Chapter 109: Other Ambitions

The following day, the academy saw the gathering of the school’s picks for the National Tournament, whose candidates were training in one of the larger practice areas that morning. Linda and Ray Stone were the first years selected. Students below fourth year had to enter the academy tournament to be considered, so Dustin and Raul hadn’t qualified.

The three stopped to watch on their way to class, mostly just to see their classmates, as did most others of their year.

As for Linda, her mother had called before breakfast to discuss what the other academies might bring to the tournament and how little time Linda had left to prepare, of course, only after showing much satisfaction that Linda got in. She had also suggested that Linda attend every available training session without missing even a single one.

Linda had heard that advice often enough. Nevertheless, she accepted it as it came and left it at that.

...

That afternoon, Leon went to the academy’s transport area for an inter-class field exercise that had been arranged.

The academy maintained an off-campus training site with uneven paths, low walls and empty building shells. Their task was to guide a loaded stretcher through the area while their summons protected the approaches.

Students from different years would take turns choosing a route and explaining their decisions to the others.

Leon had been assigned to a mixed group that he would be a part of once they got there.

He showed his identification to the instructor beside the bus and waited for his name to be marked off.

"Keep your phones where you can get to them," the instructor told them. "Report to your group supervisor when we arrive. You’ll need to check in with them again before boarding for the return trip. We leave at five thirty. Anyone who finishes early should wait at the assembly point."

"Understood, sir," Leon answered, as did others.

He sent Dustin a message with the time he expected to return before boarding with his water and the required equipment, even though he wasn’t going to use them.

The third-year student in his group had saved him a seat and was already reading through the route sheet.

Leon sat beside him and leaned closer to look as the instructor began the final count.

...

The journey was successful, they arrived on time, and were done on time, ending just a little after five.

Leon’s group had spent most of the afternoon carrying a weighted stretcher through the training site and learning that a corner wide enough for two people could still be too narrow for what they were carrying.

By their final attempt, certainly they had learned from everything, and nobody was choosing a route simply because it looked shorter.

Leon returned his equipment, checked in with the group supervisor and went to wait for the bus. Several benches stood beneath an awning beside the reception building, facing a paved loading area. A low concrete wall separated it from the footpath leading towards the public car park.

Their bus was still on the other side of reception, where it had dropped them off. Students from another group were returning their equipment at the service window, while two workers pushed a trolley filled with folded barriers along the footpath.

Leon had just taken out his phone when a grey passenger van stopped a distance away.

"Leon Carter?" The driver said as he leaned across the empty passenger seat. A transport badge hung from his neck, and he held a clipboard in one hand.

Leon didn’t said a word in response, but he looked up to see who called him, identifying himself.

"There’s been a change to your return arrangements. We’ve been asked to take you to the administration building ahead of the others."

Leon looked towards the second man sitting beside the open sliding door.

"I’ll need to check with my supervisor before I leave." he said.

"We’ve got you down here. First-year attachment, group three."

That was indeed his group, but Leon still remained beside the bench.

"I still need to let him know." He said, that was basic process.

"He’s dealing with the equipment returns," the driver said, glancing towards reception. "Give him a call once we’re moving."

"We were told we’d be dropped off at the residences. Who asked you to take me to administration?"

"The academy’s administration office."

"Who at the office?"

"You should have received a notice with the details."

Leon checked his phone, but sure enough, there was no notice.

’Then you can wait.’ He said in his mind.

He called the supervisor using the number included in the exercise information. The driver leaned back in his seat and watched him.

"Sir, a van has arrived to take me back separately. They said the academy changed my arrangements. Were you informed?"

"No. Stay at the assembly point. Tell me what they’re driving."

The man beside the sliding door stepped out before Leon could answer.

"A grey passenger van, sir. It’s outside reception," Leon said into the phone.

The man started coming around the open door, while the driver reached for his own handle.

Noticing their move, Leon moved behind the bench. He wasn’t sure, but the whole thing didn’t quite feel right somehow.

Reception was around ten paces behind him by then. The students at the equipment window stood slightly farther along, while the workers’ trolley blocked part of the path to his left. The van occupied most of the loading space on his right.

"Everyone, get inside!" Leon shouted towards the students. He couldn’ quite say, but at that moment, there was a feeling that came over him and he felt an approach of danger.

Immediately, both Great Swordsmen appeared.

One stood between the van and the bench, while the other protected the path towards reception. Six Skirmishers followed almost immediately after the Swordsmen appeared.

That was already enough undead to crowd the awning of the building. Summoning Warriors would only block the doorway and make it harder for everyone else to move, besides, he didn’t really need.

"Keep those two away from me. Leave room for everyone to get through."