It was in the second week where their endurance was truly put to the test.

Even if the the first week eased them into a hard routine, it paled in comparison to the stringent demands of Mortal Transcendence.

Leonardo based their core physical training and diet on the proven methodology of ascetic monks. While he didn’t teach them special combat maneuvers, they still had to learn breathing techniques and self-control through a variety of hand exercises.

A few weeks would naturally prove insufficient to enhance their athleticism and nimbleness, but they had to start somewhere. He expected that within a few months they would have excellent hand coordination and reactions.

What caused the children to groan in misery wasn’t the physical exercises, however. It was the mental ones.

Being forced to learn to read and write, as well as use the abacus to calculate, the children would much rather run another mile or do core training against the waves.

Alas, if there was one thing week two ingrained in them — it was obedience.

Leonardo pulled one out of Anabella’s book and beat the shit out of them if they didn’t listen. Given his martial expertise, it was a piece of cake to make it hurt just enough. All without actually causing muscle or bone injury — their echoing screams attested to pigs being slaughtered.

With such loud repetitions, the rules were gradually ironed out and they went out of their way to remember and follow the guidelines.

They say there’s no honor among thieves, but Leonardo made sure to learn from the proverb and work to prove otherwise. Guiding the children to strive towards unity, he also established several rules to reinforce the community.

Other than rules in regards to hierarchy obedience, hygiene norms and training attendance, he also established a fairly modern work ethos. For example, there was little discrimination among genders, be it in terms of rewards or punishment. While their physical training was less demanding, they dealt with more of the handiwork.

Girls cohabited with boys during the day, but at night they slept in clearly segregated areas. While Leonardo was not adverse to them forming couples, he was equally aware of the problems it could cause if the matter was mishandled. He ensured the peacocks respected no for an answer and quickly taught them self-control if it was lacking.

As they entered the third week, the guild’s structure became well defined and understood. The guild would have resident staff who dealt with security, procuring food and other menial duties. Other than that, there were 3 groups of thieves.

Generally, a single cell was made of a spotter, a pickpocket, a carrier and a backup. The roles were self-explanatory. The spotter was usually the brightest and knew how to pick targets or threats. The pickpocket needed to be deft-handed and witty. He would then pass on the loot to the carrier if necessary, who would get away with the spoils. The backup would intervene in any eventuality which left the pickpocket exposed.

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Throughout the third week, Leonardo ran various scenarios for them, and had each of them practice the play over and over again, until it more or less became natural to them.

The three groups of thieves would suffice. The less able ones would focus on gathering information for Leonardo. At his request, they paid attention to a few important sectors. Namely, the port and the noble quarters.

There were a few urchins who knew how to read and write already, so he had them note down the name of each ship that made it in and out of port, as well as their cargo if it could be identified. The children had no clue how it could be useful, but Lord Prometheus ordered, so they could only obey.

Another role he set up was the guide. They would be posted around the harbor and offer to guide merchants and nobles through Valetta upon arrival. It was an unexplored stream of revenue, and while it might not be much — any money was good money.

Additionally, they might pick up on information through conversations. Erudite children like Sana were perfectly suited to the role, and could even act as translator intermediaries.

Lastly, as it was a commune system after all, everyone had to bring their spoils back to the cove at dusk. The whole guild would only function as long as they treated it as a tribe and didn’t hoard supplies.

Frankly, Leonardo expected some tidbits to slip through the cracks, but it was unavoidable. As long as they didn’t forget the greater good, it would be acceptable to him.

A carefully crafted merits system was established, much more complex than the one at the orphanage. Mainly because Leo planned to have limited involvement with the guild, he set up a lasting framework so that Sana and Fino could take care of things even in his absence.

Merits were calculated in terms of points, the worth of spoils somewhat equivalent to the tari system. Routine information had a base cost, with special details sometimes afforded a bonus. Thieves would turn in their spoils, which were then fenced by whoever was the greatest negotiator. The guides would also turn in their tips to be redistributed. Manual work around the camp, security and other menial duties would also be paid for with points.

Other than subtracting a monthly sum of points from each individual for camp housing and food, they could also convert their points into silver tari. Additionally, there were craftworks available for purchase.

Among the most desired one was the Thief’s Glove, something Leo designed in passing yet somehow became super popular among the kids. It was merely some black leather with a claw-like contraption that could make skin-deep cuts or snip purses, but to the thief cells it was the ultimate sign of prestige and cost months’ worth of points.

Out of his original expectations, the camp turned more and more into a sect-like organization or a tribe, rather than the thief’s guild he aimed for initially. But seeing their earnest expectations and blooming relationships, Leonardo went with the flow and didn’t intervene too much. As long as his karma seeds grew and their fates were altered for the better, he would be content.

As their bootcamp ended, he etched their name in stone calligraphy « Manus Umbra », along with a bizzare cult symbol they seemed to resonate to. Trying to resist their infectious cheers, he smiled beneath the Promethean mask as he surveyed the complete tower with pride.

Then, just as he appeared that night from the shadows — he departed unseen, letting the thieves grasp fate in their own hand.