Mantle of the Gods

They were picking on Miss Reder.

Despite the show of solidarity, the other two teachers were still ignoring the red-haired teacher, Bethil Reder.

Warder chose first for the Casters, “Robert Tres,” he pointed out a brown-haired man in factory overalls.

“Savyn Triscan,” Celia pointed at a black-haired blue-eyed Noblewoman.

Part of me wondered why Warder had passed on a Noble leaving Celia with the option to take one of the more established students. While I was wondering I got the answer as Miss Reder called out the last Caster.

“Lilly Mive,” she pointed at a black-haired red-eyed woman with a waitress outfit on. At this point, I decided that the Nobles were all wearing nice clothing. Those who weren't of Noble birth looked like we were all still wearing their work uniform. That was the way things were, the Nobles had money to spare for clothes and other luxuries while most of the Mundanes had uniforms provided for them. It gave them one less thing they needed to spend their food money on. I began to wonder if Warder might be scared of Celia. His face betrayed nothing as he calmly looked at the groups.

The loud teacher looked over at him.

“Thanks. First?” she asked

Warder nodded and gave her a single nod. “Bridget Tress,” His firm voice called out his tank.

I watched the blonde from earlier start walking. She saw me looking and winked, drawing a low groan from Justia. I began to wonder how someone like her was a tank but sometimes classes didn't make sense.

“Rals Harlax.” Celia pointed at the red-haired red-eyed Noble and motioned for him to join her side. I had heard of Harlax Technologies and was surprised that one of them was my age and would be in our class. Celia turned to Bethil “Your pick.”

“George Juel,” Bethil said.

A white-haired, blue-eyed man wearing a Porter's uniform like the one I had on walked over to her side.

Trent nodded at a white-haired red-eyed woman wearing a nice pantsuit. She started walking towards our group before our teacher said her name.

“Ether Klix.”

She was the only tank that was left, so saying her name seemed like a formality.

“Next is the Hitters.” Celia pointed at another man in a Porter's uniform, “James Juel,”

I was shocked that she was picking someone who wasn't a Noble. The red-haired brown-eyed man also seemed shocked that he had been picked and it looked like he couldn’t believe his name had really been called. He stood stunned for too long, drawing the loud teacher’s ire.

“Don't make me say your name twice!” Celia glared at him. The young man dashed across the training floor and quickly took his place on the opposite side of her from the three Nobles she already picked. She nodded at Warder, “Your pick.”

Warder turned to Miss Reder, “You go next since you didn’t get the first pick of a Healer.”

Bethel seemed shocked for a moment, then turned and pointed at a brown-haired gray-eyed woman in a Dispatcher security uniform.

“Lyndis Slece,” she looked at Warder as if she was asking for his approval.

Warder held up his hand, “It's a good pick.” he said as he pointed at a black-haired gray-eyed woman. “Jane Klix.”

The woman in a threadbare dress came forward and joined his group.

Celia's pick of someone with a Mundane background was becoming more clear. The first three so far and they had all been of Mundane origin, so I assumed that all the Hitters were from Mundanes.

“Edward Rene.” Trent appointed the blonde-haired green-eyed Noble and motioned for him to join our group.

I was shocked that a Noble had been picked last though given the uneasy aura the man was giving off I could see why Celia might not want him. A Hitter needed to be confident considering they were usually on the front lines with the Tank. Someone who looked like he would fold if he got hit was probably going to be a huge liability. I started to greet him as he came over to try to give him a confidence boost but he sensed it somehow and gave me a look that told me I needed to be quiet. I nodded and just smiled at Edward as he came over and tried to stand close to Justia, but away from the rest of us. I was going to have to make sure I was on good terms with the Noble and wondered how the ArchBishop was going to take the news that Trent had added one to our party. Worrying wouldn’t do anything because it wasn't my responsibility and there was nothing I could do about it. I pushed the thoughts out of my mind and tuned in to the conversation the teachers were having.