Chapter 97 Phase 2 And Important News

In the small arena just outside of the tower Shaman and Elysia were training with their instructors.

Shaman was going through with Stein how to enhance her swordsmanship skills and how to analyze the opponent for information during battle. Stein was fighting Shaman while also shouting at her instructions about how to fight better. The duel was not as intense as the initial duel but it was enough to put her under pressure and allow her to think.

The duel was just raw fighting and the use of magic was banned during the duel making it more difficult for Shaman, forcing her to rely on her weapon rather than magic. Shaman was enjoying herself though as she was able to see progress in her sword skills and the muscle memory she had been relying on was starting to become her own and not just a leftover remnant of the past.

Shaman was improving with each passing moment as the more she fought with Stein the less she had to think. However each time Shaman was getting better, Stein was slowly increasing the difficulty and making it harder and harder for Shaman.

It had also seemed like with each spike in difficulty, Shaman was forced to face against new styles and techniques, opening her eyes to entirely new levels of fighting.

With this difficulty spike Shaman found herself under too much pressure and got herself sent flying back by Stein.

Shaman slid across the floor till she came to a stop. Shaman laid on the floor catching her breath as it was exhausting. Stein stood still and let Shaman get some rest before they continued.

On the other end of the arena Arsia was currently teaching Elysia how to use a polearm.

Elysia had chosen to go down the route of learning a new weapon as she was keen to learn how to use a spear like Arsia. Once again when Elysia was holding the fake spear she had this connection with the weapon and she could only guess it had to do with the passive [Artemis call] that she had got ever since she received the system from Shaman.

Arsia had gone over fundamentals of how to use a spear and optimal ways to switch during battle. They would duel over and over again putting theory into practice and building a foundation for Elysia till she finally develops her own way of fighting.

Arsia was rather proud of Elysia as she was able to pick up the spear rather well and during the duel she could already see Elysia adapting with her bow.

Thanks to the storage 'ring' Arsia thought Elysia had, switching weapons was rather easy and smooth. Elysia was glad that she wore a ring as explaining how they have a storage space would be a pain. Luckily for them storage rings work the same as their inventory where the item slowly disappears and does not need to be put through a dimensional hole.

Elysia still had a long way to go before she would be able to apply this to real battle but it was satisfying for her to learn swapping 2 weapons in one fluid motion and she found herself going through the same motions again and again.

While doing this though Elysia saw Shaman get flown across the floor and was glad that she was not training with Stein. Elysia also took a quick look at her bracelet and could see Shaman was okay so she refrained from running over to her.

However while looking in Shaman's direction she spotted Clara who was walking towards the arena by herself.

Arsia looked in the same direction and when she spotted Clara, she started to wave.

"CLAAARRRAAA!!!" Arsia yelled out to Clara, grabbing her attention, Clara waved back and picked up the pace.

Arsia started to run towards Clara and gave her a hug at the entrance to the arena. Stein had also walked over as he assumed Clara had something to tell them.

"So what news do you have to tell us?" Stein wanted to go back to training Shaman so he rushed for an answer.

Clara broke the hug with Arsia and began to explain why she had arrived.

"Well I came here to hang out with the 2 cuties but Himeko told me to inform you that she will be leaving for a couple months to head to the capital and wanted you to keep training them till she returns." Clara then walked past the two and headed over to Shaman.

"Also Himeko has given you permission to go into the dungeon anytime you want but I have to come along." Clara leaned over Shaman with a smile and delivered the news.

Shaman could not believe what she was hearing as this was exactly what they needed if they wanted to leave this place discreetly.

Stein had walked up behind Clara and pulled on her ear slightly.

"If you have nothing else to say I would like to go back to training." Stein had a slight murderous glint in his eyes which sent chills down Clara's spine.

Arsia however intervened, freeing Clara from Stein's grasp and pulling Clara away.

"Stein, don't treat our newest member like that." Arsia stood in front of Clara a little annoyed by Stein.

"Tch, we need to get back to training, you can stay Clara, just don't get in my way." Stein walked back to where he originally was and waited for Shaman to get up.

"Gosh, when will that gloomy bastard learn to relax, all he ever thinks about his work and training." Arsia voiced her annoyance with Stein.

"Clara come watch me and Elysia train, at least then Stein won't bug you." Arsia grabbed Clara's hand and started to drag her along to Arsia's side of the arena.

'Well it looks like we have a couple months till we have to leave so I guess I should take advantage of this training then leave before Himeko returns.' Shaman was more than motivated to train.

Shaman planned to learn as much as she could before they made their escape out of this place.

***

In an underground hall, a half dead fox girl could be seen chained down in the middle of a summoning circle. There were 6 white robed figures on the edge of the circle chanting an unknown language while one figure stood in the distance observing the ritual.

Soon the circle lit up with complicated runes filling up the empty space. Soon the fox girl in the middle began to scream in pain and vigorously move her body in an attempt to escape. Her screams echoed throughout the room and they became more desperate as time went on. After a few minutes the fox girl had finally died and her body began to evaporate. Soon her body had disappeared and the light in the circle had vanished.

"Good, it was a success but we need more food otherwise it won't be able to support the summoning." The figure in the distance had spoken up and walked up towards the circle.

The man wore clothes that were similar to modern day clothes, The man wore a white hoodie, pure white jeans and shoes. He touched the circle and when he did a screen appeared in front of him.

[50% till spell can be activated, Please provide more sacrifices to activated the spell]

The man grinned and stood up.

"All of you, continue to look for more fox girls and bring them back here immediately we don't have any time to spare." The man yelled orders out and the remaining people in the room left.

"It's only a matter of time till I open the gateway and destroy that bastard land." The man gritted his teeth.

'Yes, once you complete your mission you will be able to face those who took your life away and can claim back what you lost.' A female voice rang out inside his head encouraging his actions.

'Well once you are free, you will do as you promised, right?' The man had a little suspicion in his voice showing that he did not trust who this woman was.

'Of course darling it's only a matter of time.' The female voice trailed off signaling that she had disappeared.

The man let out a sigh and then began to let a black mist envelop his body, till eventually he disappeared from the room.