KNIGHT - Training 💥❗(#3)

“Alright, everyxyn! Listen up!”

Minazuki’s voice rang clearly through the room as she addressed her cohort of royal knights in training, signalling the start of today’s class. Mefodi’s ears perked up, shifting his attention from his notes back to the combat instructor.

“Today, we’ll be looking at a mock rescue situation!” Minazuki continued, wasting no time as she unfurled a familiar map.

“Once you become full-fledged knights, you should be prepared for any and all sorts of danger! Let’s start with a classic scenario - On my signal, I want you to come up with a rescue plan for a xyn stranded in the Corrupted Lands!”

Xyns scattered into groups, and soon, the voice of discussion filled the classroom. Mefodi, however, didn’t say a word, instead being deep in thought as he studied the map he’d laid out in front of him and Rella. The Corrupted Lands were expansive and dangerous, meaning information would be crucial in a mission like this. But with how barren it was, scouting would prove difficult as they’d lack cover from the many beasts that roamed the lands–

“Hey, Meffy?”

– That said, however, it was undeniable that simply running into the Corrupted Lands without a plan would be inefficient, to say the least. They would definitely need a skilled team of scouts, but wouldn't that be essentially putting those scouts in an unreasonably large amount of danger for the sake of one stranded xyn?

“Mefodi!”

The nudge on his shoulder snapped out of his thoughts. He turned to his side to see Rella, who had her cheeks puffed out in indignation. “Listen when a lady is talking to you!”
Mefodi tilted an eyebrow at here, then feigned ignorance. “I don’t know what you’re talking ab--”
“Anyway! Made you look!” Rella interrupted again, this time giggling. Beneath the table, Mefodi’s tail lightly swished.
“Sooo~” Rella neatly folded her paws in front of him. “You look like you’ve got plenty on your mind. Care to share?”

“Remember, I’m looking for strategy here,” Minazuki continued as she roamed around the classroom. “Let’s see some good ideas, keeping in mind your strengths and weaknesses!”

“Right. Well,” Mefodi mumbled as he looked back at the map. “I was thinking that we should avoid combat entirely. Moxyns aren’t the most fit for front-line combat, and Vexyns would struggle too if we're outnumbered. That’s why we should carefully scout out the activity levels of the beasts, and establish a route that eliminates the need for combat. But that hardly seems realistic.”

Rella nodded as she listened. “Being careful is good and all, but if we take too long trying to take the safest route, who knows if the stranded xyn would be safe anymore!” She quickly glanced around, a sneaky gleam in her eyes. “I say we should take a risk - quickly establish a basic route after a simple scout, then bring in a combat team! We’d be racing against time here, so -” She pointed a paw at a path on the map, and traced a line to the small xyn figurine that had been placed there, signifying their hypothetical target's last known location. “- I think we should establish the quickest path to the xyn, and…” She trailed off in thought. Mefodi immediately seized the chance to put forth his argument.

“But what if there’s another safer, less risky route we can find with a little more effort? After all, It’s the job of a scout to look out for danger. Wouldn’t it be a bit… dismissive if we don’t at least try to minimise the risk here?”

Rella puffed out her chest. “If we blindside the enemy, we can swoop in and hey! Grab our xyn!”
“Mm? And then what…?”
“And thennn…” Rella stood up, whacking the table with her paws. “We make a break for it!”

…It was all Mefodi could do to stare at her, one eyebrow raised and mouth slightly open to protest. But he couldn't think of any counter that could rival her sheer recklessness. In fact, she'd been so energetic about the idea, she'd knocked their figurine clean off the table. Mefodi was almost one hundred percent certain that at least half the class was looking at their table. As for the xyn figurine, it rolled and rolled… until it bumped into their instructor's leg.

Minazuki picked it up in one smooth motion, then flashed them a smile. “Good to see some animated discussion from you, Group Three! Oh, but let's leave the attacking for the actual mission, alright?”

Mefodi's ears flattened against his head. He turned back to look at Rella. “...Ugh. Alright. If it comes down to it, we'll go with your idea. But for now, I'd like to stay in one piece.”

As Rella giggled, and Minazuki continued her rounds, Mefodi could almost swear he could feel a headache setting in. This lesson was far, far from being over…