By the time Caedus got back to the training ground, Captain Thorne was standing in front of the Combat Cadets who were in formation, hanging on her every word. She saw Caedus approaching and nodded, assuring he could fall into formation.
At the back of the formation, Caedus saw Eric looking at the chain on his arm and the sword on his hip.
Caedus quickly slipped into the empty spot next to Eric.
"Pst, Caedus," Eric whispered lightly, trying not to get caught talking in formation.
Caedus looked over without responding, giving a 'what's up' look.
"You chose a chain and a sword? That's unique." Eric hissed.
"What can I say, I am a special guy." Caedus shrugged with a smug look on his face before looking forward and listening to Captain Thorne.
"Now that everyone has chosen weapons, we will move on to Phase 2 of the Ironwood Crown Initiative. Physical training at sunrise, leading into combat training, survival training with basic battle formations, and Soul Power cultivation and training to end each day. Combat training will include basic martial arts to complement your choice of weapon."
At the mention of martial arts, nearly 100 people wearing all kinds of clothes appeared in a familiar puff of smoke.
"Once formation breaks, you all will find a combat instructor who specializes in your weapon and style you want to wield, and go from there. Instructors are contracted and have all been vetted by the Kingdom. Be sure to choose wisely, as you cannot change your choice afterward. Understood?"
All the cadets shouted in unison in response. "Yes, ma'am!"
Captain Thorne held the silence for a moment longer, scanning the formation with a sharp, measuring gaze.
"Good."
Her hands clasped behind her back.
"Dismissed for combat instruction selection."
At that word, the formation broke instantly.
Cadets moved in all directions at once, the controlled discipline of formation giving way to a contained rush of anticipation. The newly summoned instructors scattered across the training grounds to give everyone space and avoid crowding one area. Each one carried a different presence: some calm, some sharp, some openly intimidating.
Eric yawned loudly and stretched as soon as the chatter of the excited cadets filled the training grounds.
"I don't think there will be any chain users, Caedus." Eric pointed out, looking around.
"I think it will be fine, honestly, using a chain might be my primary weapon, but I can't imagine there are a lot of martial arts for it. I mainly plan on using it as an extension of my powers." Caedus honestly replied, seeing no instructors around him holding anything similar to a chain.
"Who are you going to pick, Eric?"
"Oh, my dad sent my instructor from home, we will be doing the same stuff, basically just incorporating my fire powers into my fighting style now." Eric followed his gaze and shrugged lightly.
Caedus exhaled through his nose.
It must be nice growing up with everything already lined up.
Eric caught the look and grinned. "Don't get jealous. You've got the 'lightning problem child' route. Very popular these days."
"How the fuck am I a problem child?"
"Didn't you cause a big scene at your awakening?" Eric pointed out.
"..."
"..."
Caedus went back to observing instructors before mumbling. "Not on purpose."
As he looked at each instructor hard, he saw Iris, Jared, Keira, Ragnar, and Mira had all chosen instructors. And they all seemed to be having a comfortable conversation with them.
"Are they like you? All their families sent their long-time instructors?" Caedus asked, pointing slightly to Eric's cohort.
"Mhm, everyone except Dorian," Eric replied, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder at Dorian Blackthorn.
He had a serious look in his eyes as if he wasn't happy with his choices. Similar to the look Caedus had. As popular as a one-handed sword was, Caedus couldn't just give up on learning how to use his chain.
Across the training grounds, instructors stood surrounded by eager cadets. Even a pair of axe instructors were already arguing over which one was better for a cadet who didn't know which to pick.
But not a single person carried a chain.
Caedus frowned. "This is going great."
Eric snorted. "You expected a legendary chain master to appear who also uses a sword magically?"
"I was hoping."
"Well, I'm going to my instructor, it will be nice to see how my family is doing, I will see ya later." Eric waved slightly as he walked across the grounds.
By now, a good portion of cadets had chosen instructors.
Dorian's massive black scythe rested against his shoulder.
One instructor carrying a halberd had attempted to approach him several minutes earlier.
The conversation lasted less than thirty seconds, and Dorian had not moved since.
Then, before Caedus could approach him and question why he wasn't looking anymore, Captain Thorne's voice suddenly cut across the training grounds.
"Cadet Violetshade. Cadet Blackthorn"
Caedus immediately felt a bad feeling.
Dorian glanced over at Caedus and nodded before the two both marched across the training grounds to where Captain Thorne was standing. Caedus caught a glimpse of Iris staring at the two with a confused look before her instructor got her attention again.
"Yes, ma'am." The two cadets saluted and stood waiting for Captain Thorne's next words.
"You two have more unique weapons than most, so your instructors will be chosen for you. And both still haven't been decided yet. So today, instead of weapons training, you two will be doing martial arts with me."
Caedus blinked.
Dorian frowned before speaking. "Ma'am."
It was the first time Caedus had heard him voluntarily speak to an instructor.
"Will this interfere with weapon proficiency training?"
Captain Thorne's eye twitched.
"No."
"Understood."
Dorian immediately fell silent again.
"Understand that we are choosing for you to ensure you become efficient enough in combat to ensure your survival." Captain Thorne added.
Captain Thorne turned away from them and raised her voice.
"ATTENTION!"
The training grounds immediately fell silent.
Every cadet and instructor looked toward her.
Captain Thorne's single eye swept across the crowd. "Combat instruction will now begin. Cadets will remain under the supervision of their chosen instructors until afternoon formation. Failure to obey your instructor will be treated the same as disobeying a superior officer. You are dismissed."
Almost instantly, the instructors began to poof away in the same smoke they appeared in.
*Poof*
*Poof*
*Poof*
Groups of cadets and instructors vanished one after another.
Eric gave Caedus a sympathetic look before disappearing alongside his instructor.
Iris glanced toward Caedus and Dorian one final time before her instructor and her disappeared.
Within seconds, the noisy training grounds became eerily quiet.
Until only three people remained. Captain Thorne, Caedus, and Dorian.
Caedus looked around. "It's kind of depressing when it's empty."
Captain Thorne ignored him and stepped forward while whispering something into the air.
*Poof*
A concrete platform appeared on the training grounds. It was a sparring platform. She jumped up with a single jump and landed gracefully in the middle of the platform.
"Now that we're alone. "She pointed at the two cadets. "Get up here and fight me."
Caedus and Dorian stared, tilting their heads slightly.
"Ma'am?"
"Attack me."
"Together?"
"Together."
The cadet duo had a slightly sour look on their faces as they looked at each other.
Neither looked particularly enthusiastic.
Captain Thorne crossed her arms. "What?"
"Ma'am, while we don't know your realm, the fact that you are a Captain tells us you are way stronger than we are."
She snorted. "So? Are you two scared?"
The challenge immediately got under Caedus's skin. 'This is going to suck. I don't think we have a choice.' Caedus clenched his jaw and hopped up onto the edge of the platform. "Fine."
Captain Thorne smiled, and it was not a comforting smile.
The moment Caedus stepped forward, Dorian moved as well and stood next to him.
"We will be doing no weapons, so toss them to the ground. Purely physical and body attacks."
Caedus and Dorian complied, tossed them aside, and got ready in different positions.
"Pst, Dorian. You go left, I'll go right." Caedus hissed under his breath.
Dorian nodded slightly. "Understood."
The two launched themselves at her from opposite directions.
For almost half a second, it looked coordinated, giving Caedus a slight boost in confidence.
Then Captain Thorne moved.
*Thud*
Dorian disappeared.
One second, he was charging.
The next thing he was rolling across the platform back to where they first stood.
"Huh?"
*Thunk*
Something hit Caedus directly in the stomach, and every bit of air exploded from his lungs. He could feel his feet leaving the ground.
With a few rolls and tumbles backward, Caedus landed on the ground next to Dorian, who was dragging himself to his feet.
"Ow."
Captain Thorne stood exactly at the spot Caedus had been launched from with her arms crossed, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
Caedus groaned as he stood.
"Again." Captain Thorne called out
Neither moved.
Captain Thorne's eyes narrowed slightly before asking. "Done already?"
Both men immediately straightened up.
"Fine, I'll come to you."
Caedus wasn't usually the type to judge someone based on their looks, but the look in Captain Thorne's eye just seemed. Evil in that moment.
The next few hours were the most educational beating of Caedus's life, so harsh it would even give Jorah, Caedus's grandfather, shivers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caedus lay on his back, breathing heavily. His body was bloody and bruised. Every breath stung in his ribs like they were broken. But he wasn't paying much attention to the pain. He was staring up at the blue sky above.
The clouds drifted lazily.
They seemed free and careless.
"I'm jealous." Caedus coughed out, wincing slightly.
Beside him, Dorian was sprawled across the training platform, completely unconscious.
Just as Caedus began to imagine what it would be like to turn into a cloud and float away, a silhouette stood over him, bringing him back to reality.
"Jealous of what, Violetshade?"
Caedus snapped out of his fantasies of freedom.
Standing over him was an unimpressed Captain Thorne.
"Nothing, ma'am," Caedus replied, trying to sound as respectful as he could.
"Well, it took you guys a few dozen tries, but at some point there was some semblance of teamwork." Captain Thorne nudged Dorian with her foot, awakening him and making him groan loudly.
"Wake up, Blackthorn," Caedus called out. "You slept the whole 24 hours, it's time for our second day of training with Captain Thorne."
Dorian snorted slightly after realizing where they were, before speaking. "Yay us."
Caedus raised an eyebrow. "Sarcasm?"
Captain Thorne sighed, ignoring the banter between the two, before extending both hands and hauling Caedus and Dorian to their feet.
The two almost lost their balance but still managed to stay up.
"You two, go eat lunch before afternoon formation. Survival training is more educational than physical. Then again, I will be leading your Soul Cultivation later as well."
Dread drowned Caedus's being.
Even Dorian seemed slightly distraught.
"You're dismissed." Captain Thorne waved them off.
"Excuse me, ma'am, can we have the recovery potions? It might be hard to function all day with these injuries." Caedus spoke up, swallowing his fear of Captain Thorne.
Even Dorian nodded slightly, showing he approved of Caedus's newfound bravery.
"There are no potions anymore." She spoke flatly.
"..."
"..."
"From now on, since everyone has awakened, potions will only be used in emergencies or in actual combat. Every other injury has to be recovered using mana. This is to make your bodies stronger at a fast rate by repairing your body with mana rather than potions, while also making you more efficient in mana control. If you rely on potions every time you're hurt, your body never learns to heal itself with mana." Her gaze moved between them. "The Kingdom isn't interested in raising weak awakeners."
Captain Thorne then turned on her heel and left the two dumbstruck cadets seething in pain.
"Blackthorn, if I die. I want you to live a good life and be free." Caedus spoke, looking back up at the clouds with a serene look.
"And if something happens to me, Violetshade. Visit my family." Dorian also spoke, looking at the same clouds as if he were seeing the same beauty that Caedus was.
"Agreed."