After Mikael was finished eating and left, he felt his stomach turn and the feeling of  humiliation washed over him like a tidal wave, but he was exhausted and hungry after only eating two meals of mash each day.

He was planing to read the book as soon as he returned to the slave camp, but first he had to work, and the guards brought him back to the mines. 

When it was time to return to the camp he was excited and couldn’t wait to start reading the book he had gotten from the short fat overseer.

A few days passed and Mikael could now understand most of what people said, and had no problem keeping a conversation going. He was lucky picking that particular book, as it was on military strategy and orders, the book also pictured the differrent situations any military commander could find themselves in.

It was easier to learn whit pictures and descriptons than just text.

After he had learned the language he had heard from the other slaves that captured with them was a retired general from the Earthland kingdom. Mikael planed to have him teach him fighting and everything else he could learn after he became more proficent with the language.

A week passed with Mikael reading the book, and was now almost fluent in their language, luckily he had learned that they only spoke one language in all the countrys in the continent. He was ready to seek out the retired General to ask him for help, Mikael had decided that the next day he would find him and ask him for help.

After Mikael had discovered the copper ore, he got some leeway with the guards and didn’t need to work as hard as the rest. The guards were hoping the next time he found a ore he would choose them to deliver the news. 

He went looking for the general and found him deeper in the mine working. The general looked like a old begger with white dishelved dirty hair and beard and defeated eyes.

“Esteemed general of Earthland, my name is Mikael and before I was captured by the soldiers of Abolein I was a citizin of Eearthland and would like your help“ Mikael spoke hoping for the general to help.

The general looked at him and answered “ Here we are neither esteemed general or a citizin of Earthland, but slaves. What can a slave help you with“ looking interested in what Mikael needed help with.

“Very well, then i would like you to train me in the art of combat “ Mikael said Looking at the general.

“Why should i teach you what do i get out of it?“ The general asked.

“I will give you half a piece of my bread, and I will do your work for you.“ Mikael replied looking at the general.

The general looked back at Mikael and said “Ok for the half a piece of bread and my work I will gladly teach you“

The negotiations was finished, Mikael gave him the peice of bread and started working and by lunch he was finished with the generals work. After lunch the general kept his word and started to train him. 

The general explained everything very in-depth to him, telling him how to train.

The rest of the day Mikael practiced the way the general had explained and by the time the day was over Mikael was more exhausted then ever before. I need to find a method were I don’t need to do my share of the work. I’ll find a new ore tomorrow and ask the overseer to just let me find ores. Mikael thought before leaving for the slave camp.

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In the morning of the next day Mikael walked to the overseers office followed by a guard, the guard entered the office and came out telling him “the overseer will see you“

He then entered the office and explained to the overseer if he gave him a month to find another ore and in that time he would not need to work. If he failed to deliver the ore within the time limit, he would accept any punishment the overseer wanted. The overseer agreed to Mikaels request, he then walked to the mine to find the general and start with his training.

Mikael had already located anoher ore on his way to find the general, when he saw the general he walked over gave him a piece of bread and started working. As he was working the general explained the difference stages.The first stage was  his Foundation, without a strong foundation nothing else he did would matter.

“ After watching you yesterday I have decided before I teach you anything, we need to build your foundation“ The general said with a serious expression.

“And how would we do that?“ Mikael questioned.

You will keep working the mine, but you will be wearing the basket while you do and for each day we will weigh it down“ The general answered.

Everyday for a month Mikael would work the mine and everyday the basket got weighted down with heavier and heavier stones, to help build his foundation.

One month passed and the general was happy with Mikaels progression and told him “Now its time to sculpt your body. Are you interested in being strong, unmovable and powerful, or are you more the fast, agile and flexible type?“

Mikael answered without thinking “fast and agile“

“Ok“ The general said with a smile

The second stage was Body Refining, sculpting his body to match his style of fighting. For a year The general trained him with dual swords to best enhance his new fighting style. Of course no slave would be allowed a sword, so they trained with sticks.

A young boy looking to be around fifteen years old, was standing with two sticks moving around inside the mine. He looked skinny, but under his clothes, every muscle had become toned with defined lines, his muscle gave the feeling that it contained explosive power like a fierce leopard. His facial features was very handsome, disguised under the dirty exterior and his green eyes was as clear as jade.

The general was more then happy with Mikaels progress, He looked at Mikael and said “The last thing I will teach you is awarness. After this it is all up to you to gain the right experience and better yourself“

The third stage was awareness a way of clearing his mind to be aware of anything around you, and Mikael grasped it in just a month of silent meditation.

This last year he hadn’t only trained with the general he had studied the book he had recived from the overseer so much that even in his sleep he dreamt of battles.