Melfar Academy: Changes

Arashi and his brother were walking down the villages' streets in silence. It's been a while since they first arrived and both were worried about the current situation in their world. Wanted posters were hang all around the village and academy, while their world was hunting down Samusagi. They saw many members from Melfar during  their walk to the academy.  When brothers entered the building they noticed someone in the Halls of Heroes and they walked towards the room.

"Melfara-san? ~eru?" Arashi called her name when the young headmistress was standing in front of her cousins' statue, which was being removed by workers.

"Orders from the Queen" she said in a cold and mature voice.

"Yes, we know..." Aijiro grabbed his brothers' shoulder.

"Orders are orders, brother. We have no right to question Queens',  nor Melfaras' decisions ~eri"

"I appreciate your worry,  Arashi." The girl placed her hand on the statue, which the crushed into pieces "I am not a child." She clenched her teeth "I'll make Satsu pay for every lie during all these years"

Melfara turned around, while the workers got rid of the mess. The brothers were shocked with her behaviour, lately the headmistress was acting like a grown up woman, instead of an innocent little girl, whom she always was. Her eyes were cold, voice mature and her actions unhesitatingly. She was calm, serious and strict, she stopped playing around and rarely smiled even when Beryl was around, Melfara doesn't want to be treated like a child anymore. Morgana was able the fix the spell and Melfara always has it activated,  to be seen like a headmistress of the academy.

"Lessons are starting, give students an example and go" she said coldly and left the hall with brothers behind her, who then walked to their classes. Arashi waved to his brother, then walked to his classroom, where class 1-1 and 1-2 was. He checked the presence, then turned to the board and started drawing circles and exes with a while chalk.

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"Before we start I'll be good to explain the basic structure and role of each class" He turned to them. "The first line are always Fighting-man, class 1-1, you are soldiers of the unit, thus most of you head as first, since you're specializing in close combat. The ones who shield you or help you are magic users and ranger class. Spell-casters create shields or fight magic with magic. Archers, snipers and spell-casters, your role is quite simple, when enemy forces attack, you try to crush their battle arrays. Archers attack the front, while mages help them by ameliorating their weapons, with spells like: Fire or ice. Clerics, your role is most important, since you heal your comrades during the battle also you're powers are good against "unholy" enemies, like undeads. ~eru"

Arashi took a step forward, then Whitney raised her hand and he allowed her to speak. 

"Sensei, you said that you'll explain the basic structure and the role of each class. All classes have gathered expect class 1-3, why?"

"Class 1-3 is a specific type, they are rouges. Of course they as well have their positions, but often attack by surprise. They are perfect warriors for quiet missions, or drawing someone's attention. ~eru"

"You can't trust them" Commented Kurai and crossed her hands.

"Please, Kurai-san. Why is that? ~eru?" He asked curious about her opinion.

"Isn't it obvious?" She sighted "They are thieves, pirates, ninja and assassins. Besides, everyone heard, headmistress cousin betrayed the academy, that's why wanted posters are all over this place, duuh. If I were the leader, I would send them off as well, in a battle they can betray you."

The class began to whisper around, all sharing their thoughts. Arashi could hear that most had the same opinion as Kurai and didn't seem to be happy about it. He knock a few time on the desk so the students would be silent again.

"I can't disagree, with you. I know it's hard to trust them, but tell me what makes you trust those in your class? ~eru?"

"I don't trust them, either"

"That's the main problem here, most of you rush into action, want to be the hero, have revenge. Each of you has their own reason, but no matter how strong you are, you can't do everything alone. Kurai-san, who protects your back in a fight? ~eru?"

"My brother"

"You and your brother are the same warrior class, but what happens, if you face a mage? ~eru?" 

"We fight them"

"But you can't fight a mage and surrounding you enemies at once, you need someone to either drag the enemies attention or cast a spell, for example fire to burn your way through your enemies. But, if someone gets hurt? Then you need a Cleric class type and who will cover your back from enemies that are further? An Ranger class warrior, also standing in high places or  bit further from the battle, will allow them to inform you about the changing situation. ~eru"

"Fine, but what about the shadow ones?"

"Let me finish. The rouge class warrior, has their role as well. They are perfect for retries and surprise attacks, us it then. ~eru" He smiled "Allow them to attack them from shadows or hide, to make their way through the enemies unnoticed, they can gather useful information ~eru"

"Or escape from the battle field" Said Batibat. 

"Kiyoko would never do something like that!" Shouted Whitney. 

"Silence ~eru" He said once again hitting the desk a few times. "Who has been on the funeral, when the girls' body had disappeared?" 

Mot of the students raised their hands, while Arashi looked around to count them. 

"Good, most of you. I'll explain in on the Ashida's example." He leaned against the desk facing the students "When the illusion faded, what was their first reaction? ~eru?"

"Nothing, from what I remember everyone was confused and they were asking questions around"

"Well, not exactly. The first thing they did, was they all were asking the brothers. They both looked at each other, no words. They started analyzing the situation. Peatuve is a very fest assassin, not only in battle but in mind as well, you can say he 'scanned' the area, then looked at his brother. It was a sign, I'm no sure what it means, since I wasn't trained by them. But after that Aluin shouted an order, remeber? ~eru?"

"Yes" Said Whitney "Then that woman shouted that the enemy it too fast, their next move were spell casting. Melfara and her mother threw a spell, then that man threw a spear and the woman shoot the enemy"

"Good, now let's see it in their eyes. In you opinion what happened? ~eru?" 

"He saw a very pretty girl?" Said Corey, while wagging his tail in joy, what made the whole class laugh "Eh? What? Girls are worth attention"

"In my opinion, they knew exactly what to do. I mean, they are a family, so they know their abilities and moves before one can even think of it. To me it seems that they trust each other"

"Thank you, Dakota-san. That's right, they do trust each other, to the level that each of them entrust their lives to their squad. Masami and Melfara are able to use magic, but the enemy was too fast and they couldn't cast it in time..."

"So they used Peatuves' speed and instead of placing the spell on the enemy, they placed it on his spear."

"Magnificent, Aarina-san" He praised her "It's exactly as your friend said, they trick wasn't to stop her, nor slow down, but to make her move to the place Beavara was aiming at ~eru" 

"Sensei!" Waved Ren "But how do we know were we need to move the enemy?"

"Slowly, before I answer your question, I would like to ask about your thoughts. ~eru" He looked around "Anyone? ~eru?"

"I was there with Gold and Kiyoko, to me it looked like they were organized"

"Good" He wrote it on the board. "Any others? ~eru?"

"They trusted each other" Said Dakota.

"Know about each abilities!" Shouted Corey.

"Supportive?"

"No, Kanji. I think more of a Team player" 

"Good Dakota ~eru"

"Very Courageous, focused, resourceful, observant, they thought ahead"

"Good, Aarina-san" He turned to the class "What do you think, what are those? Who needs them the most?"

"A warrior?"

"Mage?"

"Leader?"

"No, a team. That's what it's all about, teamwork, since ancient times it was used in mostly every battle. The leader knows everything about everyone on his squad, he trusts them and they trust him. It's not as you see in movies, leadership is not a game, it's a burden. He carries on his shoulders more than one life, how hard it that?" The bell rang "Time it over, tasks for the weekend: 'What skills and character traits, should I have to be a team-player?' 'What makes me a leader or doesn't?' Think about your good and bad sides. Oh! The training will be in a week, so prepare yourselves ~eru"


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"Welcome, class 1-3 ~eri" He said to the class "I'll start with the basics for now. The first line are always Fighting-man, class 1-1, you are soldiers of the unit, thus most of you head as first, since you're specializing in close combat. The ones who shield you or help you are magic users and ranger class. Spell-casters create shields or fight magic with magic. Archers, snipers and spell-casters, your role is quite simple, when enemy forces attack, you try to crush their battle arrays. Archers attack the front, while mages help them by ameliorating their weapons, with spells like: Fire or ice. Clerics, your role is most important, since you heal your comrades during the battle also you're powers are good against "unholy" enemies, like undeads. What do you think your role is in the battle? ~eri?"

"I'm assuming we don't have"

"Don't be like that, Victoria." Complained Hikari "I think we...hmm...help the archers?"

"No, we probably hide in the shadows" Said Takumi. 

"I can teleport through them"

"Yeah, we know that Jason" 

"Victoria hasn't had her morning meal" Laughed Alex, and the girl glared back at him.

"If you want, you can become one"

Aijiro hit the board with the chalk a few times to clam the class, which got too noisy for him to continue. 

"Silence, class. I can't work in these conditions ~eri" He walked to the desk "I want you to start thinking. Why are you separated from others? What's the difference? ~eri"

"We're all special!" shouted Alex with joy. 

"This is not a playground, Alex. ~eri"

"I'm sorry, sensei" He looked down a bit nervous. 

"We can't be trusted, right?"

"Yes and no, Victoria. The reason is, that as a rouge class warrior, you have to learn how to work in a team and as a lone wolf. Especially assassins. ~eri"

"I don't get it?"

"Please, no comments, Takumi. I'll soon get to it ~eri" He leaned against the desk "From what I'e gathered during the last training, I see that most of you don't have problems with lone missions. But as a team-player, as complicated as it sounds, you don't need to trust them, but they need to trust you. For simply reason, in a squad they rely on you, no matter who makes the mistake, it always costs more than you can imagine. It also allows you to sneak in enemies sight unnoticed, it's a skill needed for every good rouge. The Ashida's are an example, most have seen their action once, they work in a team but alone as well, how do they react as a team? ~eri?"

"They trust each other, I was there and I saw it clearly as the night" Smiled Victoria.

"Share your opinion with us ~eri"

"The first looked at each other, no words. And I noticed that one man with longer hair started analyzing the situation, he was looking around, the other way they illusion came from. Then in three fast moves they caught the enemy, Melfara and her mother placed a spell on that man spear, then threw it at the enemy, who got shoot by the other woman, when they jumped"

"You have a good eye, Victoria. ~eri" He praised her "Yes, they all know their abilities and how to use them, Peatuve is fast thus he was able to hit the enemy and even if it was faster, Beavara shoot him. What do you notice, here? ~eri?"

"More than one option. From what was just said, I assume they came up with more than just one plan. It's like a 'in case' thought, that if something happens, they can always do this to reach their goal."

"Very good, Hikari" He smiled "That's what you have to do, either work with or without a squad, never let the enemy surprise you. Learn to think, not to attack, when the time is right. The trick is to gather all necessary information in a short time, their number, strength. When caught in an open fight, don't be afraid to extend the battle. In my world we call it 'delusion', you use moves that don't require much strength and energy, you can either pretend to be weak or strong. The harder option is strong. If you make your enemy think you're powerful, you have to know the rick that they might figure it out and then you'll lose. If you choose to seem weaker, you'll not only surprise the enemy but gain information about them. The trick is to make them show you their limits, weaknesses and abilities ~eri"

"Sensei" Kiyoko raised her hand.

"Yes, Kiyoko? ~eri?"

"What about the squad part?"

The school bell rang before he could answer and the students raised ready to leave the classroom.

"But I didn't finish ~eri" He said and they sat down "Since I see your very interested in it, task for the week: 'Would I make a good leader? Why/Why not?' 'How does a rouge fight in a team?' also two more, since you're in a hurry. I would like you to gather as much information about three students you choose, I don't want basics, but try finding out their intentions or even secrets, without them noticing. The second task ~eri" He pulled out three silver starts "Both me an my brother Arashi have them, each of you has to get them from us. You have two weeks for it, Arashi has golden, then person who gets two gold and silver, wins a prize. Well, good luck ~eri"

The students left the classroom, while Aijiro followed them, then closed the doors and meet his brother on the hallways. They walked together to the staff room, while talking about the students. Brothers were surprised how different they are from their Vareos students, maybe their learn something from them as well. Students have skills and are talented, some are very wise, so the brothers decided to polish their skills, Arashi noticed that some have rouge skills, so maybe they'll move to Aijiro's class one day. 

"Good Morning, Ijishis" 

Damien greeted them when the brothers entered the room ad both replied the same to him. Arashi got the keys and placed them on the board, while his brother sat down near the table in the middle of the room.

"How were your lessons?"

"Students here are very different from our homeworld ~eru"

"Yes, most lack respect and talk too much, when they should listen ~eri"

"That's quite common these days" Laughed Damien.

"My brother is just being too stick for them ~eru"  

"Discipline is very important, Arashi. ~eri"

"I didn't say no, brother. Damien, how are your lessons going? ~eru?"

"Nothing unusual, students like playing with magic, but I managed to handle that. Headmistress started acting like one, though it's surprising in my opinion it's a good change. She was acting sometimes to casually with them and they often forget who she is" 

The brothers looked at each other and didn't say a word, Aijiro raised, while his brother walked to the table and sat down on the chair. 

"Well, I'll be leaving now. I have a reports to finish before headmistress sees them ~eri"