21st of Aprílios (April), Midéra (Wednesday), 834 (Year).

The auditorium was abuzz with subdued chatter as the recruits settled into their seats, waiting for the day's lecture to begin. Among them was Apollyon and his fellow contubernium pals, his curiosity piqued by the prospect of a lecture about monsters. A topic that held immense importance in the world they lived in.

Sat beside him was Willard who seemed to be in pain as he grimaced in silence whilst clutching his right arm.

Apollyon's voice carried a note of concern, "How's your arm, Willard? Holding up okay?"

Willard's smile was strained, his response a mix of determination and discomfort. "It's sore, but I'll manage. Just a small setback" he laughed in an effort to mask his discomfort.

Apollyon's gaze held a touch of amusement as he continued, his tone subtle but deliberate. "Try not to focus too much on contribution points. Remember, it's not just about the task itself, It's about the impact it can have on everything else."

Willard's brow furrowed slightly, his curiosity evident. "Impact? What do you mean?"

Apollyon's expression remained composed, his voice stern but meaningful. "Yesterday's exhaustion from the construction task, for instance. It played a role in today's morning drill."

Willard's eyes widened with realization, his naivety laid bare. "You think that's why the guard singled me out?"

Apollyon nodded, his tone thoughtful as he conveyed his perspective. "It's possible. Guards here seize on any sign of incompetence, your overall readiness shouldn’t be too hampered."

Willard's gaze dropped slightly, a mix of understanding and self-reflection in his eyes. "I hadn't considered that. I just thought I needed to prove myself."

Apollyon's smile was widening, his response measured. "Proving yourself is important, but it's also about making strategic choices. Being prepared means thinking ahead" he concluded leaving Willard to wallow in his thoughts.

As the recruits waited, a figure lazily shuffled to the front of the room. A man with deep-set eye bags and a thin frame, stood before them. His appearance might have been unassuming, but the aura of expertise he carried was undeniable. Upon closer inspection, he had long dark green hair which extended towards his mid back area in a carefree manner. His eyes were an earthly hue of brown adorned with thinning eyebrows which complemented his overall lethargic appearance. Apollyon did not forget to highlight the numerous stress lines that plastered the man’s face which were in stark contrast to his supposed middle-aged complexion. This was the first time the recruits had seen him, and a curious murmur rippled through the room.

The man cleared his throat, his voice gruff as he addressed the assembled recruits. "Good day to all of you. I am decurion James, and today, we delve into a subject that is crucial to your survival; the study of monsters" he emphasized.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the eager faces before him. "In this endeavor, I am not alone. I am joined by Seraphina, who possesses a wealth of knowledge in medicine which is a knowledge that, as you'll soon understand, goes hand in hand with our study of monsters."

At his introduction, Seraphina stepped forward from behind, her presence drawing curious glances. James continued, "You may wonder why a healer is part of a lecture about monsters. Let me clarify – understanding the vulnerabilities of creatures requires knowledge not only of their anatomy but also of their weaknesses that can be exploited. Seraphina's insights into the medical aspects of these creatures are invaluable in our pursuit of survival."

In the midst of this introduction, Apollyon noticed Willard leaning in slightly, a quiet comment reaching his ears. "Hey, isn't that Seraphina? The one we saw at the medical building?"

Apollyon briefly nodded seemingly interested in her appearance; he had long waited for a chance to meet her again.

James stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of experience, weariness and authority. "Monsters, my dear Tiros, are not just fanciful tales to spook you around the campfire. They are living beings, with intricate anatomy that holds secrets to their vulnerabilities. They’re part of the world that extends beyond our walls, a world where understanding is the key to survival."

He motioned to a mobile blackboard at his side, adorned with intricate illustrations of various monsters. "As we delve into this lecture, I'll be referring to these illustrations to provide you with a clearer understanding."

He began with goblins, his voice steady and authoritative. "Take goblins, for example. Their hunched posture might suggest weakness, but their sinewy muscles grant them unexpected agility. Their skin is tough, resistant to minor cuts, but susceptible to fire due to their flammable oils. Their eyes, adapted for dim light, are easily overwhelmed by brightness, rendering them disoriented."

As James spoke, he pointed to the illustrations, emphasizing each detail with a precision born from his years of study. His words were punctuated by Seraphina's interjections, her medical insights complementing his descriptions. "Goblins often carry infections due to their nomadic lifestyle," she added, "so even a minor scratch from their weapons can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly."

Moving on, James delved into kobolds, his gaze fixated on the blackboard. "Kobolds," he began, "sport scales that provide a natural armour, making them resistant to glancing blows. Their jaws, lined with serrated teeth, can inflict deep wounds. They operate in packs, relying on pack mentality for coordinated attacks."

Seraphina's voice joined his, her tone thoughtful. "Their scales often host parasites that can weaken them over time," she shared. "Utilizing their pack dynamics against them and disrupting their hierarchy, can throw them off balance and create openings for counterattacks."

Wargs were next, James's words conjuring images of ferocious predators. "Wargs are predators driven by instinct," he explained, "their powerful jaws and sharp teeth designed for rending flesh. Their keen sense of smell enables them to track prey for miles."

Seraphina's insight intertwined seamlessly. "Their sense of smell is heightened due to scent glands in their paws," she added. "Exploiting their acute senses with strategically placed bait or using certain herbs to mask our scent can be a tactical advantage."

As the lecture continued, the blackboard became a canvas of knowledge, each monster dissected through James's descriptions and Seraphina's medical lens. The auditorium was alive with the exchange of insights, recruits scribbling notes and absorbing the information like sponges, whilst Apollyon took mental notes adding to his Encyclopaedia.

Apollyon's focus remained sharp, his gaze shifting between the blackboard and the instructors. The collaboration between James and Seraphina was a dance of expertise, weaving together the intricacies of anatomy and medicine, vulnerabilities and strategies.

James's lecture had held the recruits in thrall, each word carving a deeper understanding of the monsters they might face. But as the lecture reached its peak, a sense of intrigue seemed to hang in the air, a promise of something more.

As the anticipation built, James's gaze shifted to his assistants, a subtle nod passing between them. With precise coordination, the assistants accompanied by a lone guard, wheeled in a covered object onto the stage, shrouded in secrecy.

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“Tiros, I have a surprise and a gift for all of you” James deliberated.

Apollyon's curiosity was piqued, his eyes narrowing as he tried to discern the nature of the surprise. Whispers rippled through the ranks of recruits, a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

With deliberate finesse, James stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. He gestured to his assistants, and in one synchronized motion, the cloth concealing the object was drawn away, revealing a bound goblin – a living, breathing example of their subject matter.

The room fell into stunned silence. Before them was a goblin, its struggles against the ropes and gag a visceral manifestation of the creatures they had just been learning about. The goblin wore nothing but a loincloth, its emaciated form accentuating its vulnerability. Its attempts to communicate were a mixture of muffled sounds, unintelligible and haunting.

As the cloth fell away, a beam of harsh light from the auditorium's ceiling flooded the stage, bathing the goblin in its intense glow. The effect was immediate, the goblin's eyes, adapted to dimmer environments, were overwhelmed by the sudden brightness. It recoiled, its struggles intensifying as it tried to shield its eyes from the unrelenting light.

Apollyon's gaze remained fixed on the spectacle, his mind racing to reconcile the knowledge he had just absorbed with the reality before him. This was no longer a theoretical lecture; it was a tangible encounter with the subject matter.

James's voice broke the silence, steady and authoritative. "Behold! What you see before you is a goblin – a living creature, driven by its instincts, its survival. This," he continued, his hand indicating the bound goblin, "is the culmination of our study today."

He turned to Seraphina, whose presence had become an integral part of the lecture. "Seraphina, would you care to shed light on the medical aspects of such encounters?"

Seraphina stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the goblin. "The goblin's physiology is a testament to the challenges it presents," she began. "Its emaciated form suggests a nomadic lifestyle, scavenging for sustenance. The ragged skin, prone to infections, is a reminder of the harsh environments it navigates."

As she spoke, her words wove a connection between the theoretical knowledge they had gained and the creature before them. It was a visceral reminder that these were not just abstract concepts, but the realities of a world fraught with danger.

Apollyon's thoughts were a whirlwind, his mind grappling with the convergence of theory and reality. The bound goblin was a testament to the complexity of their studies, a tangible embodiment of the vulnerabilities and strengths they were learning to exploit.

But as the lecture continued, another aspect of the goblin's nature came to light. The creature's attention seemed to shift, its gaze locking onto Seraphina with a disturbing intensity. It wasn't long before its actions became clear, a visible bulge rose from its loincloth, its instincts betraying its inherent nature.

Seraphina's voice, calm and professional, cut through the momentary tension. "As we delve into understanding these creatures, it's essential to remember that their behaviours are driven by instinctual impulses. This, too, is a part of their nature that we must comprehend."

The recruits shifted uneasily especially the girls who numbered few, the atmosphere taking an unexpected turn. The lecture had evolved from theory to an immersive experience, forcing them to confront the complexities of the creatures they would face.

This rawness that left a lasting impression was a profound lesson the recruits refused to forget. The recruits continued to watch, absorbed in the spectacle before them, as the goblin's struggles and Seraphina's insights came together to paint a vivid picture of the world they were preparing to face.

As the lecture progressed, James's meticulous approach delved into the goblin's anatomy, leaving no stone unturned. With a precision that held the audience's rapt attention, he demonstrated the resilience of the creature's skin by using a variety of tools to pierce it, drawing thin lines of blood. Each demonstration was met with a mix of fascination and unease, the reality of their studies made tangible before their eyes.

"Observe closely," James's voice resonated through the auditorium, "the goblin's skin, while tough, is not invulnerable. Note how the tools interact with it, revealing the underlying vulnerabilities."

He moved with deliberate care, narrating as he worked. "It’s skin offers a measure of protection, but it also has its limits. Here," he continued pointing at the Goblins armpits, a pinprick of blood forming as a needle punctured the skin, "is a point of weakness. A strategic strike aimed here can bypass its defences."

Seraphina's presence remained a steady counterpoint, her insights dovetailing with James's observations. "A creature's anatomy tells a story," she remarked. "The goblin's unique traits are both its strengths and its vulnerabilities. Understanding these nuances is essential for effective combat."

With a controlled precision, James shifted his focus to a new aspect – the goblin's inherent weakness to light. He conjured a handheld light source, its intense beam illuminating the stage. As the harsh light flooded the area, the goblin's reaction was immediate. It recoiled, its bound form twisting and contorting in an attempt to escape the blinding radiance.

"Observe," James's voice cut through the tension, "the goblin's sensitivity to light. Its eyes are adapted to dimmer environments, and sudden exposure to brightness disorients it. This is a vulnerability that can be exploited to gain the upper hand."

The recruits watched as the goblin's struggles intensified, its feeble attempts to shield its eyes from the overwhelming light a poignant demonstration of its vulnerability. The stark contrast between the creature's natural habitat and the auditorium's illumination was a tangible reminder of the complexities they were learning to navigate.

Amid the reactions of the goblin, James's explanations flowed seamlessly. "Light can be a powerful tool in combat. By blinding a goblin, you can disrupt its movements and gain a crucial advantage. A well-timed use of light can turn the tide of a confrontation."

But the lecture didn't stop at vulnerabilities; it encompassed strategy as well. "The quickest way to incapacitate a goblin," James continued, his tone matter-of-fact, "is by targeting its throat or its skull. Swift and decisive strikes can neutralize the threat it poses."

Apollyon absorbed the lesson, his mind connecting the theoretical knowledge with the visceral demonstration. It was a stark reminder that in their world, adaptability and resourcefulness were key to survival. The goblin's struggles, illuminated by the stark light, served as a haunting symbol of the fine balance between life and the challenges that came with it.

With the goblin demonstration concluded, James's assistants efficiently moved to take the creature away, returning the stage to its former state. As the recruits absorbed the profound lesson, James seamlessly transitioned to a new topic – monster adaptation. His tone carried a weight of importance as he addressed the crowd.

"Tiros," his voice resonated, "just as humans adapt to their surroundings and challenges, so do monsters. The creatures we face aren't stagnant; they evolve, develop new features, and adjust to better survive their environments."

"Take, for instance, the goblin's inherent weakness to light. While it may seem like a straightforward vulnerability, the forces of adaptation can come into play. Over time, if goblins are exposed repeatedly to bright light, they may evolve mechanisms to resist or mitigate its effects. Their skin could become thicker, more resistant, or they might develop ways to shield their eyes."

He paced across the stage, his gaze locking onto the faces of the recruits. "This adaptation poses a dual threat. On one hand, it ensures their survival, making them more adept at hunting and defending themselves. On the other, it complicates our efforts to combat them effectively."

James's words held a somber gravity, the implications of monster adaptation sinking in. "The danger lies in the fact that our strategies, weapons, and techniques might become less effective over time. Monsters can learn, evolve, and counter our approaches, making them even more challenging adversaries."

The recruits listened intently, the significance of their future battles taking on a new dimension. The realization that their foes could not only learn but also adapt to their tactics created a sense of urgency. Each battle, each encounter, became not just a test of strength, but also a battle of wits and adaptability.

"And let us not forget," James's voice grew even more solemn, "that there are creatures out there we haven't encountered especially those locked behind dimensional gates, creatures that have evolved in ways we can't predict. As monsters adapt, new species emerge, and our knowledge is limited by what we've encountered so far."

His words carried a sense of sobering truth. "This is why individuals like myself are essential. We delve into the mysteries of monster carcasses, analyzing every detail to gain insight into their strengths, weaknesses, and evolutionary paths. It's a race against time, as each discovery we make aids in humanity's survival."

Apollyon felt the weight of responsibility deepening within him. The understanding that they were on the frontlines of a constantly shifting battle, facing opponents that adapted and evolved, was both daunting and motivating.

"In essence," James continued, "we must remain vigilant and adaptable ourselves. Our understanding of monsters is a double-edged sword. While it arms us with knowledge, it also forces us to constantly evolve our approaches. We can't afford complacency in our battles, as the creatures we face are relentless in their pursuit of survival."

Finally, James stood still on the spot inspecting every recruit with a scrutinizing gaze as he looked left to right, nodding to himself before he finished the lecture with a final sentence; “Always be prepared for the unknown."

Apollyon's mind raced as he absorbed James's words. The dynamic nature of their adversaries added a layer of complexity to their training. The need for versatility and a readiness to adjust strategies on the fly became all the more critical.

As the other recruits began to disperse, Apollyon turned to Willard and told him that he would catch up later before he stood up and marched to the front of the auditorium.