The two were some of the few that ran the hole time. In total only twelve people were still running before one of the assistant instructors came to get the students.
Back inside, everyone was standing in a open space waiting for instructions.
"Alright students. Break into your assisted groups. To those now joining us please stay here." Instructor Orum announced to the students." After a few minutes there were four people remaining in the open space.
"Alright, I will now test you each individually on your combat skills. After that you will be assigned to a group based on your skill level so you can get the proper help for your skill."
The once again Anderson and Zena ended up at the end of the line. Even if it was short. Once the two Sleepers in front of the two went it was Anderson's turn.
"Alright Anderson it is your turn. Pick a weapon." Orum pointed to the wall of wooden weapons.
"I think I will use the spear." Anderson grabbed it from the wall.
"Good chose. Keeping distance from an opponent is a good strategy with a spear. Although it is not as flexible in different situations.
Now that you have picked your weapon come at me. You can use your aspect if you want. I won't reinforce my body with essence to make it fair."
"Unfortunately, at this time my aspect would probably do me more harm than good. I would need to practice with it by itself before I would think about using it in combat." Anderson explained.
"When not in a class the practice rooms are still open in the next hallway over if you want. Anyway, come at like you want to kill me." With that Anderson's fight with Orum started.
Even though the fight started neither side struck. Both observing the other. Orum the experienced fighter found many openings in the clumsy stance. Anderson on the other hand was scanning over every inch of Orum's body trying to find anything to use. Then he saw something. The loosening of Orum's grip on his sword.
In that moment he struck. Aiming for Orum's hand, trying to disarm him. However, Orum quickly parried the attack sending the spear tip away and taking a step forward into Anderson stance.
Before he could strike, Anderson using the momentum from the parry spun. Swinging the spear as hard as he could to Orum's opposite side. Orum seeing this raised an eyebrow, blocking the spear with his sword.
This gave Anderson the time to get his footing before leaping back. He leaned back before throwing the spear. I barley missed its mark. Orum watched the spear fly by. He didn't even need to move to defend himself from it.
However, the moment he looked back Anderson was up close, within Orum's guard. Anderson grabbed Orum's hands locking them with his arm. With the other hand Anderson threw a punch at Orum's face, but Orum tilted his head causing Anderson to overextend.
Using the momentum Orum. Flipped Anderson and slammed him into the ground.
At this time Orum announced, "The spar is over. You did good. If I was the same rank as you that last attack might have actually gotten me. However, in normal combat don't throw your weapon or have a spare weapon like a dagger. The outcome of our fight would be a lot closer if you had a dagger with you.
Anyway, my final judgment is that your tactics are good, its just that your skill is lacking in a lot of areas. Your stance and your attacked are a good start. You will be in the basics group. Once you have gotten a good handle on them you can go to the sparing group, skipping the tactics group as you have plenty based on what I gave you. Most would have failed after the first attack you made. And yet you recovered. Also if you want, you can stay to watch your sister's fight."
"Thank you for the information, and I will take you up on that offer to stay." Anderson still on the ground heaved out after having the wind nocked out of him.
Orum turned to Zena. "Alright young miss, pick a weapon."
"I have a question first. Is it possible to train in two weapons while here?" Zena asked.
"There are no rules against it, but I would recommend you start with one and get good with it before the second one. Which weapons were you thinking?"
"The sword and the bow."
"Good choses. Long and short range. For today use the sword as it is better suited for this type of combat."
While Zena grabbed the sword Orum continued. "Once you grab the sword get ready. Like I told your brother, I will not use essence to reinforce myself. And you are welcome to use your aspect."
Getting in position they started. The once eccentric Zena was calm. Standing there see focused on her aspect.
Then her eyes shifted. The whites of her eyes turned red as her shiny violet eyes dulled.
Her stance changed. It lowered. Then she sprang. Sending her blade right at Orum's legs. Orum quickly blocked it stopping the blade, but that did not stop Zena. She slammed her shoulder into Orum's gut. Sending the both into a fall. Orum twisted. Managing to get his footing. Only for Zena to be coming right back. This time her blade to come inches from Orum's neck. Not waiting for Zena to crash into himself Orum dodged.
'She's fighting like a beast.'
Zena got up again, lunging once again. Orum dodged. But this time Zena stopped. Twisting herself to swing her blade at the moving Orum's legs. She managed to hit him. Even if it was a glance. In real combat it would have sliced the muscle.
But that was not the end. Zena pressed on. Getting into the guard of Orum. One hand grabbing the grip of Orum's sword. With the other Zena slammed the pommel of the sword into Orum's shoulder. Now unbalanced. Orum took a step back. Only for Zena to continue with him. Striking him again. In the middle of his chest with her elbow. Completely losing his already unstable balance he fell, but Zena did not let him. Pulling him up by him hands. Zena pulled him towards her and tripped him. Orum landed on his face.
The round was over. Zena had won. Getting up Orum rubbed his now sore face.
"You know that last attack was not needed." Sighing, "You did well only one other person has defeated me. That one read me like a book and it seems like you did too. Anyway there isn't much to say besides that your ramming attack would not work against nightmare creatures. Most of them have a shell of sorts.
Besides that your basics are decent. Better than most Sleepers actual and your tactics were good. So you will go to the sparing group. Getting used to fighting different opponents would be the best for you.
Anyway you can head to your groups now. I need to go get some ice." With the, Orum left.