Chapter 44
Morning came and training started after breakfast.
The exorcists were all gathered except for the general who was supposed to train them.
Instead, the Noah stood in front of them.
"Where's Alyce?"
"She is currently at the library finishing paperwork."
"Then how will we train?"
"General Wynne told me to pair you up then fight against each other. The looser has a consequence. Here's the list of pairings she made."
The exorcists were somehow uneasy that a Noah is somehow in charge at the moment but they listened anyways.
"Lavi and Cordelia against Kanda and Miranda."
Most of them had a surprised look on their faces and felt sorry that Miranda had to be paired up with Kanda.
Kanda just glared at them.
"You've got five minutes to think of a strategy. You must work as a partner. You aren't allowed to leave the other. You will loose if the other can no longer fight. Go at that side. Bookman will observe and will give the signal to start."
The four exorcist walked there.
"Next, Allen and Lenalee against Ellis and Crowley."
"Isn't this unfair? Both of them are crystal types."
"Well, that was what's written here. Would you like to bother General Wynne and tell her your complaints?"
Ellis remained silent while making a face when his back was turned.
"You'll start in five minutes."
Tyki walked over to the chair and lit a cigarette he had in his hand. He started smoking while watching the exorcists train. He was really bored.
Alyce hadn't ask him to do anything except observe.
The cigarette he held though was suddenly thrown on the ground. He looked behind him and saw the general who looked angry.
"Didn't I tell you to stop that? Where'd you get it anyway? Never mind. I don't want to know."
The Noah looked at her with surprise then smiled.
"I thought you'll be arriving in the afternoon after that pile of paperwork."
"I had some help."
"You told him?"
"Not everything."
"So what's going to happen now?"
"Not much."
"They can't see you?"
"Yeah. They'll be surprised when we suddenly attack. It is inevitable to happen though in an actual battle," said Alyce while smiling.
"So when do we join them?"
"In five minutes."
*Lavi's point of view
Last night, I helped Alyce out with the paperwork to get information but her answers almost the same as Tyki.
"Be wary of him. Don't trust his words most of the time. He isn't at the Earl's side but he isn't also in ours. Be careful."
Her answer was more specific than Tyki's but it is still vague. They both seem hesitant to go into details.
Who is he indeed? I didn't get much from her. She had me there but the information is still useful.
All I have to do now is wait.
*Allen's point of view
Alyce really had done a lot of unusual things. I didn't expect that she'd actually pair Miranda to Kanda of all people.
I saw that they didn't really have much of a conversation but they seem to work just fine as a pair.
Cordelia managed to activate Lilia's innocence which is similar to mine but it's more of a defense weapon instead of offensive type.
Alyce really thought of balancing the fight among them.
The only thing I can't understand is similar to what Ellis said.
Why are Lenalee and I paired up against Crowley and Ellis? Lenalee and I are both crystal type.
But the two of them do well against us.
*Cordelia's point of view
It's a good thing that I can somehow control Lilia's innocence now. Kanda is really quick to attack so it's a good thing my weapon is good at defending.
Lavi thought of a good strategy on how we can beat Kanda and Miranda.
What we didn't expect though was Alyce suddenly appearing.
She attacked us from behind then quickly attacked the other pair.
After that, she suddenly disappeared.
Tyki instead appeared with seals removed again.
All the exorcists were surprised by the sudden interference but the general merely told them to continue.
They continued fighting but it became so much harder with alternate attack between the general and the Noah.
The time can't even be predicted. It's either to long or short, many or few. They couldn't expect what or when the attack will come.
The training ended as the general told them to.
"That's all for today. You did well, Kanda and Miranda," said Alyce while giving them an approving look. "The rest still needs to improve. The pairs will still be the same, the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow will be rest day."
Most exorcists were relieved that there was a rest day but at the same time amused that the unusual pairing actually worked.
Lavi teased Kanda and ran for his life. Miranda merely blushed though which made people wonder.
The next days, she continuously changes the style of training. She didn't let them get used to one.
The training focused on developing speed, stamina, fighting alone, in a pair or group. In speed, it's either you make a useful attack fast or avoid one swiftly.
In one month, it seems to be effective since some were already able to catch up with her despite disappearing.
Everything is going well until Cordelia suddenly collapses due to her body weakening.
They brought her to the infirmary but nothing seems to be working well.
Alyce asked permission to leave and look for a cure. She knew someone who could help.
The order gave a condition that she must leave with two exorcists and three finders. She agreed on that except for the condition that someone from the central should come.
She took Kanda and Miranda with her which is an unlikely thing but she had her reasons. Kanda is quick to attack while Miranda is useful in defending. And they work well as a pair already.
She doesn't actually need anyone to come with her but they won't allow her to leave alone. She picked them instead of Allen, Lenalee and Lavi so that someone will be able to guard Cordelia while she's gone.
They set off with Kanda's usual glaring and used Timcanpy to locate General Cross. She left Yin behind with Cordelia.
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(^.^) Kylie: I hope you like this chapter.