The training near the stables went without problems. Daniel and Luca were able to determine points where the kid should improve his movements in acrobatics, and they kept going until his stamina was over.
Amelia had a harder time with Michelle. In the beginning, her students only wanted to see Zara and paid little attention to what Amelia had to say. Soon, Amelia bargained for a deal with the Catwoman and the kid. When Michelle was able to learn acrobatics, she would be allowed to play with Zara for an entire hour. The details were not very clear, but the reaction it generated was enough.
With new-found motivation, Michele was the fastest student of all to learn acrobatics. It was clear that she was a prodigy. After unlocking the skill, Zara decided that they would play tag. At the end of the morning, the young girl had achieved acrobatics level 2.
Kwame was a little worried that Bryn, Jonas, and Gabriel hadn’t returned to the meeting point near the stables, but there was not much to worry about. They had Bryn, but both of Gabriel's offspring were with them.
“Everyone, that is it for today’s group training.” Said Kwame calling for them all to gather around him.
“Since yesterday the villagers were so nice to offer us a meal, I believe we should do the same. Luca, as the older son of Mr. Gabriel, would it be ok for us to offer a meal at the city square?” asked Kwame.
“In my father's absence, I’m not the one in charge, Mr. Kwame, but I don’t believe there would be any problems with your suggestion.”
“Alright, we’ll start to prepare everything. If you could check with the villagers while we prepare the food, that would be great!”
“Sure, I can do that for you. I’ll be right back to let you know,” said Luca as he walked slowly towards the village.
“Michelle, let's go” He yelled at his sister.
“Already?? But I’m almost able to tag Zara!! One more hour, please!!”
“You’ll have plenty of time for that, now come.”
“Fine.”
The young girl accompanied her brother away in front of the caravan and everyone.
Meanwhile, in the woods, Bryn and Gabriel started to talk.
When Jonas arrived next to Gabriel, he could feel a tension in the air. His friend had just pointed out Bryn’s positive and negative sides from today’s training. Jonas knew his former brother-in-arms was not someone to offer free feedback to people he didn’t know. What puzzled Jonas was if Gabriel was serious when he said they would help train the faun.
Considering what Bryn brought to the table, it would be a fair deal. Both Gabriel and Jonas could easily train Parkour to at least level 10 and gain many points in dexterity and agility. At their power range, each level still offered the same 10 status points, meaning that for you to gain advantages over rivals, skills, titles, and blessings were the way to go. But one could not simply train a blessing or a title. There were unknown barriers to improving the last two, meaning new skills were the pot of gold at the end of all rainbows for the strong.
“I have a proposal for you, Bryn. You are a level one faun, recently passed your ritual, and are barely a teenager. I’m sure you do not comprehend the value of what you just offered me in the last few hours.” While Gabriel talked, Jonas stood next to the faun, looking at both of them.
Bryn thought about answering, but it felt like waiting for Gabriel to end his speech was the best choice.
“My proposal to you is that your caravan and our village help each other. Jonas and I will help all of you get stronger, but you will be responsible for implementing what you learn in the morning training. That way, we can repay you for today, and our village also gets things in return. What do you say?"
From a business perspective, Gabriel had offered the best type of deal. Everybody won, Gabriel got something he wanted even though he didn’t need it. Bryn got both what he wanted and needed. The caravan was the only passive player that got lucky if Bryn accepted the offer.
Even with Daniel teaching me how to hunt and fight, sparring with Amelia will have limits to my development. Kwame, Daniel, Thrain, Amelia, Zara, and Kaelar can help me develop, but this way they can still help, and we all get a boost from these two monsters…
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Jonas was getting impatient with the kid circling with his hooves and moving his head around.
“Kid, you have no idea the deal you were just offered. If you can point out a single downside, please do it now or just accept it.”
Jonas's words were the nail in the coffin. Bryn couldn’t think of anything to improve what they had just proposed.
“I accept!” Said Bryn.
“Good, we have been here for a long time and lunch should be ready at this point. Let’s get back and tell everyone the news. Remember Bryn, in the same way, we are not going to tell everyone about what you taught us, please refrain from teaching people any of our secrets… Our objective is to improve everyone’s strength, but that is it.” Said Gabriel as he got on his feet and extended his hand to the young faun.
Having no idea what he meant with those words, Bryn just extended his own hands and was shocked at the deal.
“When we arrive, I’ll talk with your leader Kwame, I’m sure he won’t be against our deal.” Both nodded their heads and started going back.
As the three of them walked back to the village, they were received by a crowded square, people from the village and the caravan were sharing a small feast. The whole village was lively as they got to know each other.
The scene made Gabriel smile and let out a small humph. Ever since he started Yurei Village, his goal has been to create a happy and pleasant environment for his kids to enjoy.
As they arrived at the center of the square, people greeted them as they walked past. Kwame was talking with some of the village elders who were at the dinner from the night before when Gabriel, Jonas, and Bryn arrived.
Looking at Bryn, he could not control himself and hugged the faun.
“You guys are back! How was training?” exclaimed Kwame. Next to him came Daniel, holding Kwame’s excitement.
“Looks like our leader had a few too many cups of wine there…”
“Nonsense, I’m just happy we found such a wonderful village for winter.” Said Kwame to Daniel’s grim face.
“It is good for us to be celebrating Kwame.” Said Gabriel, taking a cup of wine for himself and approaching the two.
Pointing to Bryn Gabriel continued. “While we trained, I talked with Bryn over here and I believe we came to an agreement I hope you’ll enjoy.”
From his words, an adrenaline rush sucked all the wine Kwame and Daniel may have consumed away from their heads. Both straightened their posture and shook their heads to get a hold of themselves.
“Please, Mr. Gabriel, go on.” Said Kwame with a different tone from before.
“As long as you guys stay here, we are changing a few things. First, I wish for anyone in the village who wants to train in the morning should be allowed to.”
“That seems ok, we already have a lot of members training and that would also make us closer to your citizens. What else have you thought about?”
“During some of the afternoons, Jonas and I have special lessons for Luca and Michelle. You are now invited to join us, Bryn will be the only one obligated to participate. How is that?”
A silence befell as soon as he finished his sentence, broken only by Kwame’s stuttering and Daniel’s cup falling to the floor.
“Are you saying that you are both going to train us as well?”
“Yes, that is what he is saying. Now stop drooling, you are making us uncomfortable.”
While Kwame could barely contain his happiness, Daniel looked almost angry. He had trained his entire life to become strong, and he knew there were people stronger than himself. But these two used items to prevent others from seeing their level and status. He was not sure about their strength, and without knowledge came arrogance. What did they have to assume he could even be trained by them?
“Yes we acc….” Kwame was about to finish when the sound of metal and leather running across one another came to be.
Kwame looked to his side as his eyes and mouth widened. He couldn’t believe what was unfolding.
With one hand next to his body and the other hand holding his sword towards Gabriel's and Jonas's legs, Daniel exclaimed.
“I could only agree to be trained by someone stronger than myself. There is no way I can accept your terms without a display of our skills.”
“Daniel, that is extremely rude to our hosts. We are having a celebration here, and they just offered to help us. Lower your sword right now.” Kwame said.
The crowds were drawn to the argument and were starting to amass surrounding the five of them.
Luca and Michelle were quick to arrive next to their father. The young girl, looking worried, held her father's leg so tight that grooves appeared on his pants. Luca, on the other hand, looked like he was watching a steak sizzling in a hot pan. The young man couldn’t wait for the scene to unfold.
“I can’t Kwame. We agreed to coexist, it is much different than for them to assume we are weak. Besides, I have already taken my sword out of its sheath. I challenge you, Gabriel, to a duel!”
At that moment, Bryn couldn’t tell if he was excited about the possible duel or worried. There was a chance that the duel culminated in them not staying at the village anymore. Even if they arrived at their destination faster because of it, there was no guarantee that they would have a better opportunity to train than with Gabriel and Jonas.
“I understand where you are coming from, young man. But you have a long way to go yet. Sheath your sword and I can ignore this.” Said Gabriel trying to de-escalate the situation.
“Maybe you can, but I cannot, Gabriel. I Jonas, accept your duel in Gabriel’s name. If I lose, it can be counted as if Gabriel lost, and we retract our offer of training you. But if you lose, you shall clean the stables for a month and not be allowed to train with us during that time.” Said Jonas with a smirk in his face.
I have to do something, we can't simply discard an opportunity like this.
Despite thinking that, Bryn looked at Kwame, who was previously trying to calm Daniel, but his face now told a different story. A calm smile appeared as he heard Jonas's proposition.
“I accept your terms, but I add that if I win, you shall clean the stables in my stead.” Said Daniel.
“I accept as well.”
As both were ready to fight, Gabriel walked in the middle of the two.
“Since both parties have agreed to the duel, we shall continue. The fight will be for first blood. If you can perform a single wound on your opponent, you are victorious. Remember everyone that we are not enemies, just that these two wish to blow off some steam. Now, the duel will happen in one hour, in the meantime you all can finish your meals as we prepare a space for them to duel.” Said Gabriel to everyone.
As he finished announcing the rules, he approached Kwame.
“Now let's prepare a stage for them to duel, I’m sure it is going to be interesting. How about we offer more wine to everyone so they can enjoy the show?” said Gabriel.
“I agree, Mr. Gabriel, let's do it!”