The gates of Dusthaven closed behind them.
The neutral zone ended just beyond the city walls.
Out here...
Anything went.
The moon hung low over the desert as wind carried sand across the road.
Ryū walked casually ahead of the group like he was out for a midnight stroll.
Clare followed beside him.
Behind them, three Imperial Strike Division soldiers advanced with controlled precision.
Their red-lined combat suits hummed with power.
Clare could feel the difference immediately.
"...their Aether output is insane."
Ryū shrugged.
"Feels like their wearing cardboard to me."
Clare glanced back.
"How can you say that when their so much stronger than the average knight."
Ryū replied.
"Because their wasting their potential's by relying on quicker means of strength instead of mastering the basics to amplify their own growth."
Clare blinked.
"...you sound completely ridiculous right now."
Ryū stopped walking.
They were now nearly a kilometer from the city walls.
The desert stretched endlessly around them.
Perfect battlefield.
Ryū turned around.
"Never mind."
He cracked his neck.
"This should be far enough."
The captain stepped forward.
Her suit's red circuits glowed brighter.
"Lieutenant Clare Drake."
Her voice was calm.
"You will return to the Empire and face sentencing in front of a judge."
Clare laughed.
"...yeah that's not happening."
The captain's eyes shifted toward Ryū.
"And you."
Ryū raised a finger.
"Let me stop you right there."
He pointed at Clare.
"Fight her instead."
Clare blinked.
"...WHAT?!"
The captain frowned.
"You want us to fight the lieutenant?"
Ryū nodded.
"Yep."
Clare grabbed his coat.
"ARE YOU INSANE?!"
Ryū flicked her forehead.
"You said my training is ridiculous right?"
Clare groaned.
"...I hate you."
Ryū walked away and sat on a large rock.
"Don't die."
Clare drew her blade slowly.
"...just great."
The captain raised her hand.
Two soldiers stepped forward.
Their suits shifted.
Mechanical vents opened along their shoulders.
Red Aether began building inside their armor.
Clare's combat visor flashed warnings.
ENERGY OUTPUT: HIGH
One soldier spoke calmly.
"Strike Unit combat mode."
The red circuits across their armor flared brighter.
Then they vanished.
Clare barely reacted.
CLANG!
Her blade blocked the first strike at the last possible second.
The impact sent her skidding across the sand.
"...holy shit!"
Ryū called from the rock.
"Your form is complete garbage."
Clare shouted back.
"SHUT UP!"
The second soldier attacked from behind.
Clare boosted upward.
"BOOST!"
Her Aether Knight Frame ignited.
She flipped over the attack and swung her sword downward.
"FLARE MODE!"
Fire erupted across her blade.
The strike forced the soldier backward.
The captain watched silently.
"...her control is sloppy."
Ryū shrugged.
"Yeah."
Clare landed hard.
Her breathing was already heavier.
The red-lined suits advanced slowly.
Their movements were efficient.
Precise.
Disciplined.
Clare gritted her teeth.
"...they're burning energy much slower then I am."
Ryū nodded.
"Amazing observation, 2 points to you Clare."
Clare blocked another strike.
CLANG.
The soldier's strength pushed her back again.
"...damn it."
Ryū spoke again.
"Stop relying on the damn suit Clare."
Clare snapped.
"THAT'S LITERALLY HOW I FIGHT!"
Ryū pointed at the air.
"Use the Aether."
Clare clenched her teeth.
"...fine!"
She closed her eyes for a split second.
The battlefield shifted in her mind.
The desert wind.
The invisible energy in the air.
Aether.
It flowed everywhere.
She reached for it.
The soldier lunged again.
Clare moved.
This time...
Without activating her boosters.
Her body reacted naturally.
The blade slipped past the attack.
She countered.
CLANG.
The soldier stumbled back slightly.
Ryū raised an eyebrow.
"...that's better."
Clare opened her eyes.
"...I-I did it?"
The captain stepped forward now.
Her armor reactor roared to life.
Red lightning crackled across the suit.
"Enough."
She drew her weapon.
A massive Runic Halberd formed from Aether.
Clare stared.
"...that's not standard equipment, even for elites."
Ryū whistled.
"Oh damn."
He leaned forward.
"That one might actually mess you up."
The captain pointed the halberd toward Clare.
"Let me show you what an elite Knight looks like."
Clare tightened her grip on her sword.
Behind her...
Ryū smiled.
The real lesson had just begun.
END OF CHAPTER 5