Vessalius is back again on the training course or on his terms, the devilish training and obstacle course. He surveyed the new and improved training course atop the starting line. The first obstacle was the same as before. The second course is now heavily jacked with booby traps, protruding spears and arrows and the spinning blades of doom has been discarded but in exchange, it now has a spitting flame thrower which goes off every 5 seconds. The 3rd training course looks like an army drill course where scorpion ballistae would fire upon on each sides and is only a straight line course. The 4th obstacle course is like an arena. On the sides are mages good with summoning magic. The 5th and final course is just like the 4th course but empty. The exception would be the instructor is inside of it.

With a whistle in hand, the instructor yelled aloud so that he can hear him from afar.

"ON MY WHISTLE BOY!! READY!!"

Vessalius readies himself in a running stance on the starting line.

The instructor whistled a huge sound indicating the start of the course. The soldiers including Knight Google immediately closed their ears out of reflex from the huge whistle sound.

With the blow on the whistle, Vessalius dashes out from the starting line to the first course.

He arrives at the logs in the water. He jumps swiftly from log to log. He calculated his jumps. He was jumping like a kangaroo, moving as swift as a ninja, he perfectly moves arriving at the geyser section of the first course and passes through before the geyser shoots with ease unlike his first try from before. This time, he realized that there was no balls of water jumping everywhere and shooting him so he thought that trap would be in the end section.

While watching the image akin to cctv due to the the mages magic, the instructor, Lance, was awed struck. He knew that this was his fastest in the geyser section. Knight Gale just raised an eyebrow.

After passing the geyser section, he continued to dash towards the end line of the first course. As he thought the trap that was supposed to be in the geyser section when you pass has been put in the end section. Balls of water arise from the pool and attacked while Vessalius continued to dash without stopping. Vessalius takes out his wooden sword and spins it in a circular motion by using his one hand in front of him and he arrived in the end line of the first course soon after without breaking a sweat.

Lance whistled to himself while Knight Gale was expressionless unlike earlier when he got teased for being called Google.

"Your young trainee is very exceptional and amazing." Gale said amazed.

"I'm amazed as much as you are Google." Lance said with amazement as well. He couldn't contain his smile.

The truth of the matter is that while Lance and his wife were asleep on the house, Vessalius sneaks out and takes a little bit of time to train his physical and mental attributes to increase for a bit. After the skill incident which he suddenly got a bit of attention from other users, he renewed his sense of determination. After all, it will be in his hands. The hands whether he got exiled, Lance being fired as hellish instructor or not. In the real world terms, drill sergeant.

"I wish our knights were like him."

"That makes two of us Google."

"Please for the nth time, do not call me that. Think of my status even for a bit."

"Yeah yeah."

Both of them continued to glue on the course particularly, on Vessalius himself as he arrived on the second obstacle course.

Just like the last time, the second obstacle course has a feel of a huge labyrinth. Traps everywhere, this was a skill warning coming from his Foresight skill. The place is rigged with booby traps everywhere.

He avoided protruding spikes, arrows, pitfalls, closing walls with minimum efficiency of his body. He feels that even the dreaded kitchen sink can be avoided though the sink can only be realized on cartoons. But on the contrary, a kitchen sink did appear, in his face that is. He was shocked thereby stopping a margin of a second but due to his Foresight skill, he dodges it in the nick of time with his nose almost touching it. Vessalius continues forth dodging every trap he comes across. Lance curses as his trap was skillfully dodged while Gale looked at him with astonishing eyes.

"Lance...really now? The old kitchen sink trap?" Gale looks at Lance with amazed eyes.

"Well you know me Google. Always expect the unexpected." Lance replied and pissed off a little.

"Yes but contrary to your 'expect the unexpected' words, he magnificently dodged that very unusual trap."

"Quite indeed Google that's why I'm pissed off. Who knew my wonderful and unexpected trap got skillfully dodged. He has great dynamic vision. Don't you agree Google?"

"I agree. He has great reflexes, instinct, calm head and great dynamic vision.The kingdom needs people like him."

While instructor and knight continues their conversation, Vessalius finally arrives at the parting section. In regards to the two-way branching of the paths before, there was now a three-way path now. Since he surveyed the obstacle course properly atop the starting line, he knows where to go.

He continues his running speed and starts to go left on the parting section. He saw the exit of the second course but blocking him are moving walls that would flatten him like pancakes and the statue that spits fire he saw on the starting line. He continued and didn't try to think about it.

He passes the first moving wall before he got flattened then he on reflex jumped on the floor because the floor he jumped suddenly opens and under the floors are spikes. He then passes the succeeding walls and traps and finally arrives at the exit of the second obstacle course. The last impediment on his way entering the exit is the statue which spits off fire. He didn't stop running because the moment he stops, he would be barbecued. He takes out his wooden sword as if a duel was imminent. The statue spews off fire and Vessalius with a slashing pose invoked a little bit of his mana and swung his sword.

"GETSUGA TENSHOU!!!" Vessalius yelled as he activates his skill.

With an exploding exchange of power, the fire was split magnificently including the statue which got cleanly split in two. In exchange, his wooden sword got broken. The wooden sword broke because it was an inferior weapon and couldn't handle the power. With that, Vessalius exits the second course.

Lance and Gale continues their conversation after seeing Vessalius exits the second obstacle course and dashing off towards the third course.

"I dare say Lance, that boy clearly has the potential in the kingdom to be one of the top if not highest in terms of power."

"Well tell me about it. The lad has been training his ass off. He thinks I didn't notice him leaving the house in the dead of night just to go a stroll in the dead of night(training)."

"After his quest for the king, we must recruit him."

"I wonder about that Google. I'm pretty sure he'll reject your offer."

Gale tilts his head in puzzlement. "How can you be sure Lance?"

"Because I'm damn sure."

Gale just made an expression that was saying 'I give up' to Lance.

Lance and Gale once again looked to the image screen where they just saw Vessalius entering the third obstacle course.

The third training course is composed of walkways, a slope going in a sharp uphill, a wall with ropes in it and a straight line. So to speak it was like a spitting image of an army drill in the real word. Before attempting to do the third course, he stopped on his tracks because he heard a familiar sound.

*Ding*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to controlling your breathing, your vitality has increased by 1.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dashing around in the training course, made you a little faster than before. Your agility has increased by 1.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pushing yourself to the limits has stretched your lung capacity even longer than before. Your vitality has increased by 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a pop up messages alerting him that his vitality and agility were increased. For now he didn't look at his overall stats because there was an obstacle to finish and time to beat. He continued to dash as he enters the 3rd training course of doom.

As he enters the third course, there were 2 walkways he could take but since he the course is just a straight line, he just continued dashing and immediately chose the lower walkway. As soon as he entered the lower walkway, dozens of protruding spears are appearing on the floor. He calculated them to be 3 to 5 seconds. With his reflex and finesse, he was able to dodge all of the spears and he soon arrived in the section of the sharp uphill. He looked upwards on the hill and he recognized that it was wet, slippery, probably oil. There were only 3 long ropes as your usage to move forward. During his training, he read about a swordsman that uses his mana to control the soles of his feet so that he can balance his standing. He knows the theory but with his control mana at the moment, he might be unable to do it. So in order to bypass this slippery sharp upwill, he thought of enveloping his whole feet with mana. He doesn't have much practice in controlling his mana but well as they say "desperate times call for desperate measures".

After enveloping his feet with mana, he charged again and jumped as high as he can, then grabbing the rope, he immediately gained a foothold. His feet with mana sticked on the floor as he pulled himself forward. He almost didn't make it because his control of mana on his feet suddenly run out as he continued to dash off with the next section.

Gale and Lance nodded their heads together. The only way for him to move forward was indeed to envelop the soles of the feet but with his control of mana lacking, this much is acceptable in their eyes.

Vessalius was almost at the exit of the 3rd course. He is now currently doing the wall exercise and literally finished them no sweat at all. The last stretch for the 3rd course was a straight line. He recognized that there were two big round shields just at the entrance of the last course. He foresaw the meaning of the shields and the event that will be happening. Equipping the shields were heavy than it looks but because of his high amount of strength, it was no problem at all. As he moved towards the straight line, he saw some kind of ballistae left and right. A ballista was a kind of siege weapon used for sieging castles and also used for defending them. Since they were slow, he dashed forth but things didn't exactly go as he thought. The ballistae attacked and with rapid succession at that. Fast and repeating like a gatling gun in the real world. His mind played with him saying to stop and defend himself but contrary to his mind, he didn't stop at all and continued dashing. If he stopped there, he would be the first porcupined player in the world of Royal Road. He remembered watching a tv segment about ballistas that if it could be incorporated in a modernized way, it would be the gatling gun. He didn't get the name at that time since he went to the bathroom.

'For now, I'll call you gatling ballista'. Vessalius thought as he continued dashing with the shields equipped on his left and right hands.

He was almost out of breath because he was running without stopping. His body is saying stop and take a rest but he ignored his body and continued to dash towards the exit. The first porcupined player in the world will be a reality if he stopped. His foresight alerted him of the arrow aimed at his feet. The arrow was dodged by jumping. He was like a ball in midair and the ballista fired him also in mid-air but due to the shields, he got off no problem. As soon as he landed, he used his body correctly to roll for a few seconds. His trick worked perfectly and finally passed the last line of ballista. He dumped the shields on the side as he exited and went towards the arena like 4th course.

Gale immediately talked again with Lance after they saw Vessalius passing the 3rd course.

"So what do you think of the current Vessalius Lance?" Knight Gale asked

"What do you mean what do I think? Lance tilted his head seeming puzzled.

"Don't play dumb Lance. What I meant is that can the boy finish the subjugation quest given by the king?"

"Ah, so that's what you meant."

*sigh* "Yes that is what I meant."

"Hmm..."

Lance pondered for a bit as he searched for an answer to Gales question.

"..."

Gale was just silent as he waited for his answer.

"Do you want an honest answer Google?" Lance said

"..."

Gale was just silent. 'Of course I want an honest answer' was the words he was supposed to say but didn't say it. Lance didn't get the time to answer because he now entered the 4th course. His answer got interrupted when both of them saw Vessalius entering the 4th obstacle course. The dome like arena.

As soon as he entered the 4th obstacle course, he was welcomed by 5 mages good in summoning magic.

"Greetings Trainee Vessalius and we welcome you to the 4th obstacle course." said the middle mage.

"Greetings good and humble magi. I do not see any obstacle courses. What is the task I must do to pass your course?" Vessalius asked the mages.

"In order for you to pass us trainee. We will give you a set of challenges. You must pass 3 out of 5 challenges given from us and of course this is already permitted by the humble instructor." said the first mage going to the left.

"Choose...which one of us will start your challenge?" said the second mage going to the right.

Vessalius pondered which one would he choose to start his challenge.

"What do you think will he do Lance?" Gale asked.

"His choice? Hmm, I guess since he's objective is time, he'll challenge them to a 1 vs 5 match." Lance said as if it's a matter of fact.

"What nonsense are yo-"

"How about this honorable mages. Instead of choosing one of you, how about I challenge you 5 to a battle. Since I'm short on time, I will challenge you 5 to a battle."

The mages were flabbergasted to what they have heard. Even Gale was surprised. What Lance said was right on the money.

"Do you expect us to believe you still have the energy to challenge us, the 5 pillar mages of the kingdom? To a battle to boot?" said the first mage to the right

"Well, I'm pretty sure I still have the energy left to spare honorable mages." Vessalius said with a strong tone.

The mages could see that there was no use talking to the trainee so they deliberate with each other to conclude their answer towards his challenge.

"Do you think Vessalius still got some fight left in him Lance? Gale asked once again.

"He's got some fight left in him. You can tell by the look in his eyes Google." Lance said as he pointed on the image.

Gale was speechless to what is happening. He noticed the will to fight in his eyes. A fire that will be hard to snuff out. Even the strongest would maybe bow down towards a tenacious opponent. Though in this image, the only tenacious part is his persevering attitude and determination. He still remembers the promise to complete the story book about the cursed swordsman of the late Arpen Kingdom.

"Very well honorable trainee. You have shown us a die-hard attitude and we cannot simply back down after facing us with a huge fighting spirit. But there is only one condition for this." said the middle mage

"And what is this condition honorable magi?" Vessalius asked.

"To honor your tenacious fighting spirit, in respect with your energy, we will only fight you on a battle of wits." the second mage going to the left said

"A battle of wits?" Vessalius replied with a word of question.

"Yes trainee. A battle of wits." said the second mage going to the right

"A swordsman is composed of many aspects. One of them is there mind. How well you use your mind can also be instilled on your techniques. It is not always about brute strength though I concur that brute strength is also needed." the middle mage said in a calm tone.

"I see. Then I accept your terms O honorable mages." Vessalius said to them.

"Very well trainee. Here are the rules." the first mage going to the left said

The middle mage summoned a desk and chair made of earth and pointed me to sit there. Then one of the mages came forward with a paper in hand and put it on the desk. The conclusion of their battle of wits. A written exam.

"........"

"The rules are simple trainee. Answer the questions listed on the paper and you may pass this section of the obstacle course. The passing mark is 7 so be sure to answer them correctly." said the second mage from the far right.

Vessalius was speechless. Who would have thought there would be a kind of exam in a game. And to boot, it was a written exam. The other mage came forward and gave me a quill pen but no ink. As soon as they saw my confused faced, the 2nd mage going to the left explained why there was no ink.

"The quill we gave you is a special one. It doesn't need ink to write letters." the middle mage said in a strange tone.

Vessalius looked at the test paper. It has 10 questions and it is based on the history of the game. The questions were...

1. What is the name of the kingdom that has unified the continent for the first time?

2. What is the lost kingdom of the northern continent that was invaded by monsters?

3. The name of the goddess that is said to be tied with love beauty, abundance and is also one of the major churches of the continent?

4. It was said that the first emperor of the continent was loved by his people and was rumored to have a hobby of making sculptors, true or false?

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

5. He was the most prominent mages of his time but has fallen with grace due to his dabble with the dark arts. He has been temporarily weakened and has been recuperating his powers. Who is this?

6. There has been a legend about a floating city and that it can only be accessed by a special path. Is this rumor true or false?

7. He was said to be a prominent sculptor of the modern era during his time and was famously well known for his beautiful and detailed sculptors. Who is he?

8. Do you know this person that is said to be revered as a sage and was also titled Star of Wisdom due to his many knowledge of things. Who is this sage?

9. It was said that without the acts of this person, the greatest necromancer of all time would have been freely invading all of the known kingdoms. Due to his courageous acts, a religion has been made in honor of his name. Who is this brave person?

10. It was said that under his banner, equality and peace has been made. He was also crowned as emperor due to his acts of unifying the whole continent. Who is this emperor that has unified the continent?

Vessalius face sweated all over. Due to his hard training, he hasn't got the time to read lots of books. Let alone the history of the game world. This is a difficult question to answer. He looked at the mages and they looked blankly at him as if the conclusion has been made already. 'He will fail' was written all over the 5 mages' faces. Vessalius made a glaring eye at them but the mages did not budge or flinch on his glaring look. Gale again looked at Lance and made another conversation.

"Who knew you would be asking the 5 Pillar Mage of the kingdom for this overbearing course of yours." Gale said then made a sigh

*Laughing* "And you think I was all brawns on my course part. Well Google? Did your mind changed or is it still the same? Lance replied.

"No my friend, my outlook towards you still hasn't changed. Still, I'm amazed the king has given you permission to use them as a part of your, *Gale raised his two hands and raised 2 fingers each on his hands and bended them* doomish exercise course."

Lance was fuming and quickly retorted on his friends comment about his course.

"Grr...I'll make you try this course someday you snot-nosed brat."

"It would be my pleasure to destroy your course to its roots my friend Lance."

While both of them argued, Vessalius starts answering the things he know, particularly, numbers 1 and 10. Then continued answering the paper by using his meager knowledge of the history of the game. It took 15 minutes for him to answer all 10 questions on the paper after raising his hand, signaling the mages that he was finished. When the mages saw his answers, they made their eyes wide as if they are not expecting for him to pass. His answers were...

1. Arpen Kingdom

2. How should I know? I'm just new to the city

3. Freya

4. True

5. Barkhan

6. True

7. Zhahab

8. Rodriguez (PS: He lives in the city so of course I knew him)

9. Lu

10. The late emperor Geihar von Arpen

The middle mage gave the final conclusion of their battle. He passed. His score was 7. Excluding his answer on number 2, numbers 5 and 7 was wrong due to their names being spelled incorrectly. Vessalius made a pose saying "oh yeah, I passed" and "in your faces".

The 4 of the 5 mages made a glaring eye on him. The middle mage opened the way to his final course with his powers. He gave him his blessings for he is about to finish the course. Vessalius ran towards the exit as he made his way to his final destination and finish line.

"It seems your trainee has passed the mages test of wits." Gale said while making a smiling face.

"Grr...who would have thought that he would be able to pass those old geezers test." Lance said in a fuming tone.

"You do realize you are a geezer yourself my friend." Gale said with a smile.

"Shut up Google." Lance retorted on his friend.

Both of them argued back and forth for a couple of seconds then stopped when Gale made a new conversation topic.

"You are the last obstacle for this course of yours my friend. What will be your test to him?" Gale questioned him

"Well, just wait and see Google." Lance said beaming with confidence.

As soon as Lance said his words to his friend, they finally noticed him coming out of the path.

Vessalius saw the instructor, beaming with confidence while his friend known as Knight Gale or called Google by the instructor. Lance steps forward blocking his path.

"Congratulations lad for making it this far. I'm sure your very proud of yourself knowing that you have passed all of my tricks and hard obstacles." Lance said with a booming tone

"Thank you for your words instructor." Vessalius said while breathing hard then made a follow up comment. "But you do realize that I am not clearly finished with your obstacle course."

*Laughing* "Spoken like a true warrior lad. Indeed the obstacle course is not yet finished. I am your last obstacle for this course and if you can pass my challenge, you are officially finished with the course."

"So *pant* honorable instructor *pant* what is *pant* your challenge for me?" Vessalius said while panting hard.

"Catch your breath lad, no need to rush. Relax yourself for now because you will need all the air you can get for my challenge."

When Vessalius heard the word relax and catch your breath, his legs gave out therefore sitting on the floor and his legs spread out.

"For now, you don't need to talk and just listen to me for now lad." Lance said to him who was sitting on the floor exhausted

Vessalius nodded, barely have the energy left to even talk properly to him.

"My challenge lad, is for you to take this item away from me."

Lance showed him an item. It has 2 small beads with a bell attached on it and a small tie. From his perspective of real world items, this item could either be a keychain, a christmas decor or some kind of heirloom.

"How the heck can I get that from you. I'm exhausted to the very bone here while you are still in your peak condition." Vessalius retorted on his challenge.

"That is why I will give you a handicap lad." Lance said with confidence.

"A handicap?" Vessalius said as he tilts his head.

"Yes lad, a handicap. You do not need to take it away from me. You just need to remove this away from my hands. It is considered your win as long as this item doesn't drop on the floor. You can also attack me in anyway you want. You can hit me in order for you to get the item."

"You sure are confident with yourself instructor."

"Of course I am lad. While you are exhausted, I'm still in tip top shape. Plus I'm sure you will have a hard time taking this thing away from me."

"Right...I suppose I'll take that on your offer instructor."

"Good. Whenever you are ready boy."

"Well then allow me to start instructor."

Vessalius takes out another wooden sword from his inventory and starts charging all of his mana.

"GETSUGA TENSHOU!!!!" Vessalius yells as he activates the skill.

Using all of his mana, he swung his infused wooden sword sideways instead of dropping it down on the ground. Lance unexpected of the way to use the skill, accidentally throws the item in an upward arc and in the process, avoids the attack as well.

Vessalius saw the chance as and made a dashing charge to catch the item. The item is almost a few feet away. He made a baseball like save to catch the item. But instead of the item in question, he catched a crumpled paper ball. Vessalius got back on his feet and uncrumpled the paper ball. What he noticed was...a drawing of a face. There was one finger pointing in his eye and a tongue slipping out.

".............."

*Laughing* "Bet you didn't see that coming did ya boy?" Lance said as he laughed on his efforts to save the said item.

"I knew I couldn't trust you instructor. You told me I could hit you." Vessalius made a retorting comment.

"Ha!? As if I'll let you hit me you idiot. I said you can hit me but I didn't say that I can't dodge your attacks now can I?" Lance said as he continued to laugh and juggled the item on his hand.

With his fuming anger, Vessalius charges forth to grab the item Lance was juggling but he didn't make it. Lance tossed the item to his other hand and perfectly catches it.

He tried again and again for 30 minutes but to no avail. The instructor despite way past his prime is still on top of his game. He outwits Vessalius on every move he makes.

"Giving up so soon lad?" Lance said with a confident tone.

"I'm...not...giving...up...so easily." Vessalius said who is now lying on the floor while breathing hard

"Hahahaha. You've got spunk lad I'll give you that. Swordsman never quits even if the sword is broken."

"I still have one last trump card to use against you instructor."

"Hahaha, trump card eh. Well bring it on lad. I'll smash that trump card of yours to smithereens."

"Very well then instructor."

"Just go on with your trump card already."

As soon as he heard those words, he stood up and took a deep mouthful of air and stored it to his lungs.

The instructor for some reason got alerted to what he was doing and took a stance for the first time. Gale took a sharp look in anticipation to what he will do to the instructor. 'Will he be doing a sound magic...?' were one of the words that was playing on his mind.

Lance being impatient urges Vessalius to be faster. "When will you be doing the trump card lad. I'm getting impatient here."

'Ah...there was one incident that happened though the events aren't exactly like this.' Gale thought again.

When Vessalius couldn't store anymore air on his lungs, he finally blew it all out...by yelling that is.

"MADAM!!! OLD MAN LANCE IS TEASING AND BULLYING ME AGAIN WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH" Vessalius yelled in a crying tone.

The yell was so loud that even some of the soldiers closed their ears by using their hands.

"Wha-" Lance was so surprised he couldn't complete his sentence.

Then with a hint of idea, Gale put his blocked fist in the palm of his other hand.

"So that was his idea." Gale said laughing.

Outside the trainers hall, a booming sound could be heard from a few blocks away. Judging by this scenario, the wife of the instructor, Lance, was currently on her way here.

"O-O-Okay kid you win, now stop yelling." Lance said in a terrifying voice.

"NOOOOOO!!! YOU TEASED ME TOO MUCH UWAAAAAAAAAHHHH" Vessalius yelled again in a crying tone.

Gale moved to their location with a fit of laugh. "Hahahaha, well now my friend, are you ready to meet your piper?"

"D-d-don't joke around Google." Lance replied.

"Oh, did you just teased me?" Gale said with a grin

"Wha-" Lance stuttered and unable to form a sentence due to what he has done.

"I guess I would issue a complaint to your lovely wife as well it seems." in a grin smile but no closer to an evil smile, Gale said.

"Do you want me die!?" Lance said to his friend.

"Yes err I mean just a payback at least." Gale said in a smile so dazzling it was blinding.

"Did you just said yes to my retort!?" Lance said in panic mode.

"UWAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Vessalius turned around to block his face and made a crying sound. There were drips of water flowing out of his face which was covered by his hand. But in truth, he was skillfully making an act. By skillfully using a balloon with water inside did he make the drips flowing out of his face.

Lance saw the drips of water on the ground. With a hit of panic, he tried to face the crying boy but he just turned around. He desperately tried calming down Vessalius which was only doing an act of crying. Following the flow of events, Knight Gale also made some comments to the panicking Lance like 'Ah you made a kid cry my friend' and 'Shame on you for making a boy cry'.

The booming sound is coming in closer and closer to the hall. In an act of desperation, Lance knelt on the floor and made an apology to him.

Vessalius stopped his act and looked at the instructors face. Lance made a relieved face towards him as he tried to look at him. Then in a matter of seconds, Vessalius started crying in act again thereby destroying Lances relieved face.

With a boom on the nearby wall, the wall made a cracking sound. Another boom and the wall was cracked open like a can of sardines. On the smoke, there was a silhouette of a tall person. When Lance saw this, his face paled while Vessalius just continued crying, in act of course.

A walking sound was heard among the rubble and came out a tall gorgeous lady of phenomenal beauty. She stopped a few paces away from the face-paled Lance and the crying Vessalius. She was carrying a frying pan in one hand. There was tension among the air but Vessalius just continued his act of crying. She looked at the boy who was crying his hearts out and his husband which was as paled as a ghost.

With an act of going with the flow, Vessalius run towards the tall lady. He hugged her while crying and the lady hugged the boy as if he was her son.

"H-h-honey err I was...." Lance was trying to dish out a few words but suddenly stopped when he saw his wife's terrible glare.

She caressed the boy's black silky hair and asked a question.

"Come now child, stop crying. Mama is here now. Tell me what did the big bad man do to you?" said the tall lady in a gentle tone.

"He *sniff* was teasing me *sniff* saying I was not good *sniff* enough to pass his obstacle course." Vessalius said in a crying tone with a blend of sniffling.

Then with a follow-up blow he also said "He said he was gonna smash you to smithereens too." then continued crying...in act of course.

With what she has heard, she again stared at his husband then she saw a familiar face.

"Gale, what this child said is true?" the tall lady said in an imposing tone.

Gale made a respectable bow to her as if she was a noble then he answered her question.

"Yes my Lady Ethyl, what the boy said is the truth though I did heard Lance was saying he was gonna smash you to smithereens.

In a fit of desperation, Lance retorted amid panicking tone.

"Wha-, tha-that is not true my wife who is as splendid as a gem."

"Flattery isn't going to help you walk out of this my dear husband."

But the tall lady who was named Lady Ethyl just shut down his husbands words with a scary smile.

Lance with a chill down his spine got shaky on his boots.

"The child said he was not good enough to pass your obstacle." Lady Ethyl said then made a follow-up.

"You will pass this child's test husband."

"But my wife, he didn't made me dropped the thing I was holding thus he cannot pass my test." Lance said immediately to his gorgeous wife.

Contrary to his words, Lady Ethyl just tilted her head and made a smile.

"Did you say something dear?"

Lance saw a shadowy thing behind his wife smiling evilly.

"Err I mean I said he passed my test."

Lady Ethyl nodded.

"Come now child, stop crying. The big bad man said you pass his test." Lady Ethyl said in a gentle tone as he caressed the boys hair.

Hearing her words, Vessalius stopped hugging the tall lady and faced her.

"T-t-thank you *sniff* Madam."

"Now now child, it is okay. Plus I told you can call me Mama remember?"

"Y-yes mama." Vessalius said though still sniffling...in act.

"A-ra, you are making me blush child." Lady Ethyl said blushing with a hand touching her cheek.

"After finishing hear, come to the house to eat dinner okay?"

"Y-yes mama." Vessalius said in a bright smile.

"Husband we will talk in the house when you come home later okay?" Lady Ethyl said smilingly.

Lance was unable to produce words on his mouth so he just nodded.

When all was said and done, Lady Ethyl left the hall to where she came from and the room was silent again. The soldiers unable to comprehend what happened  just stood silently. Gale finally breaks the silence as he face Vessalius.

"Touche boy. I just witnessed a marvelous piece err exercise drill I mean."

"Thank you for the kind words Sir Gale. I did not pass this course without your help."

"Hahaha, is that how you see it? Well for the time being, Lance won't be teasing me for a while due to what happened."

Lance then joined in on the conversation.

"You brat, I never thought you would use my wife as a trump card."

"What do you mean kind instructor?" Vessalius made a puzzling look as if he doesn't know what he was talking about.

"Don't play dumb with me lad, you think I didn't realized your acting? I saw your hands being wet instead of your eyes."

Ah he got found out but of course the deed is done so he cannot retort as to what happened earlier.

"Due to what happened earlier, I will not retract what I said. You pass this course lad."

"YEAH!!!"

Vessalius made a victory sign with his fingers then with fatigue kicking in, dropped on the floor. They could hear a snooze coming from him.

Gale and Lance looked at his sleeping face.

"He sure got you good there my friend."

"Yeah, I realized too late that his crying was act."

"Hahaha, I almost believed him myself."

"What? you mean you realized that it was just an act?"

"Of course my friend. I realized by the time he made a sniffling sound."

"You realized and you never told me?"

"Why should I my friend? I told you I want payback for all the teasing you did to me."

And with that came the end of a grueling drill exercise with Vessalius as the center. He with flying colors, passed the final test of the grueling obstacle course of doom...with the help of the instructors wife that is.