" I know that everyone is excited but I will only say this once. We are not playing games here. I will never ask a bunch of brats to join me on the battlefield-"
" We are not-" Tang tried to cut him off but she got a bop on the head for disturbing his flow.
" Let me finish. Where was I? Yes, battlefield. I will ask you because it is not a good think for anyone to go through it regardless of age. But the situation is dire which was why that Chief of yours asked me to train you." Noah paused for a second to look at their face. They looked more determined than ever which made him smile.
" So, I will give you final choice. It's alright for you to back off there is no shame in it. You can support this village in many other ways. Beside we are going to go against monsters. You might think they are different than humans but I will tell you they are similar to us in many ways." Noah started telling them about the Henwen he faced back in the cave.
He wasn't sure what else they were going to face when cleaning the mountain but he was told there were many humanoid monsters that had their own language that they communicated it and their own hideouts.
They were smart and used simple tactics like baiting the travellers or blocking the roads to wait for ambush. That's what he had heard from Alastair when they were travelling up the mountain.
" Killing any living being comes with a heavy burden. You might remember their faces right before the life left their body, it's even more prominent if you take another human life. I don't want to tell you this but it is not a good sight."
" Mister?" A boy who looked to be the oldest raised his hand trying to ask something.
" You are?"
" I am Luke! Mister, did you....kill anyone before?" He straight-out asked him.
'' Yes, many, more than enough for a lifetime." Noah also replied with a straight face. He had already came to terms with who he was, there was no reason for him to hide these things from a possible conscript.
" Which is why I am emphasising this, don't be swept away by your emotions and do as Mera tell you to do. You might be young but you are grown enough to know what you want in your life. If you wish to put up arms against anyone you better expect them to retaliate. Which is why don't think about what your Chief said before leaving, decided on your own. I am giving you a chance." Noah wanted them to be on board completely but he also wanted them to know what was at stake.
For now they might only be hunting monsters but he was going to ask them to join on the raid to capture the young lord of Sablethorn family which meant they might have to point their guns at humans if they wished to join him.
As he expected, few people stood up and looked around feeling a little embarrassed. Noah nodded at them before they left. Those that knew them also began debating whether they should leave too.
Noah felt if he were to show them the functionality of gun, they might jump at the opportunity to learn his 'magic'. Since they didn't know that the gun was not a magical device they might become compelled to learn it because it was cool but they could later regret it.
He sat down and gave them few minutes, soon more and more people started leaving. The initial excitement died down a lot after his depressing speech. In the end there were only eight people remaining including him and Tang.
" Good, first the introductions." He asked.
Luke who originally asked the question remained. Tang was there ofcourse, the tomboy who was also a novice sorcerer without any prior training. Erik the tallest guys among them, he also looked like a tank with massive chunks of muscles that didn't fit his sixteen year old body.
There was also Milo the kid who kept smiling for some reason and a lanky looking kid named, Cody. He looked disheveled and skinny like he hadn't had a meal in days but his eyes looked sharp.
On top of that there were two other females, Julia and Rita who looked like any other teenage high school girls. They didn't have the same fierce look in their eyes like Tang which beg the question why were they ever here?
" Since you are ready, we will move on to training. I will warn you that it will be hard and grueling. We only have a week before our first mission together so try to keep up alright." They made some noises but it was nowhere enough for Noah.
" Alright? I want firm responses!"
" Yes boss!" Tang yelled while other followed her lead and called him boss too. He wanted to correct it but decided not to do it. It was better than being called teacher or master.
" Carry this and follow me. We have to get as far away from the village as possible. I already scouted a perfect place where we can train without disturbing anyone." Noah kicked the large box which was covered with a thick blanket.
They came together to lift it but it was too heavy. They didn't know what was inside it but they dared not to take a peek since Noah kept looking at them. All seven of them came together and barely manage to lift it up granted Erik the tallest was doing most of the heavy lifting.
Somehow they manage to successfully follow Noah's lead stationing the box where he wanted. They were already exhausted, even Tang who boasted about being a hunter was tired.
" Fifty laps. Go." Noah commanded.
They glanced at each other for a second before spiriting into a dash. Tang seemed to be leading the charge, despite her tomboyish look her stamina was not lacking. Everyone was running while Noah started observing them from far. He need to know where they stood before he started teaching them.