Waking up surrounded by armed members of the CDF while looking up at Boyd's smiling face was getting to be a bad habit of Ozlo's. "At least the healers are doing their job." Ozlo thought to himself.

Ozlo had awoken that morning to find a quiet shop and a small note laying on the table next to a cold bowl of sliced apples and porridge. It read "Boy. I'm taking this blade to Roland, I'll have a surprise for you when you get back. Don't get too excited though, it's nothing fancy. Eat up, and join the CDF for practice. P.S. Don't get yourself killed, Boyd had a mean look in his eye when I saw him earlier." The note wasn't signed but Ozlo quickly assumed by the content that it was written by his master.

Ozlo ate his breakfast, washed his face, and was promptly knocked into the dirt by a smiling Boyd. "Ah. You see your guard wasn't up. Even in practice, always assume that someone is going to aim for your face. That's why I recommend a good, sturdy helmet."

Picking himself up out of the dirt with the help of Andrew, Ozlo took the offered hand and then skin of water that was held out for him. "Thanks". Andrew looked around a bit conspiratorially, before whispering in Ozlo's ear. "I bet you're used to this kind of thing. You know, working with Burgin."

Unsure of what exactly Andrew meant by that, Ozlo just brushed the comment off and went back to practice. "Now, everyone here has been thoroughly trounced by me a few times so I think it's time that we begin the actual training. Everyone get in line and hold out your hands". Boyd gestured to all present and handed each person present a small bundle, making his way down the row.

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"Alright, everyone has their bundle. Go ahead and open it." Wasting no time, everyone opened up their bundle to find a standard common card.

Strength: Rank common, growth.

This card will increase the physical capacities of it's holder by 10% per level.

Current Level: 1

Required Soul Shards to level 0/10

"Ahem, no need to thank me. Go ahead and slot your card and try not to pass out on me. Not everyone reacts well."

Ozlo glanced around and noted that his fellow CDF members were all eagerly slotting their cards and decided to do the same. "Here goes nothing". Ozlo thought to himself while firmly pushing his card into his soul.

"And... And no-one passed out. And no-one died. And I lost 20 shards... Shit. Ahem, anyway. Alright, you're all now 10% stronger. That means well, nothing at this point. Every little bit helps but 10% isn't going to impress the ladies." Boyd waggled his eyebrows suggestively before stating, almost as an afterthought. "Or the men. We here at the CDF don't judge. Publicly, privately we will judge you so uh, keep it yourself."

Boyd clapped his hands together and promptly waved them outwards, gesturing for everyone to leave. "Go on now, shoo. I've been more than generous and I'm sure you're anxious to go practice your skills. Go on, git."

And with that, this years CDF members headed home a little bit stronger. Ten percent stronger in fact.