Chapter 47: Defend and Counter

There were around ten of them, including Klaus, who was still standing at the side with Jyrana.

“You know you can leave now, right?”

“I have a break; we are allowed to watch other classes.”

’Huh,’ Klaus didn’t even know that was a thing; could he then watch senior classes and learn better things instead? That seemed like a better option than his current classes, which barely did anything.

Klaus looked at the students, and he didn’t see any familiar faces, which was weird since this seemed like a good class to pick; everyone had to know defensive spells at some point; they would be handy.

Then he also saw a familiar young-looking teacher walking towards them from the academy.

’The… Bastian guy?’ Jyrana walked a couple of steps back, making sure Bastian knew she was just a spectator and not a student.

He walked past her without saying anything, then greeted the students, “Good day, everyone,” he put some of the stuff he carried on the ground, already knowing no one would bother touching them.

’Right…’ Despite his sentence being meant to everyone, he was staring at Klaus like he was a monster.

’Is something wrong with him?’ He took a couple of steps forward to blend in with the rest of the students instead of bunching himself with Jyrana.

“This class focuses on the principles of defense using magic, things you need to focus on, and things that you don’t need to focus on,” Without hesitating, he instantly began an explanation, which made many students sit on the ground, since they already knew it would be long.

But Klaus didn’t; he just stood still, hands in his pockets, as he listened quietly.

“First things first, the first rule, never trust a single layer of defense.”

’Right,’ Klaus instantly understood, as it was just like the game; in the game, you needed multiple layers of defensive spells against bosses, since they would break through easily.

“A single layer isn’t enough and can’t be trusted enough,” To most of the students, this made sense, but the thing was that nearly everyone had different affinities, which meant they would have to learn defensive spells in their given affinity.

“The first layer is always just a bump, not a wall; it exists to slow an attack down, not to disperse it and stop it completely.”

’A good mage would break it apart in seconds, I’m assuming, just like in the game.’

“The second layer has to be sturdier; it exists to absorb most of the damage and try to nullify it so it doesn’t harm the mage.”

He kept walking around the students without stopping, almost like he was a hyperactive boy.

“Then the third layer of defence is a counter,” He looked at the students with a smile as some started murmuring around.

“After the second layer fairly quickly absorbs most of the damage, if not all, then you have to be ready to counterattack. You have to fire something back when they aren’t ready to attack; most idiots don’t expect this to happen, so they are defenseless and get caught off guard easily,” Many of the students chuckled at his choice of words; eventually, Klaus took a seat as well as he could; he already knew this class would be boring and long.

’Right, makes sense, just like in the game,’ Klaus remembered the times when he had to use multiple spells to protect his team and himself, countless times where his protection failed, and countless times when it didn’t.

“The second rule,” Bastian circled the students again, his voice loud enough to fill the entire training ground.

“You must know your range at all costs,” Some students started taking notes as soon as he said that.

“Any tips, why? Let’s start with close range,” He looked among the students, his eyes stopping on Klaus.

’I guess he wants me to answer,’ He sighed then raised his hand, just like a student would back on Earth.

Multiple students instantly turned towards him, mumbling amongst themselves.

“Because we can’t just solely rely on spells in a close-range fight.”

“Why not?” Bastian asked back, looking for a more in-depth answer. “Why can’t we just use spells at close range?”

“Because we need to rely on our bodies. We need to dodge…parry, make them miss completely if we can.”

“Correct!” Bastian clapped once, and some students did as well. He then signalled for Klaus to sit with his fingers.

“For mid-range fights, this is where most of your fights will happen in the future, at all times,” Klaus looked to the side whilst Bastian was talking, just to see what Jyrana was doing, and she was asleep on the ground…like a cat.

’…heir my ass..’

“In mid-range, you need to keep your defences tight. You must try to keep circling them, make them overcommit, and try to counter if possible. Try and exhaust their mana.”

’Or just overpower them,’ that was the most normal solution, to just overpower an opponent.

’I just have to become the strongest, I guess,’ he sighed as Bastian continued, raising his voice.

“Next up is long range. You must try to run.”

Many students chuckled.

“Run away from a fight?”

“Why would anyone run?”

“How is that defence—”

“Now let me finish my dear students,” Bastian shushed them and raised his hand. “You are not running away. You are trying to break the line of sight they have on you, try and outmanoeuvre them.”

’Basically just bait…’ A vein throbbed on his forehead as he remembered the amount of baiters he faced in the game. He wanted to break his setup countless times.

“Let’s move on to the next rule. We have a couple, so don’t worry,” he signalled for the students who seemed happy thinking this would be the last and final rule, but oh boy were they wrong.

Klaus leaned back on the ground, and he was about to lie down; however, a hand grasped his shoulders and held him up.

Jyrana was already behind him. Contrary to her earlier sleeping cat form, she was wide awake.

’What is she doing…’

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