Nein, after being freed from Gast, and having completed his first class... listlessly walked alongside his two roommates.
"Three times... I has to complete the lap three more times." Nein's eyes turned dazed.
As he looked at the endlessly broad sky, he felt a precious sense of freedom.
"The freaking pool water was freezing cold, ignoring we had to stay underwater all the time! The rappel's rope adjusted to the holder and became slightly rough. The rocks we had to climb were filled with loose spots that constantly collapsed. The booby traps were there where you wouldn't expect. And the freaking obstacles required mobility of a hawk and felixibility of a snake."
Nein paused to take a breather, "Fuck! How do you do it everyday?"
Boris and Fuyon chuckled lifelessly, "You will get used to it."
Nein wistfully gazed at them, 'Well... I know well I won't make mistakes like today's for sure. The three times were all when I stepped on booby traps too, hence my path was lengthened and I had more rounds to go through.'
'But the cold water didn't faze me. I only know it was cold from other's reaction. And I could scale the rock easily... as every time I pulled a loose one, I quickly managed to catch another.' He smirked and held his chin.
'But I suppose its a good opportunity to improve in those aspects. Detecting loose rocks, diving underwater and sensing traps.' His smirk widened, 'They should prove useful at some time.'
'I also get why everybody was crazy for the first spot.' He chuckled. They might've safely cleared the first lap. But what if they step on a booby trap the second time? They would've to do one more lap then.' He sighed, 'But,' A cheeky, witty smile appeared on his face, 'This greed for the first place forces you to exert your all on the first lap... tiring you for the next one. That's why... slow and steady wins the race.'
His logic proved himself due to the fact that none except two got penalised more laps.
"What's the next class?" Nein asked, jogging next to the two.
Fuyon pulled out his phone and shuffled to the schedule. "The next class is..." His voice slowly lost his enthusiasm, "Oh! A general class."
***
"Finally, up next, we have the combat training class." Boris cheered.
"Quite refreshingly familiar..." Fuyon chuckled, "After all the general classes I mean."
"You should ask me." Nein shook his head.
"Hmm? You said something?" Fuyon turned his head.
"Nope." With a small smile, Nein walked past the large gates of the training room and joined in with the hassle and bustle of the jubilant students squirming together in front of the rings.
"Still a hundred?" Nein looked around.
"Yep, the students are grouped to a hundred for every class." Fuyon nodded.
Looking at the racks in the corner, Nein curiously tugged Fuyon before saying, "Do you use Crafts, here?"
Fuyon's eyes fluttered, "No!"
"That was quite abrupt." Nein looked him directly in the eyes, causing the latter to cough and look away.
"O-Of course. This is weapons training after all." He emphasised his words, before shifting the subject, "Which weapon due you use, Nein?"
Nein's eyes lit up, 'Weapon... huh?' With curiosity, he scanned the racks.
There was everything imaginable, guns to swords, axes to hammers, everything.
"It's a... puzzling question." Nein scratched his cheek helplessly.
"Really?" Fuyon grinned and walked ahead.
Boris patted Nein lightly and whispered in his ear, "He has some issues with his Crafts... he hasn't told me. But I can tell."
With another pat, he walked off and a little while later, the teacher barged through the gates and jumped past the crowd of students into the middle ring.
The commotion drew the students attention. And their chatter died down.
"Students, welcome to Imperial Phoenix, I am your combat training teacher, Paul." With a little curl of his mustache, he tightened his white uniform's black belt and glanced at all the students. He had a triangular face and a cunning charm filled it to the brim.
"New faces, step forward." He commanded while clasping his hands behind his back.
The students, familiarised to this tactic, stepped up.
Paul scanned the faces, inputting the impressive one, like Nein and proceeded to do some introductions. Before getting to his point.
"Class, today, I assign you your first assignment." The students' ears perked up, "Choose your weapons!"
The students stared in a daze, their tense bodies loosening. 'That's all?'
"I don't think you are need to be told the weapon's importance. But you should know that a weapon is your life-long partner.
"You might see betrayal from your friends, family and relatives. But your weapon would never leave your side. So choose wisely... choose it more prudently than your wife!" He stressed and clapped his hands, "That's all. We will begin our training tomorrow. Meanwhile, you may use the place however you want within the period's time."
Just as he turned to leave he shifted his head. His darkened eyes laying weight on his words, 'Though nothing excessive.'
The students instantly clicked their tongue in dissatisfaction.
After Paul left, the silent students slowly riled up and the seniors stepped forward to challenge each other.
This didn't only serve them to enhance their own skills, but also displayed their weapons strength to the newcomers. Giving them a better idea of what would suit them better.
Nein glanced away from the ensuing duels and at his roommates, curious as to what they had picked.
"Pistols and a Labrys, huh?" Nein glanced at the two. It was rather evident whom picked who.
Indeed, it was quite clear Fuyon would pick a twin sided axe and Boris would pick the pistols...
"Really!?" Nein chuckled with amusement.
Fuyon smiled politely and glanced at his axe, "Yep, it's one of our families custom to wield Labyrs."
Boris shook his head, glancing at Nein, he clicked his tongue distastefully, "That's racism bro."
Nein's lips spasmed.
"Kidding," Boris laughed, amused by his face and pointed the nozzle toward Nein, "Well, since I can use these bad babies, why shouldn't I?"
Nein nodded, "True. Besides, I am not racist." The three joined in on a laugh before Fuyon curiously inquired, "What about you?"
"What do you want to pick?"
Nein, smiling, scrutinized the students exuberantly debating.
"I think... I will–"