They ran across thin beams with sweat beading their foreheads. Breathing became heavier as they leaped to reach the top of a wall and. Muscles strained as they pulled themselves up and over. Some landing on the other side with a thud. Dirt kicked up and caked the bottoms of their boots.
Others stood toe to toe with dummies stuffed with hay. Steel swords held at the ready. "STRIKE!" their leader yelled and the knights thrust and slashed with their blades. Small thuds thwapped against the men made of hay, with strands dripping from their bodies.
Kaz walked out and exchanged some looks with the others. Page's and some apprentices nodded back his way and he returned it.
A lieutenant scowled at the wind mage as he lead his men. Another grimaced and strode over with a passive walk. He extended his hand to the mage and Kaz took it. The Lt pulled Kaz in closer to whisper to him. "Don't let the fact that some of the pages like you go to your head, apprentice."
Kaz whispered back, "Oh, so there are people that still like me here."
The Lt smiled and hugged Kaz, "Good to have you back. Rumors about the apprentice whose as strong as.."
"Just rumors I promise. I have orders to help some new recruits catch up on some training. Care if I use the back area?"
The LT jolted his head back, "But that's.."
"I know. It'll be safe. There are only a few of us."
"Alright then Kazimir. It's all yours. Just be careful. There are those that still have an eye on you."
"Got it. Thanks," Kaz replied with a pat to the Lt's shoulder and walked by him.
He went a bit away from the others and through a door leading to an indoor training area. It was much like a smaller version of the training field outside. Except there were ten-foot poles sticking out of a sandpit. Next to that was a circular platform surrounded by miscellaneous weaponry.
Two small towers were in the center of the room. with ropes connecting them at various platforms, a balance beam at the top and then a bundle of ropes on the highest platform.
Kaz walked over to the corner that had five machines facing a walkway with obstacles to roll under and jump over. He cranked a shaft on one of them and a rubber disk shot out and knocked into the wall.
"This will do just fine."
The metal dummies in the corner were fitted with lacrima and glowed different hues. Kaz made a circle with his arms and shot a large blast of wind at the figures. They rattled and stood their ground. The gust of wind was frantic and barely stable but formed a cylinder.
Kaz used the time before the others arrived to practice rolls and jumps while tossing spells. He kicked off the wind and thrust gusts downward at the targets. If he heard the doors open he would land and wipe his brow.
Training WC: 550