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Lysander was speechless as he watched Imogen pick up the fallen head. Euphemia let out a shaky laugh, clapping her hands loudly. [color=yellow]"Let's, uh...try not to destroy the targets, please. Those are given to us by the Knights of Seiros, so..."[/color] She trailed off as she noticed Lysander's shock.

[color=plum]"We'll be requesting payment for that,"[/color] He told Imogen outright, shaking his head. [color=plum]"Please see me after class."[/color]

Euphemia decided to leave him to it, looking at the trio of archers. She hadn't expected Kellen, nor did his own teammate, judging by Auberon's comment. There wasn't much enthusiasm there, either. Lysander did mention that the poor thing hadn't reacted much to his questioning, so maybe it wasn't that surprising. Still, if he wanted to change his weapon, there was nothing wrong with that.

With that in mind, Euphemia approached him, flashing a smile. [color=yellow]"It's okay if you want to try something new today. Though you'll want to raise your elbows up more,"[/color] She suggested kindly, pretending she was drawing back a bow of her own. [color=yellow]"Remember, arrows don't shoot in a straight line, they go in an arch."[/color]

Veronica raised an eyebrow at the blonde's consolation but chose not to comment. Instead, she looked at Jorah's dummy. She'd admit she was impressed, though she wasn't about to let herself look less by comparison. Raising her arms, she turned her aim over at Jorah's dummy, mimicking his shots. Her arrows sank into the same spots, pushing Jorah's arrows as they hit their target. Satisfied, she flipped her hair over her shoulders and lowered her bow.

[color=lightsalmon]"That would certainly provide more of a challenge,"[/color] She said, giving Jorah a side-eye glance.

Tomai largely ignored the commotion, more focused on the magic users. Clarissa and Rudolf had a good handle on their spells, the former likely in need of fine-tuning while the latter just needed to put more mana into his spell. Both of them had passed with flying colors compared to Lienna, however. The icicles very much mirrored the ones back in Luin, albeit they weren't nearly as numerous. There was still a lot of power in the spell, but there wasn't any sense of control in there. If he didn't know any better, he would say that she had very little basic education.

[color=red]"I really don't understand this kid,"[/color] He ended up muttering out loud.

[color=palegreen]"She's talented,"[/color] Kaira replied quietly.

[color=red]"About as talented as a raging bull,"[/color] He couldn't help but retort, though he raised his voice. [color=red]"Remember your basics, Lienna. Don't let the spell dawdle, just send it away. Rudolf, I want you to try once again with more power into it,"[/color] He said, stopping as he looked at Kaira. [color=red]"I think by all principles, Clarissa was fine. Anything to add?"[/color]

Kaira took a second to think. [color=palegreen]"Hmm...I think it was well executed. If I have any suggestion, it'll be to go to the next step of speeding up the spell itself,"[/color] She offered to Clarissa. [color=palegreen]"I agree with Professor Malathice in everything else."[/color]

Meanwhile, Michail's eyes followed the others, frowning to himself. There was a lot of talent there, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't notice that they were definitely in need of some polish. He did end up approaching Auberon, placing a hand on his shoulder.  

[color=00aeef]"It's fine,"[/color] He supported Euphemia in letting Kellen do as he would for now--he'd make sure to have a word with Kellen later. [color=00aeef]"Your technique is good, though make sure to trust the ax's weight to help your swings along. We want to use everything from momentum to gravity to help our attacks out."[/color]

With that in mind, he looked over at Kayden. [color=00aeef]"Your swings need more substance, Highness. Enemies aren't necessarily dazzled easily, make sure you slit their throat before they get to yours,"[/color] He suggested.

He turned to Derec, who had been waiting for his attention. The lance moved the same way it did at the village, albeit the last thrust stopped before the dummy--he was definitely making sure he didn't end up in the same boat as his other classmate. There was no way he could afford to replace any equipment, let alone something belonging to the Church.

[color=00aeef]"Keep your weapon closer to you and watch your grip,"[/color] Michail suggested, taking on a stance with an imaginary weapon. [color=00aeef]"Your strikes won't let anyone close, but if they do, they'll make sure to knock your weapon out of your hands."[/color] He made sure to give actual advice, their conversation still fresh on his mind. Derec also appreciated the advice as he took a stance again, adjusting his grip. 

Michail nodded in approval, though when he got to the last student, he was a little surprised to see Isolde just standing there. [color=00aeef]"Your turn, Isolde,"[/color] He spoke, making sure she heard him.

Isolde looked from the dummy to Michail, shaking her head. [color=lemonchiffon]"I...can't do anything like that..."[/color] She replied quietly, motioning towards Imogen.

[color=00aeef]"Well, I don't want you to do anything like Imogen. I want you to do it the way Isolde does it,"[/color] He grinned. [color=00aeef]"Come on, show me what you got!"[/color]

The blonde looked at the other melee fighters, realizing she was the last one to go. Hanging her head, she took in a deep breath as she approached the dummy, raising her knuckles to eye level. She clearly had had training, and her demonstration proved as much--whoever taught her had also shown her how to use her smaller stature, her strikes speedy and numerous. 

Once done, Michail gave her a short clap. [color=00aeef]"See? That was great!"[/color] He was glad to see it again, though he noted that he was going to have to come up with something to encourage both her and Kellen. Oh boy. Was there such a thing as confidence workshops? [color=00aeef]"With you, we'll work on getting more power in your strikes."[/color]

Michail took some steps away from the group, approaching the weapon rack and taking a wooden spear in hand before turning back. [color=00aeef]"I'm glad to see Luin wasn't a fluke--and the rest of you are fine additions as well,"[/color] He spoke to the rest of the class, stopping only as Tomai literally stomped on one of Lienna's icicles, dispelling the remains. [color=00aeef]"Lots of raw talent. Now, with that in mind, this doesn't mean that we can just take it easy. If anything, it means we have to work harder to set a good example for the rest of the student body."[/color]

Veronica exhaled, unamused. [color=lightsalmon]"Shouldn't the rest catch up to us before we further ourselves?"[/color] She ended up asking out loud.

[color=00aeef]"That's the mindset of the lazy, and that simply won't do for someone of your station, my lady,"[/color] Michail disagreed. [color=00aeef]"We'll be going over some drills now, so I suggest bracing yourselves. We'll be here for a few hours. In that time, I suggest you pay attention to your classmates--I'll be quizzing you on how your housemates are doing shortly."[/color]

The sun and clouds did little to offer support to the students, though they did as they were told--some begrudgingly, others willingly. Fortunately, the time that passed was used solely on refining their techniques and improvements for those that had the basics down pat. Michail ensured everyone was doing something at all times, whether it was testing their knowledge or challenging them further. He was, as expected, ruthless; for him, this was just another day in the life of a knight, and he wasn't about to ease up just because they were students.

At the sound of the eleventh bell, Michail finally let them take a well-deserved break. Or at least, a break from their physical work, as rather than dismissing them, he had everyone put away their weapons and follow him out of the arena. They wouldn't have to walk very far, convening in the empty Black Eagles Classroom. Once they arrived, he instructed them to split up once again and organize themselves by house.

Once everyone was seated, a few servants filed in with trays of refreshments and snacks set aside just for them. They left as quickly as they came and wordlessly at that, clearly experienced in serving the nobility. Michail positioned himself by the Blue Lions, though he made sure everyone was looking at him before he would reveal what they were doing next.

[color=00aeef]"Now that the fun is over, onto the quiz,"[/color] He grinned. [color=00aeef]"Being both a leader and part of a team means knowing exactly what your allies are capable of, and providing feedback is crucial to their growth. So right now, I want everyone to give out what you think your teammates' strengths and weaknesses are, as well as what you think they should do to improve. While the three house professors will be observing, all of us will make sure to listen in closely. Once you're all finished, then we'll see how you did."[/color]

Taking a seat at the Blue Lions' table, he grabbed a croissant, immediately stuffing it into his mouth and looking around at his lions. Euphemia was less than pleased, though she sat with the Golden Deer as well. Tomai opted to remain standing.

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