Eventually, everyone was able to relax. Everyone decided to shower, get checked up with Natalie, and have Ion heal them. Well, they only took the vials of spit if they really needed it; otherwise, they decided not to take it. After all, just the thought of drinking someone else's spit was disgusting. They were now at the dining area, having some food that was prepared by Alice and Sarah.
"Now then..." Don began to speak to gather everyone's attention. Everyone who had been eating took a moment to look at Don. "I'll go over the results; you can all keep eating. First off..." Don would pause and turn towards Alice and Sarah. "During the battle, you two stayed on the outside. You two never tried to engage me or help anyone else. I can't blame you. It just means you had no clue what to do, which is fine. However, in a real battle, that won't fly. Will you just stand there watch your friends die?" Don's remark felt cold, yet the girls understood what he meant. They knew it all too well. They were weak; the problem was they didn't know what to do. Don could see their expression; it seemed like they weren't oblivious to it, which was a good thing.
"It seems you two know what I am talking about. This is good. For you two, you will continue with the workout, and I will teach you the basics of combat. How to throw a proper punch, kick, dodge, duck, and weave. I will teach you how to fight, but it will ultimately be up to you to improve on that aspect. Aside from that, I will teach you how to use a sniper rifle. It seems that you two may not like confrontation, which is fine; however, when the time comes for you to deal with a personal confrontation, you need to also know how to deal with it, which is why I will be teaching you the basics." Don explained to them.
They were shocked to hear what he had said. Teach them how to fight and how to use a sniper rifle? They barely even knew how to use a handgun, but still, they did not decline nor deny his offer. "What of our Seed Power?" Sarah asked since Don had left that out. "I already showed you the basis of unlocking it. It will be up to you now." Don answered. At first, they didn't understand what he meant. They were confused since he never said a thing about Seed Powers, but that was when they remembered him saying that combat was a decent way of unlocking their Seed Power. They nodded to Don and thanked him before returning to their meal. Don nodded to them then proceeded onto the next two people.
"Up next is Juan and Catalina. Your courage is strong. You stood before me and guarded Josh, but the problem is you two are weak. Just like Alice and Sarah, I suggest you two continue the workout. I will also teach you the basics of fighting alongside Alice and Sarah; however, I think you two should keep training with your pistols and hone your skills." Juan and Catalina kept quiet and just nodded. They were aware of their weakness. It was clear that they needed to work out, and they had agreed that if learning how to fight could help them protect their daughter, then they would do it.
Don took their silence as agreeance and moved onto the next three people. "Ryan, Dillian, and Sussan. I hadn't really seen you during the battle. I doubt you three ran away, so can you tell me what you were planning?" Don asked of them. "Ah... busted." Dillian would mutter, and Sussan would chuckle nervously. "I unlocked my Seed Power and was trying to find a chance to use it against you. Dillian and Sussan were helping me out with that. We decided to find a spot to hide in, and when the chance was right, I would blast you with water." Ryan explained. Don's brow rose. He didn't expect something like that. In fact, if Ryan got the chance, he would have taken him by surprise.
A smirk curved across his lips, "Good. I don't need to teach you much about combat tactics. This is a good example to use. Close-quarter combat is not always the best way. Against a powerful opponent, it is sometimes better to attack from a distance. Lay traps, or analyze your foe. Try to find a weak spot or maybe an opportunity to attack and assassinate them." Don explained.
Ryan, Dillian, and Sussan were surprised. They didn't expect to receive such praise. Rose looked at them and nodded. She agreed with Don's judgment. The only reason she didn't try to assassinate Don was simply that she wouldn't learn anything. Sure, she could have used her knowledge and talents to keep the shadows and strike him down; however, what would she gain? So instead, she asked to train under Don to become the best hitwoman she could be. She was already great at assassination and stealth, but she lacked in close combat and prolonged battles.
"Aside from that, though, it is best if you three learn how to fight. As for weapons, I think blunt or sharp weapons would be best suited for you three. Other than that, keep honing your skills with a pistol. I can see the potential in the three of you. Something has awoken, and it isn't the Seed Power." Don explained with praise, and they blushed from embarrassment. Don wasn't lying either. In some of his runs, they did great things. They did a lot of heavy lifting as well. They were the first to take the frontlines alongside Don and even went scouting by themselves. It made sense, though, since their Seed Powers complimented each other, well, from what Don knew anyways.
Don shifted his attention towards Ion and Jessica. "Splendid teamwork; however... your footwork and body language during a fight need work. Your punches were strong, but they were all over the place. So I'll have to train you alongside Rose. Normal combat training won't work for you." Don stated to Ion while looking at him. Ion sighed heavily and shook his head. "Whatever you say, man, but does that mean I'll be your pupil as well?" Ion asked, and Don shook his head. "No. You will only be doing the workout and combat training, but Rose has her own special training." Don explained. Everyone seemed curious what this was, and even Rose decided to remain silent. Ion just nodded. "Good, good. I'd rather not die." Ion remarked.
"Awe... I wouldn't mind watching your face get beaten in." Jessica teased Ion, which caused Ion's brow to twitch, but Don spoke up before he could say anything. "As for you, Jessica. You need to learn to control your fireballs. More power does not necessarily mean they are stronger." Don commented. Jessica waved her hand in dismissal, "Yeah, right. Like you are one to talk, you have all the power in the world. You can spot time and even create separate spaces as well as cause people to blow up." Jessica stated with lackluster in her voice.
"But, I do not. The power I have comes from constantly using my Seed Power, experimenting with it, and knowing how to use it. I didn't get to this point without training. This is why I am saying you need to control your power. Play with it, and use it in ways you normally wouldn't. You may find something is more destructive and more explosive that way." Don explained.
Jessica's eyes lit up when Don said two words. 'Destructive and Explosive.' Those were the keywords that Don slipped in. They were like a trigger for her, and she nearly jumped out of her seat to start right away, but Ion told her to finish her food. Then, with Jessica out of the way, he turned towards Jake, Josh, and John.
"As for you three: First, Josh. Good job. Your tactics already show me that you don't need any training in combat tactics. I know you are good in a fistfight as well. So I will give you this piece of advice. Practice both till you are about to pass out. Practice fighting while trying to use your mines. Do it until you are barely able to keep awake, and then stop. Keep doing this over and over. I also suggest you get Jake and John to be your partner for this." Don spoke up. They were surprised when Don said Jake and John should be his partner. It didn't seem like he said that simply because they knew each other, but for another reason entirely.
"Jake can create undead from the shadows or other dark places. This can force you to keep aware of your surroundings at all times and maybe lay traps in advance. This also works for Jake because it will train him on control over his Seed Power. Allowing him to learn more about it and maybe even get rid of some of the drawbacks of using it. As for John, he is someone who fights up close. This will allow you to train your combat skills, thus allowing you to hone your Seed Power and Combat experience. In turn, this will train John to use his own Seed Power and learn about team play. The team play also works in Jake's favor and even yours. In the end, you three will learn your weakness and strengths and, in turn, become a powerful force." Don explained.
It seemed Don knew a lot, not just from many runs but from the combat he underwent just now. It felt like he had actually looked over each of them, and it surprised them that he could give such good instruction and critic. In the end, they nodded and agreed. But, of course, Don told them they would still need to work out and train with their handguns to keep their bodies in shape and skills from rusting.
Moving into the next two, he looked at Tyrone and Noah. They also didn't seem present on the battlefield much like Ryan, Dillian, and Sussan, so Don asked. "What were you two doing?" Tyrone seemed to blush from embarrassment, and Noah scratched his cheek while blushing himself. "I was... trying to call to any bugs," Tyrone stated, but it seemed like he had failed, which was why he was embarrassed. "I... well, I was trying to come up with a plan. I am sure you already know about my Seed Power, but no one else does. So let me explain..." Noah could see everyone was paying attention he began.
"I can create anything that I have a blueprint of or know of. For example..." Noah would show his Seed Power, but instead of a Tonto or Staff, a frying pan appeared in his hand. He would twist and turn it to show them that it looked like a normal frying pan. "This is just a normal frying pan, but I can create weapons, bandages, and just about anything as long as I know what goes into it or have a blueprint in front of me." Noah would set the frying pan down. "But, I took too long trying to come up with a plan, and well, it was over before I could even do anything." Noah finished explaining.
Don would nod since it made sense. "Well, I suggest you both learn the basics of combat and also hone your Seed Powers as well as work out. Both of your actions weren't in the wrong. If Tyrone could call to any bug to aid him, it would surely help him and Noah; thinking of ways to help your allies is also a good thought. Never forget your strengths, but always remember your weakness too." Don expressed before moving on.
Don moved onto the next two people. "Jen and Boss. There is only one piece of advice I can give you two. Since you two already have plenty of combat experience and know-how to fight, all I can say is train. Train till you drop. You may join the session when I teach combat tactics and hold mock battles, but ultimately, you two just need to train. Hone your skills and never stop training." Don didn't seem to have much to say, but it made everyone wonder when he said something about holding sessions.
"I'll explain once I finish with everyone's assessment," Don said since he saw everyone was confused. Now he looked at Rebecca and Rose. "Rose, you already know what I am going to say. So I won't repeat myself, but Rebecca. What you did at the end surprises me. I never expected you to be the one to take me by surprise like that. My suggestion to you is something you should decide about for yourself. I suggest you learn how to become a hitwoman. I am already training and teaching Rose, but I do not mind giving you the same training. Unlike when Rose asked me, I am suggesting this to you. Of course, you will undergo the same thing as Rose. So, I suggest you think long and hard about it. If you choose not to, then the alternative is to learn to fight, learn about combat tactics, and continue to hone your skills with guns." Don finished. Rebecca wasn't expecting to receive an invitation to be trained by Don. It felt kind of funny to her because she was the one who raised him, but she wasn't the one who trained him. It also seemed like Don never let his skills go to waste.
She did recall Don always leaving in the middle of the night and coming back drenched in sweat, but she never said anything about it. For now, she decided, "I'll think about it. As you said, it's not that simple." Rebecca replied, and Don nodded. Becoming a hitwoman meant killing people, right? Even if it wasn't like that, there was a chance it could change her entirely. She saw how Rose and Don were and honestly felt like maybe she would end up like them.
Since everyone was still shocked and surprised, Don decided to clear his throat to get their attention and move, but April seemed to poke him before he could. "What about me?" She asked. Don looked towards her and chuckled lightly. "You are my equal. There is nothing I can say to you. Just keep doing what you always have done. Watch my back and be my guardian angel." Don responded with a soft smile, and April smiled warmly. Even now, April looked like April; but the look in her eyes told them otherwise.
"Now then. Starting tomorrow, we will have classes have our daily workout. You will all continue to battle against me but then get an hour-long break. After which, I will hold a session for combat tactics. Anyone is welcomed to join, but those who I recommended join should join regardless. After that will be mock battles. The same can be said for those who I recommended and those I did not. If you want my opinion, you should all take both classes even if you don't need to or want to. After the mock battles, I will hold Seed Power training. Since I already know all of your Seed Powers, I will guide you in unlocking them and then help you hone them; however, it is ultimately up to you. In this session, I recommend everyone join." Don expressed.
"Afterward, you are all allowed to do as you please. If anything, this entire routine should begin in the early morning and end sometime in the afternoon. This way, we can keep up our supplies and whatnot. With that said, you are all free to do as you please for the remainder of the day." Don excused himself from the table and decided to go to the bathroom. April followed after him shortly after, which left everyone somewhat awestruck.
At first, they didn't know what to make of Don when he killed Mark. They were frightened and scared, but as they listened to his story and learned more about him alongside Rebecca and April, they all came to respect and like him. Not just because of what he went through, but the way he thought and held himself. They could now see why April fell in love with him and understood why she was so upset when Mark did what he did.
Since everyone was finished eating, they all decided to clean up and do their own thing. Rebecca still tried to awaken her Seed Power; meanwhile, Dillian and Sussan trained with Ryan. Noah decided to make things he thought would be helpful. For example, he had heard Don say certain people should use melee weapons and decided to craft some. Tyrone, on the other hand, decided to try and talk with the bugs. He wanted to make sure nothing was coming their way, and he used the bugs to gather information on what was around them and what was going on.
Catalina and Juan played with Sofia, which was normal. Ion and Jessica went off somewhere else. Everyone else already knew what they did alone by now, so no one commented on it anymore. As for Jen and Boss, they decided to have their own mock battle in the backyard as a form of training. Rose decided to use the makeshift range. As for Jake, Josh, and John, well, they decided to go out scavaging for any supplies they needed. They didn't want John to come since he had just woke up, but John insisted he come along. He said it would be better than just to lay around and do nothing, and this allowed him to train as well. So they agreed in the end. With everyone set on their tasks, the day would eventually come to an end, and night would draw in. Everyone was hoping nothing would happen during this time since they were all tired.