Sharing weal and woe

(Guys, toxicvenom here! This is going to be a very long chapter, with more than four thousand words. I need to do some errands thus i would have a 1 day break after this release. Thank you)

John felt his hands and arms grew numb and heavy. Doing 10000 repetitive slashes on each arm is a bit too much for him. But he didnt mind, he wanted to get strongerII, and this is the only way he could do it, training.

He sat in meditative position trying to recover his strength, he felt another round of concentration of power. His body releasing filth once more. The two old men knew that Johns BGBTA is improving again as the smelled the filth being excreted through his skin.

The other boys smelled it and almost puked, but they didnt voice it out, they now look at John as their leader, he has the strength to back it up. When John opened his eyes he felt refreshed and much stronger than before. He looked at the other boys who looked bad as they smelled the filth on his body.

"Since you have recovered, yoy are dismissed, however, after the camp you are to complete 2000 push ups, situps, pull ups and 2000 rounds around the training field! Under stood!" Alfred asked

"Yes general!" They all replied

The boys stood infront of John and apologized for their incompetence "Lucas were sorry, we pulled you down with us." The boys cried as they felt so embarassed that John has to be punished with them.

"No problem at all, we are all in this together. As a team we suffer defeat and enjoy glory together, right?!" He asked

The boys didnt reply, they feel guilty of their weakness

"Are we a team?!" John asked

"Yes!" They all replied

"I cant hear you! Are we a team?!" He again asked

"Yes!!" All five simultaneously shouted in reply

"Then stop crying like a chick and start training! No one is to be left behind!" He said

"No one is to be left behind!" They repeated

Then they proceeded to the pantry.

When Alfed heard John motivate his team mates he felt proud, "his charisma is incredible, he is like a plague the infects those around him" he said

"Yeah... too charismatic, he is a born leader!" Mario agreed as he too felt very proud of John

As the five went to the pantry, all other trainees have already left, the five of them were the only ones left, so they hurriedly finished their meals and proceeded to the lake area. When they arrived the others have already started swimming across the lake. Its a 15 km long lake and they are supposed to swim across the lake.

When nick saw them, he shouted at them "being late the five of you will swim acrross the lake with your weapons! Are we clear?!"

"Yes sir" they replied in unison

The five place their weapons on their backs as they swim across the lake. John was at his limit, he is very tired but he kept his eyes opened and swim with all his might, it took them 4 hours to reach the other side.

Just as they got out of the water, the instructors then asked them to climb the steep slope.

'Can we do this' the four boys were asking them selves

"What are you guys waiting for? Lets start climbing, did you forget we still have punishment for the errors this morning?" John said

The others suddenly gor motivated and started climbing, john let them go first as he climbed last. They all struggled as they climb but they gritted their teeth as the completed it.

They went back to the training field and rested for 30 minutes. John meditated and felt another wave of body tampering, however he noticed that the more tampering he underwent, the lesser the filth he would release. John thought he has no more impurities after his tribulation, but was shocked as there is still filth being excreted from his body whenever he broke through. What he didnt know is that, this filth is not due to impurities, but the old cells being replace by the newly tampered cells. His body is continuously being refined during this training.

He lead the group as he started doing the punishment, when he felt that his team mates couldnt handle it he willingly covered for their share. The four greatly appreciated John, the swear to become stronger and wont be a burden next time. They finished just before 6pm and said their farewells.

He learned of their names as Ric, Fel, Art and Josh. Ric and Fel are twins they both weild hammers, while Art and Josh are cousins they were axe weilders. He said his goodbye and went to Marios place.

As he entered the hut, he saw Mario standing infront of the furnace "stand by the furnace" he ordered

He threw a regular hammer to him, "catch..." then Mario took out a ball sized raw iron and placed it on top of the forging table (huge anvil)

"Your first training will be to refine the raw iron into a size of a pearl" as he took out a pearl sized iron

Then he gave John instructions "Use your soul force to hold the iron ball, put it inside the furnace, then use your soul force to adjust the heat"

"When you feel that the metal is heated enough, use the hammer to remove the impurities"

Then he sat in meditation.

John followed the process, then his 3 soul clones merged and studied the black smith manual

He repeatedly pounded the ore but the amount of impurities that he is able to remove is miniscule. He recalled the hammering technique in the manual, "ten thousand hammering technique". The introduction only said to hammer the metal ten thousand times at a time

He tried it again and again, no matter what he did he could only do 10 successive hammers at once. He wasnt discouraged, he continued hammering but the hammer snapped. He is about to ask for a new hammer when Mario sent him a new one.

His parents came when they got news of John practicing with Mario, Alfred was already there, the sound of hammering echoed within the hut.

He repeated the process again and again, he learned that hammering needed momentum, after an hour he could only do 10 strikes at once. He hammered hundreds and thousands of time and forgot about the time, his parents and Alfred are now seated with Mario, as they looked at him focused on his work. It was dawn when he finished his refining process. By the end of his first ever refining, he found out that by gathering strength from his toes then to his legs going up to his hands the striking force of the hammer doubles and it creates a momentum with every strike.

Though he only completed ten strikes he is satisfied with his new discovery. Looking at the pearl sized iron, he felt an incredible amount of sarisfaction. He held it like it was a baby, gently caressing his own creation.

When he broke out of his day dream, it was almost morning, his body felt weak and numb all over. He sat in meditation, he noticed that his body had underwent another refinement, he was so focused in his work that he didnt notice that his body has been refined countless times. If not how could he ever have the stamina to refine the raw iron the whole night.

"Master can i take a shower?" He said

"Its at the back of the hut" he said

"Mother, father, gramps ill be back in a while" then he ran to take a shower

"uncle is it ok for John to not rest?" Asked Diane in concern

"Dont work child, havent you noticed that he had successive minor breakthroughs while forging? How could he persist on forging until now?" Mario said

After a quick bath john returned and jump to his mothers embrace, then left to the training camp after he ate.

When he arrived the for boys Fel, Ric, Art and Josh stood by the field as they wait for him. "Goodmorning everyone" he greeted

"Good morning Lucas, we will show you that we are different today" ric exclaimed as he drummed his chest

The others agreed as they wanted to redeem them selves.

The day of training started, they were as usual late for the swim and did the punishment for the errors in their weapon training, but they improved alot as they only have 1000 errors in total as they did the smash.

When they dispersed john went to Marios place and started his forging training, forging a ball sized raw iron into the size of a pearl. He could only do 10 stikes at a time, but the power and momentum improved by leaps and bounds.

What he is most excited is the amount of refinement his body underwent while forging is more than when he is training. If this goes on, he would have an even more perfect body for cultivation. His soul cultivation he plans to do it gradually since he is now training in the army. He finished his task by midnight and said his farewell to Mario as he went home with his parents.

When he got home he washed him self and ate with his parents, he talked about the training camp and his new found friends. He bragged about his grandfathers ingenious way of training the trainees.

The following day he woke up early at 4 am, he went to the palace training grounds and started stretching his body. All the palace guards saw him and asked to join him. He willingly let them join and proceeded with Jogging, and doing simple exercises of push ups, sit ups and pull ups. After they warmed up he did shadow boxing with his hand to hand combat and took out his weapons doing 10000 sets of each move Alfred taught them.

Jonathan and Diane woke up as soon as the felt him webt out of his room. They watched him train early and felt very proud of their son, they snuggled against each others body as they watched him train with the guards. After he is done with swinging his weapon, he requested for the guards for a sparring match. As usual it was 1 vs 100, he carried both his weapons, and brandished it against the guards. His movements were stiff, but he gradually got used to it and fought hard. Due to the weights and shackles his movements were restricted thus he is getting hit more often. However he is able to refine his movements, his parents noticed that as the fight went aling his movements are slowly being refined.

Exaclty 6 am they stopped their sparring and thanksd the guards "thank you for your guidance, lets do this again tomorrow" then he smiled as he left

The guards bowed down and got even more motivated to breakthrough, its nearly a month and they needed to reach saint level in order to continue being the prince sparring partners.

When John went inside the castle he saw his parents "father, mother, good morning"

"Done with training?" Jonathan asked while smiling

"Yes" he replied

"You still have training in the army and with your grampa Mario after. Wont you feel tired?" Diane inquired

"No, i feel like i am getting used to the shackles and weight. If i dont train prior to going to the camp, i wont be able to get the maximum benefits of the camps training" he honesty replied

His parents were glad to hear what he said, "then hurry up and take a bath" diane said

"Okay" then he hugged his mother before she went to tale a shower

Diane felt very satisfied and warm, her whole world revolved around him. She held jonathans arm and waited for John at the dinning room.

When John arrived he didnt bother with his manners infront of his parents and swallowed the food like there is no tomorrow.

"Slow down son no one is gonna steal food from you" Diane said

"But moms cooking is the best!" He said as he gobbled up the food

Diane giggled as she felt satisfied, she always prepared food for John, when he started eating real food she would prepare all his meals, this gave her satisfaction. Then he said, "father what kind of meat was the one mother served the day before i brokethrough my soul cultivation?" He asked

"It was a saint level meat, why do you ask?" Said jonathan

"While i activated the BGBTA i noticed that i could absorb the meats energy, i didnt bother at first thus i tried experimenting with the other meat mom prepared during meals. Of all the meat served, the others have weaker vitality and energy thus i didnt gain much from it." He hinestly replied

"It was just an accidental discovery, as i wanted to replenish my strength at that time i accidentally triggered my stomachs cells to actively absorb the meats energy, and it did work" he laughed as he scratched the back of his head

"I was always bothered by the lack af resources if our people started training the BGBTA thus i thought of using energy from food as replacement for pillls and heavenly resources" he said

"Continue" Jonathan said

"I need to conduct experiments using different levels of beasts meat and parts in order to make a proper conclusion. As for the method i havent perfected it since i just accidentally discovered it" he replied

"Okay, starting today i and your mother will be assisting you in this experiment of yours. I will request your gramps to let you finish training earlier" he said

"Father, i would do the experiments later after my training. I would not allow gramps to give me any back door." He replied

"Then so be it, hurry up baby, youll be late." Said Diane

John kissed them both and Linda carried him stealthily to camp.

"This is the first time John ever went against my orders" jonathan said

"Well my son is an upright man, with strict principles like you, you should know what his personality is." Diane said solfty

"I know but its for the empire, its urgent that we learn of this method"

"He didnt reject you, he said he would experiment on it, but he doesnt allow you to bother his army training" giggles as she replied

"I will talk to father in law and uncle mario" He said

"If you do that John might not cooperate" she advised

"Linda ask the shadow guards to collect magic beast from level one to six, then dismember the beast and store them properly, i need it by tonight!" He ordered

Jonathan gave up at last, he knew that Diane is right, John would help in this experiment since he told them his discovery, thus, he resumed cultivation with Diane. Their current BGBTA is now silver level, using the resources of the empire they were able to improve fast.

As John arrived at the camp, his friends are already waiting for him, they went straight to the training grounds, they asked john for advise on their weapon training. John asked them to perform the basic moves and corrected their form and strokes.

They continued their movements as they waited for the other recruits.

"Everyone gather up!" Instructor nick orderEd

All trainees stood straight in perfect formation. "Starting today you will be forming a 5 man team, this is the most basic formation and the smallest unit in our army. Now choose you team members and leader! Begin!"

The recuits formed their teams as well as John and the others, they picked John as the team leader. When everyone was done forming their teams 3 trainees were left out from the group. One was a fatty weilding a mace, the orher one is a sickly looking boy weilding daggers and lastly a fragile looking girl with a bow.

They were the ones John helped the other day as they were left out by the group during their jog. Instructor nick asked "who is willing to accept these three trainees into their team?"

John knew that these three are not weak as they are, they were wearing shackles like him, thus he knew that they are being care for by his grandpa. He noticed it when he was helping them the other day.

No one answered, John stepped up "our team is willing to take them to our team!" Everyone looked at him as if he were crazy, they recognized Johns team. It was the group who is always punished and are left after training ends.

"Are you guys willing to be part of our team?" He asked the three

"Yes we are willing to join your team!" The replied

"Its done, welcome! From today onwards we are brothers in arm, we shall share defeat and victory together, hahahaha..." he declared

All looked at him as if looking at a lunatic

Instructor nick, shook his head but is admiring John for his boldness.

"Let me introduce my self, im lucas and these are my brothers Fel and Ric they are twins; then Art and Josh they are cousins"

The fat boy was first to respond "hi, im bob, you can call me fat bob"

"Im Martin" said the sickly boy

"I i im Clara" said the girl

"Well fat bob, martin and clara. Welcome to the team, i only have one rule for the team and that is no one is left behind. Are we clear?"

"Yes" the replied

"Good!" Said John

"Lets start the training!" He commanded, the trainees started running laps around the camp. johns team were the last of all the teams, they ran very slow because fat bob, martin and Clara were already gasping for breath.

When they fell due to over fatigue, john carried the two and they followed the group. His original mates knew of johns personality thus they never voiced a complain, if they were ever left behind john wouldnt hesitate to carry their burdens. They wanted to help but as they are carrying their weapons they dont have enough strength to help.

When they were done with the laps, Instructor Nick commanded "the weapons training will be done in groups, thus, this will be a group training starting today, after weapons training, go straight to the training grounds for hand to hand combat exercises. Go!"

The group went to their instructor general Alfred, when the other three saw Alfred they kneeled as the greeted. "The three of you are part of this team?" He asked

"Yes general, no one wanted to take us" they replied

"Well its a good thing" he took four shackles and gave it to the other four

"Wear them" he ordered

Fel, Ric, Art and Josh put on the shackles and they were like pigs tied as their four limbs got stick together. They used all their strength to release the binding, it used up all their strength in the process.

Beses of sweat fell from every corner of their bodies. Then they looked at John and the others.

"Dont look at them like they are having it easier, infact they four of them had this handicap the moment they started the training camp." Then he instructed John and the others to Show their shackles

The four boys had their eyes almost pop as they saw them wearing the same shackles, now they knew why John and the others were weaker compared to them, now they recalled how they looked down on them for being weaker. Not knowing they had always had a handicap. This lesson taught them to never look down on others.

When they looked at Johns shackles they were pitch black in color, they wanted to ask Alfred why he has a different one.

"John take off one of your shackles and give it to fat bob" Alfred ordered

John took off one shackle from his left arm and give it to fat bob, the moment he held the shackle he dropped it and a huge crater formed on the ground.

They had their eyes opened wide, so heavy. They looked at John with reverence. It is at least a unique level accessory, which weighs 10 tons, seeing two on his arm, only means he is carrying twenty tons on each limb. This only shows how far their gap is. But they are thankful that John was their team leader.

"Okay now wear your shackles John we will start training!"

"The five of you continue with your training, i leave you under Johns care. The instructor will just record the errors, now find your place"

"Yes sir" the five went to an wide space and started their swings, it took alot of effort to do a single move, but they persevered John always reminds them to better do the move slowly with the correct form.

Josh asked "why did the general call you John, Lucas?"

"I dont want to Jude from you since we are friends, but i want you to keep this a secret!" He said

"My real name is John Gold, and im the grandson of General Alfred. The other three recognized me the first time they saw me." He honestly said

The four immediately knowtowed the moment the digested what John said. The general only has one grandson and it was the prince of the empire. All this time they were this close to the prince. The four felt reverence and warmth.

They were but ordinary citizens but all this time John never looked down on them, he took care of them and had been friends with them. This made them respect John more. Then then swear, "i (Fel, Ric, Art, Josh) swear upon the heavens that we will keep this secret!"

Boom!

As the heavens accepted their oath

Alfred saw this and was happy, such innocent boys, his grandson made good friends.

"Hey bros stand up, why knowtow? Arent we brothers? Or are you not accepting me?" He asked

The four immediately stood up and laughed, John was the same and he called the other three.

Bob, Martin and Clara came to their side John reintroduced them "fat bob is the son of the head of the royal guards, Martin is the son of the leader of the shadow group, and Clara is the only granddaughter of the minister of Finance, she is also one of my fiances" John said

Clara turned bright red as she heard John reintroduced them to the group, she is very shy and soft spoken thus she hid behind the hands as she covered her face.

The four were once again shocked, to be one of this group made them feel small, they were only of humble beginnings.

"Being friends has nothing to do with status and rank, but brothers and sisters willing to share weal and woe." John said

"Okay?!" He asked

"Yes!" They all replied and they laughed out loud

"Weve wanted too much time, lets continue with our training!"

The three went to their separate instructors while John trained the four boys.

He took out his weapons without hiding from his friends and they were shocked as he weilded both the hammer and axe.

Watch carefully as i do the moves. He demonstrates each move slowly so that the others could follow.

"We will do move staring with smash, slash, hack, chop, charge and ground break; one move at a time, as to not get confused." Ten thousand strokes for each move started

The team finished their weapons training 2 hours after lunch time, and they went straight to the training camp, for the hand to hand combat, Johns team were moving slowly, they struggled with every step. When they arrived at the camp, the others are already starting, they were again penalized with 100 laps after the training adding up to the weapon training punishment they are to do 1000 laps around the training camp.

"Its alright dont loose hope, this wont be training if it were easy, he told his team." They nodded and joined the group.

They struggled with every move while John moved like normal. Looking at their team leader working hard and not complaining they gritted their teeth as they trained. As the session ended they went straight to the lake for the swim, Johns team struggled, he carried assisted one member at a time to the other side, as he swam back and forth helping them, the team felt ashamed of their weakness. 'I must get stronger to not be a burden to the prince'

Johns act never left unseen by the other trainees and instructors. They felt admiration for John, they could see his struggled as he swam back and forth. His team mates knew how much he is struggling, he is carrying massive amounts of weights. He could have just waited but he never want to leave his team mates behind, John only helped them when they are about to drown, letting them maximize the benefit of the training. This was what they admired him for. Even the instructors felt like applauding him as they noticed the way he helped his team mates.

'Such keen eyes! He is so Young yet perceptive, he is the best among the new recruits.' The instructors thought

When John reached the shore with Clara, the others were bowing their heads so low as they sobbed appologizing to John.

Claras face is so red Being held in Johns arms.

"What are you crying for?" John asked

"Were sorry for being weak!" Ric said

"If your weak then get stronger, crying wont get you anywhere! You are my team mates, and my friends there is no need for ceremonies between us" hurry up were late again, he said jokingly

The boys wiped their tears and run with him to the cliff, they climbed and John went last. Fel had his hand slip and fell from the cliff, John reached out and grabbed him. Then assisted hin as he climbed they were slow. Its 7 p.m when they finished the climb. When they finished their punishment, it was already 1 am.