Outside of the Arena within the Training Hall

When Michael first thought to ask the new girl to join his team, he was mostly doing it because she was a blood magic user, and because of what he had seen her doing on a couple of videos posted online. And blood magic users often become some of the strongest Guardians just from the pure versatility their skills give them, whether it’s through close combat, ranged combat, support, healing, pretty much anything.

He knew that she would be instantly surrounded by people asking her to join their team the moment she arrived at Lion’s Heart, regardless of her status as an orphan. Which they likely wouldn’t know about anyways, because the school would likely try to suppress that knowledge as best they can.

So he decided to move first, even if Emily wasn’t all that happy about it.

But after meeting her in person and getting to know her a little? After seeing more videos of her, including the one of her fighting a demon wraith while still at the lower half of Class I? He became determined.

But now he can’t help but have the passing thought that maybe his team might not even be good enough for her as he watches her fight against his tutor, red steam floating off of her skin in waves as she swipes her clawed hand – yes, claws, not blood claws, since her hand had transformed into that of what looks like a werewolf as soon as she entered the arena – at the man. And the man is actually pushed back just a couple inches from the hit!

Holy shit… and she’s only been a Guardian for a week at most? If that’s the case, then what have I been doing all this time…?

Michael’s confidence slowly begins to drop as he watches the wolf eared girl fight his tutor much better than any of his team could ever manage. Even if she still only manages to leave a single scratch at most with her shifted hand, which doesn’t amount to much.

“You probably shouldn’t compare yourself to her,” Collin says, bringing Michael’s attention to the man known by many as Sylver. “She’s a little bit of a battle junkie if what I’ve seen so far is to be believed. And she has absolutely no concern for her own safety.”

Michael blinks in surprise when he notices a very, very faint look of concern cross the man’s eyes.

Sylver can care about other people? That’s new.

He turns back to focus on Scarlet’s fight again, briefly noting the grin she has on her face as she does so. Even if she isn’t actually doing much to the guy. Although the stream of life energy moving between them feels slightly unnerving, since he himself is a healer.

Seeing her fight in person really is a lot different from watching her fight in a video. Especially when I know just how strong her opponent is.

Michael frowns as he watches, only to sigh once the two finish battling and begin walking over to them.

“Looks like that’s all of you,” his tutor says, sounding slightly impressed as he glances towards Scarlet – which doesn’t happen often. “I’ve seen what I wanted to see and done what I can.” He turns to Collin after saying that and adds, “The rest is up to you.”

Then the man just leaves the training hall, not even bothering to say goodbye to his students.

Michael turns away from the door to find Collin walking to the arena himself while saying, “Come up with combat strategies yourself and then enter the arena when you’re ready to use them. And try to become a real team while you’re at it. Nothing like a new member to screw up the flow.” He stops walking in the arena and turns around again with his arms crossed. “Not that you were much of a team before though. Not when you only became a team a week ago.”

The group falls into an awkward silence at his words. But he doesn’t say anything more, simply opening up his terminal and beginning to mess with it.

Well this is awkward now.

Eventually Michael breaks the silence by saying, “Since we’re going to be working together for the foreseeable future, we should get to know each other better.” Everyone turns to look at him as he continues, “I don’t think there’s a person in this base that doesn’t know Scarlet by now,” Michael pauses when he sees Scarlet’s surprised reaction to that before continuing, “so how about the rest of us introduce ourselves again?”

Emily and Denise both frown and share a glance before focusing on Scarlet, deciding that reintroductions are a good idea.

“I’ll start first,” Michael says, also focusing on Scarlet. “My name is Michael Winters and I’m the son of Astra.” Scarlet’s eyes widen in shock at the name drop, but Michael just continues anyways, “I’m twenty years old, and I contracted three weeks before you did, while I was at the mall with my sister.”

Before Scarlet can say anything, Denise steps forward and starts her own introduction, “I’m Denise Harley, as I already mentioned before. But what I didn’t say was that my father is the headmaster for Aquatic Pride, another Tier 1 city Guardian University.” And once again Scarlet’s eyes bulge from shock as she realizes just how rich and important their families are. “I’m twenty-one years old and I contracted two weeks before you did. I hope we can be friends!”

Silence falls the group for a few seconds before everyone turns to look at Emily, Scarlet having already gotten over her initial shock by now. And it takes Emily a second to begin speaking even after that.

“I’m Emily Winters. Mother is Astra, and I’m eighteen years old,” Emily begins her introduction in a stunted manner. “Contracted at the same time as my brother.” She bows her head slightly towards Scarlet and adds, “Hope to be friends.”

Michael frowns before sighing.

Well, it’s progress. And it’s good that she has interest in becoming friends with her.

He turns to look at Scarlet again to find her taking a moment to absorb the new information before she eventually nods her head back and answers the three, “I hope we can be friends as well.”

Michael smiles at that.

And we almost have a full team now! Although…

He glances around at the three girls.

Why am I the only guy?

A few seconds pass as he looks between them.

When we find a fifth, I really hope they're a guy.