Training For Promotion Test

 "You said it like we will all pass the test," Lisa suddenly said. 

 "Well yes, or are you not confident with your skills?" Ian asked her.

 "I am confident but we have to go against Bronze rank adventurers, so it will not be easy," she commented.

 "In that case, we just have to train you for one day. I am sure you will be more positive after this," Kell exclaimed.

 "And why is that?" for some reason, Lisa felt scared all of a sudden. 

 "Because if you fail, the training will get a lot harder," she gulped, suddenly aware of the source of her fear.

 "Can we not train until I broke?" she pleaded.

 "Oh, it's entirely up to you," Kell said eerily.

 "After all, this will only happen if you fail, right Ian," a cackle joined in as Ian took the spot next to Kell.

 "Of course, we need to make sure our party is ready for the tough task ahead of us. If we have to pummel them until they are unconscious, then so be it," the girls began to hug each other, fearing for their lives.

 "Of course, if they were able to pass the test the first time, there is no need for the extra training," the three begin to understand the two plans. They will train them for the promotion test, and if they fail, then they will train them a lot harder. It motivates them just so they will not be tortured by the two monsters.

 "Can we not have the extra training? I think I am ready for the test," Lisa said with a laugh, hoping they would allow it.

 "Don't think you can escape. We will wring you dry tomorrow, so be ready," Kell said before going to his room, Ian followed suit.

 The other two glared at Lisa, who wanted to cry but was just too afraid to do so, as there is no doubt the training was very intense.

-x-

 "So, what are we going to do today?" with only 2 more days before their examination, Ian had them have only one day of training, the day after they learned of the test.

 "We are going to replicate the test, with Kell fighting the two of you, one at a time, while I will duel Fiona," Ian replied to Lisa's question.

 "Are there any more questions?" he asked, with Fiona raising her hand.

 "How long do we have to survive the fight?" she asked.

 "As long as possible. We don't know how long the test will last so we have to make you last as long as possible. But they likely use the training ground for the test so we will use it to replicate it as best as we can," he answered.

 "Any more questions," when no one raised their hands, Ian nodded. 

 "Then, let's begin,"

-x-

 The first fight is between the two fighters with Ana trembling slightly over the prospect of fighting Kell, who never lost any fight she had seen before.

 "Begin," as she steeled herself, the bigger man charged at her. She dodges his attack. One of the first lessons he had beat into her head was to use anything to her advantage. 

 Being smaller than him, as long as she was just a bit faster, she could avoid any of his attacks, making the fight last longer and allowing her to hit him when he got too close.

 A lightning-fast swing almost decapitated her if he had used a real sword. Even if it is a training sword, it will still hurt like hell so she did not want to be hit by Kell.

 Another block almost sent her flying, as while she blocked Kell's attack, it still possessed a lot of momentum. As she felt her arm going numb, she watched as Kell dashed at her once more, she jumped backward and put her shield in front of her.

 While she would still be sent flying, at least she would not be that badly hurt. Except the blow she expected did not come. 

 She could not see him as she lowered her shield, only to feel a hit behind the back of her head.

 "Dead,"

-x-

 With Ana defeated. Now it is Fiona's turn. They decide to take a turn, as they want the two to be freshened by the time of their fight.

 So, Fiona has to fight her boyfriend, who easily but her without even trying. And when he did try, it hurt as he did not hold back.

 However, she needs to calm down and do her best. The test will be to see how good she is. However, this training will push her to the very limit.

 "Begin," when she heard Kell calling the fight to start, Fiona leaped backward as cast Arcane Shot. Ian returned it as their spells clashed.

 However, the longer the clash, the more the spectators composed of Kell, Ana, and Lisa could see whose spell was stronger.

 Fiona grits her teeth, having expected the outcome. She had known how strong Ian's spells were compared to hers and a straightforward fight would result in her defeat.

 If she could not beat him straight on, a little trick would helpfully allow her to finally win once.

 "Flame Ground," the ground burnt as it spread across the training ground, yet Ian remained calm as cast another round of Arcane Shot. She avoided the spells but her own had stopped due to her cancelling it to dodge his attack.

 She was about to cast another Flame Ground but an Arcane Shot hit the ground in front of her, sending a dust cloud into her face. As she shielded her face, she felt a spell hit her gut, sending her flying.

 "Dead,"

-x-

 Lisa prepared herself, as her fight against Kell would be one of the hardest she had ever done. 

 "Begin," she dodged another quick strike, before weaving through his attack. She is less armored than Ana or Kell, so any attack will hurt her, a lot. 

 However, it means she is faster than either of them as she is encumbered by the extra weight. But dodging will not make her win, she needs to-"

 "Dead," the tip of the training sword touched the back of her neck.

 "Next time, don't think too much during a fight," Kell advised her.

-x-

 "Urgh!"

 "Gargh!"

 "Uhhh!"

 Three groans echoed as three girls slumped on the training ground. The training continued even after every one of them was defeated. In fact, it did not stop until the sunset. 

 The constant fight drained them, both physically and mentally. If not for him using both Refresh and Heal on them, they would likely be unable to continue by the third fight. Still, it is admirable as the two men watched them improve significantly.

 The two agreed on one thing, "They are ready,"