Engineers (4)

Phew. I exit the VR capsule and do a big stretch. The engineers exit their capsules one by one as they each have varying expressions on their faces.

The three who decided to shamelessly follow me wear satisfied smiles as they didn't die. There were a few close calls but with a bit of help from my side, they made it past the encirclement. Tactical use of the sprays has proven to be very effective against attacking orcs.

Just a short burst of less than a second can stop them in their tracks for long enough to get away. Like that you have between fifteen and twenty chances to use the can before it empties.

The others all died. Some seem to take it rather lightly while others look scared. I don't think the ministry of education will be happy if we produce a bunch of terror stricken engineers. Though Being Y certainly would appreciate that since it would delay the advancement of the railways.

I clap my hands to get their attention.

"Everyone, as you just witnessed, theory and practice have a clear distinction. You only heard things once, so don't beat yourselves up over dying. Look at this as a chance! You got to see how you reacted in a situation of acute danger. That's something you can work on."

"What could we have done better? It was impossible in the first place! Those three just survived because they followed you."

The guy who suggested the wall of pepper spray looks very frustrated. Having his self proclaimed brilliant plan foiled must have bruised his ego.

"It's undeniable that the three survivors benefited from following me. However, all that gave them was the addition of a member with more experience. My level was set to one and my skills were blocked. Any of you could have spotted the easiest path to escape with enough experience. And isn't that what you are here for? To learn how to survive if things go wrong? I'm sorry to tell you but you need experience and theory. Just cramming theory will in this case get you killed since you can't apply it under pressure."

They all look a bit less terrified but slightly depressed. Theory and application, sensitive topic.

"At any rate, I highly suggest that you have a few more goes at a later date. You can always come here and book a short VR experience to see how you are doing.

"We will now focus on a specific skills I suggest you work towards obtaining. The enhanced stamina skill does exactly as its name suggests. It gives you more stamina meaning you can walk, run and sprint longer.

"While most monsters have a much higher speed stat than you, that actually doesn't mean they are much faster than you. The speed stat mainly influences short distance speed like the speed of a strike or the time they need to react. Long distance movement speed also improves but at a much lower rate. Statistically, what gets most carriers when facing a monster is that they run out of stamina and get caught."

"So that's why we managed to outrun those orcs. I was wondering how we managed to run from a monster with a higher speed stat."

The lady in the blue cardigan seems to be quite quick on the uptake.

"Yes, that was part of the reason. Though another reason is that orcs generally don't know how to run efficiently. They just put all their strength into their legs without worrying about things like where that force is directed. Be wary of quadrupeds though, their bodies are much more geared towards running. Just as you couldn't outrun most animals, you will also not outrun their monster counterparts."

I lead the group out of the classroom and into the gym. Seeing the running track, most of the engineers frown. Not much for physical exertion, huh.

"You're going to make us run? Really? If I wanted to exercise, I would've gone to a gym myself!"

"Yeah, I heard it takes way too much practice to get any useful skills!"

"Isn't there a way to skip this?"

An expected amount of resistance meets my plans for the later part of the lecture.

"I can understand your feelings concerning the effort it may take to acquire the skill I suggested. However, this is the best path to survival I can show you."

Navi, are they allowed learn Edward's breathing technique?

I wasn't going to teach them myself. I just want to tell them that it exists. Maybe a couple of them will bite and ask the ministry to pay. Since Edward's breathing techniques is faster to learn, the ministry of education might be willing to hand over some more of that sweet government money.

"Actually, I asked a colleague of mine to help me out. Not that I couldn't oversee your practice, but this is a rare opportunity for you. Think of it as a small gift from me as your instructor."

"What kind of opportunity?"

Everyone is suddenly interested.

"You see, he developed a skill that is more effective and faster to learn than the enhanced stamina skill. The skill can increase your capacity for running to an insane degree once you reach higher levels. But my colleague has a bit of a prideful stance on who he teaches that technique. He-"

"Guy, while I enjoy the praise you heap on my breathing technique, I prefer you do not advertise it. I chose who I teach! They don't need to know."

Edward has suddenly appeared behind me. He indeed doesn't look too pleased with me.