Art and everyone else was called where the first-stage test took place. It has enormous ground, split into different parts, and each of them will be used for the training.
Everyone, including Art, reached and waiting for the instruction. Captain Aron comes in and starts announcing,
"…..Very good morning to each and every one. Today I will instruct what all things you will be doing for the next six months. If I have to give a quick outline of things that will be done, then physical training, some theory-based things, practicals, and you will also have time to learn your favorite weapon. Learning military martial arts is not compulsory, but if you want to, let us know."
Wait, wasn't this whole thing about military martial arts? Or is it just me who thought that way? To confirm this, I looked around and checked other's facial expressions. But none of them had a face like I had. Hmm… I will just ask Kane directly about this.
Aron continues talking
"…..For now, it would be physical training and theory-based lectures. We will have practicals either on the 4th or 5th month. We will announce proper schedules soon enough, but for now we will follow today's schedule for this week. "
After Aron talked, a knight took over him and instructed what needs to be done for today.
Two hours later, everyone completed their physical training.
Art and the rest of them going back into their respective rooms after today's physical training.
So that's how it is. For one hour, all we need to do is run. There's only one restriction, and that is not to use mana enhancement. Apart from that restriction, there's no rule that we need to continue running for one hour straight. One can rest in between and continue; it's just that you have one hour of running, and in that time, it is upon you how much you want to invest in running.
And we did some actual physical training under one of the knight's supervision. Again, you can take a rest in between as per your wish.
Do it or not? It all depends on us, eh? Though it's not over yet, we have our theory lecture for one hour. But we got two hours gap in between. I will go change my clothes and then go for lunch.
Art was currently in front of his door and was about to open; he remembered
Shit! I just forgot that there's one more who is living with me. Is he inside the room? Well, I need to open to check.
Art opens the door and finds no one.
He is not here!
Art quickly changes into a different cloth and is sitting on his bed.
Martial arts, Ki, Aura, Magic, Mana, weapons...
Sigh
Art hears the sound of the door opening.
The door opens, and a boy was standing.
"Hello." In a low voice, he greeted Art.
He then gets inside the room, get his stuff and left the room.
Huh? What was that? He came inside the room and left. If I remember, I saw him taking the most breaks during the running time. Either lack of confidence or something else.
Art had his lunch and went to the theory lecture. Finishing his theory lecture, he walked around and explore this place.
Minutes later, after done exploring, Art went back into the room. Art saw his room mate already in here.
He is here already, but again he tries to avoid the contact with me.
The situation is awkward.
'Hi.'
Shit! without thinking I just said "Hi."
"H-Hi." He replied, making no eye contact with Art.
What's with this situation!
Art walked inside the room and relaxed himself.
Is he scared of me? Wait! do I look scary?
'Umm… Can I know your name?'
"It's L-Liam."
'So Liam, if you don't mind, can I ask you something?'
"Yes."
'Then, do I look scary?'
Liam finally makes an eye contact with Art and looks at him.
A moment's pause.
"N-No."
'Oye, that took long enough, but hush! I thought you are scared of me and you will never talk to me for next six months.'
After hearing to that, the expression on Liam's face relaxed.
"Why-why do you want to talk to me?"
'Hmm…. Then let me ask, why shouldn't I talk to you?'
"Tha-that's obvious. I am weak compared to others. During today's physical training, I couldn't do much and took the most breaks." Liam said those in one breath, in closed eyes and a bit loudly than his normal soft tone.
After all, I am weak and no one would ever-
As Liam said that to himself, Art said,
'Oh, that's all? I thought you hated talking to others.'
Liam slowly opens his eyes and looks at Art.
'….But at least you know you are weak. You are not running away from the fact that you are weak instead, you are trying to improve yourself as much as you can by yourself... And that's amazing in its own way, you know.'
Liam's expression totally changed, since this was the first time someone ever said something like this to him.
'Liam, if you allow me, I will help you with your training. You can rely on me.'
Tears started falling from Liam's eyes slowly.
'What? You crying? Did I do something wrong again?'
Liam wiped his tears and smiles gently at Art and said,
"You are amazing Arturo."
This situation/moment just changed the future - for better or worse.
A minute later, after things got calm.
'Oh, by the way, how do you know my name whereas I didn't know your name until I asked you.'
"That, actually most of us know your name by now after what happened yesterday."
'I see.'
"By the way Arturo, can I ask what you do? I mean, you are not in the academy, right?"
'Yes, I am an Adventurer for now.'
"That's amazing Arturo, at this age you are Adventurer and on top of that you are amazing."
{Liam has already seen Arturo in action during the tests and training.}
'Thank you for the compliment. And just call me Art.'
"Then, Arturo. I mean Art, I am going out and will be back soon."
'Sure.'
Liam stands up and walks towards the door.
Yes!
Art gaze at Liam and activates his Dragon's eye.
{Dragon's eye which he got from Lucia.}
Art sees an extensive amount of mana inside and surrounding him.
You serious?
For the first time, Art was shocked and was in awe.
The amount of mana Liam has is infinitely higher than mine. It's literally close to 2x difference.
Gulp
Liam closes the door and left.
A target of bully, eh? Liam must have become the target of bully, which is why he was trying to avoid me as he thought I might also end up bullying him. Even with that amount of mana, they bullied him. That's obvious because to use Tier-4 or high magic spells, one need to have a decent physique and stamina. Since Liam was born with a weak one, he couldn't do much.
If he had his current amount of mana and my current physique, then he can easily pull of Tier-5 magic easily.
{Tier-5 magic spells and attacks are powerful enough to destroy a compound. But not all Tier-5 magic spells.}
One week passed.
After one entire week, Art could finally meet Kane. Since Kane was busy with his work and all.
The sparring between them ends.
'Kane, actually I wanted to ask you something?'
"What is it?"
'Why military martial arts not compulsory to learn?'
"That's because military martial arts are pure combat based one. That means 90% of the attacks and techniques are used for killing and battle."
'But that's good, right? I guess.'
"Well, yes, but since there's no any special defensive technique, it becomes useless when facing someone stronger than you. So it's not compulsory to learn. It all depends on you and your choice."
'I see.'
"So how is your training going on?"
'It's going great and as of now I am enjoying.'
"Glad to hear that. If you can enjoy this, then I assure you will enjoy other things that are yet to come, including what I am about to teach you."
'If you put it this way, then I cannot hold my excitement.'
"Ha-ha-ha."
After Art's private training with Kane, he was walking back into his room. Today was a day off for everyone. As Art was walking back, he saw a crowd near the notice board. He decided to check what's going on there.
Art reaches and saw Liam.
"Oh, Art, you came on right time."
Liam points towards the notice board and said,
"Our detailed schedule for the next six months is out on that notice board."