Chapter 64: Tactical Trial – Part II
Opening Scene – Aftermath of the Skirmish
The last of the summoned enemies flickered out in a burst of artificial flame and dust, leaving the field littered with scorch marks, broken terrain, and the echo of heavy breathing.
Volundr stood on a distant ledge, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he observed his team regroup.
Caelum was wiping sweat from his brow, his armored form scratched but intact. Seraphina leaned on her staff, her violet eyes scanning for any lingering threats.
And Kuroka—her aura still sharp—paced the battlefield like a predator ensuring the hunt was over.
"Kuroka," Volundr called out from above, his voice cutting through the quiet. "Your call."
She turned toward him, golden eyes gleaming. "No threats left. We own this ground."
Tactical Breakdown
Moments later, the team gathered under a shaded grove beside the training field. Volundr stood before a conjured map floating mid-air, marked with sigils and movements from the simulation.
"You did well," he began. "But we can do better."
He pointed to Seraphina.
"You hesitated when Caelum broke formation. What were you calculating?"
Seraphina adjusted her glasses, unfazed.
"I was determining whether preserving my mana reserves outweighed the risk of reinforcing him. I decided too late."
Volundr nodded. "And Kuroka covered the gap before the construct reached him."
Kuroka grinned from where she lounged against a boulder. "You're welcome."
"Caelum," Volundr continued, turning to the armored Pawn.
"What went wrong with your flank?"
Caelum winced. "I underestimated the reinforcement pattern. The construct multiplied faster than I expected."
"Next time," Volundr said, tapping the map,
"don't expect backup. Create your own escape route. And you—" He turned to Kuroka, eyes sharp.
"You improvised the counterattack. How?"
Kuroka stretched lazily, tail flicking behind her. "I felt the flow. Seraphina's spell rhythm told me she'd give me an opening. Caelum was the bait. I struck from above."
Seraphina blinked. "You used me as a timing anchor?"
"Of course," Kuroka said with a teasing smirk. "You're predictable in a good way."
Volundr chuckled softly. "That was excellent coordination. Kuroka, you showed more than combat sense today—you led. Calm under pressure, precise execution."
She blinked, surprised at the open praise.
"I'm not just claws and spells, ya know," she muttered, the pride clear behind her words.
One-on-One Evaluation – Kuroka vs. Volundr
As the sun dipped lower, the others were dismissed, leaving only Kuroka and Volundr on the field.
He stepped into the clearing, spear in hand, and called out, "Spar with me."
Kuroka's smile widened into a feline grin. "Now we're talking."
The duel began with her flickering in and out of sight, shadow-stepping with bursts of Senjutsu. Volundr deflected her strikes with the flat of his spear, forcing her to shift tactics.
He launched a rapid series of thrusts—testing, probing. She ducked low, twisted around him, claws grazing the edge of his coat.
Their auras flared in harmony again, clashing like opposing winds.
"I can feel your control improving," he said mid-swing.
"And I can feel your smugness growing," she retorted, landing a faint blow on his shoulder with the back of her palm.
Volundr retaliated with a sweep that knocked her into the grass. She rolled back onto her feet, laughing breathlessly.
"Getting serious now, sensei?"
"I'm always serious," he replied, lunging again.
She met him head-on—no tricks, no misdirection. Just raw, clean movement, refined by weeks of relentless training.
Eventually, Volundr disarmed her with a disarming twist, placing the tip of his spear just above her heart. They locked eyes.
"Queen-like," he murmured.
She exhaled slowly, heart pounding.
"Not yet. But maybe someday."
Silent Recognition
That night, as the estate lay in quiet calm, Kuroka sat alone in the training field, running through the day's movements again in her mind.
From a window above, Volundr watched her with arms folded, a quiet smile on his lips.
She wasn't just a wild card anymore.
She was becoming a cornerstone.
And she knew it.
End of Chapter 64