Got this and the other chapter out just in time, at least in my time zone. I admit I let myself get distracted earlier this month otherwise this would have been out sooner.

The topic of Aurelia's past wasn't one that came up often after that. She never held it against me, I don't think she was ever even angry at me. Still, it was a bit awkward. Sometimes I wondered how much Aurelia thought of him. At the time she had no idea I wondered that, which was good. She'd have certainly thought I was jealous of him or something.

It was just hard to put the idea out of my mind when I was wandering around in the snow with one of the two resident lovebirds at our training camp. I was a few steps ahead of Priscilla, the two of us having decided that, as Priscilla's the better shot.

Once again, I'm bait, I thought. Aurelia and I had gotten better the past few weeks of simulations in pairs, but we'd never won. Certainly nothing as embarrassing as the first time, at least. She was now paired with Mariana, as Germana had started rotating our partners for the simulations.

When she announced it, I'd briefly thought about how I'd be eventually paired up with everyone, just like I'd been when it came to sparring. But as I led Priscilla up a slope, in a direction we hoped neither Aurelia nor Mariana had thought of, I wasn't considering that. Rather I was wondering for how long I'd have to deal with Aurelia's taunting if she got me.

We weren't in the woods, instead on a slope in the right side of the valley. It had been discovered that shortly ahead was a small dip in the rise around the valley that provided excellent cover. Given Priscilla's skill, we were hoping to hold out there.

The first gunshots had sounded off about a minute before, but so far no one had seen us or chosen to fire at us. Carefully I kept to the top of the slope, peeking my head over. The only other people who know are Aurelia and Mariana, at least that I know of, I thought, expecting to have to duck down.

But there was no one there, the small bowl-shaped enclosure was empty. "Let's go," I said, hopping over and sliding down, Priscilla quickly following. "That was a lucky break," I said, turning and looking back up to the top. Priscilla was already trying to move some snow to make a firing position, but I stepped in, "Let me," I said.

"I can handle touching snow," she said, but was still willing to let me do it for her. She crawled into position, laying her rifle down atop the bank and looking over. "We should be safe," she said.

I sat down against the slope, facing the other direction, in the unlikely event that someone went to the trouble of flanking us. "You sure you're up to shooting Mariana?" I said.

"She's up to shooting me," Priscilla said, "At least I hope."

"I'm glad you two are better," I said with a smile.

"Thanks," Priscilla said. A few minutes of silence passed between the two of us, though the world around was still filled with the occasional echoes of gunshots.

As I sat there thinking, a question popped into my head. Something I'd been wanting to ask Priscilla, "What did it first feel like, falling in love with Mariana?"

Priscilla glanced at me with a confused look, "Need to check it against your feelings?"

"No!" I said, "I'm just wondering…" I hesitated, "Aurelia…she said she had a boyfriend back home. I didn't really know anyone when I was a normal girl, certainly never liked anyone like that, I'm curious, that's all."

Priscilla didn't say anything for a few seconds, and I wondered if I'd offended her, but I looked at her and she seemed to be thinking. "I guess it was…a warm feeling. I felt that I could trust her, that I wanted to see her more, be with her more." She sighed, "I guess I really don't know, it just sort of happened."

"I see," I said, "Thanks…" So Aurelia trusts someone more than me, I thought, but I guess he was her boyfriend, even after all we've been through-my train of thought was interrupted by Priscilla talking.

"You know, I love Mariana, alright?" I looked at her, confused, "If Aurelia loved this boy, she wouldn't be here." Priscilla sound fairly confident, "We contracted at the same time, to make sure that we'd be together. If Mariana had no potential…I'd have never left, and I know for certain that she would have done the same for me."

"Oh…" I guess I don't really understand at all.

"So you still have a chance, is what I'm saying," Priscilla said, and I glared at her.

"That's not why," I insisted, careful to keep my voice down this time.

So far, our hiding place had gone unnoticed, but there was certainly plenty going on in the rest of the valley. We'd even heard some angry shouts above all the gunfire, some people take this rather seriously, I thought.

Then I looked down at myself, and realized the lengths to which we were going, and reconsidered. "You didn't happen to see when this would end yesterday, or earlier, did you?" I asked Priscilla.

"Why do you think we're here?" Priscilla smiled, and I laughed.

"I see, so this victory is ours?"

"No, what I saw was us losing, but I'm hoping being here will change things," Priscilla explained.

After a moment, I asked, "Does it ever get boring, seeing the future, when it's something you don't want to change?"

Priscilla thought for a moment, "Why would it?"

"I mean, you see everything before it happens. Where's the fun in experiencing something new?" I explained.

"Hmmm…think of it like this," Priscilla said, "You have a favorite food, and you've eaten it so much, you know exactly what it tastes like. But you still go and eat that food, why?"

Understanding, I answered, "Because it tastes good."

"Exactly. It's the actual experience itself, not just the fact that it's new. So, I never get bored even if I see what's going to happen, sometimes it makes me more excited to actually experience that event, to feel what I see," Priscilla explained.

"I see, thanks," I said, happy that I had such a friend in Priscilla. Still, she wasn't my first pick for who I'd want to be sitting in the snow with.

The gun shook in my hands, and a small divot was dug in the snow. I had no time to reflect on my poor aim, the needle in my shoulder already having an effect, and the rifle fell from my hands as I slumped down. A moment later, and my shooter tumbled down the slump to land beside me, Priscilla's gunshot echoing in my ears.

Then another shot, and I heard Priscilla fall down. And like that, it was yet again Mia's victory, though her partner had definitely helped this time. She shot well enough to keep both of us distracted while we were flanked. But at least we came the closest to winning.

In doing so, we'd dragged the game out for twice its usual length as we sat camping in our little hideout, leaving everyone else lying in the snow for longer than they'd liked. Needless to say, no one was pleased with us, save Mariana, who didn't care so long as it was Priscilla.

The end of the winter was in sight, and finally the cold was starting to fade. It had been my first winter not spent in an insulated skyscraper, and despite what magic could do, the cold was still uncomfortable. No one seemed to like it.

Though it wasn't nearly as cold as it had been, it was still cold, and the lake in the valley was still mostly frozen over. Crouching by the edge, I could see that it was almost entirely unbroken. The idea of hiding in there had been pitched around, but it was agreed that breaking the ice was too much of a giveaway. It was safe to say we were all waiting until it unfroze.

I turned away, looking back to where Mariana sat crouched behind a tree. We didn't dare try to return to that spot, both out of fear that someone would be waiting for someone to try, and that if we did and were successful, there's no telling what would be done to us.

"Looks to be clear," I said, crouch-walking my way back to where she sat. "Any idea where to go?"

"Here seems fine," Mariana said, "They can only come at us through the forest, if they don't want to be caught on the lake."

I pushed myself up against a tree across from her, "Alright," I said, a bit uncomfortable, "I don't blend in too well."

"I don't really either," Mariana said, "Besides, everyone's been avoiding the forest, with any luck we can stay in here and catch out anyone outside."

I nodded in agreement. I knew she was a better shot than me, although not as good as Priscilla. Both Mariana and I knew we had to watch out for Aurelia and Priscilla. As I thought of them, Mariana shifted a bit uncomfortably.

"Worrying about Priscilla?" I guessed.

She glared at me, "Not worrying, thinking," she sighed, "I suppose it's nothing I trust you, Priscilla trusts you, and you trust Aurelia. She'll be fine with her."

"It's not like we're in any real danger," I pointed out, though I realized that perhaps wasn't the best thing to say.

However, Mariana didn't seem to mind, "I understand that. It's just strange being separated from her, makes me uncomfortable," she admitted.

"These exercises are the farthest you two are apart, huh?" They were the farthest all of us were apart from one another, but I didn't think of anyone as someone I wanted to see every second of my life.

"True," Mariana nodded.

"So that's what's it like, being in love?" I wondered.

Mariana chuckled, "She told me you'd ask that."

I sighed, "Should have figured, I knew you two would tell each other everything."

"Of course we would," Mariana assured her, then a bit uncertainly, asked, "By the way, is everything alright with Aurelia? You two seem to be fine, but Priscilla told me about what you were talking about, do you-"

"It's nothing," I said quickly, "Everything's fine, and she told you that to, I should have known." I sighed, "Does she think there's a problem?"

"She'll probably bring it up with Aurelia," Mariana shrugged, and I moaned.

"She's going to kill me," I muttered.

Mariana leapt to her feet, "And Priscilla?"

"If Priscilla's concerned about me, Aurelia won't care. It's me she'll be mad at for talking about it in the first place," I said, tucking my head into my knees, "I'm such a fool."

Mariana slid back down the tree. She looked like she wanted to say something reassuring, but given the person in question, I don't think either of us had any idea of what to say. "Why'd you bring it up in the first place?" Mariana asked.

"It's not because I'm jealous," I stated, "In case Priscilla told you that theory of hers." I waited a couple seconds, "I feel like I can trust Aurelia, I just wonder if she trusts me too."

"So you're jealous," Mariana concluded, and I sighed, but now that I said it out loud I understood.

"So maybe I am," I admitted, throwing my arms up in the air. A moment later and a bullet embedded itself beside my head in the tree. I yelped and spun around it, "Sorry!"

Mariana peeked out of cover, and sighed, "Ah, we really need to save the talking for a better time." Another shot sent her back in, and I raised my rifle to my shoulder, hoping that maybe something would go well for once.

Minutes later I was lying amidst the frozen underbrush, looking at Mariana across from me. I'd long since stopped paying attention to how long I lay there after I was eliminated, learning that it just made me feel worse about myself. But I did think I was learning.

Finally it was over, and this time it went to Catarina and Erike. Figures, I thought, as I pushed myself up off the ground. "Sorry," I said again to Mariana, "For taking my personal issues out here."

"From what I remember, we pushed ours on you," Mariana said, "If Priscilla did say anything to Aurelia, I think it was out of wanting to repay that." She looked down, "So, I'm sorry."

"Huh, why are you sorry?" I asked.

"For starting everything that led to that in the first place, thus leading to this situation in which Priscilla is going to make Aurelia angry at you," Mariana explained, "I'm sorry." I thought she was being sarcastic, or exaggerating, but she seemed to be completely serious.

"There's no need for that…" I assured her, turning and starting back towards the training camp. Mariana waited for a moment, then followed after me.

Our entire way back to the camp, we didn't run into Aurelia or Priscilla. I tried speaking to the former telepathically, but she didn't reply. I knew she couldn't be ignoring me, so that only made me feel worse as we returned to the center of the camp were about half of everyone else was waiting, the other half having yet to return.

She was waiting for me and didn't even give me the time to place my rifle down before she was marching up to me. I did nothing as she slapped me hard across the face, staring daggers at me. "I'm sorry," I said quietly.

She huffed, perhaps annoyed that I wasn't more hurt, "You should be," she stated, then turned around and marched away. Mariana walked past me, towards Priscilla, returning her rifle and then splitting away with her.

I'm sorry, Priscilla said to me.

It's fine, I said, and I meant it, I don't blame you. As I stood there, eventually everyone else looked away, and I was left there to think about my latest mistake.

Some time before I'd learned to see in the dark, through some working of magic. Despite that, lying in bed was no more interesting than it was before. I could see everything and everyone, but there was nothing I hadn't seen.

That night as I lay on my side, my hand traced its way up to my cheek, feeling the spot where Aurelia had hit me. I didn't feel anything anymore, any traces of it had vanished. A tear dripped onto the bedsheets, I hadn't realized I was crying.

Aurelia hadn't said a single word to me. She'd sat alone. As I lay there I was terrified, that through my idiocy I'd ruined everything we'd built together. So scared was I that when I finally heard her voice I tensed up.

I want to forget it, she said quietly, I want to leave that behind me. So stop bringing it up!

I'm sorry…I said, I wanted to-

Why were you even asking about stuff like that in the first place?! Aurelia spat, what love's like?! You killed me Vergiana! You ran me through with that sword of yours?! Why, by the Goddess, would I trust some boyfriend I left months ago over someone who literally killed me?!

I'm sorry, I repeated. I was worried, it just got into my head-

Don't worry! Aurelia said, we're still together, right? And we're going to be, that's what we've agreed, so don't worry!

Then don't try to run away from your past! I said, you can't just get angry whenever somebody brings up those memories!

Let me have my regrets!

No! If you won't let me have my fears, I won't let you have your regrets! I shouted.

Fine! Then I'll…she started shouting, but her voice dropped down as she continued, I'll try, alright?

Good, because I'm here for you too, I said.

T-thanks…

Both of us waited a minute, and then at the same time, goodni-

I stopped, and Aurelia finished, goodnight.

Goodnight, I replied. I relaxed a little, a smile coming to my face. But right before I shut my eyes, I could have sworn that I saw Priscilla looking at us with a knowing smile.

Although months had passed since that night when we learned everything, I hadn't heard anyone utter the word 'witch' a single time. For the first few weeks afterwards, our wraith hunts were generally silent affairs, no one really wanting to think about what we knew.

Some sense of 'normalcy' had returned as we made our way through the fading snow towards the Thunderhawk on a particular night. Roughly twenty-four hours before Aurelia and I had had our little conversation, and perhaps one might've thought that our return to friendliness would be jarring. However, everyone else seemed to have expected it.

Don't you think we're becoming predictable? I asked Aurelia as we took our usual seats in the Thunderhawk, the craft ready to leave as soon as Germana stepped in.

Predictable? Aurelia asked, what do you mean? Like, they know we'll fight and make up?

Well, yes, I said.

Is this really a problem?

I shrugged, not worrying that people knew we were talking. Everyone knew that everyone was involved in their own telepathic conversations during these flights, and at night too. Just thinking about it.

Are you trying to start another fight? Aurelia asked jokingly.

Maybe I am, I replied, but we can agree I didn't start the last one.

You told Priscilla.

She knew exactly what she was doing, I said, I stay out of other people's heads, but apparently she doesn't discriminate with her divination!

I don't think that's how it works, Aurelia said.

And what do you know about it? I asked.

I guess nothing, Aurelia admitted.

We were both quiet for a few minutes after, in the telepathic sense that is. No one else was speaking a single word out loud. Germana stood silently as she always did, maybe thinking, or maybe observing us. If she was doing the latter, I certainly couldn't tell.

But she probably is watching us, I thought, especially out there, because…that word popped into my head. A word that I didn't even want to consider.

I looked at Aurelia, who was turned away. A moment, and she noticed. Aurelia? I asked frightfully, you won't let me become a witch, right?

The mention of the word clearly put her off, but she still replied, of course I won't. She looked away from me, is asking stupid questions the only thing you can do?

I brightened up at that. I didn't say anything in reply, I knew I didn't need to.

The usual consistency of the weather broke suddenly one week, a warm front sweeping over the mountains so that the ground was actually exposed for the first time in months. It almost felt strange to walk on something that wasn't snow, as I made my way down the slope from the training camp.

Still fading in my ears was the sound of Catarina and Alliana shouting at each other, their truce having been broken by one of the two's sudden realization about some theological concept I had no want to try to understand. Even as we went out different directions, it only stopped when Aurelia pulled Alliana away.

But if she's thinking about that, she won't be thinking about how I'm going to make her lose, I thought, walking in a random direction, as Catarina was clearly focused on thinking more about their debate. I began to see that the color of my uniform was going to be a problem, given that the snow was gone, I didn't blend into anything.

At that moment I stopped, looking towards the lake, how about in there? I thought, but since we were far away, I figured it wasn't the best choice to make our way there. I was about to start moving again when Catarina spoke.

"Where are we going?" she asked, snapping back into reality.

"I don't know," I admitted.

She rolled her eyes, stepping past me and walking quickly towards the left side of the valley. I followed her, aware that the game would be starting soon, and my methods would just get us shot instantly. "Down the slope," she said quietly, "We'll go all the way down."

If it weren't for my poor marksmanship, we may actually have won. But as it stood, we fell into third place. Always close to the top, never actually there, I thought as I started back up the steep hill, Catarina having already marched ahead of me.

"I'm sorry," I called after her, not feeling great.

Catarina paused, and looked back at me, "It's fine," she said flatly.

I looked down at the ground as I walked, not wanting to see her stomping off angrily, even though she pretended she wasn't. It's my fault, I should just get better at shooting. Even though Liliana was still putting information into my heads, I was still awful. Relatively, at least. I was pretty sure I could shoot better than a good number of humans, but everyone else around me was better.

I trailed behind her as we made our way back, not paying attention to anything else. Suddenly I heard a shout, and from the woods Alliana emerged towards Catarina, apparently ready to reengage in their argument. I looked about for Aurelia and saw her coming out of the forest with Alliana.

"What's the matter?" she called, and I shook my head.

"Just awful at shooting," I said as she approached, glancing at Catarina, "We could have won."

"Is she angry at you?" Aurelia asked.

I shrugged, "I deserve it, honestly." And then she hit me. Again.

"You don't," Aurelia said, turning towards Catarina. "Catarina!" she shouted, "Vergiana's a perfectly fine shot!"

"Stop it!" I shouted in embarrassment, but Catarina turned around, and after moment of hesitation, replied.

"I'm sorry. I got angry, too busy thinking about this," she gestured to Alliana, "It was my fault too."

"Thanks," I said, but as Aurelia turned back to me my hand struck across her face.

"What was-"

"That was for starting that whole thing about your stupid boyfriend," I said, "If you get to slap me, then I get to slap you!"

"Don't talk about him!" Aurelia said, looking to hit me again. Alliana and Catarina weren't the only ones there, a few from the other squad also heard.

"Get over it." I said, and Aurelia crossed her arms.

"Fine, I will!"

"You better!"

Over every week, I spoke with Aurelia about who I'd been with, and who she'd been with, what was talking about. If my conversations with Priscilla and Mariana about the same subject were any indication, then everyone was doing the same thing.

Aurelia had almost hit me when I started worrying what other people were saying about me, and that put an end to most of that worrying. Besides, Catarina and I didn't talk much, and Alliana will probably be busy with the same thing Catarina was busy with, I thought as I followed her through the forest.

Apparently she'd learned from Catarina, or so she said. Nonetheless, I still followed her. Though given the success I had with Priscilla and Catarina…no, everyone tries to go the outskirts and wait at this point. I actually have to do something new, maybe the forest isn't so bad.

Both of us were staying low and moving slowly, careful about the noise we made moving through the plentiful grass and bushes. As subpar as my shooting was, I was definitely learning something. Alliana suddenly stopped, and I looked past to her to see what she was looking down at, which was a small depression in the ground. Apparently it had been filled by snow, making it seem much smaller.

"In," she said, gesturing with her hand before she slid down inside. I went after her, taking cover facing the opposite direction.

"So we wait here?" I asked.

"This looks good, no one knows about it," Alliana said, "That's what Catarina's always said, never go somewhere people know about."

"So you take advice from her now?" I asked.

Alliana sighed, "You get along with Aurelia just fine after you two are done slapping each other. Just because we disagree on something doesn't mean we can't be friends."

"Aurelia and I don't disagree on things," I said, keeping myself focused on scanning the surroundings, "We…we're just different, I don't know."

"You're not the only one," Alliana assured me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I wondered, fairly certain I wouldn't like the answer.

"Well, no one really knows what it is with you two," Alliana explained calmly, "Are you friends? Enemies? Something mo-"

The moment I heard the beginning of the second word I stopped her, "Don't even," I warned, and Alliana obliged.

"Sorry," she said, "If that went too far,"

I glanced back at her, but she was still paying attention to her direction, "No, it's fine," I said, "No need to apologize." I looked back, and then ducked down, pulling my rifle with me. "Second squad," I said, "Twenty meters out."

Alliana ducked down and crawled up, peeking her head over. I didn't know their names, but I figured so long as one of them wasn't Mia, we had a chance. "Can you take the one on the left?" she asked.

I looked at her, "Can't we let them be someone else's problem?" I asked.

"Someone else's problem is bound to become your problem," Alliana said as she laid her gun across the ground and took aim, "Catarina said that's the biggest thing she's learned from all this."

I'm not going to stop her, so…"Alright, I'll try," I said, resting my gun down. In an instant everything that had been shoved into my mind came out, and I took perfect aim. There was no way I could miss. That's right, I thought, they're not shooting at me, they don't know I'm here. I can't miss.

"Three, two, one," I pulled the trigger in perfect synch with Alliana. And in perfect sync the two girls collapsed to the ground, and then Alliana and I ducked back into cover.

"Nice job," she said with a smile, "We might have a chance."

"Thanks," I said, sharing her confidence and her happiness.

It turned out that we did have a chance, though it may not have been a particularly good one. Catarina worked better with someone who could actually shoot, so it was Aurelia and her who ended up taking us down before Catarina barely finished Mia.

And so for the third time I'd done well, only to fail. At least I hit someone that time, I definitely took solace in that fact.

Perhaps Germana had some order she was pairing us by, or maybe it was random, or maybe she was just making it up as she went along. I had no idea, and the esteemed sergeant has yet to tell me the answer even now. Whatever the case, after Alliana I found myself with Kerilia.

Out of everyone I knew in the camp, I think she was the quietest. As a result of that, I think I knew the least about her. Tialla I can just see being happy, Queliana gets along with her fine. But I never notice Kerilia, always Erike. She's just there.

Indeed, she had little to say as I lead her before the start of the simulation, taking place on a sunny day, with all the snow gone. Spring was coming quickly. We made our way across to the other side of the valley, where we took cover in a patch of bushes. Concealing ourselves entirely in them was easy, and gave a commanding view of the surrounding slopes. Only someone in the forest, or someone above us, could properly threaten us.

After a few minutes of waiting there, nothing had happened, even though the game had begun. Everyone had apparently caught on to the strategy of staying in one place. "I'm fine waiting this out," I whispered to Kerilia, "If you are."

She nodded, and replied, "That's fine."

"Have you learned anything from Erike about shooting?" I asked.

"Actually, I'm better than her," Kerilia said, and my eyes shot open.

I guess I've never focused on their shooting when I've looked at them, I thought, "Well that's good to know."

"You don't seem afraid of her," Kerilia commented, "Assuming I've talked to her."

Smart too, I realized, explaining "I'm not afraid. I know she doesn't want to hurt anyone. I figured that you might know her well, even though I never see you talking."

"We do talk," Kerilia said, still in a quiet voice, "I just…we do it telepathically."

"I see," that in mind, I didn't say anything more. I felt that Kerilia relaxed after a while, as eventually the game kicked into motion, somebody getting bored.

Spring was certainly coming on fast. Only a week later, and the temperature was actually beginning to warm up. It felt like the winter had lasted forever, but it seemed to be finally coming to an end. I certainly enjoyed that, the weather returning to what I'd become used to.

Unfortunately, given all the training, there wasn't much time to enjoy it. Even as I marched out for the latest simulation, it was clear I'd be occupied. "Down in the woods?" I asked, and Erike shook her head. Keeping her hand close to herself, she pointed to our right, towards the edge of the valley.

I raised my eyebrows, "I spotted this on my own," she said, "Trust me." I didn't know of anything over there, but I also knew that it was Erike I was talking to.

I glanced around, we'd just begun preparing, and other groups were still in sight. "We can't do it now," I said, and Erike nodded.

"To the forest, then we move there," Erike said.

"Alright," I agreed, and I followed her.

A short while later, I was crawling my way across the ground, Erike a couple meters ahead of me, as we made our way towards this spot of hers. I knew how to crawl properly, even when considering my rifle, but I still didn't like it all.

As we approached, I could see what she was talking about. There was a small opening in the side of the hill, probably concealed by snowfall and the surrounding vegetation. Erike quickly stood up and rushed inside, and I ran in after her.

"How'd you find this?" I asked as I sat down inside, turning to face the entrance. It was small, barely large enough for the two of us, but it worked.

"Observing the valley," Erike said in her usual flat voice, "I spotted this place two weeks ago."

"And you didn't come here with Aurelia?" I asked.

Erike shook her head, "I had no experience with her, I did not want to trust her," she explained, "I heard good things about you from Kerilia, however."

That surprised me, we barely talked, Kerilia and I. But I guess that was what she wanted. "I see, thanks," I said.

"You're welcome," Erike answered.

"I'll just warn you, I don't think I'll hit anything very well," I said.

Erike shook her head, "It's alright, I'm not that good either," she seemed to be a bit saddened by that fact, "Kerilia's helped, but I still want to be better."

"You and me both," I said, but Erike didn't say anything. She seemed to be too busy focusing as heard gunshots in the distance. I tensed up, wondering if we'd actually do it this time.

The time that passed in between moving my finger and feeling the gun fire felt like an eternity. And though the bullet crossed the gap in an instant, it felt like twice as many eternities. But when it all ended, I watched my target drop to the ground.

I was still staring wide-eyed in total shock when Germana announced, Congratulations to Vergiana and Erike!

"Good job," Erike said from behind me, and shakily I rose to my feet, almost slipping down the hill I was on.

"T-thanks," I said, as Mia picked herself up, several dozen feet away.

"Nice shot!" she shouted, giving me a thumbs-up.

I still couldn't believe it was actually happening, and I kept standing there dumbstruck until Aurelia came running out of the woods, shouting, "Congratulations!"

Despite what she said, I snapped out of my stupor, preparing myself for whatever snarky comment she was going to follow that up with. But instead she just ran up to me and hugged me, "Are you listening?" she asked, "Good job!"

"Thanks…" I said, blushing, "It wasn't me, though."

"No, you were a major help," Erike said, awaiting Kerilia, who was walking back slower. "Your shooting was helpful."

"Well, that's all I did," I said, pushing Aurelia off of me, "I mean, Erike was the one who made the call to flank out, so we weren't caught in that hole…"

Aurelia looked ready to say something, but it was Erike who spoke first, "Don't disparage yourself," she said, looking over her shoulder at me, "You were helpful." That said, she started back with Kerilia at her side.

Crossing her arms, Aurelia said, "I'd listen to her."

"I guess," I said, and a smile came to my face. I did it, I thought, and being so happy was quite a wonderful feeling.

Even a week later, no one had forgotten my success. I wasn't special, everyone paid attention to who had won the week before, but maybe it gave people certain expectations. My next partner seemed quite willing to follow my lead.

"Tialla," I finally said, stopping and turning towards her as we made our way through the edge of the forest, "Do you have nothing?"

She shrugged, and said, "I don't know, I just can't get very excited for this. Sorry if I'm interrupting your win-"

"No, I don't care!" I quickly said, "Last week was a fluke, honestly. I don't mind."

"Ah, that's good to know," Tialla smiled, "I'm not that serious about this."

"I imagine being paired with some people must have been a nightmare," I said, continuing to walk, but more relaxed than I was before.

"You could say that," Tialla sighed, trailing behind me. "How serious do you want to take this?"

"I'm fine not doing much," I admitted, "I won last week, I don't think I'll get that lucky again."

"Sounds good!" Tialla said happily, jumping up and patting me on the shoulder. Of course, the game had begun, and her shout must have attracted someone's attention, a bullet hitting the very stationary target that was me.

I wasn't even angry as I hit the ground. Tialla followed a moment later. At least, I wasn't angry until I heard Aurelia shout, "Idiot!"

A full two months had passed since we began switching partners, and in that time the world had turned almost completely from winter to spring. There were still more colder days than warm, but at least the snow was gone, and color was returning quickly to the world.

My final partner was Queliana. Given that she and Tialla were the only remotely normal people in my squad, I figured she'd be rather similar to the other. "So I'm going off of what Tialla told me, but are you alright if we just sit this one out?" Queliana asked as we made our way across the slopes. It really was getting somewhat boring.

I looked at her, "I don't mind," I shrugged.

"Good," Queliana said, "I don't enjoy this."

"Not interested?" I guessed.

"Interesting in using magic, not these," Queliana said, holding up her rifle like it was a toy.

"Me too, I suppose." I had been receiving instruction from Liliana on how to use my telepathy, but it wasn't much, especially since I couldn't practice it anywhere. It was mainly focused on maintaining a mental form and observing my surroundings, nothing fancy.

I think everyone else felt something similar. Running around in the woods shooting at each other was fun and all, but we were all waiting for something more. "Everyone else seems content to keep doing these simulations," Queliana said with a sigh, "Nice to meet someone who agrees a little."

"Tialla seemed like she didn't like this," I said.

"She doesn't like anything that's training," Queliana chuckled, "That girl wants to be on the frontlines right now."

"I see," I said, "Didn't get that impression."

"Understandable," Queliana said, "What about Aurelia? She seemed to enjoy this."

"I think it's because there's always chance of shooting me," I explained, "You saw her last week."

"That I did," Queliana nodded."

Germana's announcement came, and the game properly began, "Might as well try a little," I proposed, if only to avoid a repetition of last week. I gestured for her to crouch down, which Queliana did. They are taking it seriously, I thought, even if they don't like it.

Nonetheless, we didn't last long

At the same time as always, we filtered outside, albeit under the bright sun today, to retrieve our rifles and be off. But they weren't there, and everyone was obviously confused. Instead Germana just stood there, watching us. We quickly realized her expectations and fell into line.

She made us wait for a minute before she began, but everyone was too excited to notice that. "You have all spent the past five months, and six months before that, learning how to fight and shoot better than most humans, certainly better than anyone near your age," she said, "However, none of you have even begun to scratch the surface of your actual potential."

My eyes lit up. Knowing what this was for some of us, Germana smiled as she said, "So from tomorrow, we shall properly begin your training in the use of your magic."

We all could have cheered, but she'd taught us so well that no one dared make a sound. But everyone was excited, I can definitely say that much.

-End Chapter 17 of record

The most recent fleet action was a resounding success. The Crusade 2nd Fleet has successfully encircled the Mandre Subsector, and we are currently awaiting transfer of ground units before moving forwards. The bulk of ground units are busy finishing operations in the Sandora Subsector. For the time being, no additional reinforcements are believed to be necessary, and for the foreseeable future as well. All reports indicate that this will change when the front lines reach the Alsden Subsector, at which point the proper requests will be made.

A full after-action and casualty report is included within this message.

The Goddess Protects.

-Release from Vangleic Crusade Central Command, M41.452