"This is so tedious; I didn't expect that the majority of my time would be wasted on cleaning," Isaac muttered with a dreary expression as he continued sweeping the floor.
Three days ago, the trainees were divided into three groups, each assigned with specific tasks. The first group was responsible for cleaning and maintaining the ships.
The second group was in charge of tidying up the headquarters and its various sections. As for the third group, their tasks were more diverse. They were assigned to assist in the craftsmen's workshop, the headquarters hospital, or the kitchen.
The members of the third group were specifically chosen based on their prior experience in fields like blacksmithing or pharmacy.
These tasks were designed to further develop their skills, with the possibility of becoming support officers in the future. They held the rank of sub-officers, separate from Isaac's hierarchy.
Isaac is required to dedicate six hours of his day to work, which has resulted in a significant loss of training time. However, he remains unfazed by this situation.
Despite the time constraints, there are several privileges that he anticipates benefiting from in the future. These privileges include receiving a marine star for each working day, which can be utilized to acquire valuable resources like sea monster meat or weapons.
Nonetheless, there are two specific items that Isaac is eager to obtain.
Two days ago, during his second day of work while cleaning the resource department, Isaac stumbled upon a vast warehouse filled with tools.
Among the various items, one particular object caught his attention, as it held great potential for his training. After searching for it, he discovered a peculiar and intriguing full-body belt. Curiosity piqued, Isaac approached the officer in charge of the store to inquire about its purpose.
The officer explained that the belt serves as a carrier for training weights, typically worn by higher-ranking officers who train in Rokushiki. These weights are crafted from a rare stone found in the Red Line and each weighs 20 kilograms.
What makes it intriguing is that all the items in that warehouse are considered discarded and can be acquired with only a few sea stars. The Navy follows a policy due to limited war budget, where any item deemed no longer useful is transferred to the warehouse.
Every five years, a thorough assessment takes place, and any items deemed still functional are selected for distribution to smaller branches or the main headquarters.
This process ensures that available resources are utilized efficiently, as the Navy lacks sufficient funding to procure new tools on a regular basis.
"If I can obtain these weights, it would be fantastic. I would be able to train wherever I go. My work would become my training, my sitting would become my training, even my sleep.
However, the belt alone requires 10 stars, and each weight of 50 kg requires an additional 10 stars. I need to find a way to double my stars. What can I do?"
Obtaining one star per day means it would take him 50 days to acquire everything he desires, and during these 50 days, he wouldn't receive any additional privileges, as he would need to retain all his points.
"I believe I heard something about earning an extra star per day," the head of the labor department briefly mentioned it before, but Isaac hadn't paid attention.
...
[ After two weeks ]
In the midst of the forest, the echoing sounds of powerful and fierce footsteps reverberated, accompanied by snarling sounds that sent nearby creatures scurrying away.
Despite the tranquil nature of the forest behind the Navy headquarters, inhabited mostly by small creatures and devoid of any monsters, the thunderous noise gave the impression of a raging beast prowling about.
96
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97
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98
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99
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100
With a resounding and forceful impact, Isaac hurled a large boulder off his back.
"It has been two weeks since I started this training, yet I still find it incredibly challenging. Just 100 steps nearly exhausted me. Perhaps carrying 400 kg is still beyond my current capabilities."
After taking a moment to catch his breath, Isaac made his way back to the headquarters, feeling a sense of accomplishment. His training had become slightly more manageable than before.
As Isaac made his way back to headquarters, his mind became consumed with deep contemplation. A few days prior, he had inquired with the officer in charge about ways to acquire more stars. He discovered that there were four methods to obtain them.
The first was by undertaking missions, which could reward hundreds of stars at once. However, as a trainee, he was not eligible for such missions.
Additionally, They were granted a discount of up to 60% on the cost of desired items, meaning an object priced at 100 stars could be obtained by a people in higher ranking for only 40 stars.
The second method involved purchasing stars using money or an equivalent currency. However, Isaac's financial situation prevented him from pursuing this avenue.
Lastly, acquiring an additional job was another option, but Isaac was reluctant to sacrifice his training time for such endeavors, especially given his current state of impoverishment.
The sound of a swift gust of wind jolted Isaac out of his thoughts, prompting him to react swiftly by leaping high into the air, narrowly evading an incoming attack.
As Isaac landed gracefully and dusted himself off, his expression turned into one of anger. He hadn't anticipated being ambushed in broad daylight, especially in a place like this.
However, upon scanning his surroundings, he found no trace of the assailant. Suddenly, another surge of wind caught his attention, prompting him to track its source.
"Hmm, what do we have here?" Isaac mused as he closed in on the origin of the gust. To his surprise, he discovered his roommate, Hattori, engaged in training.
It became evident that Hattori struggled with accuracy, as most of his strikes missed their intended target—a large tree positioned some distance away.
"Get out of there!" Hattori shouted, his voice filled with alarm and concern.
Isaac, who hadn't attempted to conceal his presence and had made quite a bit of noise, caught Hattori's attention. Hattori sensed someone lurking in the bushes, observing his training.
"Calm down, you idiot. I came here to warn you about your reckless strikes. One of them nearly hit me," Isaac retorted, deliberately choosing not to hide. He knew that if he wanted, this amateurish fighter wouldn't stand a chance of finding him.
"Who are you calling an amateur?" Hattori retorted, brandishing his sword towards Isaac, his face flushed with anger and veins bulging.
"Don't bother about it," Isaac responded dismissively, turning away and showing no interest in engaging in an argument with Hattori.
"What do you mean by that? Come back here, you coward! Face me and fight, or are you only good at running away?" Hattori taunted, showing no concern for insulting Isaac.
He would apologize under different circumstances, but now he wanted to confront Isaac in any way possible, considering him a rival. Hattori, a swordsman who valued honor and loved competition, felt compelled to cross swords with someone as strong and talented as Isaac.
"What's wrong with this guy? His challenge won't benefit me. I should just go; it's almost time for work," Isaac thought as he continued walking, but then he suddenly stopped.
"Hey, isn't this a chance to earn more sea stars? Why didn't I think of this? I can take advantage of this fool," Isaac contemplated with an evil grin. He turned back to face Hattori and approached him, pretending innocence as if he had no intention of deceiving him.
...
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