Regina took note of Esther's words and agreed with a nod and a smile. It was indeed a long time. However, Regina also had the unfortunate side effect of being a witness to Leblanc's schemes on Esther while in the baths. Watching as Esther was pulled under, but being perceptive that Leblanc was the one at fault, Regina shook her head at the entire situation. Why this was being done right before her eyes was a mystery to her, but whatever it was it was she was not going to be a part of it. Quietly and with a sigh, she stood up and grabbed her towel leaving the baths with little care of who saw her in all of her glory toward the locker room. She was definitely refreshed, that was for sure.
With their long march, Regina actually felt at home. The trees, the wildlife, the wind...everything in the forest felt wonderful! Her father always took her out into the forests and they even had to tackle a bit of dangerous wildlife here and there, mostly wolves and a bear or two. It was during those trips that she was taught everything about concealment and how to be a survivor out in nature. If one observed Regina they would see her relaxed and possibly even with her guard down, but the opposite was true. Regina was very much aware of her surroundings, having been taught by her father to always be aware, but not to let anything watching her know she was aware. It was deception, sure, but it was something her father pressed into her. As a result of her father's teachings, constant forays into the forest and being generally light in her packing Regina was not exhausted either. In fact, she felt fresh aside from her feet feeling like they need a massage.
Though Regina thought it was a poor decision to not choose their commanding officer while they were in the relative safety of home territory, she did not voice her opinion because she did not feel her own opinion would be valued as much as the rest. She had no position within the friend circles nor did she wish to break her silence. After all, she mostly left matters like that up to the self-proclaimed more 'qualified.' Not that Regina cared, but most of the nobles hated her father and by extension herself, because he was a commoner one day and after rescuing an important VIP which was classified even to herself he was given a title and land on the next. Her father often told her and every other noble that at least he earned his title, unlike the lot of them. With the weight on her shoulders to prove herself and her father worthy of such titles, she did not know whether she would even want a position of leadership. She listened to everyone's statements, but noted the favor for Gradon. It seemed she was slowly but surely learning everyone's names just by watching their interactions with one another at least, but her opinion about Gradon so far? He seemed at least a capable fighter judging from how he stood. That was all she got out of him so far, but looks can be deceiving as well as pleasing. She noted she will have to get a more detailed opinion of her classmates before she thought of anything for a vote, if she voted at all.
So far, Regina saw the Princess as a person, just like what her father taught her. She didn't want to treat her any differently despite her being royalty, but not doing so would get one killed in any other instance. Making a note of Ires' words, she decided that she will take full advantage of the princess wanting to be treated like the rest of them, though not this instant. Viola was also a person to Regina, not knowing her all that well either.
Leblanc's statement about a leader needing the ability to essentially take punishment was one that Regina thought was false. That was the linemen's job, not the leader's. Though it is nice for one to be able to do so, there was no requirement for such, though her statement did give valuable information about Gradon. One shouldn't ever present themselves as the target, ever, especially if they were the leader. It'd be best for the leader to stay behind the lines or blend in with the rest of the group in order to avoid presenting a target.
Althea's suggestion was actually a good one to Regina. A bush-sergeant would prove invaluable and even allow them to split up into two groups in a more orderly fashion. It was how the militia her father maintained handled itself back home, even going so far down as two-man teams, though she doubted that would work here.
As for the blonde haired guy's statement, Clean she thought, she also dissented in her mind slightly. A leader did not require to be so ambitious even though some ambition wouldn't kill anyone. However, the leader in charge must be able to drive them toward a purpose: if that purpose was recon, so be it but if they decided that they should grab the glory on a suicidal run when their purpose was far from that? Regina would not follow such a person. It was a one way ticket to the grave, somewhere that she'd not like to be in.
But perhaps the most precious value a leader should have in Regina's opinion was trust. Trust their comrades, allow them to do what they do, and their comrades will trust their leader to lead.
Before Regina could get any deeper in her thoughts, she heard a screech, followed by big shadows on the ground. Looking up, Regina's eyes widened in fear as she saw the flock of Rocs looking at them like they were tasty morsels, and they were not waiting. There were only a few words that came to mind in the young woman's head.
Crap! Get to cover now! However, her fellow students were in the back of her mind as she started to make a run for the nearest building with at least some kind of cover against a flying beast that could probably tear this village apart.
"Take cover!" she shouted as she entered one of the more stable houses and activated her vessel, Irregular's Life, the activated vessel coming from her bracelet to her hands in a moment.
The rifle was grey with dark blue lines running through the weapon that could easily be concealed and looked like a large but still maneuverable, for a long range weapon, sniper rifle with a scope attached to it to allow her to zoom onto a specific target or location. The lines would light up when she fired, sending a magical bolt straight toward the target. Although it was ineffective at close encounters and potentially against these fliers, the rifle would pack a punch at least if she did hit.
Finding a vantage point at one of the cracked walls that'd allow some form of cover, Regina took her position and aimed toward the sky, marking one of the Rocs to track it and give its position away and waiting for one of the Rocs to attempt to swoop down on her or someone else before firing, careful to allow a small amount of time for cool down before firing again, and moving to a different location using her agility and smaller frame to her advantage both fear and adrenaline filling her head and body respectively.