In time for class

You walk to the training field with a speed kick in your step just in case more time has passed than you thought. When you near it you see eight of Stephanie's other students sitting on the viewing stands. All of them look tired but they are much better shape than anyone else you'd seen. Number Three is looking the best out of all them, she had dark circles under her eyes but she was still fully alert.

Asune was there as well and as you sat down with Edin she got up to sit next to you. She didn't say anything but you tell she was pleased likely at both herself and you. You were glad for the silence but would have preferred more time away from her.

Slow the other students trickled in with Anastasia and Vatarire arriving together. They took seats around you, Edin stealthy moving away from you so Anastasia could take his place at you side. Vatarie didn't even try to complain about Asune sitting next to you she just sat behind you without comment.

When Stephanie arrived she was carry a bucket of water with cups floating in it. She dropped the bucket by the edge of the sand and looked over everyone. "Your recovery time is terrible. Grab a sword." She waved at the sword rack and everyone armed themselves and gathered on the sand. "Follow my movements." She began to run through forms and you remembered your first lesson with her.

You weren't the only one, after a few minutes Three stepped down and took a seat. Her moving broke the others who all went to sit aside from you, Asune and Anastasia. You looked over to see Vatarie yawning with eyes drooping.

After half an hour Stephanie stopped. "Anastasia well done have a seat, everyone else stand up." Anastasia looked thankful for the offer and nearly fell onto the seats as the others got up. "If you are weak you will only rarely have the option to chose where and when you fight. If someone attacked you in this state would you sit down?" There were tired mumbles of nos but no one was awake enough to be on boarding the lesson. "Then you'll be ready." That was all the warning Vatarie got.

Stephanie launched herself at the olive skinned brawler with sword pointed. Vatarie's reaction was slow but not fatally so. She managed to bring her hands up and pool magic into them to form a barrier as the sword tip touched her. She was thrown backward and off her feet from the **** and once she landed rolled over to vomit. The usage of magic in her current state too much for her body to handle.

Stephanie turned to walk back to her position but you saw Vatarie recover. She jumped up with magic pouring over her hand. She had a wide look on her face and a grin as she launched herself back at Stephanie. Stephanie notice the attack to late to counter but not to block. Vatarie's fingers curled around Stephanie's blade and the hiss of heated metal filled the arena.

Stephanie punched Vatarie in the chest to dislodge the woman, her sword ripped in half by Vatarie as she was **** back. Vatarie looked ready to attack again when her cheeks buldged and she threw up again falling to her knees.

Stephanie raised the broken sword and it was unexpected blocked by one of the students to Vatarie's right. Stephanie looked at the new combatantant and after a beat smiled and walked back into position. Vatarie was still on her knees dry heaving and you went over to help her knowing that Stephanie wouldn't risk attack you no matter how open you made yourself.

You knelt down to lift Vatarie up and carry her to the seats next to Anastasia. When she was down you went to grab the bucket of water that Stephanie had brought for this purpose and saw Edin carrying it over. He set it down and you used a cup to wash the vomit off Vatarie's chin and get to clean her mouth out. Anastasia took over for you quickly as Stephanie called you back.

When you returned Stephanie struck again. This time at Five. You expected something similar to Vatarie's situation to repeat itself but instead heard the sound of metal clanging as Three stepped in help the defense. Both used magic for it but only Five vomited. Stephanie retreated with another smile and you figured out the lesson. Don't fight against someone stronger alone if you aren't alone.

The lesson was picked up by everyone else as well. Rather than the staggered line everyone was in Three told everyone to group up. It was still a line but one that made it much easier to defend the person on your sides. Stephanie smiled through out. Each time she attacked the would face three defenses. It wasn't enough, each attack meant that at least one person collapsed from the magical exhaustion but no one was as out of it as Vatarie afterwards.

When it ended Asune, you Three and Six were still standing. Six mostly because Three was covering for her. Stephanie never attacked you and without magic you were horribly slow but both Asune and Three picked up on that and compensated, using your sword as a brace rather than a primary deflector.

Stephanie stepped out of her attack stance and nodded. "Well done." That the dismissal. The pride in her voice as she said it felt kinda good, it was the first time she had dismissed the class where you felt she was actually impressed. You were as well, Three took charge smoothly and everyone listened to her, she'd be a good leader.

Three looked over the students sitting down recovering then walked away without comment. Maybe not that good a leader, at least not yet.

"Wait," Stephanie said to her. Three stopped and looked at her. Stephanie sized her up then looked at you. "You two come with me." She walked out of the training field.

You looked over to see Edin fussing over Vatarie and the others, providing water as needed. They would be fine so you walked after Stephanie and Three. If this was your after class lesson with her, well you kinda wanted it to be one on one, flirting with company would be awkward.