13 Wind Training

As Cameron walks upstairs he looks down at the key in his hand seeing a number etched into the surface 216. Reaching the second floor he finds a hallway full of doors with numbers corresponding placed on the wall next to the door. Walking down the hallway he soon finds the door labeled 216 on the right side of the hallway. Using the key to unlock the door he entered the room.

Inside the room Cameron found a simple wooden desk with a chair, a small bed, and a cabinet all crammed together into the small room. There is a window overlooking the campus through which Cameron can see groups of students moving between buildings. Setting his pack down Cameron pockets the sigil before walking back outside passing through the lobby nodding to the professor as he goes.

Walking towards the training field where people are training against the dummies Cameron sees a large commotion at the front gate. A carriage drives into the academy ignoring the guides waiting at the entrance and being the first method of transportation Cameron has seen in the academy.

Overhearing some nearby students discussing the wagon Cameron is surprised to hear that transportation is not allowed inside the academy except for special circumstances. Shrugging Cameron continues his way towards the training dummies ignoring the carriage thinking that it had nothing to do with him so why get involved.

Reaching the training ground Cameron finds multiple circular flat stone arenas elevated of the ground, each with a training dummy inside. Seeing an unused training ground in the corner of the field away from others Cameron approaches the platform. Hoping onto the platform the dummy who had previously been standing still turns to face him.

Realizing his blade is still gone Cameron begins to focus on the wind elements around him. As he does so the dummy appearing to be made entirely of wood with solid club like limbs starts moving towards him. Dodging the swing of his arm club Cameron tries to enter a focused state to control the wind elements while also focusing on the swinging arm.

After several minutes of fighting Cameron starts to form a rhythm and begins to predict the dummies moves. As he does his eyes begin to glow green as splits his focus between two tasks of dodging and controlling wind elements.

Slowly gathering wind elements Cameron begins pushing gusts of wind trying to nock his opponent of balance. Creating a stable wind that slows down the dummy successfully Cameron begins experimenting, creating short bursts of wind and launching them towards the dummy. As he continues practicing and time passes the time it taken to condense and launch the blasts of wind gets slower and slower until eventually Cameron can manage it in mere seconds.

Becoming tired Cameron jumps of the platform to stop fighting only to find a small crowd has formed around him. Out of the crowd walks an arrogant looking youth wearing fancy clothes decorated with all sorts of strange ribbons Cameron doesn't recognize. At the youths side sits a ornamental looking rapier with precious jewels adorning the hilt.

With a snooty expression on his face the youth says. "From the way your dressed your obviously just a scholarship student, but seeing how exceptional you are with just your support magic I will offer you a spot in my dueling team, don't you feel grateful? After all not many people have the chance to join my nobel team and fight with me sir wallows."

Several people from the crowd grumble and complain quietly, one particularly loud student says. "Annoying nobles getting to recruit all the skilled people before anyone else gets a chance."

Confused by everyone's reactions Cameron says "I just got here today, what this dueling team nonsense?"

Smile on his face Wallows says "Dueling teams compete between others of the same age to determine the most promising students of their year, and for the winners large rewards are given out by the academy. So join my dueling team, I treat my subjects well."

Remembering Zack and his request to join his dueling team Cameron says "Sorry I already have an offer to join another dueling team. I haven't even met its team members yet so I can't refuse them without getting to know them. If I decide that the teams not the right place for me though I will come to you next and try out your team."

A scowl rising on his face Wallow responds "You would choose another team over mine even when I so graciously offered a position in my team before even seeing your main magic element."

Cutting him off Cameron answers "Wind is my main magic element, I'm a knight not a mage in the first place. Something just happened to my sword so I'm training with the wind elements instead."

Hearing this a large portion of the crowd begins to scatter. Wallow angrily says "You tricked me! Knights are not needed on my team, mages only!" Before stomping away.

A few people try to approach Cameron but he ignores them and speeding himself up with wind elements races back to his dorm. Arriving he gets a good laugh from professor sword about him showing off to much, which he ignores heading upstairs to his room.

Passing several students in the hallway Cameron enters his room and lays out on the bed exhausted from practice, and after only a few moments he falls asleep.