[center][h2]Esther von Degraff[/h2][/center]
[hr]
Esther listened as the cadets discussed whom they should pick as their leader. There was an idea floating around that they should also have a sub-leader, proposed by Althea, and she could definitely see the benefit of that. In the end, however, the Princess ended up leading them after all. Esther couldn't help but think that that had been a waste of time.

Well, at least now that's over, they could properly rest and--

"Kreeeeeeeeek!"

Esther looked up and saw just what had made that terrible screeching noise.

Rocs. Giant eagle birds. A flock of them.

She didn't need her textbook to tell just how dangerous they were. One of them was dangerous enough, but with a flock of them suddenly appearing like this and ambushing them? This was definitely a dangerous situation.

Esther quickly reacted by leaping backwards a distance away from their shadows. Remembering how her textbook told her that fighting a roc in an open field like this was tantamount to suicide, she quickly looked around before leaping towards the nearest ruined building she could take cover with. She heard Regina's voice, telling everyone to take cover. [i]Nice job, Regina![/i], she said to herself. Her shout should be a wake up call for anyone still standing out there.

She landed at what seemed to be a second floor or a house, only the ceiling wasn't there at all, allowing her to snipe the birds with her wind blades while still having cover from the remnants of the walls. Well, snipe might be the wrong word, as she quickly found that the rocs could easily dodge her wind blades, what with them being able to sense the change in the wind pressure easily. One of them even countered her attack with a flap of its wings, sending an equal amount of gale towards her compressed air, nullfying it.

[i]Oh, so annoying! I have to wait until they're in a position where they can't easily manuver themselves![/i]

However, she then noticed how Gradon was still on the field with his sword drawn. She almost shouted to him to take cover, but realized that he had to fight that way since he was a melee fighter. She then had to stop herself once again, this time from jumping to his aid. There would be no point in erecting a wind barrier. She was sure the rocs would be able to break them easily with their strength. She just had to trust in Gradon's finesse in dodging and wait for that chance to send her wind blade to the attacking roc. When they swooped down, it should be difficult for them to go up instantly.

[@TheWindel]