Training Hall [3]

It had been two weeks since Jimmy joined the Training hall. Every day after he finished any schoolwork or classes, he would enter the game and spend all-day training.

Jimmy didn't have any classes that day, so he entered the game early in the morning. He appeared in his usual spot, in front of the training hall. When he entered inside he only saw Henry, who was sweeping the floor.

"S'up Henry, need any help?"

"Ah Jimmy, you're here early today! Could you wipe down the training weapons for me?"

He gave Henry a fist bump and said, "Sure."

Picking up an old cloth he started wiping down the weapons. The weapons had various scuff marks and dirt on them from constant use.

"So, why are you here so early in the morning Henry?

Henry paused for a moment, reminiscing with a sad smile. "To be honest I live here. Sensei lets me train and live here for free as long as I keep the place clean."

"So, your parents…."

"Yes. They died when I was young. Until sensei found me, I was just living on the streets, stealing and begging for food to survive."

Jimmy was surprised, he did not expect the cheery and hardworking Henry to have such a troubled past. He silently listened, unsure if he should console him or not.

"Unlike what you would first think from her scary attitude, sensei is a kind person. When she first took me in, I was very untrusting and defensive. There were many times where I would lash out at her, yet she was patient and didn't throw me aside. She gave this troublesome child a second chance, and I don't know if I will ever be able to repay her for that." When talking about sensei he had a much happier look across his face.

Jimmy realized that he did not need to pity or console Henry, he had already found a place where he was happy.

"I'm sure she would be happy if you managed to beat her in a fight. You're gonna have to work yourself to the bone if you have any chance at that though."

"Pfft, your probably right. I think I'll have to train a long time to beat a monster like her though."

They both laughed as they continued their cleaning.

An hour later the door to the training hall swung open. The usual ferocious figure walked into the hall.

"Your here early kid, perfect timing!" Emelia had a look of satisfaction on her face.

Jimmy put down the rag he was holding, he had just finished helping Henry clean. He looked over at his sensei curiously. Behind her was a young girl.

"My daughter just turned 8 years old and I've decided she was ready to start training at the hall. Come over and introduce yourself, her name is Eta."

Eta stepped forward with an out-of-place scowl on her face. She looked like the spitting image of her mother. Minus the muscles at least.

Jimmy stood there shocked, he didn't expect someone like her would have a child. Who managed to tame her? Or maybe she tamed him...

"Is she really your daughter sensei? Where are her muscles?" Jimmy asked with his eyebrows creased.

Emelia gave him a chop to the head. "Children aren't born with muscles smart ass."

Jimmy picked himself up while rubbing his head. Behind him, Henry was trying his best to hold in his laughter.

"My name is Jimmy, I look forward to training with you."

Eta just glared at Jimmy with a look of contempt. "Mom says your the weakest, so fight me.

A vein bulged on Jimmy's head. He looked over at his sensei to see what she thought about it.

She gave him a look that told him to go ahead.

"Ok, I'll accept your challenge." He walked over and picked up a spear.

"Hmph." She just stood there, not grabbing a weapon.

"Are you not going to use a weapon?"

"Don't need one. You can attack first."

At this point Jimmy was skeptical. On one hand, he didn't believe he could lose to a little girl, his stats have gone up a lot over the past two weeks of training.

~

Jimmy Green [Lvl 1]

Alignment: [Neutral]

Titles-

[Basic Spearman]

Abilities-

Stats- [Unallocated Points: 0]

[Strength 20]

[Endurance 34]

[Dexterity 10]

[Agility 14]

[Magic 1]

~

All his stats had risen except for magic, he had the same amount of total stats a level 5 should have at level 1.

However, on the other hand, he did not like how confident both Eta and his sensei were. There must be something special about her.

Regardless, there was only one way to find out.

He decided to play things cautiously and thrust out a probing stab at her chest to see what she would do.

What happened next left him stupified. She had somehow managed to grab the spear and no amount of pulling could break it free of her grip.

He released the grip on his spear and charged forward, hoping to catch her off guard.

Right before his punch reached her danger signals went off in his head. He noticed her smile deepen slightly and realized he was about to be hit. He quickly retracted his arm and braced himself just as he was hit with a kick from the side.

He felt like he had been hit by a truck, and his body was sent spinning across the room.

"A family of monsters…" He muttered to himself as he raised his hands in defeat.

She walked over to him with a smug look on her face. She put her hand on his shoulder, which looked adorable because she had to be on her tiptoes to reach.

"Don't worry, I am stronger so I will make sure to take care of you, kid."

He sighed to himself. He thought it was weird that she was calling him a kid seeing as she was only 8. She has received some weird habits from her mother.

"How did you do that?"

Emelia walked over with a prideful look on her face and said, "My amazing daughter here happens to be a genius at mana manipulation. She has already learned how to coat her body in mana to enhance her strength."

"So that explains her monster strength. Is there any way you can teach me how to manipulate mana?" He asked his Sensei, his interest piqued. His friend had already managed to use mana, so he wanted to catch up with him.

"Your mana pool is pathetically low from what I can sense, so you most likely won't be able to learn much right now. At most, you can practice sensing and directing the mana in your body. Sit down in whatever position you find most comfortable."

He did as he was told and sat on the ground with his legs crossed.

"Now, close your eyes and concentrate on your body. Mana is controlled purely by your will, so you need to exert that will on the mana flowing through your body. Imagine your body is a river and the water as mana. Try to feel its flow."

He closed his eyes ad did as instructed. He sat there concentrating on every part of his body. He felt his heartbeat, his breathing, and tried to search for signs of mana.

After a couple of minutes, he couldn't sense anything. His magic stat was only at 1, so he had a pitiful amount of mana. Sensing it was proving very difficult.

Suddenly it struck him. blood flowed just like water, so there was a chance imagining the mana like he would the blood in his body might work.

Trying out his new hypothesis, he focused his mind on every part of his body. He imagined his mana flowing through his body with every heartbeat. After a minute of concentrating, he felt a tiny sensation, barely noticeable, flowing around his body. He had done it!

"I… I can feel it!" His head was covered with sweat from concentrating so hard, but he did not care.

Eta crossed her arms and continued with her smug vibes as she said, "You have to be able to do at least this much to be my training partner."

Emelia and Henry were both surprised, not expecting him to get it so fast.

"Impressive kid, it even took Eta here an hour before she was able to sense her mana for the first time. You are older, but it is still fast considering how meager your mana reserve is."

Eta was flustered, not expecting to be exposed by her mother like that. She pouted and went to go start her training.

Emelia ignored her and continued, " Now try moving the mana through your body. Spend as much time moving the mana around your body as you can each day. That will expand the mana channels, allowing you to hold more mana. Continue your regular exercises when you're drained of mana."

"Yes, sensei! Thank you for your assistance. I don't know when I would have figured it out without your help." He thanked her with a beaming smile on his face.

A little flustered she said, "No… No problem kid. It's my job y'know? Now go back to training!"

She rushed off to go direct her daughter's training, and also to hide her red face.

'I guess she is weak to flattery. She is surprising easily." With that thought, he went back to training his mana.