On the third day Nine, Wit, and the other trainees repeated the same thing they did the previous day. They started their morning with a 30 lap run followed by healing themselves to strengthen themselves. Afterward they made their way over to the weapon training area. All the trainees including Nine grabbed the weapons they used the day
Nine picked up the old shortsword and the spiked gauntlets and proceeded to put them on. This time the instructor told everyone to gather round before they started training by themselves.
"Now that you all weapons selected and should have a basic feel for them." Instructor Blair began to say. "I will now go over how you should be using each weapon." He went over to the wall and picked up a basic steel longsword. With his wrist he flicked it around effortlessly as if it was weightless. "Certain sword will be different depending on the type, but essentially you will seek to slash, stab, and pierce your enemy. If you face an enemy of a similar size to you, learning to parry will be useful as well." Grasping the hilt of the blade with both hands, he performed a basic vertical slash with such strength that a small gust blew towards the trainees watching him.
He then set the sword back on the wall and went ahead and picked up a large spear with a wooden handle. "A polearm and its most common form, the spear, is simple really. Use its increased range to keep your distance and seek to pierce your enemy in vital areas at the right time. Lunging at the wrong time could cost you your life." Like with the sword he got into a stance and performed a basic trust. The speed at which he did it was incredible. The spear shook for a moment before settling.
He then went and picked up one of the wooden bows lying on the floor as well as a single arrow that lay beside it. "Now I'll admit, ranged weapons weapons aren't by preference." He said. "However they are one of the best weapons in terms of staying safe. If you keep your distance and avoid direct conflicts, besides being open to other ranged attacks you won't be in that much danger." He then knocked the arrow and took aim at one of the targets in the distance. He released the bowstring and the arrow flew towards the target at a great speed. The arrow planed itself very close to the bullseye of the target. "Hmm." Instructor Blair grunted, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Of course these are just the basic weapons, as well as the most common." He said nonchalantly. "A lot of other weapons you come across will just be variations of these three." He set down the bow and retrieved the arrow from the target. "Now that we're on the third day I think it's time for you to test the waters.' He said mischievously.
'What now.' Nine thought.
"You will each be pitted against a monster we have brought in from another world and we'll see how you fare."
"...Monster...?" Nine stuttered
"Yes, a monster." The instructor replied. "These monsters are relatively weak and if any of you happen to be in any real danger I will be there to stop it." With that he gestured for the trainees to follow him as he walked toward a large circular building. "Come" He ordered.
The rest of the group followed him into a large arena-like building. There was a large iron cage. Inside of the cage was a strange black dog like creature it thrashed inside the cage and gnawed at the bars struggling to escape.
Nine backed away in fear after seeing the creature's wild behavior. In fact most of the trainees did with the exception of the largest man who simply stepped forward and flashed a smile seeing the caged creature.
"Now who wants to go first." The instructor announced clearly seeing the trainees reaction. "How about you, Nine." He said before anyone could reply.
"Ok then" Nine said slowly, stepping forward. Although his words were confident his uneasiness could be seen on his face.
"Then approach the cage. Everyone else back up behind me." He said as he moved toward the back of the large space. Everybody quickly moved behind him and Nine was left in alone in front of the cage. "Prepare yourself." Instructor Blair said seriously. "I will open the cage up in 5 seconds."
Nine had no idea how he was going to open the cage considering he wasn't even near it but he raised his sword out in front of him nonetheless. He had a free hand that he left prepared to strike a blow if needed.
All of a sudden Nine could feel a movement or disturbance in the air and the bars keeping the beast in its cage shimmered. The next second they disappeared as if they had never been there in the first place. Out of surprise Nine took a slight step back but unfortunately the beast capitalized on this.
As soon as it was released, the dog-like creature lunged toward Nine with its large maw open prepared to bite. In a state of surprise Nine wildly swung his sword at the creature but right as it was about to hit it the creature repositioned itself and somehow caught the sword in its mouth. With the creature biting on his sword, Nine tried to pull away but it was useless. The creature ripped the sword out of his hand and lunged at him once again. Without a weapon Nine fell to the ground. The creature was now on top of him with the only thing preventing its sharp teeth from biting into him were the gauntlets which he used to forcibly grab the creature's jaws.
Suddenly the dog-like creature went flying off him and in its place was a foot belonging to his uncle Alex. The instructor then walked over to the creature which had gotten up after being kicked so strongly. The creature attempted to lunge at the instructor as it had with Nine but with inhuman speed, Instructor Blair maneuvered his way around the creature, grabbing it by the scruff of its neck. He then lifted it high in the air and tossed it back in the cage, the bars rematerializing as soon as he did this.
Nine could only stare at his uncle who had saved him from a creature which had utterly defeated him. In that moment he felt defeated. He wore a sad expression on his face
as he picked himself up and made his way over to the rest of the trainees.
"You Okay." Wit asked in a comforting tone.
"Yeah I'm good." Nine replied. "Just a little shaken. I didn't expect it to be so...real."
"Well yeah." Wit said scoffing. "Well at least you'll learn from this, right?"
"Of course!" Nine said enthusiastically as he perked back up. "This is why we practice."
The rest of the trainees' attempts at fighting the dog-like creature went similar to Nine's. They'd be defeated and the instructor would have to step in but fortunately it seemed like he had expected this.
"Next up Kal Rodden." The instructor announced. The one who stepped forward was the largest man who towered over the other trainees. He had a sharp jawline and rough skin. He wore a cloth shirt and pants and his hair was short and black. At his side was a massive greatsword that seemed difficult to carry. He stepped forward and smiled as if he wasn't afraid of the monster at all.
"Get ready." The instructor told him, and soon after the creature was released. Like all the ther times the creature lunged at the man, but instead of flinching he merely swung. The creature tried to intercept the blade as it had done with Nine's shortsword but unfortunately as it tried to stop the greatsword, the sheer power of the swing kept it going as it cleaved through the monster's maw, instanley killing it. He held firm control of his weapon and brought it back to his side showing that he was finished
It all seemed to happen so fast but Nine could clearly see the dead body of the monster lying in front of the large man, a large gash cutting through its head. The rest of the trainees looked in awe at what the Kal had done. What seemed to have overpowered nearly everyone was now killed in one slash. They could only stare and be surprised.
Kal stood in front of the corpse proudly and looked at the inductor with a smug expression. Instructor Blair looked more annoyed than anything though. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.
"Well I expected something like this." He said dryly. "Unfortunately that means nobody else has to fight the monster today." He looked at the trainees who displayed a whole range of emotions from relief, to indifference, to saddened.
"Next time," He said seriously, "Try not to kill it so fast."