There was barely any time for introductions—both Scathach and Artoria jumped into action the moment they arrived.
Scathach's blood boiled with excitement. Every single member of Ryan's peerage, from Yue to Serenity to Rachel, and even the non combat-trained hollows, were prodigies of the highest caliber. It was as if the world itself had conspired to deliver her the perfect disciples. Even more exhilarating was the world they now stood in—a land filled with gods, monsters, dungeons, and endless battle. This was Scathach before the weight of immortality had crushed her spirit, before she had grown weary of life. Here, she was completely motivated, eager to forge warriors of legend.
Artoria, on the other hand, was driven by something more personal. Ryan had made her a promise—to help her truly save her country, something Alaya had never allowed. And in exchange, she had sworn loyalty to him, dedicating herself to both his cause and the training of his warriors in the art of the sword. If she was to walk a new path, she would ensure those who followed it beside her were worthy.
Medea, however, was more reserved. Though she didn't immediately embrace this new life, she couldn't deny the allure of the vast magical library at her disposal, filled with knowledge from multiple worlds. New magical systems, new possibilities—things even the Age of Gods had never offered her. The group was warm, welcoming, far removed from the backstabbing and cruelty she had known. A part of her still hesitated, still held onto doubt… but curiosity was already working on her, drawing her in.
Ryan hid nothing from any of them. He was brutally honest—about the dangers ahead, about his goals, and about the power he wanted them to wield. There were no illusions, no false pretenses.
And so, the training began immediately.
Scathach wasted no time, throwing Yue, Rachel, and even Serenity straight into battle drills. Yue, with her incredible mana reserves and near-infinite stamina, quickly found herself the focus of brutal magical combat training. Rachel, with her empathic abilities and dark magic, was pushed into high-intensity combat, forced to hone her reactions and refine her control over her immense power. Serenity, though primarily an assassin, was thrown into both hand-to-hand combat and endurance trials—after all, her poison wouldn't always be her only weapon.
Artoria drilled them in swordsmanship with relentless precision, demanding nothing less than perfection. Every swing, every stance, every breath mattered. No shortcuts. No wasted movement. Ryan himself stepped forward, matching her stroke for stroke, proving he could keep up—even as she pushed him harder, determined to break through whatever limits he had.
Medea observed at first, but it wasn't long before she was drawn into the magic training sessions, testing new theories, exploring the potential of this world's mana. Her eyes gleamed with fascination as she uncovered the principles of different magical disciplines, slowly but surely immersing herself in the group's dynamic.
The results were immediate.
Swords clashed. Spells erupted. Bodies moved at blinding speeds. A true battlefield was forged within their training grounds.
And Ryan? He grinned, watching his growing army of monsters, warriors, and legends take shape before his very eyes.
~~~~~
"These artifacts of yours are truly extraordinary!" Scathach marveled, her crimson eyes gleaming as she studied the pagoda and the ancient stone talisman. Even she, a legendary warrior and sorceress, found their abilities astonishing. The dream training and skill refinement offered by the talisman were beyond anything she had ever experienced. Facing a perfected version of herself in the doppelgänger space had been a thrilling challenge—one that had even resulted in her defeat.
And then there was the pagoda. The sheer utility it provided—accelerated healing, mental refreshment, stamina recovery, and enhanced learning—made it an invaluable tool. Scathach was no stranger to harsh training, but these artifacts pushed efficiency to an entirely new level.
Unsurprisingly, after just a week, the entire group had developed a healthy mixture of fear and admiration for the Queen of the Land of Shadows. Her training methods were brutal, designed to push her students to their absolute limits, but never to the point of breaking them. She had a keen instinct for recognizing individual talent, shaping each warrior in the most efficient way possible.
While she was a master of the spear, she was by no means limited to it. Scathach wielded her bare hands with the same lethal precision, and any weapon she touched became an extension of her will. She had effortlessly adapted to the Marine Six Styles, seamlessly integrating them into her combat techniques. Tang Sect techniques had piqued her interest as well, and in mere days, she had begun incorporating them into her fighting style. Her mastery over her own body was absolute, making her a nightmare for any opponent.
Opposite her stood Artoria, whose approach to training was just as relentless, though tempered by knightly discipline. She was not just a swordswoman—she was a true knight, versed in every weapon a warrior of her caliber should wield. Swords, spears, bows, daggers, even hand-to-hand combat—Artoria could do it all, and she demanded that those under her tutelage strive for the same excellence. While she had a kind and noble heart, she became an unyielding drill sergeant the moment training began.
Yet, neither Artoria nor Scathach were content to merely teach. They were warriors at heart, and they refused to stagnate. Every day, they honed their own skills, pushing past their own limits. They sparred relentlessly, adapting and evolving, refining their techniques alongside their students.
Meanwhile, Medea took a different approach. She spent most of her time in the vast library, absorbing knowledge from the countless magical tomes available to her. While she had yet to fully open up, her curiosity was undeniable. The different magical systems, the vast array of spells and enchantments—this world was a treasure trove of knowledge she had never dreamed of.
But even Medea had a hobby outside of magic—one that surprised many. She had a passion for tailoring, and with a group full of exceptionally beautiful individuals, she found no shortage of inspiration. She took great pleasure in crafting elegant clothes and dresses, treating her peers like living dolls to dress up. The smaller and more emotionless ones, in particular, seemed to be her favorite.
Even Ulquiorra, ever the deadpan Hollow, had not been spared. Watching the cold, expressionless Arrancar stand silently in an intricately designed dress had nearly sent Ryan into hysterics. The contrast was simply too much.
The training was relentless, the growth undeniable, and the bonds between them continued to deepen. In this world of gods, monsters, and endless battle, they were forging themselves into legends.
[Little bit of training, send soda money for I am thirsty and my hand is barren of a drink to quench my unending thirst! Also send Powerstones, the novel has hit rank 1 for the past 30 days, good show everyone. Cashapp $Ryantheholy]