Seeing the warm elder changing attitude all of a sudden, Ethan was beginning to wonder if he was the same person that they had been talking to, but still, he didn't forget to change into the robe that was given to him as he awaited his next instruction.
After they were done wearing the robe, elder Thorne left his post as he instructed them to follow him. Not daring to annoy the elder, the two boys quickly ran up to him as they followed him closely from behind as he continues to lead the way until eventually, they arrive in a sloppy forest with nothing on sight order than trees and a river with wooden buckets by the side of the river.
"Your first task would be to fill all the reservoirs the department, and you are not to take time off your duty, if you ever get caught slacking, then the prepared for the worse" said elder Thorne with a stern look on his face while giving out the instructions.
Looking at the buckets, they could not help but nod their heads before moving forward to pick up two buckets each before filling them up as they started racing back to the location of the combat department. At first, they thought the reservoirs the elder was talking about won't be much and don't need that much water before it gets filled up but on getting back to the combat department and asking for directions, they were shocked to find out that there were actually five reservoirs stored in a room, and it would take more than 30 bucks before they would be able to fill one of the reservoirs to the brim not to talk about five.
"Is he serious about the two of us filling all five with them?" Ethan could not help but ask as he suddenly lost the spirit to continue.
"You are the one that said you want to join the combat department so quit complaining and get to work" reply Alden with a frown as he quickly left the room to fetch more water.
Seeing Alden leave without saying anything else, Ethan knew he was angry and could only complain to himself before heading back to get more water.
Elder Thorne didn't leave the river as he doesn't care if they will run away upon seeing the reservoirs since it's not the first time others has come to join their department but on knowing what their task would be, they will quit right away, and he thought the two won't be any different.
He was already imagining what their expression would look like after finding out about this and could not help but let out a chuckle.
"I guess they should be out of the department by now" he said to himself.
Just when he was preparing to head back, elder Thorne suddenly stop on his track as he stares at the two running back to fetch more water.
"Are you not going to quit after knowing the task is unbearable for the both of you?" he could not help but ask with a surprise look on his face.
"Even though I really want to leave, there is no way I can do that since I still need to carry out my revenge and the only way I can achieve that is only I become a genuine member of the combat department" reply Ethan with a smile as he went pass elder Thorne to fetch his water before going back to the department.
Elder Thorne just stood there looking at them as they went back to the department, and before long, they were already back. They continue this process for a long time until it turns dark, and it was only then they were able completely fill the whole reservoirs and were out of energy as they just lay down close to the river while breathing heavily.
"You both did great for a first timer. Why don't you watch up quickly and follow me let me show you to where you will be living" said elder Thorne with a smile on his face as he watched the two still lying down?
"Alright elder but if I may ask, is there something to eat when we get back because I'm starving" ask Alden who seem to be at his limit.
"Haha, of course there would be something to eat else how do you intend to complete your task tomorrow without going unconscious? Now hurry and clean yourself up" reply elder Thorne with a laugh.
They could not help but feel happy after hearing there would be food to eat as they quickly took their clothes off before getting into the river to clean up with didn't take much time as they were led back to the combat department but instead of going inside, elder Thorne took them to another building that was almost filled with disciples who have yet to eat.
"This place is called the dinning hall, this is where we all eat. You are only allowed to come here twice a day which is in the morning and at night once you are done with your task" elder Thorne begin to explain to them.
"Here is your tag, you will be able to get your food once you show them your tags so make sure you don't lose them since they will turned out to be more useful order than to get food" said elder Thorne as he passed the tag to them.
After giving them the tag, he instructed them to follow him as he begins to head to where the meal is being served. When they come across other members, they will all bow before making way for elder Thorne and the two until they get to where it was being served.
"A jar of dragon ember rum and a meal befitting of my status" order elder Thorne before the lady in charge of serving meal could speak.
The lady didn't say much as she quickly handed the rum to elder Thorne before serving him his meal.
"Why don't you let them have bamboo cups" he said while signaling the two beside him before walking away.