Eodem: A Rifle and Sword Adventure (Complete)

Chapter 37: a Fading Peace

"Are you sure about this?" Samantha asked.

She was wearing her a plain green training shirt, black colored jogging pants and most peculiar of all, a Sparring Helmet, designed for Hand-to-Hand combat training, handily provided by a concerned Aliathra at the last minute when she had heard what Iris has planned for her Magical Arts training today. Before the Lieutenant deemed the Chosen One of the Sigil 'Rhannu-Prietar' or the Share Holder, was Iris Cadohagan and whole assortment of various items ranging from weights, medicine balls and even a several articles of clothing curled up in the shape of balls being floated around by Iris' Mage Hand spell.

"You need to learn how hold yourself against any attacks from those who will try to hunt you down. I have to live through this every day before your arrival and its only right I teach you how to survive." Iris said.

"Yes, Okay, I remember from yesterday you taught me how to use the Shield spell right?" Samantha turned to the Elf Cleric.

"Indeed, remember what I taught you." Aliathra reminded.

The Shield Spell, as Samantha can decipher from Aliathra's teachings is from a sub-category of the Restoration School of Magic.

"I got it." Samantha readied herself. She grabbed the Unbinilium Crystal set aside to her on a pedestal set up by Dr. Mahelona who observed quietly above her by the Testing Chamber's theater.

"Today's lesson!" she raised her voice. "Block ALL of my Attacks!" she declared.

Immediately, Iris hurled the first of projectiles, a five-kilogram weight flying towards Samantha's direction. Tensing her knees and shoulders, the red head braced herself as the magical energies circulate around her.

Curling her fingers down facing the thumb, Samantha effortlessly casted a sapphire colored circle on her hands. Impacting the oncoming projectile, the weight harmlessly fell down before her, much to Iris closeted sadism and Aliathra's nervousness. At the earliest of stages, the Lieutenant was able to fairly withstand the lighter and fairly discernable reads of Iris' barrage. But as time progresses, Samantha's reserves began to deplete causing the shield to ricochet off the thrown projectiles before dampening the impact of the attacks that managed to come through until ultimately, Samantha faltered trying hold the shield all together.

"Stop!" Samantha begged as she shielded herself from the medicine balls thrown at her with her limp arms.

"Yes, halt this lesson. You are going to injure her!" Aliathra rushed to Samantha to check her vitals. Fortunately, thanks to her mana reading's she discerns she was still hosting a safe level of Mana inside her.

After confirming the Lieutenant's safety, the Elf's eyes darted to the Vampire Witch, simmering with apprehension.

Iris gave pause, disappointed at the 'Chosen One's' weakness.

"She was about to exhaust her Mana already Iris. Your idea of training will not work, not at least alone that is." Aliathra reprimanded.

"Samantha needs to push harder if she wants to unlock her true potential Elf. Her training is to hold her shield for as long as ten minutes to replicate what an intense Magic Fight could entail. If she fails here, she could be cut down by Fireballs, Magic Missiles and Ice Spikes or what not out there! She will be overwhelmed." Iris replied with a scalding voice. "Besides, she is a soldier after all. Shouldn't she be used to this?" she argued.

"I disagree. Samantha is still new to all of this Magic and must take this much more slowly." Aliathra protested.

"I agree... to disagree Elf!" Iris dejected. "What can you do?" she challenged.