Solar Ascension-Chapter 135: Team Training

"According to what we know, this year’s IAT will feature different environments," Radiant Boar said as he looked at the six before him,

It had been a few days since the Academy’s selection tournament and the qualifying six currently stood inside the simulation room with Radiant Boar.

Normally, Astra was the one responsible for handling this training, but she seemed to be busy with something else, tossing all the work to Garron.

"First thing’s first," Garron Boar said as he looked at the six, "let’s get you working as a team."

He tapped a button of what seemed to be a remote in his hand and the entire simulation room slowly changed.

Heat rose and Nox immediately felt it, just before the waves were visible in the air. Their environment slowly took on a orange hue.

The simulated environment didn’t have to fully load for them to realize what type of environment this was.

A glowing glow soon covered them all and before they could react, they were each teleported to a different area.

"As you all can see," Radiant Boar’s voice came from all around, "you have been separated into groups of two."

Nox looked behind him to realize that he was indeed with someone else, Rhett, the second year who Flint had fought.

"In a few seconds, your objective will be revealed," Garron Boar continued, "the goal is to work as a team and fulfill that objective, good luck."

With that, it went completely silent and Nox finally had the chance to survey around them.

It looked like some type of Volcanic biome, with streams of lava flowing through the ground.

Both Nox and Rhett stood on a relatively safe part, one that was made of black dirt but that didn’t mean they didn’t feel the heat,

The pool on sweat running down Nox’s face being the proof of that heat.

He turned to Rhett but before he could say anything, a rumble was heard behind them, causing them to turn around.

Out of the lava rose what seemed to be a large circular platform made of stone and in the center of said platform was a small podium that was at least three meters high.

Laying on the smaller platform was was an orb like core, one that seemed like a marble with some type of orange energy swirling within.

At the exact moment, their watches let out a ding and pulled their attentions towards it.

[Objective: Protect the core till the time runs out.]

It was a simple and straightforward instruction and with it, a holographic timer appeared suddenly appeared above the core.

They were separated into two,

[Test Begins in: 00:00:59] and [Time remaining: 00:15:00]

"That means we have less than a minute to prepare," Nox muttered turning to Rhett, "and we’ll have to keep the core safe for fifteen minutes."

"So it seems, friend," Rhett nodded as he added, "I suggest we use this time to understand one another’s strengths."

"Efficiency will be paramount if we are to succeed," he continued, summoning his shield and sword, "so I’ll go first, I specialize in the sword and shield as you may have seen during our tournament."

"Yeah," Nox said, "the golden knight."

"Unfortunately friend," Rhett shook his head, "I cannot use the Golden Knight whenever I want, as it puts a lot of physical strain on my core."

"I see," Nox nodded, "then you’ll stay on defense, I’ll handle whatever comes our way, just make sure whatever slips through doesn’t get to the core."

Rhett was silent for a while, seemingly thinking about his words before he finally nodded.

"That is not a problem," he said, "but are you certain of such choice? Though I don’t doubt your abilities, will you be able to hold on for fifteen minutes?"

"Don’t worry about it," Nox said, summoning Morphos, "I should be able to."

"If that is what you wish," Rhett said with a nod, "then I shall act as defense and you, as the front line."

"Hmm," Nox answered as he looked around, though he said he would be able to hold out for fifteen minutes, and while he could, the heat was going to be a problem.

Having his SE refresh him every second would just lead to waste and given the seal on him, he couldn’t just carelessly waste SE.

"Is something bothering you, friend?" Rhett interrupted his thoughts, seeing as he had gone silent for a few seconds.

"Noth—" Nox wanted to say but paused and turned to Rhett, "about the Golden Knight, is it possible for you to teach it to me?"

Rhett was a bit thrown off by the question and it took him a few seconds to actually understand what Nox actually meant before he finally replied,

"...That would be... complicated," Rhett said slowly, his brows knitting together as he chose his words with care.

"The Golden Knight is not merely a technique of circulation or form," he continued, resting the flat of his blade against his buckler. "It is what one might call it a... family discipline."

Nox let out a sigh, he expected just as much and he was about to give up, but Rhett spoke again.

"In truth," he went on, his tone was stiff but it was also honest, "it was never intended to be taught outside my bloodline. The technique binds SE, physical reinforcement, and a very particular mental cadence. If executed incorrectly, it can fracture one’s core or cripple the body."

"Well, rather than calling it a family technique, it would be more accurate to say that only a lucky few unlocked it," he said with a chuckle, "but still, my family considers it theirs, so it would normally be impossible to teach it to outsiders."

There was a brief pause as the timer continued ticking down.

00:00:31

Rhett glanced at the holographic numbers, then back at Nox. His eyes lingered on Morphos, on the way Nox’s SE flowed unnaturally smoothly, as if it ignored conventions most students, especially him, struggled with.

"...However," he added, exhaling quietly, "they may have also be considered an outsider at this point, so I see no issue teaching you."

Before Nox could say anything Rhett added, "on one condition."

00:00:13

"What would that be?" Nox asked, not really surprised since he knew that it was basically common sense to give something to gain something else.

And given that he was asking such a big favor, he was prepared to give something of equal value...though he didn’t know what, just yet.

"I would like to request two things," Rhett placed his fingers up.

Nox just nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"I would like you to also train me in the usage of SE," Rhett requested.

"Huh?" Nox seemed a bit surprised.

"As you might have figured out," Rhett continued, "I am lacking in talent and I make up for that, I work harder than everyone else, but even I know that hardwork will only take me so far, so I understand how you can smoothly move your SE through you."

"I see."

Was what Nox said, but the truth was, he had no idea what to do, his SE flow just...happens.

All he knew was that he followed his instincts and it ended up going well. To actively teach something like that, he had no idea he could.

"Secondly, I heard Ascended Dawn is your master," Rhett continued, "so I would like you to introduce me to her."

00:00:08

The second condition was a lot easier than the first, that demoness...erm, Ascended Dawn would be glad to receive more students to tot—erm, train.

Though, that depends on her mood and whatever the voices in her head said, but Nox was sure she would accept someone as Rhett, mostly because she would be interested in the Golden Knight.

"I can do the second," Nox started,"but—"

Before his words could be completed, the ground suddenly started rumbling causing the two to turn around.

"That would appear to be our cue," Rhett said, lifting his buckler and settling into a guarded stance beside the core. "I will establish a defensive perimeter."

With that, he took out a Solar tech, placed it close to the small pillar, and a barrier soon wrapped all the way around it.

"This way we shall focus on averting the threats," he said as he turned to Nox.

"Hmm," Nox nodded as they waited for the threats to start appearing.

It was soon the final five seconds on the timet and their watches started counting it down.

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