Cory doesn't understand the reasoning of being asked this question nor why there must be a spear weapon at his neck. For the moment he has to be very careful if anything wrong was to come out. This snake-humanoid lady won’t take kindly to this same spear and will find itself at the other end of the neck, opening the throat to let out the red liquid.

“Why do you ask me a question like that isn’t what I said to you to be true.” Cory felt like he was being accused of lying.

“Saying it is one thing. Truly wanting to train yourself is another matter as the person must want to improve themselves with everything they have, not to half-ass it.”

“I do mean it; I want to train to be ready for an adventure when taking on my first quest and many more afterward.

“Adventuring, is that what you have come here for? Does your heart bleed for it?”

Cory's expression looks to be slightly confused by what Tessa is saying. It is clear to see that more must be explained for a more eye-opener.

“Seems you are having a hard time making the choice. Then let me help by giving more insight into the subject. You see, in this training ground, every person here trains their body and mind for what they do in their life. Adventuring, mercenary, town guard, bodyguard, or whatever means they wish to use their skills for. They train as they do here because these very people want to commit to the career path everyone walks knowing the very risks each holds towards their life.” Tessa says.

“But Cory does want to have an adventure, he is not lying or just saying there is a meaning behind it.”

“Again, I will repeat, saying what one wants to be is one thing, yet inside, there has to be a will of determination. Not about the training, but if one can go through what they want to do for their life, there is knowing what they are putting themselves into being ready to face it head-on.”

“Tessa has a point; I have witnessed those who say they can do it for the very thing they want; it is not the training which changes their mind, well sometimes, but doing it does the work. Adventuring is one example; many seek to become one because of what a person can gain from the benefits of becoming an adventurer, but the life risks are far more than that. It is why you need to seriously think about it because it is no game.”

Tessa nodded her head in agreement with the input Vex had just given and, at the same time, removed her gold spear away from Cory's neck, giving them a chance to breathe easily and to think at the same time.

This happening again repeats the questioning on the matter of him wanting to be Adventure, and at the time, it does bring Cory into a state of reconsidering the idea.

“Damn, I don’t know now, given how you two are acting about it makes a guy feel he shouldn’t do it at all,” Cory says, rubbing the back of his head and making a concerned expression where he was at the edge in closing the chapter in becoming an adventure in this world.

“If our words are placing a heavy weight and doubt then yourself is not fit into going down the path of an adventure that may not be for you. Seek out another career for your life, a human one to be less at a life risk, all right.”

“You're wrong, Cory. Don't listen; you can become an adventure, even the best out there. One day, he can do this dangerous job; why else would he not take it knowing the full dangers it has when Cory himself has already gone through danger with his own life.”

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Cory turns to Dolly, looking at a serious expression she was making right about, then back at Tessa and Vex, having different expressions of their own. The snake lady was just interested to hear the story, while the kobold, on the other hand, wasn’t very friendly to stare at, so he did his best to keep those eyes from looking.

“Wait a minute, what do you mean by that? Cory? Did you get yourself almost killed? Seriously, can you be trusted with your own life?” Vex voices her words, filled with anger at him for nearly losing his life.

“Well, Vex about that.”

Cory gives a detailed explanation about the eventful matter that went on at Glenda's tavern as the two listen without a word spoken out from the end.

“Care to show this scar, I like to take a look at it.” Tessa wanted to see it with her own snake eyes.

“I… don’t mind, but does it have to be here?”

“Why not, I see no one here cares about their being seen by others and profoundly let it be seen openly here in these training grounds. Shame or care should not get in the way; be the same among them, and I let it too be out and look upon.”

“Yeah, she's right, plus it kind of makes you look cooler.”

“Oh, is that so Dolly? Well, I thank you for that compliment.”

Dolly said not another word back, looking away to the side, away from his face. Cory laughed a little at that cute behavior of hers and bravely left up his shirt just enough to show off his bear claw mark scar.

Vex couldn't stop herself from making a face of shock at the fresh scar he had gotten when he had not even lived long in Holsworthy. She thinks Cory might need a babysitter to watch over him all day, every day, making sure a thing like this never happens again.

Tessa's expression is one of someone impressed by this scar. At first, she had no impression of this human when meeting them face to face, his Physical form holds no greatness and takes shape to nothing of worthy praise.

Tessa then moves just like a snake on Earth would without the arms that is. She then does something a little unexpected when reaches for a handout and places a hand over it.

Cory wasn’t sure how to react or say at the moment when being touched by another woman taking a very close look while Dolly watched on like a jealous girlfriend and Vex looked confused as to why this snake lady was feeling him up.

“This is something I can take as proof that you are willing to face danger head-on; hmm, maybe there is a chance the training ground could further help with that. Turning you into someone who can handle challenging quests when picking them based on the rank you can reach.” Tessa says in a voice that sounds like she holds hope for this human to grow into someone to be proud of like the many before him and more to come working hard.

“Really! That's great when you think I can start.”

“Tomorrow arrives at the earliest morning time that is going to be your first test in showing how willing you are. Failing at that for even the slightest second of being late then you can forget it and return from where you came.”

“Isn’t that a bit much to ask of someone new who wants to train here?”

Dolly had a little jump when Tessa gave off a scary glace her way.

“Pay attention to the conversation if you intend to listen then know it for his benefit to show determination to what he wants to do. What I ask shouldn’t be too hard to handle if I didn't. What is the point of me being a training extractor over this place who does not take the job seriously compared to the last one on the job, allowing the training grounds to be a disgraceful mess that barely held anyone?” Tessa says to her calmly while still giving a chilling reaction towards the girl.

“Still no means to be such a thorn towards people, a little kindness doesn't hurt.”

“You know this training ground is open to anyone. Would you like me to give you some personal training, pig girl?”

Dolly quickly shanks her head to that offer as she is someone who is rather not much fit to take on such training,

“Anyway, Cory must ask this: do you already have yourself a weapon? If not, I recommend you do so as soon as possible. It is best to get used to your weapon first before actually using it in real combat.” Tessa says that it is the smart thing to do when a newbie.

“I do a good thing, it's not today that I have to train as my weapon is left back at Glenda tavern.”

“Good thing indeed, I would like to see what kind of weapon you have gotten tomorrow. Hopefully, it is not the first weapon pick just because your own eyes look upon one to be cool in having.”

“No, it was the Oni owner of the weapon shop; he helped find the right weapon for me, a sword and shield, that is.”

Tessa takes another look at Cory's body. It seems it can use a sword and shield, but depending on what they could be, it is something she wants to see with her own eyes. Even if a certain blue Oni had already given his insight, this snake also has insight as well on weaponry.

“Anyway, I think everything has been settled with this talk; me and I now have to talk in private. You two could hang around and observe the training ground as long as you do not disturb those who are.” Tessa tells them.

“Sure, you could still learn something without taking part, Dolly. Do you want to stay as well, or will you be going back to the tavern?”

“I don’t mind staying around a little longer. It would be interesting to watch how the people train.”

Right then, the two walk off to look around the training ground; Tessa turns to Vex.

“All right, little Kobold spilled the secret about that human.”