The courtyard of Class 2A buzzed with excitement. The late afternoon sun fell across the stone ground, casting long shadows from the banners hung on the surrounding walls. The professor, a tall man in a gray tunic with a sharp voice, clapped his hands once to gather the attention of his students.
"Today, you'll undergo the Shield Wall Test." His words carried, silencing the chatter. "The rules are simple: each group must form a wall using these wooden shields. The goal is to hold your formation as others throw beanbags, paint pouches, or small stones at you. You lose the moment gaps appear in your defense. This test is not about individual strength—it's about discipline, unity, and strategy. Remember that."
A few nervous chuckles rippled through the courtyard as assistants carried in crates filled with colorful beanbags and mock paint bombs.
"Now then," the professor continued, "I've arranged you into groups of four. You'll be tested one group at a time."
The students straightened when their names were called.
Group 1:
Wyxro Waxzi
Keiya Anastasia Zheka
Ashborne Cloud Dunsmore
Retro Jordan
Group 2:
Reiyell Georgia Frey Ravenscroft
Klyden Yurei
Liora Vallegoire
Yintaro Chens
(…and more groups followed, but the class' attention mostly stuck on the first two names)
---
Wads' Group
When Group 1 stepped forward, each member hefted a rectangular wooden shield that felt heavier than it looked. Wads examined it for a moment before speaking.
"We'll form a staggered wall. Retro, you're on the left, slightly behind me. Ash, right side. Keiya, cover the center back. We're not just blocking—we're absorbing the impact and shifting as one. Got it?"
Retro, who often slouched through classes, gave a grin. "As long as I don't get beaned in the face, I'll listen."
Ash twirled the shield once before holding it steady, crimson eyes gleaming. "If this is about timing, I'll match yours, Wads."
Keiya nodded, expression serious. "I'll anchor from behind. Just call it."
Wads adjusted his glasses and smirked slightly. "Then let's not embarrass ourselves."
The whistle blew.
Instantly, beanbags rained toward them. Wads barked a sharp order—"Shift left!"—and the entire line swayed as one, their shields overlapping to catch the incoming barrage. Paint pouches splattered against the wood, but no gaps formed.
"Brace!" Wads shouted again, slamming his shield down at an angle to redirect a stone. The others copied him without hesitation, their movement precise, almost military-like.
Students watching from the sidelines whispered in awe. Most groups flinched or stumbled under the pelting attacks, but Wads' group moved like a single unit, each step guided by his voice.
Even when the last of the beanbags were hurled, their formation stood tall—unyielding.
The professor nodded once. "Excellent. Flawless execution."
.....
Reiyell's Group
Next came Reiyell's team. The four gathered, each adjusting their shields.
"Alright," Reiyell began calmly. "We'll do a diamond shape. I'll take front, Liora left, Yintaro right, and Klyden—"
"Put me in the middle!" Klyden declared proudly. "I've got the strongest arms. I'll protect all of you."
Yintaro sighed. "That's… not how formations work."
Liora smirked. "Don't let him, Rei. He'll probably start singing while we're supposed to be defending."
"Hey!" Klyden barked. "My voice is inspirational!"
Reiyell pinched the bridge of her nose but allowed a faint smile. "Fine. Middle back it is. Just… please focus."
The whistle blew.
They braced themselves as paint bombs flew at them. Reiyell shouted quick commands, her shield deflecting the heaviest hits. Liora moved with precision, her shield angled just right. Yintaro gritted his teeth and caught the side attacks.
Klyden, meanwhile—
"Wha—did you see that throw!? Weak! Try harder!" he yelled at the students pelting them.
A paint pouch immediately smacked the side of his helmet, splattering blue all over his cheek.
"Pfft—Klyden!" Liora burst out laughing, nearly breaking formation.
"That was sabotage!" Klyden roared, his muffled voice echoing through the shield. "Who threw that!? Fight me properly!"
"Focus!" Reiyell scolded, though her shoulders shook faintly with amusement.
Despite Klyden's outbursts, their formation held long enough to survive. But by the end, their shields were dripping in paint, and they were clearly battered compared to Wads' group.
The professor raised a brow. "Group 2… passable. One point behind Group 1."
"WHAT!?" Klyden shouted. "We should've won! If not for that one cheap shot—"
"Shut up, you loud duck," Liora said, smirking as she shoved her shield against him.
The courtyard erupted into laughter.
Once all groups had performed, the scores were tallied. Wads' team stood first, their perfect score unmatched. Reiyell's team came second, trailing by just a single point—thanks, in no small part, to Klyden's noise.
"Results are in!" the professor announced, clapping his hands. "First place: Group One—Wyxro, Keiya, Ashborne, and Retro. Perfect wall, perfect timing. Well done."
Wads' group received a small wave of applause as he simply nodded, while Keiya rolled her eyes and Ash gave a humble grin.
"And in second place…" the professor glanced at his notes, "Group Two—Reiyell, Klyden, Liora, and Yintaro. Almost perfect, but one point deducted due to… unnecessary distractions."
The class erupted in chuckles. Reiyell sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Yintaro covered his mouth to hide a laugh.
Klyden shot up, throwing his hands in the air. "Unnecessary distractions?! I was motivating the team!"
"Motivating?" Liora whipped her head toward him. "You nearly sang a marching song off-key, tripped on your own shield, and yelled 'incoming!' at literally everything—including the breeze."
The class burst out laughing again.
Klyden puffed his chest out, undeterred. "It's called strategy, Liora. Psychological warfare. If the other team was here, they would've collapsed from my genius!"
Liora stared at him, deadpan. "…Collapsed, yes. From secondhand embarrassment."
Even Reiyell chuckled at that one, though she quickly tried to compose herself.
Klyden gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Wow. Betrayed by my own team! Is this what unity means to you?!"
"Unity means silence," Liora shot back. "Do you know how hard it is to hold formation while you're narrating like some sports commentator?"
"Hey, admit it, I kept things lively!" Klyden grinned, unfazed. "Besides, one measly point doesn't matter."
"One measly point," Liora repeated, narrowing her eyes. "Do you realize that if you'd just shut your mouth for ten seconds, we would've been tied with Wads' group?"
"Exactly," Klyden said proudly. "And where's the fun in a tie? This way, we're the entertaining underdogs!"
Liora groaned loudly, dropping her shield on the ground. "I swear, I will personally sew your lips shut next round."
Klyden leaned toward her with a mischievous smirk. "Then who's gonna keep you awake with my beautiful voice, huh?"
"Beautiful?" Liora scoffed, grabbing her books. "It's like listening to a goose with asthma."
The courtyard exploded into laughter, even the professor barely holding back a smile.
Klyden, pretending to be deeply wounded, slumped against his shield dramatically. "My talent… so misunderstood in this cruel world."
"Your talent," Liora muttered, walking off, "is singlehandedly costing us victories."
At the end, the professor addressed the class.
"This practice wasn't just for fun. The Shield Wall Test teaches you the value of trust, timing, and teamwork. Alone, you are weak. Together, you can withstand even storms. Remember this—because in the real world, hesitation or disunity could cost far more than just points."
The students, still buzzing with laughter and energy, sobered at his words. Wads pushed his glasses up, thoughtful. Reiyell glanced at her team with quiet pride, even as Klyden and Liora continued bickering behind her.
For all its chaos, the practice had bound them closer.