Waking up, Aron looked around... trying to see where he was. Seeing that he was actually back in their new 'home', and the other four were sleeping still. Aron tried to recall things from yesterday... but it was somewhat blurry.

Meeting The Mountain... Kuzyg, Aron had no idea what level of power one needs, to shock someone stupid... even with what he thought was Kuzyg restricting himself. But apparently, that person had it.

Seeing how he... got out of there alive... Aron remembered that he waited... to see if the next person received the same shock? Seeing none... after that, it was all blank.

Was it only him who could feel his presence? Or did Kuzyg leave after they met? Was there something else going on?

Questions drove Aron crazy... but he doubted that even if he heard the answers. They wouldn’t change anything. With a person like that located here... getting out? Haa... what a good joke.

With a person like that? Couldn't they just conquer The Kingdom? Why bother with beggars turned [Slaves]?

Or was there something like the enchanted doors... and the light orbs? That would make it so--- if Kuzyg wished that the door that Aron walked into... would lead to a different place than the one behind the actual door? The more crazy the answer... the more true it seemed to Aron.

He had to stop. If Aron continued he would go into shock again... and he had no luxury to afford sitting here the whole day. First, he doubted that the [Servants] or the [Slaver] would let him do it... without consequences. And how fucked up he was... being punished on top of that... losing the little ground that he gained, towards Two listening to him? Aron had no option but to get his shit together. Grit his teeth, and push it down... forget it, until he was able to comprehend what happened.

And well, overall Kuzyg seemed like he had... no intentions of killing him? So Aron just had to repeat that thought... until he managed to relax.

Having his thoughts finally clear... Aron felt good. He noticed that even though his mind was stressed... he wasn't tired. Maybe some movement... exercise would take his mind off things. Remembering how that one walk... did him in. Aron was ready for another.

Laying down Aron just waited... for something to happen. Someone to wake up, a servant to come and give them instructions. Or something to do.

_____

People did wake up... but the order didn't come, instead, they received food.

The food was the same as yesterday… but Aron wasn’t in a state where he wanted to enjoy the food.

“Yesterday, who cut your hair guys?”

They turned around, looking at him trying to find if there was something wrong with his head.

“And you decided to let him lead us back? He can’t even remember what happened yesterday.”

Fifteen scoffed

Aron glared at him.

“Was it a [Servant] or someone else?”

“Yea, one of the [Servants], I remember seeing him when we arrived.”

This time Eleven spoke, somewhat confused.

“And he just… taught you how to cut your hair? Nothing else?”

“Yeah, he explained it step by step. It was pretty simple. You had a different experience?”

Aron paused, thinking how to answer. If they didn’t see Kuzyg… he doubted that anyone could mistake that mountain for a [Servant]. He shook his head.

“No… just I was somewhat scared of the sharp thing being anywhere close to my head. So… I ended up kind of… just closed my eyes.”

“How are you going to do it then? The next time we are supposed to do it on our own.” Seven asked.

Aron scratched his head, it was kind of weird. WIth his hair now being short and all.

“I’m sure that… I’ll manage somehow. Did they say anything after we were done?”

Seven just shook his head, and the silence resumed.

_____

As the minutes passed--- the door finally opened. The same guy that led them yesterday stepped in. Aron looked at his face since yesterday he had no opportunity to see it. Well, Aron kind of understood why he didn’t want... to face them head-on. Something was just off, not symmetrical about his face... combined with long ass arms.

As Aron was staring at him, he wasn’t certain if the [Servant] noticed, but he glared at Aron.

"It's time for your first lesson, Bring the plates with you, I will be showing you where the dining room is located. From tomorrow onwards, you'll be given time when your food will be ready. If you do not show yourselves on time you shall receive none."

The [Servant] spoke. Scanned over us once more. Seeing no confused looks, or questions asked. He turned and motioned for them to follow.

With a few murmurs, Aron and the others picked up the plates and followed the [Servant].

Again Aron noticed that the [Servant] picked a different path. Was there some magic involved? Like changing paths every day? Or was the place just that huge? With the encounter yesterday… he felt like it gave him too many ideas. And most of them… were just useless.

After a few minutes of walking, the [Servant] stopped. Pointing at the door, Aron looked.

"This is the door for the kitchen room." The [Servant] spoke. "Remember the way the sign looks, you will learn later but that means kitchen." Done with explaining, he motioned for us to get in.

The kitchen was somewhat similar to their room? Except for there being... a small hole in the wall, Aron approached it confused. Before he could ask, what the rest think it is. A voice came from it. Making Aron jump back.

“Put your trays here.”

Soon after, they did so. Seeing as nothing else was spoken. They turned to exit.

“Creepy.” Seven murmured.

Aron somewhat agreed with that statement.

Exiting the kitchen, they saw the [Servant] still standing there. He turned, looking at them and nodded.

“Follow me, it’s time for your training.”

And so they found themselves following the [Servant] again.

The [Servant] proceeded, to tell them the exact same thing... just instead of saying kitchen, it was training hall.

As they walked through the door itself was connected to a tunnel. As they exited the tunnel, it was pretty short maybe a few meters.

The room itself was huge. To Aron it seemed the same size as the mansion.

Looking around Aron could see, there in the center of the room, stood Shadow, and the [Slaver] Ron waiting for them.

As they approached, more people came in from different entrances... that looked the same as the one they just exited from.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Was this the center of the tunnels? If multiple ones are connected to this large spot... maybe?

As they all gathered up, Ron spoke up.

"Before we start your first training lesson, we will need to decide who gets the collars."

He gestured to the things on the ground and continued. "Leaders of each group shall be rewarded with them, and we are thinking to... not give them to the weakest members of each group. Or maybe even two of the weakest. So today you will have the opportunity to prove yourselves to us. And only the best of you shall receive them!"

After a dramatic pause, he continued. "Today's lesson will be led by Shadow, and we shall both judge your performance, you all will receive a wooden weapon, of your choosing. And all you have to do is... defend yourselves."

As he finished, servants brought out weapons of all kinds. From swords to spears... and some that Aron couldn't even name.

Probably seeing how no one knew what to pick, Ron spoke again.

"Pick, and let's get on with this, slacking will lead to you automatically failing."

Seeing more than enough weapons, Aron looked around, trying to see what others picked. But seeing as they were doing the same. He thought about it... sword seemed most logical. Somewhat between close and long-range. So he imagined that if he wanted to swap later to a somewhat different style... it wouldn't be hard. So he ended up picking one, that he felt he could wield--- without struggling with its weight.

Most of the others picked swords as well, some going for strange choices like a stick with a rope and a spiky wooden ball at the end... some going for some kind of claws?

Aron didn't feel like trying weird stuff, that he didn't even know how to hold. So he was somewhat happy with his choice.

Seeing how everyone had a weapon, Ron spoke.

"You will go in the order, that you ended up leaving the bathroom area, just the ones who left last will go first here. Group may choose what members go first, you all shall attempt it together. And if you fail, you can only blame yourselves. You have one minute to organize yourselves, after that any pause will be punished."

And so the whole thing started. Arons group ended up being the last to go. That was good they would have more time to see, what this training was all about.

They watched as one of the [Slaves] from other groups, walked forward. Facing Shadow, he was awkwardly holding the sword.

So Aron watched, as Shadow took a wooden sword, that looked different than theirs from Ron. Inspecting it, he nodded a few times. Being done, he looked at the [Slave] that was in front of him and chuckled.

“All you have to do is block the incoming strikes, the more you manage to block, the better your performance.”

And so the fun began. As Shadow sliced with the sword, the [Slave] scrambled. Aron was amazed how he even managed to get the sword in the right position, and well all he managed to do was block once.

Once the [Slave] failed to block the second strike, Shadow moved… striking so fast, that Aron didn’t see it. As the [Slave] was flung backward, the crowd of the [Slaves] gasped. The [Slave] flew a good few meters before just laying there… not moving.

Shadow looked at the gasping crowd.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Once you fail you will end up as that guy.”

Scanning once more through the crowd, he motioned with his weapon for the next [Slave] to step up.

Aron watched, [Slaves] attempt to block. The strikes that were meant to be blocked, were slow. Aron was surprised how [Slaves] even failed to block them, yes the strikes always came from different positions. But so what? They looked so slow.

He couldn't understand... how they kept failing? As long as they managed to blocked the strike, the next one came at the exact same speed. So as long as they blocked, they were fine. So how couldn't they just do it?

As time went on, the number of the unconscious [Slaves] increased. Shadow somehow managed to get every single one for them in the same spot. When he finished them off.

Soon it came Arons turn, his group did fine... Two and One were tied at six blocks, but compared to the rest Fifteen, Seven and Eleven did good, ranging from two to three successful blocks. Aron walked towards Shadow, wooden sword in hand, he felt ready. He knew what was coming. And so he took the posture, that seemed to work out for most of the [Slaves].

As Aron was standing there, he observed Shadow... looking for any slight movement.

Aron saw it coming, the moment that Shadow moved his arm. It was moving so slow, from an obvious direction... just waiting to be blocked. And then, it wasn't.

Arons body couldn't react in time, He tried, commanded his arm to move. Gave his best to match the speed of Shadows movement.

And Aron failed. The first strike, He didn't even feel... but Aron could swear, after that, He managed to feel ten strikes before He lost consciousness.

______

Finally, it was over... it somehow took them what, half an hour for a total of forty-three blocks.

The last guy couldn't even block one. It was embarrassing.

But with it being over... Ron turned to Shadow

"Shadow, good job. You are free now, tomorrow you will probably be needed as well. [Servants], put the collars on ones that were in the top ten. Once you are done, drag them back to their rooms. You have the permission to use carts."

Ron was somewhat upset that he had no other option than to leave seven of the [Slaves] without collars. But it was either that or waste resources on grown men... [Thugs] at that, trying to beat them into submission wasn’t going to happen. Young minds were easier to manipulate anyways. So it was an easy choice to make.

Well, as soon as he received more collars, Ron would have where to use them. With that one of the issues was solved, a minor one but still... it left fewer things to worry about.

Shadow didn't complain, Ron somewhat expected him to even go back after their visit to villages was over. But Shadow didn't mention anything. And having him there to train the [Slaves] made Rons life at the same time easier... but the threat alone that Shadow represented--- Ron couldn't tell if it was worth it. It only meant that well, Shadows master was interested in these [Slaves]. And having it confirmed was scary.

______

It was quite fun, beating the [Slaves] up... though Shadow could see it becoming repetitive especially if he had to teach them.

Seeing how there was no response from Guild Master yet, Shadow guessed that he would end up using this time as a vacation. Without clear orders, he should be able to enjoy himself, outside the training time. Not to mention with that village being somewhat close to where they were, he could visit it as well.

Recalling the name of the village, Shadow brightened up... Erast if he recalled correctly. Being close to the cities, it should have some options.

Planning out his future schedule, Shadow walked towards the kitchen planning to order some snacks before the meal.

The longer he stayed here, the more surprised Shadow was... Ron somehow managed to have everything. Whatever Shadow named they had.

So with that done, he went on his way. Somewhat expectant for the next few days.

______

As Caden arrived at the place... that Master Zokre ordered him to go to. He scanned the place. Seeing the two main rooms on the upper floor, He felt the presence of the young one in one of them. Seeing how he wasn't there, Caden went on to scout out the tunnels. It was the basic system. Based around Masters design. So it took him no time to check every corner of the place out.

Noticing the young one in the training hall, as he arrived Caden saw him beat up the kid who matched the description he was given.

He looked like any other [Slave], but as the young one attacked. Caden could see Arons eyes move, managing to track most of the strikes with his eyes... but being weak as he is, his body couldn't react in time.

It was somewhat surprising. Scanning the rest of the room, Caden spotted Ron, standing there with some of his [Servants], and a bunch of the unconscious slaves in a single pile of unconscious [Slaves].

Looking them over, Caden confirmed that the last one that was just beaten down was in fact the target. Done with that, He went back to the young ones room. When he arrived, Caden tried to sense the exact location and state of the target... Aron. Being able to locate him, but not his vitals. Caden sighed and came to the decision to not risk it, and just send the young one back.

Master Zokre... had the habit of forgetting just how strong he and the Guild Master were. Unless Caden was constantly close to the target. He doubted that... he could keep him safe. And not risking the potions... he was still surprised that they decided to feed the kid with this stuff.

But remembering how Aron looked, and if the masters were actually interested in the boy? It was nothing.

So as Caden made up his mind, He just sat in the chair. Waiting to see if the young one could spot him.

To no surprise, he couldn't so deciding not to wait on him. And be done with it as soon as possible. Caden called out.

"Young-one, Master has declared that you shall go back," As Caden spoke he could see young Shadow stagger like he had a heart attack. But at least he was quick to react.

Turning towards the location of Cadens voice, he bowed.

"Yes Sir! Are there any other orders for me?"

His voice was shaking, Caden just smiled.

"Once you arrive, go straight to the training hall. Tell them Two has sent you."

As he comprehended what Caden told him. His face paled. Not knowing if he was more afraid of the training hall or him, Caden had to ask.

"Are you that scared of going back to the training hall, young one?

"No sir... I have never expected to meet someone of your rank sir. You are famous in the organization, and tales of your exploits are told to every young recruit."

Young Shadow stammered out. Looking at his face, Caden could see at least five emotions, changing every few seconds. From awe to shock to fear into something that looked like acceptance and finally calm. It made Caden grin.

"It's nice to know that my fame didn't diminish with my absence. Now that you have your orders, I suggest moving now." Scratching his chin, Caden added. "I'll be having the meal that you ordered, you have pretty good taste."

That last sentence seemed to be the last nail in the coffin. As the young Shadow just bowed and went on his way. Was he sulking?

As he closed the door, remembering the look on his face... Caden couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Getting used to Master Zokres habits might be dangerous. But it made life so much more fun.