Several days had passed since they arrived at the academy. And now it was Sunday, their free time. But, they didn't have anything to do even though it was Sunday.
On top of the cold metallic table, in front of the metal tray filled with food, John was resting his head, unable to move a single muscle.
"Do you want a massage?" Said Lilac, sitting right in front of him.
John considered her offer... breathing slowing... calmer... he groaned when Lilac immediately massaged his shoulder without his consent.
"Please... stop it." John muttered when he felt a harsh pressure on his shoulder.
Sighing, she went back onto her seat as the twin and Svetlana watched John acted like an old man.
His body already reached its limit from the hellish training his Squadron got but of course, it wasn't all for nought. His Effort had significantly since the day he stepped his foot into the Academy.
To summarize everything that he got, it was:
Your effort has bloomed. Athletic is now Lvl 2.
+1 Physical.
Your effort has bloomed. Acrobatic is now Lvl 2.
+1 Agility
Your effort has bloomed. Learn Meditation Lvl 1.
+1 Spirit.
Your effort has bloomed. Dagger Mastery is now Lvl 2.
+1 Dexterity.
Your effort has bloomed. Acrobatic is now Lvl 3.
+1 Agility.
Your effort has bloomed. Throwing Weapon Mastery is now Lvl 2.
+1 Dexterity.
Your effort has bloomed. Learn Climb Lvl 1.
+1 Strength.
Your effort has bloomed. Spellcasting is now Lvl 2.
+1 Magic.
Follower has been increased by 7.
+4 Sense, +2 Spirit, +1 Physical.
Favourite has been increased by 3.
Air Step is now Lvl 2.
You have gained a new skill. Blood Scent Lvl 1.
Foresight is now Lvl 2.
John Lemon
Level: 1
Health: 99
Energy: 56
Strength: 5 +1 +3 (9)
Physical: 6 +2 +3 (11)
Agility: 8 +4 +4 (16)
Dexterity: 6 +4 +2 (12)
Magic: 2 +2 +4 (8)
Spirit: 5 +1 +2 (8)
Influence: 4 +2 (6)
Sense: 3 +5 (8)
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Effort: 8.
Climb Lvl 1, Athletic Lvl 2, Throwing Weapon Mastery Lvl 2, Stealth Lvl 1, Dagger Mastery Lvl 2, Acrobatic Lvl 3, Spellcasting Lvl 2, Meditation Lvl 1.
---------------
Follower(s): 27
Favorite(s): 12
Blood Scent Lvl 1: Caster has the ability to smell and differentiate the presence of blood from a creature that has Influence less than caster's Sense + Skill level. Range: 100 metres. Duration: 10 minutes. Cost: 10.
"I can't..." With shaky hands, John tried to grab the spoon but he it immediately fell from his finger.
Whoever the man called Roshan was, he was a demon to Squadron 23. His morning exercise was a 100 push-up, sit-up, squat and 10 kilometres run and they couldn't take their breakfast unless they finished the quota in time, failed to do that in time meant they needed to repeat the exercise after the evaluation. Not to mention, from all people that could teach John how to use a dagger and throwing weapon was the same bald demon.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Plus the amount of stationary job his squadron needed to do was two times higher than the other squadron. Cleaning the dishes, cleaning the floors, helping the weaponry, helping the night watch, sorting the database from the Academic program, and another night watch. That and the amount of time he spent to attend the subprogram orientation was enough to turn him into a lifeless corpse with panda-like eyes.
"Still, isn't his training a little bit too harsh?" Said Min-Jae. "Why don't you report it to the administration?"
Turning his head to face Min-Jae and silently watching him. John's stomach twisted as he remembered the first time Mommy Boy did that, their training turned three times harder than the usual. "If I ever try to do that, please knock me down." Said John.
Min-Jae nodded while raising his eyebrow and continued to crunch his apple. Changing the topic, he said "By the way, have you guys met the five legendary trainees?"
"What's that?" Asked Svetlana. "Some kind of urban legend?"
"Oh! I have heard about them!" Said Lilac. With a smug face, she told them who the five legendary trainees were.
First, it was Ragnar Ironborn from Extermination Squadron 1. The boy John and Lilac met when they did their test. He had a gravity-defying black spiky hair and his weapon of choice was a big bastard sword. Was famous because he could defeat a mentor in his combat simulation, not to mention his friendly attitude and his burning passion.
Second, it was Sassot Platebane from Garrison Squadron 37. A boy with silver curly hair and bright red eyes and his weapon of choice was his elemental skills. Famous because he managed to fight with Ragnar for five minutes before he got obliterated. And with his cool demeanour and cute face made him popular with the ladies.
Third, it was Ava Miarie from Extermination Squadron 10. A girl with dreadlock orange hair and a claw mark across her right eye into the corner left of her mouth and her weapon of choice was a giant axe. Famous because she could fight on par with a mentor. Her record was two wins and one loss. Her big sister attitude and the kindness she showed to another Trainee was one of the important factors for her fame.
Fourth, Bhima Singh from Academic Class 4. A thin boy with coiled hair, funny enough sometimes he joined the combat simulation and so far he hadn't lost a single fight, his weapon of choice was a katar. But the reason he was famous for was the rumour of him taking every program class and training.
The last, Zheng Li from Espionage Squadron 2. A girl with black wavy twin tail hair, no one ever heard she spoke a single word. Her weapon of choice was a dual sword. There wasn't that much reason for her to be on the list but she did have a zero loss on her combat simulation and everything was over in a second.
Just how and where Lilac heard about the gossip was enough to make John tilted his head. Wondering just for how long he would last if he fought against those people.
Min-Jae nodded his head in amazement after he heard Lilac explanation. "Yes, yes. Someone really did her homework huh." He said. "But I guess our John should be on the number seven? no, maybe six?"
Sipping her coffee. "Statistically, no." Said Min-Seo. "Thirty at best."
Indeed, after spending each day with them, there was no way John could hide his Gift bonus, but this also showed there were trainees that had more gifts than him, not to mention the gap in their combat training and experiences.
"Not like I care though." Said John with half alive tone.
With a mischievous smile, Min-Jae violently messing with his hair. "Aw, don't be jealous like that." He said.
Following Min-Jae's words. Svetlana gracefully nodded and pasted a proud smile on her face. "Yes, I believe John can defeat them by the time he finished his training." Said Svetlana.
Maybe it was a mistake for John to tell them his Gift value. Surely enough, his didn't have that much follower, but the number on his favourite was big, at least he had the same amount of favourite as the war hero. Even though he never did anything heroic.
"Still, don't you guys think it's kinda weird for me to have this much amount of Gift? Not to mention you guys also get each three followers and favourites, right?" Said John.
Not to mention most of the other trainees this year always shouted when they suddenly had one follower and favourite. Sure, this was a good thing but it was called a gift because people rarely got that. Though, somehow the sudden burst of follower and favourite made John felt restless.
Opening her mouth wide, gasped in surprise, "John?! Do you feel sick?! Do you want to go to the infirmary?!" Said Lilac with a blue face.
Gritting his teeth. "What's up with your reaction?" John grumbled.
Lilac's hands were shaking with cold sweat flooded her face. "You sure?! I mean, why do you suddenly ask a serious question?! Do you hit your head?!" Said Lilac.
She stood and started to move toward John, making a mess on his hair while checking a wound or anything like that. "Geez, Lilac... I'm fine." Said John. Pulling her hands away from his head.
Watching those two, Min-Jae lips curled into a warm smile. "Oh~ How good is it to be young." Said Min-Jae.
Sighed, his sister said. "We're on the same age." Anyway, have you submitted your subprogram?"
With a big proudful smile. "I'll do that tonight!" He said.
Slamming her coffee cup. "Oppa." She called with a cold tone. "Are.. you.. a fool?"
Warmly smiled. "Speaking of a subprogram, what do you guys take?" Asked Svetlana.
"Academic and Extermination." Said Min-Seo, a weird choice for someone from a Knight program.
"Oh, I haven't submitted mine, but I guess I'll take Espionage and Garrison." Said John.
Rubbing her cheek. "Ehehe, I don't have a single clue about what I should take, but maybe it's Espionage and Garrison?" Said Lilac.
"...Stop following me." Said John.
"I'm not! We just coincidentally have the same choice! Anyway, what do you take Svet?" Said Lilac. Running back to her seat and cheerfully looking at Svetlana's eyes. Ignoring John's protest.
"Ehm~ I haven't submitted mine too, but I think I'll take Espionage and Garrison?" Said Svetlana.
"Alright! I've decided! I'll take Espionage and Garrison!" Said Min-Jae.
"Oi.. fool, you're from Garrison." Said Min-Seo, glaring at her brother.
Rubbing the back of his head, Min-Jae only laughed. "Hahaha! I'm just testing your knowledge about your oppa." Clearing his throat. "Then it is Espionage and Extermination!"
As John let out a deep sigh, wondering about those three futures, he noticed Min-Seo also gave the same wondering eyes to those three people.
But watching those three acts somehow made the tiredness gone from his body and he finished his breakfast before they walked to the administration building.
Or so John thought until he heard someone calling his name.
"Oi! John!" But John ignored the call, noticing he wasn't the only John in the academy.
"John Lemon!!" Shouted someone.
Lilac bumped onto John's back when he stopped his step, slowly he turned around, searching who was calling out to him.
"Fight me one more time! This time with honour!" Shouted the salty opponent from the first day with a displeased face.