Chapter 35 (training ground of the warriors)

"Hey, kids. I don't have much to say

about myself beside my name, instructor

William. I will be in charge of your sword

training." He folded his arms behind him,

walking towards the students. "Mind you,

this class isn't for the weak soul. You

must all be prepared, ready to face the

challenges in order to be a sword

master." stood a few inches away from

the first rows of students. "Did you

understand?" He shouted, and his voice

vibrated through the room.

"Yes sir. We understood." They all

responded.

 Instructor William returned to his

position, his gaze sweeped across the

students like a hawk surveying its prey.

"To be a great war mage, especially

sword wielders like you," he said, raising

three fingers on his right hand. "There

are three steps your bodies must

undergo before you can call yourselves

sword masters. First is your stamina or

endurance. No matter how skilled you

are, with weak stamina. You may

becomeprey as your opponent drags out

the fight. Secondly, familiarise yourself

with your own sword; let it become an

extension of yourself as you swing. This

way, it won't betray you. And lastly, learn

to infuse your sword with an adequate

aura. For instance," he pointed at Drake.

"If he tries to use a sword technique that

requires just 4000 units of aura, he

should be able to fuse that amount

without wasting any aura during the

process." He was explaining when

Ronan speaks in a low tone.

"That is if he can even muster that unit

of aura." He said, mocking Drake. Every

student who heard him tried to hold back

their laughter but was still noticed by

instructor William. "Will you keep short

and listen? I have told you all, this place

is not for  joke." He snapped, his voice

silenced the room like a thunderclap, and

they all stood properly composed.

Instructor William moved towards the

exercise equipment, and all the students

turned, following him. He effortlessly

raised a 500 kg dumbbell with his right

hand, smoothly swinging it up and down

with the grace of a dancer, the weight

seemingly weightless in his grip.

"Your initial training will focus on

building your stamina." He said. "You

should all be able to lift this 50 times after

two months. We will skip the second

step, as you all possess your family

sword techniques and are familiar with

sword handling. We will move directly to

the final training, which is the aura

infusion, next time I come." He lowered

the dumbbell with a controlled thud; the

metal echoed through the room. He

turned, facing the students.

"While I'm your instructor, don't expect

me to babysit you. If you truly

understand why you're here, then focus

and achieve your goals. If you hit a wall

during your training, feel free to consult

with me." He cut through the rows of

students like a ship slicing through the

waves, walking towards the exit. He

turned his head slightly, his gaze lingered

on the students. "Just because some

categories of mages have never done

this doesn't mean it's impossible." He

started and exited through the door. The

students were puzzled by his last

statement, except Drake, who felt

instructor William's gaze upon him, like a

searing fire that burnt through him.

All students except Drake and Victoria

strode towards the exercise equipment,

seduced by instructor William's

deceptively effortless demonstration.

Each student attempted to lift the 500 kg

dumbbell, but their efforts crumbled

beneath its weight. until Ronan stepped

forward like a thunderclap and lifted it

twice. The room filled with administration

for Ronan, burning like wildfire.

"As expected of young master Ronan."

One of the students muttered.

"Yeah, not just lifting it but successfully

attempting it twice." Another one added.

The room dripped with awe as Ronan

got drunk in their praise. As a man who

transmigrated from earth, he understood

that to properly handle this heavily

exercised equipment, the body must be

fully fitted to avoid body breakdown. He

decided to start with some basic fitness

and walked away from the other students

towards the ring, which was noticed by

Victoria and Ronan. He lay, resting on his

arms, and stared, doing a pushup.

Ronan stepped closer, and the other

followed him. "We are supposed to build

our stamina, but here you are behaving

like a beast." Ronan mocked Drake. All

the students laugh loudly.

"Don't you think his posture looks

familiar?" One of them said, pointing at

Drake pushups.

"Yeah, that the mist lizard beast

posture." Another student, with his index

finger placed on his chin, scratching his

head, replied.Drake, unfazed by their

words, continued his pushup. He

reached his limit at 25, yielding to the

demand of his body, he switched to sit-

up with his focus unwaved.

Moments later, they all returned to the

exercise equipment, continued their

training, and mocked Drake doing his

fitness.Drake also attempted other basic

fitness like squatting, lunges, and

jogging on a spot. After several hours of

basic fitness, Drake walked towards the

sword stand, picking up a steel sword,

and returned to his training area. He

began swinging the sword vertically,

counting each movement, which

instantly fuelled the mockery of his fellow

students as they continued their own

training.

After two hours, the class has come to

an end, and everyone started heading

back to their dorms. However, Drake was

still carried away by his training,

swinging the sword.

"47, 48, 49, 50...." He was on the count

when he heard a voice. "Hey buddy, it's

time to go back." Drake turned to see

Mark leaning against the entrance door

with his leg crossed.

"Ha, thanks; I just wanted to get used

to the sword since we will be skipping

that part of the training." He said as he

returned the steel sword. He walked

towards Mark, dripping in sweat.

Together, they left for their dormitory.

Drake entered his room, finding Xena

still seated with her leg crossed and

eyes closed on the bed, just as he had

left her before class. "You're not done."

Drake asked out of curiosity.

"Oh, you are back. Yes, it will take me

about a week to get over it," she replied,

still focused. Drake started undressing

to take a bath.

Unlike Drake, whose strength comes

from a cheat, mages develop their mana

rings around their hearts in 3 stages

before it is fully integrated into their

power, which are the temporary stage,

the extended stage, and the permanent

stage.

During the temporary stage, the man

ring can vanish when used, so must

mages avoid using it during this stage. At

the extended stage, the mage can utilise

the mana ring to some degree without

negative effects, but it's still risky, and

lastly, at the permanent stage, the mana

ring is stabilised and can be used freely.

BbHowever, as a dragon, Xena in her

temporary stage, her mana ring won't

disappear but will instead become

uncontrollably, if not quickly stabilised,

posing significant danger to everything

around her.

Xena is like an explosive plant right

now, capable of obliterating the entire

school and beyond it.