They went to sit at a bigger table meant for the higher ranker of the clan and the two were left uncomfortable when seeing the way they are being stared at by the other members.
"You can feast on the meat to your heart's content boys, take it as your reward for today's task" said elder Thorne while pouring himself a cup full.
They were surprised by elder Thorne words and could not help but stare at the boar leg on the place before then. Elder Thorne was left in laughter after seeing them this way.
"You better eat up since you won't be getting this kind of treatment again but rather you would have to eat what is fit for those of lower rank" said elder Thorne.
They started eating after hearing that it was just out of goodwill that they are eating this. Taking a bite from the meat, Ethan could not help but widen his eyes in surprise as he felt how delicious the meat was.
"This meat belongs to a boar beast of the first stage of QI condensation realm so it should be useful for your body. So eat more since you would be needing the energy for tomorrow's task" elder Thorne commented with a smile as he took a sip from his cup.
"Elder Thorne if I may ask, what's the need of us doing such a task when we can just get to do normal?" asked Ethan while biting on the meat.
"That's your first training for now and not until I think you are ready would you advance to your next training" replied elder Thorne.
"But you are just using us to do some chores in the department and nothing more" said Alden, still not convinced about what the elder was talking about.
"In order to embark on the path to immortality, you would need to make sure to set a better foundation and what better way to build your foundation when your body is not strong enough. What you are doing now is building your foundation" reply elder Thorne as he took the time to brief them a little about cultivation.
After being told the use of the task they have been given, Ethan and Alden didn't speak more as they continued to eat until they were done with the whole thing as they both let out a burp.
"Have a cup of dragon ember rum to relieve yourself" offered elder Thorne as he poured them both a cup full.
Receiving the drink from elder Thorne, they didn't waste time as they drank the rum in one go and the moment the rum went through their throat, they felt like their entire body was on fire but the feeling still went away just as it came and thereafter, they felt their body getting grower a little.
"What a wonderful drink that is" praised Alden while clenching his fist as he felt a bit stronger.
"The dragon ember rum is filled with spiritual energy and for humans, one cup full is enough and anything more than that should be seeking death and that implies to the both of you" reply elder Thorne.
"I guess we won't be able to have more of it then" said Ethan as he let out a sigh.
"Haha, don't worry boys, once you get to the QI condensation stage you would have more chance to taste it" replied elder Thorne as he let out a laugh.
After he was done drinking, elder Thorne led them to their quarters which happen to be in the combat department. Taking them to their room which looks like where they used to live after gaining their consciousness.
"Get some sleep, tomorrow would be a very busy day" said elder Thorne before walking away.
After elder Thorne left, Ethan and Alden chat for a little while as they talk about how they will be able to manipulate spiritual energy soon enough before going to sleep.
The next day, outside the combat department, captain Marcus and ten men were standing outside fully equipped and before them stood the clan head and some elders as they scan the captain Marcus and his men.
"The thundering sword clan sent us an invitation and what are we supposed to do, accept in full or back out" asked the clan head in a loud voice.
"Of course we accept their invitation" the fighters all let out a vigorous yell as they reply to the clan head question.
The clan head was impressed by their reply as he nodded his head in approval before speaking up once more.
"The serpent eye sect destroyed one of the villages under our protection and what is the best way to repay the favor order than to do the same. Go and bring pride to our clan" said the clan head as he gave the last command before heading back to his mansion.
After the clan head had given his speech, captain Marcus quickly led his men out of the territory and everything went back to being normal with everybody going back to their activities.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Ethan and Alden were busy fetching water on their buckets, and they were also there when the clan head was giving his speech before they went to do their task.
"Do you think they would be able to accomplish much?" asked Ethan while heading back to the combat department.
"I don't think they would be able to do much. I mean unlike them who took us by surprise, they should be ready for any attack from the ironwood fortress clan, so I doubt they would succeed" reply Alden while walking beside Ethan.
"Captain Marcus looks really strong so I think they would be fine" said Ethan with a smile.
"Let's just hope so" commented Alden.
This time around, elder Thorne didn't bother going to the forest with them and just focused on his duties of supervising the department with the other elders belonging to the combat department.