An important part of being an Awakened Player is figuring out what role one is best equipped for with the skills they have in their disposal.
That way one can know what to fall into when challenging a Divine Quest.
So, that was the next part of Aeric's training.
The Crystal Chamber had transford, its walls pulsed and all the dummies had been reford and revitalized, ready to serve as the punching bags they were.
Alzera stood in the middle, hands on her hips, addressing everyone with her usual confident tone.
"Alright, Aeric. Next up in your training, you're figuring out where you fit. First, you'll be training with Kael."
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Aeric glanced at the big man and gave him a smile.
Kael thumbs upped him.
"You know the drill, Kael," Alzera said. "Show him what it takes to be a Vanguard."
Kael, the towering, and broad-shouldered Vanguard, grinned and walked towards Aeric. Then, he clapped on the back so hard that Aeric stumbled forward.
"Don't worry, Prince Aeric! By the ti we're done, you'll be a brick wall no one can get past!"
As usual, Kael's cheery tone contrasted with his intimidating fra, but Aeric had to admit, his enthusiasm was infectious.
He led Aeric to a section of the chamber that had conjured dummies and barriers, setting the stage for the lesson. Kael stood in front of the dummies, spread his legs wide, and thumped his chest.
"First rule of being a Vanguard: you're the shield. That ans you take the hits so your team doesn't have to. If you want to be a Vanguard, or if you want to at least acquire the skills of one, you should get that in your head early."
Aeric nodded, rembering Kael standing in the front with his Fla Shield skill during that Dungeon raid. "So, I have to stand in front, no matter what?"
Kael gave a booming laugh. "Exactly! You're the first line of defense. Your job is to block attacks, keep the team safe, and never falter, no matter how hard they hit."
Kael motioned to Aeric. "Now, let's see that big shield of yours. Use your physical Divinity, and show how big of an aegis you can summon."
Aeric stretched out his hand and summoned a shimring red shield, translucent but thick, extending from his forearm.
It glead like molten glass, although with a more scarlet color.
Kael whistled. "Not bad, my Prince. But like in many things in life, size matters here. Co on, try harder! Let's see how big you can make it. Focus your Divinity and expand."
Aeric closed his eyes, concentrating. His fingers began to strain and began to stretch.
Consequently, the shield pulsed and grew larger, stretching until it was nearly as tall as Kael himself. Aeric gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead from the effort.
"Good! That's good!" Kael said, clapping again. "With more practice, you can cover all five mbers of your squad. Now hold it steady. Imagine you're standing in front of your squad, and arrows, fire, and all the dreadful beasts of a Dungeon and who-knows-what are coming at you. You've got to hold!"
Kael nodded to Alzera, who pressed a crystal on the wall. Ding! Dong!
Roaarrrrr!!
The dummies across from them activated, turning into uglier creatures and began launching blasts of energy at Aeric.
Aeric braced himself, gripping the shield as the first blast struck. The force reverberated through his arm, but the shield held. Another blast ca, then another. His legs wobbled, but Kael's voice bood over the noise.
"Don't give in! A Vanguard doesn't break!"
'Yeah,' Aeric thought. 'Only if they're built like a tank as you are!'
The thing about roles was that, not only did one's Skills have to suit them, but their body as well. In order to hold a shield strong enough to stop heavy barrages of blasts, one would have to be extrely built and muscular like Kael.
A lot of mass is needed to hold a strong enough shield, just like lesser mass is needed for a Ranger in order to move swiftly and penetrate an opponent's defenses.
With a final roar of effort, Aeric stood firm for as long as he could. But then a crack ca from one of the blasts, and before he could nd it, more blasts struck and the crack spider webbed until the shield shattered.
Alzera stopped the dummies imdiately. Aeric rested on his knees, panting as Kael tapped him gently on his back.
"Not bad for your first try. You truly are talented, your Highness. I've never seen an Adept Level Player summon that much Physical Divinity. We shall advance to positioning and timing."
Aeric looked up at him, exasperated. "There's more?"
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
After Kael was done with him, it was Ryn's turn.
The cool-guy, sharp-eyed Ranger barely spoke as he set up the training area. His movents were precise, almost chanical, as he placed targets at varying distances.
"Listen, Prince. I'm not as cheerful as the other ones, so try not to take what I say to heart."
Aeric looked at him with a regal smile. "For today, you're my master. Teach how you see fit."
Ryn narrowed his eyes. "Hmm."
"Rangers disrupt," he began. "We don't wait around like the rest of the team; we create opportunities. Sotis that ans risking your life by attacking the enemy directly. Other tis, it's about throwing them off balance. All so to give your team a fighting chance. To give your Tactician more ti to co up with a ga plan."
Aeric raised a brow. "I see. So what's the training going to be?"
Ryn stopped and looked at him. "To be honest, you make a pretty good Ranger already after your training with Alzera on targeting and striking. But let's see how you can handle close range, especially when the odds are clearly not in your favor."
Alzera pulled a lever.
Suddenly three dummies turned to giant Grey Orcs, roaring and smashing their clubs on the ground.
"Your Tactician is down and the Support is doing all she can to heal her." Ryn said, glaring at Aeric. "The Vanguard's shield is deteriorating, the Courier is a helpless Initiate who doesn't even know what he's doing. But those Grey Orcs keep advancing. You're the Ranger and everyone clearly needs ti to recuperate. What do you do?!"
Aeric looked forward, seeing the Grey Orcs getting closer and closer. 'What do I do? What do I do?'
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