Chapter 9: Training-2 (Mana Exercise)

The trainees woke up again the next day at 4:00 AM and they started running their course.

Since they slept with empty stomachs, all ten of them were hungry. Allen had a few bars of candy he got from his village and shared it with the rest of them which helped them to fight their hunger a little longer.

Even on the second day Allen and Arti were the only two trainees to complete the five rounds without collapsing. They had a hearty breakfast after nearly 20 hours. They took an hour's rest and started their archery practice.

Allen suddenly remembered something in the middle of his archery practice. He was informed by his orphanage warden to practice mana exercise during his training sessions to improve his fighting speed and to move forward in the exercise.

He started circulating his mana according to the first move of the mana exercise. He endured the pain and completed the first move. He dropped the bow and sat on the ground. The other trainees looked at him in confusion thinking that he ate breakfast with them and how he got collapsed within one hour.

Bones being an expert in training came near Allen and lifted him. He patted his shoulder and said "Well done Allen. You did well today. Take fifteen and continue practising."

Hearing Bones praising Allen, the trainees were confused even more and came near him to ask for the reason.

"I DID NOT GIVE FIFTEEN FOR YOU. CONTINUE YOUR TRAINING." Bones shouted.

Allen started his practice after fifteen minutes along with the hell's exercise. He again collapsed after completing the first move.

Bones gave permission only for him to take a fifteen-minute break every time he collapses which puzzled the other trainees.

Allen collapsed nearly 8 times more before he was able to start the second move of the mana exercise. He was able to see the difference in his speed and strength.

He was able to release one extra arrow when he circulated the first move in 2 minutes which is almost a 20% increase in speed and he was able to draw his bow more easily which proved that he is getting stronger because of the exercise.

During their lunch, all the other trainees came to Allen asking the reason for him collapsing continuously. He told them about the mana exercise.

"What? You are doing hell's exercise during training!" asked Joshi unable to contain his surprise.

"My father told me not to practice the exercise as it will be very painful and has little benefit" said Kris.

"Yes, it is not worth the pain," said Arti.

Allen was confused. "Always practice the mana exercise Allen. During the training and even when fighting a real battle. It will help you a lot." his warden said to him before leaving.

After lunch, they went for archery practice again and still Allen was the only one to practice the exercise. No one else did it.

One month passed with the same schedule and Allen was able to complete fifteen moves in the first set of mana exercise. All the other trainees were unable to complete the tenth move of the exercise. Only a few were able to reach the eleventh set.

Allen was able to feel his speed and strength increase. He had improved a lot in this one month. Getting praise not oy from Bones, but also from other trainers as he is getting good in archery and close combat.

He was able to meet Kim a few times during the mana exercise session and also during his free time. They both started practising mana exercise during training and because of that Kim is currently doing the thirteenth move.

"There are three parts to military training and you have completed the first part. I am proud of this team." Bones said on the last day of the first month of training.

"From tomorrow you will be training along with your pets and will also learn how to infuse the elemental ability of your pets into your weapons" he added.

"Allen, you have surpassed the record set by the previous batches. Keep up the good work" he said to Allen giving him praise again.

"Since you have worked hard this entire month and improved a lot, I am giving you the day off. Enjoy your day, but do not leave the training camp." he finally said and left the barracks.

Everyone was happy to get the day off. Allen was happy, but he wanted to learn more. Hence he went to the information centre inside the training camp and took the books related to combat techniques and started reading them.

He took three books [Basics to fight with a pet], [Mana control] and [Fire elemental control]. He wanted to increase his control of fire as he did not make any progress in this one month. He also wanted to know about mana control as it will help him to cast fire and use skills easily using his mana.

After reading the three books Allen was able to understand more about mana and fire control. The most basic for both is his concentration. He also got a good understanding of mana infusion to weapons and was confident he will be able to do it in the first few attempts.

Allen reached the barracks in the evening and Serina was already waiting for him. They both took showers and played together after a month. They came late for dinner. After cleaning themselves, they had dinner and slept.

The ten trainees and their pets slept peacefully in their barracks. And no one sensed a pair of eyes watching their barracks from the shadows afar.