Chapter 198: Team training.

Blake had 3 agendas in mind for the team training. The first was helping each of them with their physical combat skills, especially Brian, who mostly had defensive abilities.

The second was improving their coordination in both their arrays and formation.

The 3rd and final aim of the training was to help them increase their mana control. This was a vital part of the training because one's mana control determined his/her efficiency in casting spells and arrays, most especially in the heat of battle.

[Be careful on how much you reveal to them, especially to him.] The system said pointing at Luciano.

The only people that the system considered to be threats to Blake's position as the rank 1 were Luciano and the dark horse, Damon.

So it sounded crazy training your rival, but there were some things Blake had considered.

The chances that Luciano had received better training from the royal family were very high, but it would be a win to make him feel indebted to him.

Also, Blake was following the saying 'Keep your friends close and your possible enemies closer.

The training was a way to constantly keep track of everyone's development, and that of Luciano included. Also, he might be able to gain some insights from him.

'I know, I already have that covered.' Blake said.

"I would have loved to begin with the physical combat class, but we can't due to instructor Zirrack's class tomorrow." Blake said. "So we will start with the barrier array before moving to the arrays I found in the library."

"They contain both attack, defensive, and support arrays. Also, this is a way I plan on increasing our mana control."

One's level of mana control could be increased by practicing and pushing one's self to the limit.

His plan was to get them used to some arrays before reducing the number of people that were to take part in forming a single array.

"Are you sure about this?" Tessie asked in an anxious tone when she heard his plan.

"From your tone, it seems like you are afraid of failing?" With a bowed head, Tessie nodded. "Well, you don't have to worry about that. While thinking of the training I put everyone into consideration."

"No one here will make fun of you if you perform badly, and if you eventually do we are here to help and correct you. Like, that is the reason why we are training in the first place."

"So, you are free to fail as much as you want, no one outside this room will know." Blake said with a smile that made her face turn red.

Blake's words didn't only inspire Tessie, but the rest too. It showed them how much effort Blake would put in to help any one of them.

With their morale high, the team began the training. They started with the barrier array which they were most familiar with.

After making sure they had the hang of it, they began working on how to make it more efficient.

The barrier array consumed quite a lot of mana and form a stationary dome which inhibited their mobility. Their plan was to find a way to change the dome shape or at least learn to move with it.

They tried things like altering the symbols of the array, but the array didn't even activate.

"What if we try changing its position?" Brian asked.

"I doubt that will work but it is worth the try." Blake said.

The team tried out the idea and formed the array right in front of them, but a dome that had its top facing outward formed.

[It is time for you guys to call it a day.] The system said to Blake when it saw the team panting due to mana exhaustion.

"Alright, that is enough for today. Let's get some rest and think about the problem." Blake said.

It was quite late but luckily for them, the school's cafeteria was still open.

"Is it the lack of Camilla's presence or the cafeteria's emptiness that brings so much peace?" Castiel let out a sigh of relief.

"That reminds me. How did you reject Camilla's request so easily?" Tessie asked.

"What is difficult in rejecting a request?" Blake asked with a raised brow.

[She is a teenager who doesn't have 3 elements and doesn't receive the same level of confidence a high rank gives. So, when she meets someone way more beautiful than her, it is going to be a big deal.

C'mon, I can't keep teaching you how to treat a lady.] The system face-palmed.

Tessie was quite down due to his reply not being helpful, but she was soon brought back to life when she heard his voice.

"So, this is how I do it…" Putting her social awkwardness into consideration, Blake went on to explain in detail how to deal with people.

…

The next day at the training grounds.

The students were no longer praying for Zirrack's death because they had figured out it was impossible. So, they went for the next best option, praying for all types of illness that would make him miss the class.

"Is it me or is Blake excited about the torture?" Brian asked Castiel when he saw the smile on Blake's face.

They were half right. Blake was quite excited about the lesson on combat techniques, but that wasn't the main reason.

It turned out that the system had given him a lecture on what they were doing wrong in the training and that had opened up his mind to a whole new view.

"Last class I introduced combat techniques. So we shall talk about it in full." Instructor Zirrack appeared.

"Like said in the last class, combat techniques are like cheats that let's one command nature to some certain degree and they come in different forms, ranging from stances to breathing techniques."

"They have different ways absorbing and manipulating nature's energy in other to increase the user's power output."