Freya flopped into the waters of Lake Kel. She lazily blew bubbles before surfacing. The cramps in her thigh muscles relaxed and disappeared. Still, she stayed in a little longer to fully recover. Floating on her back, she heard Indrek’s muffled voice from the shore.

“Each time you exhale, picture expanding that energy out.”

It was the second day Red Star Lightning’s guild was receiving instruction from Indrek. After taking care of the demon bison in the Brio Wyn region, the game players were eager to learn Meridian Manipulation. Indrek agreed but asked Lady Merlin to open a portal to Corrin. He wanted to bring Daveth and Meng to a prison in Corrin to question them further. Also, it was important to investigate how far Kamdale’s ideologies had spread. As Corrin was the center of the demoniclast organization, Indrek wanted to return to the lakeside town quickly.

Returning to Corrin also allowed them to use Lake Kel. Indrek had Freya get back to weight training along with Botan. Without Kamdale in the picture, Indrek had taken over Botan’s apprenticeship.

“Ahh, I feel like I’m going to die,” Botan said, falling into the lake alongside Freya.

Since he was new to these exercises, Indrek hadn’t made him lift as much. The demoniclast master also warned Botan he shouldn’t look to Freya as an example. Her progress was too much to be normal. Freya blamed it on the game.

She checked her stats again. Her strength attribute just reached level 13. Not only did she feel stronger, but she looked different too. Her stick-like arms now had defined muscles. Nightscythe was the first to comment on it, using some slang Freya wasn’t familiar with. Apparently, it was very funny to Red Star Lightning’s guild.

After wallowing in the water for a bit, Botan sat up and watched the group on the beach. The guild members all sat cross-legged with their eyes closed. Indrek walked between them, checking their progress in moving their qi.

“I don’t know what’s worse, this strength training or that qi training,” Botan mumbled. “I’m glad I don’t have to go through that again.”

“Was it that bad?” Freya asked.

“It felt like my skin was going to rip open.”

She frowned at that. Learning qi control shouldn’t be painful. All the potential demoniclast apprentices got the chance to learn to control their qi before the last trial. Each of them paired with an experienced demoniclast teacher. Casting her mind back, Freya tried to remember who coached Botan. She bit her lip when she remembered.

“Kamdale taught you, right?”

Botan nodded. Freya’s frown deepened, “Can I see your hand?”

Touching his hand, she spread her qi out to examine his meridian lines. She could feel his warm, lively qi flowing. However, his meridians were frayed and warped. The lines weren’t completely damaged, but there were ragged. As if they were broken and then healed.

“I don’t think you were taught correctly. It looks like your meridian lines were forcefully opened.”

“Kamdale was worried about me making the deadline.”

Freya rubbed her temple. The trial participants only got a week to learn qi control and use it in a mock fight. Those who couldn’t use a qi-based attack during the third trial were eliminated no matter how well they fought. Kamdale must have wanted Botan to pass, no matter if he was ready or not. Judging by the damage, Freya guessed Kamdale had used his own qi to burst open Botan’s meridian lines.

“Your lucky there’s not more damage. To attack with qi, your meridian lines need to be open. However, it’s best if you slowly learn to open them on your own. Or at least use a potion to make them more porous.”

Botan looked at his hand in concern, then splashed it down into the water. He looked down, “Kamdale did warn me it would be dangerous, but I wanted to pass.”

Freya bit her lip. At least Kamdale got his consent, but it still sounded like he pushed Botan into it. I wonder why Kamdale was so set on having Botan as an apprentice? What’s special about him? Did he just seem easy to manipulate?

Patting him on the shoulder, Freya said, “You do have resilient meridian lines. They’re already healing. Hopefully, as they heal, you’ll gain more control of your qi too. Make sure you don’t force your qi out either; that’s going to damage them more.”

Botan sighed, “I’m always rushing into things and messing everything up. During the first trial, I didn’t pick the right route. I almost died during the second trial. And I guess I pretty much cheated the third. Do I deserve to be a demoniclast apprentice?”

“Yes.”

The answer was out of Freya’s mouth before she even thought about it.

“You made it here. Sometimes being impulsive isn’t bad. You saved me from Kamdale, right? I don’t think many other apprentices would have jumped in.”

“I didn’t help that much.”

Freya shook her head, “My Qi Armor was gone. If I had taken another hit, I would have died.”

Botan stared at her in surprise. Freya smiled, “So don’t put yourself down. Come on, let’s keep going.”

She stood up from the water and walked to shore. Her muscles felt fully recovered thanks to the long soak. Botan followed her out of the lake and started doing his exercises, looking a little more upbeat.

Picking up a heavy sandbag, Freya prepared to do another set of squats.

Beep!

[Nightscythe: Rumors of PK in Pelophia]

[Nightscythe: Could be Kamdale]

[Nightscythe: Should we check it out?]