Cassius has Laura, James, and Aaron in Lucius' office, Lucius is gone for the moment so Cassius is acting as a substitute.

  "You three are gonna be a part of an annual training exercise."

  "Every year, we host some Ashvaran soldiers and help 'em train."

  "We have the fifteen 'teitoku', as their called over there, and face them against the..."

  Cassius hesitates a bit.

  "...Equivalent rank in our system."

  James looks confused.

  "Why put so much emphasis on equivalent?"

  Cassius chuckles.

  "I'll just say that there's a reason that there're fifteen o' them and three o' you."

  "Last three years we just had Matthew goin' against all fifteen, so y'all are gonna be just fine."

  Later that day, James, Laura, and Aaron stand confident across from fifteen people of "equivalent" rank.

  They look like the three of them did on their first day of Boot Camp, quaking and mumbling to each other.

  None of the mumbles are in a language James and Laura can understand, but Aaron picked up on some Ashvaran in his time there with Jermaine.

  Some things he catches include:

  "The one with the black hair... He's scary!"

  "Is she really the same rank as him?"

  "Why does the red one have so much Aura?"

  Aaron chuckles at the remarks before taking charge.

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  "You five!"

  He points at a group of them who he'd heard mumbling the most.

  "You're with me, go over there."

  Startled by the sudden outburst, the five take a bit to register what was said.

  Another bark from Aaron seems to speed it up though.

  "You five, go with James!"

  "And the rest of you go with Laura!"

  Aaron walks over to his group, now looking much more tough than before, commanding them into a formation.

  "Surround me."

  The five reluctantly gather around before Aaron gives a signal to start.

  Aaron takes in his opponents, their stature, confidence, and any signs of an Aspect.

  All of them seem composed, other than one.

  He dashes toward the weak link, the attack immediately interrupted when his wrist is grabbed by one of the others.

  Aaron twists his arm clockwise, adjusting his position in the fight.

  He now has the one who grabbed him in a fierce hold, holding him up almost as a shield.

  The seemingly weak link then gets into a new position as a warning from Cassius rings through Aaron's head.

  "Just a warning, their Aspects are a bit different to the ones on this side of the sea.."

  The weak link begins transforming, skin turning to scales, nails turning to claws, and teeth turning into fangs.

  A dragon is now on the field.

  Aaron is stunned by the sight, leaving him open to a swift punch to the face.

  While he's still reeling, the dragon grabs him, an attempt to keep him restrained, for at least a moment.

  Aaron chuckles.

  "Heh."

  "Cool trick you got there."

  "But it oughta take a shit ton of stamina, physical and Aura wise."

  "Even if you don't know it, you'll be back to a weak link in about..."

  "Now."

  The dragon reverts to it's former small state, leaving him in a freefall.

  Aaron laughs, now excited.

  As he hits the ground, he scoops some sand into his hand.

  As a second Ashvaran comes at him, he throws it right into his eyes.

  A third runs up next, taking a swift elbow to the gut, knocking him on the floor.

  The fourth and fifth come in simultaneously and go down the same, flying back the same way they came.

  Laura's session went much differently though.

  She has them all in a group in front of her.

  She signals to start before punching the ground in front of her, knocking all of them on their backs, ending the training.

  And James' went his own way.

  He used the opportunity to test a new technique.

  It's meant for weak opponents so he figured it'd work well enough.

  He has them surrounding him before he gives the signal to start.

  He raises his arms, making himself into a cross.

  He clenches his fists quickly, knocking everyone on the floor.

  James chuckles.

  He took a portion of their Aura, enough to partially incapacitate weaker foes.

  Afterward, James and Laura gather in the usual bar, Aaron follows soon after.

  As he sits down, he chuckles.

  "Damn, Cassius really wasn't exaggerating, huh?"

  The other two chuckle, agreeing.

  As the night goes on, they wonder what the other half of their usual group is up to, if they're not here.