by M Sisa
A bit hesitant, Captain Qarat pulled out the short sword and made a deep cut on his arm. He flinched. Blood profusely dripped down the ground.
“Now, focus,” said Lark. “Will the wounds to close on its own. Imaging that this entire Hall is going to heed your instructions.”
Despite its peculiarities, Qarat followed Lark’s words. He closed his eyes and concentrated with all his might. To everyone’s surprise, the symbols on the pillars glowed, and particles of light started forming next to Qarat’s wound. After several seconds, the wound closed on its own.
Qarat heard the gasps of surprise from his fellow soldiers. Upon opening his eyes, he was stunned speechless upon realizing that the wound was gone.
Lark raised five fingers. “Five times. Judging by the amount of mana in your body, you can probably do it again for five more times. Of course, bigger wounds will consume a lot more mana, while the smaller ones will use less.”
Qarat opened and closed his mouth, trying to find his voice. When he eventually did, he asked, “I… I used Healing Magic?”
His voice was almost a whisper, but everyone heard it.
Lark nodded. “That’s right. The same is applicable to anyone else inside this Hall. The pillars surrounding you will serve as mediums and will help you cast the lowest grade of healing magic. The only limitation is the amount of mana within your bodies.”
The words that came out of the Young Master’s mouth was absurd, since healing magic was one of the most coveted spells. Even the weakest Healers would easily find a job in the Capital.
“Silver Claw, the wooden spears?” said Lark.
“They’re in the storage room of this Training Hall,” said the Mason.
“Bring them over here.”
“As you wish.”
The Mason and his men started handing out wooden spears to all of the soldiers.
Lark cleared his throat. “When you train inside this arena, all wounds inflicted on you will be healed as long as you have enough mana. Grab this chance to hone yourselves.”
Lark tossed a wooden spear to one of the humanoids Gaston brought. Upon seeing this, several soldiers realized what the Young Master was implying.
“These guys will be your sparring partners.” Lark pointed at the humanoid creatures. “Despite their appearance, they’re far stronger than your average beastman.”
One of the soldiers gulped. He voiced his concerns out loud. “Although they’ll be using wooden spears… wouldn’t we die if we get a direct hit?”
If what the Young Master said was true – that these guys were stronger than a beastman – then taking a direct hit even from a wooden spear could be fatal.
“It’s fine.” Lark smiled. “I’ve ordered these guys to use only a fraction of their strengths for now. Basically, they’ll be matching the strength of their opponents. The difficulty will increase only once you guys get used to these mock battles.”
Everyone realized the effectiveness of this training regimen. Even if they were pummeled to the ground, they would not suffer casualties as long as they were inside this arena and as long as they have enough mana. This way, they would gain battle experience from fighting stronger opponents without the risk of being injured or killed in training.
“There are nine sparring partners available.” Lark referred to the humanoid creatures. “Qarat, pick nine soldiers.”
Qarat saluted. Soon, nine soldiers entered the arena. They gripped their wooden spears tight, their eyes vigilantly gazing at the unmoving humanoids at the center of the arena. Looking intently at the humanoids, the soldiers realized how long their opponents’ arms were, and how much of a huge advantage it would be for them.
“H-Hey, isn’t this… unfair?” One of the soldiers spat.
But before another one of them could complain, Lark sent out the signal to start.
“Begin!” said Lark.
On cue, the humanoids started locking on to their targets. With their long arms, the reach of their spears almost doubled. The startled soldiers tried blocking their attacks, but each of the humanoids’ strikes carried great weight, making their arms numb from impact.
Soon, the difference between the two groups became evident. In less than two minutes, the spears of the soldiers were sent flying. They were struck by their opponents at the abdomen, sending them flying then rolling on the ground.
One of the soldiers vomited blood. Seeing this, the rest of the soldiers spectating the fight shivered.
Were they supposed to fight those things to gain battle experience?
“Y-Young Master?” said one of the soldiers.
“Hmm?” Lark quizzically looked at the pallid man.
“You told us that those things are going to use only a fraction of their strength?” The soldier’s voice trailed off. In their eyes, it did not seem to be the case.
“That’s right,” said Lark, as though it was the most obvious thing. “If those guys used even half their strength, everyone in that arena would have been dead by now.”
After all, each of them was made from the fragmented essence of a Calamity Class Monster.
After hearing the Young Master’s statement, the Blackstone Soldiers began fearing for their lives. Even if this arena permitted them to use healing magic, a single mistake by those humanoids may cost them their lives. They were also not immune to the excruciating pain of having their flesh and bones torn to shreds after every spar.
Lark was aware of the thoughts running through everyone’s minds – it was fairly obvious upon seeing their faces.
“You may think this is torture, but believe me,” said Lark. “You’ll thank me for this after a few years. This is a lot better than dying like a dog in the battlefield.”
Several soldiers groaned. Lark chuckled. His eyes swiveled towards the Arena. The defeated soldiers were still sprawled on the ground.
“Hey! Did you forget?” shouted Lark. “Use Healing Magic!”
It was only now that the defeated soldiers remembered that this special area permitted them to use healing spells of the lowest rank. They concentrated with all their might, determined to heal their broken bones and torn flesh.
Like before, the symbols on the pillars glowed and particles of light gathered on their wounds. After some time, the pain disappeared. The soldiers started standing up one by one.
“Since you’ve healed yourselves, let’s start with the next round.” Like a demon, Lark ordered the humanoids to prepare for another round of battle. “We’ll continue this until you run out of mana.”
Everyone who heard this shivered. They did not know that the Young Master was a demon when it came to training the soldiers. Running around the mansion’s hall three hundred times was better than this.
“Experience is the best teacher, right?” Lark devilishly grinned. “We’ll drill into your bodies what a real battlefield is like.”
After a short pause, Lark said, “Second round. Begin!”
Chapter Two
[Lion City]
Austen decided to grab the opportunity to start anew. Without even tending to his wounds, he immediately went back to their self-made shack in the slums and started packing their bags. As per usual, the place stank, and numerous flies and mosquitoes were buzzing about.
“Brother, why are you packing our things?” asked the second oldest child in the family, a boy in his early teenage years. He was currently bedridden after suffering an injury while running an errand in the city. With his injuries left untreated, what started as a simple wound became a crippling illness. Austen tried seeking for help from herbalists before, but none of them wished to work for free.
“We’re leaving the city,” said Austen as he continued to fit as much items in the bag with his slender arms.
“We’re leaving the city?” asked the third oldest child, tilting her head in confusion.
Austen nodded. “That’s right. We’re going to this wonderful place called Blackstone Town. Your brother will find a job there. We’ll no lo
nger suffer from hunger. I’ll make sure of it.”
Austen did not even know what awaited them in that place. All he knows is that his siblings needed his reassurance. All of them were born in this city, and the prospect of leaving for a new town in the middle of the wilderness may trigger fear and anxiety. He silently prayed to the Gods to guide him on this path.
“When are we leaving? Tomorrow?” said the second child.
“Tonight,” corrected Austen. “We’re leaving now.”
He was finally done packing what little they have inside the bag. After making sure that his silver coin was still inside his pouch, he deeply breathed in then said, “Listen. The Merchants Guild received an urgent order from Blackstone Town, and their caravan is leaving an hour or two from now. We’re coming with them to the town. I’ve already talked with the merchants.”
Initially, the fee the merchants charged for the six of them was exorbitant. But Austen managed to lower the price from two silvers to eighty coppers after he promised to take care of the horses and the carts during their travel. Although they would have nothing but twenty coppers to their name after when they reach the town, Austen decided to risk it.
“Diane,” said Austen. “You and Kirk will carry the bag. George can’t move, so I’ll carry him on my back.”
The two older kids nodded. Austen passed them the bag, and they helped each other in lifting it up.
“Belle, you’ll be responsible for Ian. Make sure to hold each other’s hands,” said Austen. He paused and locked eyes with everyone. “Do you guys still remember what dad used to remind us all the time?”
The kids replied in unison, “Cherish the family! No one gets left behind!”
A smile formed on Austen’s lips. “Good! Let’s go!”
Thankfully, no one objected to Austen’s decision to leave the city. The family of six moved out of the slums and traveled to the place where the caravan was.
When they arrived, Austen was surprised to see three familiar faces – three other slum residents – also waiting for the caravan to move out. Although they had never spoken with each other, Austen was sure that they were part of the group who sold rags for a living.
So they’re taking their chances too, huh?
The fee to board the caravan was an exorbitant amount for paupers like them. One needed great resolve to gamble upon this chance.
Austen nodded at the trio upon meeting their gazes.
After the merchants were done loading the goods, the caravan started moving out. The carts rattled and squeaked as it moved through muddy roads, grassy plains, and thick forests.
The journey took them two days. Finally, they reached the outskirt of Blackstone Town.
“Woah!” A voice of surprise escaped George’s lips. “So that’s Blackstone Town?”
The eyes of the other kids glimmered as they stared at the town from the distance. Austen, on the other hand, remained silent. He squinted his eyes. He had not expected to see a stone wall encasing the entire town. Although it was smaller than Lion City’s, it seemed well-constructed, with battlements on top.
Instead of a town, this place gave off the vibe of a small city. A young sprout that would bloom after the passage of time.
There’s a moat and a bridge too?
The initial image Austen had was shattered in an instant. Even the army from Lion City would have a hard time besieging this town.
His heart beat faster. What kind of fate awaits him here?
He clenched his fists.
A new start. Please, oh Gods. Please help me find a job.
The caravan crossed the bridge and entered the gate. They were immediately greeted by a large, paved main road. But that was not what surprised Austen the most.
What are those?!
His jaws dropped upon seeing a town illuminated by glowing gemstones during the night. Each gemstone was placed on top of wooden pillars several meters tall, giving ample light to its surroundings. Several locals would momentarily stop and stare at the caravan, before moving on with their everyday lives. Judging by their nonchalant expressions, these gemstones illuminating the night had been here for quite some time now.
“Brother! Look!”
“It’s so beautiful!”
Just like him, his siblings were mesmerized by this sight. It was indeed breathtaking.
“We’re here,” said the coachman.
After the carts halted, all passengers stepped outside. They found themselves in front of a mansion. Several men and women were already waiting for the merchants to arrive.
“The ingots?” A butler approached the leader of the merchants.
“On the second cart. We’ve also procured several more loi plants like you’ve asked.”
The butler nodded in approval. He turned to the servants. “Move them to the underground chamber.”
Like worker ants, the merchants and servants worked together to move the crates from the carts.
The butler approached Austen and the rest of his group.
“You guys are?” said the old man.
Austen stepped forward. “We’re from Lion City, Sir. We we’re told that you’re hiring people. Miners, Farmers, Laborers. Anything’s fine, but if it’s possible, I wish to enter the military, sir.”
“So more have come, huh?” mumbled the old man. He cleared his throat. “I’m Gaston, butler of the Lord of Blackstone Town.”
As expected, this old man was someone important.
“Due to the influx of immigrants lately, we’ve changed the way we screen soldiers,” said the butler.
Was it a good thing? Austen wanted to ask, but his lips remained shut tight.
The old man was psychic. “Is it a good thing? Well, it depends on your perseverance, you see. For now, you can rest in the cabin over there.” He pointed at a well-made cabin outside the mansion. “We’ll call for you tomorrow morning for the assessment.”
They’re allowed to use that one? It was an excessively kind treatment to immigrants. For a moment, Austen was stunned.
“There’s still something I need to do, so please excuse this old man,” said the butler.
Before Austen and the rest of his group could utter a statement, the old man turned around and disappeared from sight.
***
Morning came.
Sleeping inside the cabin brought wonders. It washed off the fatigue within Austen’s body. He had never felt so refreshed before.
Someday… I’ll own a house like this someday.
They were told that they could live in this cabin temporarily. Once they land themselves a job, they could rent one of the recently finished houses in the eastern district. Buying it was possible too, if they had enough money.
Three loud knocks came at the door. Upon opening, he saw a man clad in leather armor with a short sword on his waist.
“Sir Gaston told me that there are guys here who wish to join the military?” said the man.
Austen and the three men from the slums looked at each other.
“Ah, yes,” said Austen. “That’ll be us four, sir.”
The man scrutinized the four of them. “The four of you look famished.” He scratched his cheeks then coughed. “But that shouldn’t matter. You’ll be well-fed once you’re in the military, after all.”
Austen heard that the pay for a soldier in Blackstone Town was eleven silvers. An amount enough to feed him and his siblings, with more than enough to spare for other necessities.
“Under the orders of Captain Qarat, I’m here to guide the four of you to the eastern border. To the training grounds,” said the man.
“Training grounds?” repeated Austen.
The man nodded. “That’s right. Haven’t you heard? You’re required to participate in the soldiers’ training for a week before you’ll be accepted in the military. That’s the standard procedure nowadays. Quit halfway and you’re out.”
So, this was the ‘different’ assessment method the butler was talking about.
Participate in the training, huh?
At first, Austen was afraid that the entrance test would be something incredibly difficult, like deciphering something written on a piece of parchment. He did not know how to read nor write. If the exam was similar to that, then he would have no choice but to settle for a low-paying job.
With the soldier leading the way, Austen and his group arrived at the eastern border.
On a large clearing, around a hundred soldiers gathered. They wore the same leather armor, all of them holding a spear.
“Captain, these are the new recruits,” said the man.
Qarat stared at Austen and the three guys beside him. “Give them the spears. We’ll start stamina training in a few minutes.”
“Yes, Sir!”
The man grabbed several spare spears and handed it to each of them. It was surprisingly heavier than it looked.
“Stand at the back,” ordered Captain Qarat.
“Yes!” Austen and the other guys enthusiastically responded.
Soon, the stamina training began.
It consisted entirely of running around the town while holding a spear. To an errand boy like Austen, this was easy. Especially since he had prior experience of carrying far heavier objects while running around Lion City. The other three, on the other hand, were out of breaths and were close to collapsing on the ground.
I can do this.
Austen was filled with resolve. He needed this job. Once he was accepted in the military, he would no longer worry about feeding his family.
After running around the town thrice, they rested for half an hour before proceeding to the next phase of training: practicing the basic movements of the spear.
Stab. Pull. Repeat.
The skin on his palms started to tear off as time went by. Still, Austen did not stop. If it was only this much, he surely could endure.
“Stop!” shouted Captain Qarat.
The entire army halted at once. Austen sighed in relief. How many hours had it been? He was not sure. His entire hand felt numb.
“Eh, where are they?” he said.
He noticed that two of the three guys from the slum were gone.
The remaining one, a guy with pointed chin, wryly smiled. “Gone. They left a few minutes after we started with the spear training. They said they’ll try farming instead.”
