathias. Mathias shifted his body with the momentum he generated with the attack, dodged it, and side-stepped quickly to James' unguarded back.

Ice chilled James' spine before he could finish the quarter-turn, tapping enough to remind the blow occurred, but not with any real force.

"Shift your weight back up. Don't stay so low unless you need to receive a powerful attack. Again."

They continued sparring for short bursts, with Mathias offering pointers from what his experience told him was best.

He was finally getting his own footwork back after his father's longer-than-normal absence. Mathias felt a little guilty that he was coaching another while not being all that skilled himself, but James was kind enough to not point out Mathias' faults. There were issues regarding his ability to re-balance himself, but James failed to see it.

James was working up a sweat, however. And the class had not even started yet. Finally, to allow the last ten minutes to be lighter, he just taught him basic methods regarding how to be griping the blade, one's hand placements, and how to more easily alter or stop a strike before hitting a target.

Anything else would be better learned by one's own body and soon he was back to his self-created stance, hacking, slashing, and stabbing to his heart's content.

He did look a little more responsive and smooth, though.

Mathias was just playing with his newly naked staves when the others started to come. Rather, they all appeared in a giant group.

Mina ran forward and lowered her head. "I'm sorry!" She said first to James, with tinted cheeks, then repeated for Mathias, as if by after-thought.

"There was no harm done."

"... Why are you apologizing to me?"

Both had very different responses, especially when Lina snuck up and whispered, "I don't think they believe you," in Mina's ear.

"Huh?! I'm really! Really! Really! Really sorry! Okay?!"

James' face shifted slightly, more so to concern for her as she exhausted her entire lung-capacity to shout those words in a single breath. Mina was wavering on the spot, already light-headed.

Mathias was walking away from the strange child.

Jenna appeared from out of nowhere. She scanned the entire group, stroked her chin, and then settled on James. Her expression was even as she said. "You'll be running two laps again. However, before that, Edward and the two assistants will be taking some of you to the side. Pay attention if your name is called."

"Miss Ghast, Mr Etaitini, and Miss Aliel please see Miss Quinal."

Jennifer, Eldrich, and Wendi hung their heads low as they thought it might happen. Jennifer's case was settled. Eldrich and Wendy, despite having the easier elements to complete the task, earth, failed to control it well. They were all sent to Elise who stepped forward when their name was called.

Then he called, "Miss Mina Kakarot, Miss Lina Kakarot, Miss Thatcher, and Miss Jessal please see Mr. Frae."

In addition to Mina and Line, Jasmine and Kira were sent to the young man with the long, tied-back hair. He was inviting them with an attractive smile while stepping forward professionally.

Mr. Shields said aloud, "Elise Quinal is known for her near-mastery of control and application of wind magic, an element that is difficult to achieve such levels of control. Those students who are concerned with their levels of practical control should speak to her.

"Robert Frae is one of the top students academically, but his own control with atypical elements should not be underestimated. Speak to him if you are concerned with the classwork.

"Now, since Miss Jenna has permitted me to take some of the students, I'll not betray her trust. As an aside, they will all still be doing the same work as you will be doing under Miss Jenna's guidance. They'll just have more on top it. That is all."

Jenna thought a moment as she saw Elise and Robert introduce themselves to their underclassmen more directly and led them away with Mr. Shields taking up the rear - as if to block any from fleeing. Content with the hands her students have been placed in, she looked at the remaining eighteen. And the wind, sand, fire, and ice swept into the air of each formation as she let out a smile.

"What are you standing around for? Run."