DAY 1

Thadius silently ate his breakfast of plain, white rice. His surroundings were just as plain; wood from wall to wall. Even the chair, bowl, and spoon he was using was some type of carved wood, table included. While enduring the desolate atmosphere, he could only ponder his new master's sense of style.

After he was rendered unconscious, he was carried to a large compound near the top of mountain. Being that nearly everything in the compound was made of, carved from, or had a percentage of wood, he wasn't surprised when he first looked around and didn't find a fireplace, but it did bring up a very important question.

'How does he survive winter up here?' Thadius thought while he chewed. If he was going to live here for the foreseeable future, he needed an answer. Fortunately, he wouldn't have long to wait.

"You finished?" a voice sounded out near him.

Thadius nearly jumped out of his skin when the old man appeared directly beside him. 'When did he get there!?'

"Y-yes sir, I just finished." he responded.

Corban smiled with an amused glint in his eye. He would enjoy sneaking up on his new student in the future."Good. Today will mark the beginning of your training, and if you are to survive the winter, you'd better learn quickly. Come with me."

Corban's compound was separated into two sides with a large training hall in the middle. On one side was the residential area where they just left. This housed the kitchen, dining room, his master's bedroom, and a few guest rooms. The other side of the complex had Corban's private office and a massive storage room. Thadius called it the 'business' side.

They were heading that way now, crossing the grand training hall as a cold wind blew through the open doorway. There were no doors in the entire compound. There was also no glass or shutters for the windows. Saying that the complex was drafty would be an understatement.

What about thieves, or wandering animals that found their way inside? The answer was surprisingly simple. No living creature was dumb enough to ignore such heavy pressure, and the location was a natural thief deterrent. Not to mention that the compound had a renowned sword master as a security guard.

The frigid breeze ruffled Thadius' tunic and goosebumps rose on his skin. It only served to remind him of how dumbfounded he was to find that Corban had confiscated his coat. 'It won't help you here.' was the only response he got on the matter after asking about his first crafted piece.

Once they arrived at the storage room, Corban stopped him just outside the door and went inside. He came back moments later holding a bunch of stone slabs. Then with a peculiar look, he asked, "What do you think these are?"

"Stones for heating the rooms?" Thadius guessed hopefully.

"It's a training aid of my own design. Well, I had a bit of help, but it was my idea." Corban declared proudly.

"What do I do with it?" Thadius asked as he was handed the stack of slabs. It was at least 100lbs(45kg).

"You wear it!" The swordsman laughed. "For the next year, this armor will be closer to you than anyone you've ever known. It'll be your best friend, your wife, and your mistress!" he laughed again, giving Thadius a hearty pat on the back. Then he reached out and attached each piece for his student in turn.

The armor completely covered Thadius' arms and chest. There were pauldrons, gauntlets, and a chest piece, with the weight evenly distributed. The peculiar thing about the 'training aid' was that it was strangely adjustable. Additional stone slabs could be added or moved atop each other like magnets. There were also some large stone rings that Corban had retrieved, and he locked the rings around each of Thadius' wrists before adding extra slabs on his back and shoulders.

Fortunately, Thadius wasn't a stranger to weight training since he had done much of it throughout his life. So with expectations toward the nature of his first training session, he was obviously shocked by what he heard next.

"Just so you know, you won't be able to take this off without a key..." Corban said from behind him. A cunning smile was slowing spreading across his face.

Thadius froze at his master's words. Then, as if on cue, there was a low humming sound. The armor slowly morphed to match the contours of his body and barely moved after that. While he still had a full range of motion, it was as if the armor had become a part of him.

Thadius was overcome with a sinking feeling in his heart as he said, "You make it sound like I won't be taking this off at all..."

"That's correct..." There was no hesitation in the response."You could get a mage to undo the enchantment. Of course you'd have to get to the capital for that since there are no mages in Yune. Then, if you do make it, you'd have to find a master enchanter."

Thadius wasn't even concerned about leaving, but there were obviously more pressing concerns about the arrangement. "It'd be pretty difficult to bathe in this thing."

Corban just chuckled mischievously. "That'll take care of itself. Besides," he gestured with his open arms,"I'm sure you've noticed that my place gets quite the breeze. Now follow!"

They walked around to the back of the complex to a gigantic staircase that seemed to go all the way down the mountain. The surrounding forest was dead silent as the afternoon sun broke through the trees. It could be easily be mistaken for the view outside of some secret mountain temple.

Thadius was already panting by time they arrived at the staircase. The stone armor had matched its shape to his chest, but didn't allow his lungs to fully expand. He could still use his Controlled Breathing, but with Corban's pressure, the thin air, and the rock armor, his stamina didn't last long at all. Corban waited patiently for him to catch his breath before they descended.

"Who taught you such a breathing technique?" Corban asked as he watched his student. He was curious since previous pupils had all fainted on the first walk. He had been prepared to take the armor off at a moment's notice, but Thadius had not only managed to stay conscious, he had kept pace.

"My parents." Thadius gasped.

"Are they soldiers? Or are they adventurers?"

"They're athletes...they compete...in a world tournament...every four years." Thadius was struggling with every breath. He timed his words so that he only spoke when he exhaled.

"A world-wide tournament?"

"Yes...sir." Thadius replied.

"What do they compete in? The sword? Archery perhaps?"

Every step down seemed to knock some air out of his lungs, but Thadius proundly replied, "The tournament...is comprised of many events...My father is a gymnast...and my mother...is a swimmer."

"I'd like to hear more about this 'gymnast' later. You say your mother is a swimmer. Did she teach you how to swim as well?" Thadius just nodded. He decided to conserve his breath on yes or no questions.

Corban smiled. "Good, I'd like you to teach me the form during your stay. I've become considerably interested in the world of Travelers."

They chatted as they went down for almost an hour. Then Corban turned onto a small path in between the trees. After a few minutes, Thadius began to hear sounds of rushing water. The forest path eventually gave way to picturesque view covered with a light mist.

There was a crystal clear pool with a waterfall rushing from an overhanging cliff. Fish could be seen between the scattered rocks and boulders that lay just beneath the surface. Sunlight cut through the mist as a rainbow and scattered over the rippling water.

"Quite beautiful isn't it?" Corban asked as he too admired the pond.

"It's quite cold too..." The mist had clung to Thadius' skin, turning the brisk wind into an icy blast.

Corban's tone had suddenly turned solemn as he replied, "That's why we're here, Thadius. Should you prove successful today, you should be able to bear the chill."

"And i-if I'm un-unsuccessful?" Thadius shuddered involuntarily.

"I'll fish you out and have you try again until you are. This is the most important skill you will ever learn from me. I developed it myself, and not many people know of it. Even fewer have actually learned it. This is where most students turn from me Thadius, show me your resolve."

After meeting Corban's eyes, Thadius shook his arms and gave the freezing pond a hard stare. "I'm ready."

Corban nodded and pointed to a boulder beneath the waterfall. "You'll stay there for as long as it takes. Fight the cold. Fight the hunger."

Thadius shook his head in exasperation as he looked at what could possibly be his future grave. The pool that looked so peaceful and serene moments before suddenly turned deadly.

Taking as deep a breath as his armor would allow, Thadius took a step into the pool.

"Gah!" he gasped as ice cold lightning shot through his body. His second foot followed with the same result, and it only seemed to get colder as he waded deeper into the waist-deep pool. The cold penalties popped up, but he brushed them aside.

Thadius steeled himself before he climbed onto the boulder and sat beneath the waterfall. The frozen heavens crashed down upon his shoulders and the shock had him gasping with much shorter breaths.

It was minutes before he settled back into his breathing technique. Then he focused on the words of his master, 'Fight the cold. Fight the hunger'. If those were the only words, then he had already been given the clues he needed to succeed. The first was getting the Fighting Spirit stat.

'The two events might be similar. If that's the case, I can't just tolerate the cold or hunger. I have to resist it.' Thinking of his first encounter with the swordmaster, Thadius organized his approach.

Minutes turned into an hour as he sat, forcing himself to concentrate on warmer thoughts, and willing away his hunger.

Your focus and fortitude under severe conditions have unlocked a new skill. Concentration LV.1 Novice

10% boost to senses and mental abilities while the skill is active Your tranquil thoughts, focused on improving your physical condition, have unlocked new skill Meditation LV.1 Novice

2.5% Mana and Stamina regeneration when used. The skill can only be used outside of combat.

With the effects of his new skills in place, Thadius received a small boost to his stamina regeneration. Yet, it did absolutely nothing to combat his freezing body.

Your body is experiencing extreme cold. Your health has dropped below 10%. Maximum stamina and mana have been cut by 75%. Stamina and mana will not regenerate until body temperature stabilizes. Death by hypothermia in 00:00:02:59

Imminent death. That's the most important piece of information he received from the messages.

'What am I doing wrong!?' Thadius roared inwardly.

He once again thought back to when he first obtained Fighting Spirit. Even as he was about to faint he gave everything he could to stand up. He had felt fear then too, but he had fought it down. So courage had to be a part of it. He had been angry as well, angry at the weakness that assaulted him, and the paralysis that reminded him of the future he'd lost.

There was also hope. In the moments before he passed out, he had hoped fiercely that his body would miraculously rise up and stand.

Anger, Courage, and Hope. It was a strange combination, but in the midst of battle, would they really be out of place?

Thadius focused again and let the emotions take over.

That's when he felt it, the small ball of warmth in the pit of his stomach. While he focused on his emotions, the warmth slowly spread throughout his body.

Due to the unorthodox training of 'Iron Dragon' Corban, you have learned the hidden skill Fighting Aura. Fighting Aura LV.1 Novice

Manipulation of Fighting Spirit. Can be used in place of mana for some skills. Max Fighting Aura is equal to Fighting Spirit.

+100 Fighting Spirit

+99% Cold resistance Fighting Aura can now be regenerated with Meditation

The additional effect was immediate, and the duration was considerable. Using Fighting Aura to block the cold cost one point per minute, so could currently use it for a few hours before he would need to meditate. If he worked on it, he could definitely keep it up for a full day.

'This is an amazing skill.' Thadius thought as he slipped down from the boulder. Steam could be seen rising off him into the air.

Corban smiled at the sight. "I expected you to finish soon, you seem to catch on quicker than the others." he said as he helped the weary Thadius out of the pool. Then he explained how they would spend the next year on the way back to the compound.

---

Brandon had logged out after Corban turned in for the night. Curtis was sitting in the corner watching the livestream.

The nurse turned his head as the stream ended. "So, how was it? That old dude looked pretty intense."

"More than that..." Brandon explained his schedule to Curtis as it had been explained to him by Corban.

He would wake up at dawn and run stairs. He would go down to the trail leading to the pool, then run back to the complex. After a few reps he would train his new skills at the pool until Corban comes for him. This would repeat until he was able to sustain his Fighting Aura for 24 hours.

Once his Fighting Aura was at a sufficient level, his stair repetitions would increase. Eventually, instead of going to the pool, he would begin preparations for combat training. There would be a 9 hour rest period everyday, which would obviously include meals and sleep.

"Stairs...." Curtis grimaced.

Brandon frowned as well. "With absolutely no handrails. It's bullshit."

"That sounds like a lot of time and effort for a single class. You really gonna do it?" Curtis asked while removing the Dark Chariot from Brandon's head.

"I really have nothing else to do, and isn't a year in-game 3 months?"

"Yeah, but it really feels like a full year in game."

"I don't mind. The problem is my sleeping and eating out here. That's going to throw a wrench in the schedule."

"You can sleep in game, remember? The Dark Chariot cuts out REM sleep. You'll sleep like the dead, but it'll balance out time wise. I strongly recommend you ask for a day off every week though, just to get a full night's rest. You know, with dreams and stuff."

"What about meals?" Brandon frowned, just as a noise was heard coming from his belly.

Curtis smiled. "30 minutes out here should be enough. We could shave it down to 15. Even less if we switch to a liquid diet every so often."

"What would I do without you?"

"You couldn't even wipe your own ass."

The two shared a laugh then Curtis went to grab a quick bite to eat for Brandon.

---

Thadius went to sleep after logging back in. The hellish schedule would begin at dawn.