15 Awaken (1/2)

”Alright, students, for today's exercise you will be learning ways to defend and attack using your magic.” Maria was standing outside with the rest of her classmates as residing a few feet behind Ms.Nunnally was a vast forest. The students were dressed in their PE uniform which was composed of sweatpants and a matching jacket, along with a plain white t-shirt and tennis shoes. It was now time for PE, better known as Defense and Enhance Magic Training, listening to Ms. Nunnally explain today's activity.

”Combat is one of the best ways for one to learn how to utilize their magic which is why all of you after entering the forest will be facing off against the cute golems that I have created for today's exercise. Those devices on your wrist will keep score of the number of golems you defeated, and the one with the highest score will be today's winner!” Maria stared down at the device on her wrist that reminded her of a wristband watch; the band was pink, and instead of showing the time, it only displayed one single digit which was zero.

Those devices on your wrist will keep score of the number of golems you defeated, and the one with the highest score will be today's winner!” Maria stared down at the device on her wrist that reminded her of a wristband watch; the band was pink, ...

”Though no extreme physical damage will be done to you, please do be careful~!” advised Ms. Nunnally before the eager students rushed off into the forest. Some going off on their own, while others formed groups.

”Alright, team, we got one rule and only one! We charge in and attack! Be as ruthless and merciless as you can be, you understand?! And while doing so never leave a man behind!” Julian, Maria, and Mai were together, the latter pacing in front of them as Maria couldn't help but imagine Mai in military clothes as she automatically took the position of leader.

”I don't think she's taking this as a simple training exercise,” Maria whispered over to Julian who nodded his head in agreement. Sticking together, the three traveled farther into the vast forest that was dominated by magnolia, rhododendron, and beech trees, twinkling lights bursting through their crowns. Swooping vines were suspended from occasional trees; a range of flowers could be randomly spotted in various corners.

From a distance, they could hear some of the students already in the midst of battle, though things got quiet as they traveled farther north. Upon hearing a rustling of leaves that came from somewhere nearby, all three instantly became alert, cautiously watching as the shadow of a figure slowly revealed itself which resulted in their eyes becoming large and their jaws hitting the ground.

”We're so screwed,” muttered Maria. Standing in front of the trembling group of three was a towering eight-foot tall gorilla golem, made out of black rocks, bearing its teeth as its roar sent their hair flying back.

”Run... Run!” shouted Maria as the group took off, running for their lives, though when they looked back, they screamed when they saw that the gorilla golem was gaining on their tails.

”What do we do?! We can't possibly defeat that thing! It's impossible! We are doomed to fail!” cried Julian.

”We need a plan! Wait, does anyone have some bananas?” asked Mai, and it took nothing but a second for Maria to follow where Mai's mind was heading and she wanted to slap some sense into her blonde friend.

”It's a golem! I don't think a banana is going to work!” yelled Maria; the group continued to run for their lives until one of them tripped. The one who tripped just so happened to be Julian; both Mai and Maria stopped just in time to see the gorilla golem charge towards him and was about to smash him under its large rock fist. Upon seeing this, the one who acted first was Mai who cried out to Julian, running towards him.

”Luce Stellarum Protector!” Mai called out once she reached him as Maria watched as a glowing bright yellow star appeared underneath the ground of both Mai and Julian. The star emitted a bright glow of light that when the gorilla golem was about to smash his fist against them, it worked as a magical barrier that protected both Mai and Julian from the gorilla golem's attack.