Magnus stood inside the training room, lining the room were all manners of training equipment.

Magnus found out that this room stood beyond the planning room. It seemed like the two rooms he saw the day before was not everything that made up the hideout. Taylan told him that there were half a dozen escape routes that lead off to different parts of the city and places that Magnus had yet to explore.

The young practitioner stood facing Wang Shui who was now getting started with his lessons, “The stuff we put you through yesterday had three goals, we were trying to measure your limit, see what you know so far, and see how fast you can pick up stuff.

Now we finally have a clear picture of you, so today your lessons start for real.”

Magnus could not help swallowing down on the lump in his throat, he prayed to whatever god was out there and the cosmos itself that he makes it through the day.

“My lessons will be the longest, it will be taking up half the day, and during that time we will be doing different types of training. We will be cover flexibility training, strength training, endurance training, balance training, vigor training, aerobic training, and moderate intensity exercise. So are you ready?”

Magnus nodded his head and hoped that was indeed the case becsuse deep down inside, he was not feeling like that was not the case.

“Good,” Shui said, “Do you have any questions?”

Magnus shook his head in reply, signaling a definitive no.

Magnus’s new trainer raised his eyebrow and asked, “Are you sure you have no questions?”

Magnus paused, he was going with the flow before, but now that he asked the same question, this reminded him of his school days. The teachers would always ask you trick questions to see if you were paying attention.

Well, since Shui wanted a proactive class, Magnus put forth the question that was bothering him, “What’s all the training for? I know all the advantages, but I have the feeling that you guys are putting a lot of emphasis on it.”

Shui nodded his head with a smile cracking his lips, “Good observation! The training is not only for your skill sets to grow and your power to advance but for your control, understanding, and mastery to grow.”

“What do you mean by that?” Magnus asked, paying more attention to his last few words.

“Well, let’s talk about control first.” Shui said, “This is a point that most new practitioners forget about when you practice a technique you advance in many ways, and you need to reel that in. It is only in control that you will not be hurting yourself and those around you.”

“What about understanding and mastery?” Magnus asked Shui words were truly broadening his horizons.

“I am getting to that,” Shui said, “Understanding is an important lesson, you could say it is the pivot point. You must understand gains you make or else what benefit is there to become stronger if you do not know how you became stronger or in what way.”

Magnus thought back to his stats; he had an advantage and a disadvantage against most of the practitioners. He had a deeper understanding of the physical stats since Codex found out that there were six stats instead of the three that everybody knows, and he does not think anybody has the same unique outlook on stats than he does.

However, where he falls short is that he does not know much about the spiritual stats, or how to use them as well. The same could be said of the mental, the elemental, and energy techniques since he has never run into it.

“Finally, the last lesson is mastery, do not confuse it with control, these two lessons are similar, but they are also quite different at the same time. An example that comes to the top of my mind is the sword, you can know how to swing it, meaning you have control of the weapon, but does that mean mastery? No!

Are you who only knows how to swing the sword, and a master that learn and mastered the sword, the same? No! This is the difference between control and mastery, so remember that an always ask yourself that.”

“Have you mastered your strength?” Magnus asked Wang Shui once he finished explaining. He was already thinking ahead and wondering how long it would take to learn those three lessons, and he could use Shui answer as a reference.

“No,” Shui answered back.

"I can see that you are confused, huh? Well, let me explain. There is always a higher level of understanding, control, and mastery. This is a life long pursuit that never comes to an end; you are constantly learning and becoming better. Furthermore, you can apply this to all facets of life."

Magnus nodded his head along as Shui explained more about these three lessons, now having a more deeper and clearer understanding.

“Great, now do you have any more questions?” Shui asked.

This time Magnus could safely shake his head, but that would only be for now since he knew the more he learned the more question there would be.

“Excellent, then we can start our training.”

----------------------------

The training turned out to be what Shui said it would be. They first started with flexibility training as Magnus had to do all kinds of stretches. His body was pushed to the limit as he had to stretch in all sorts of angles.

The next training that they did was strength training, there were all kinds of weights in the training room, and Magnus was made to carry it. He found out that there is a reason why his strength stat is below normal. He couldn’t even lift his own weight, which was less than 42 kg.

Then there was endurance training, which was simple at first since he had to run around this place with each lap having to be longer and faster. Magnus started out well; his agility stat was normal even if it was in the lower normal range; however, in under ten minutes, he was already panting and wheezing.

It became obvious to Magnus at that moment you do not want your stats to ever be below normal.

With great difficulty, they finished up the endurance training and went on to the balance training, this one was not as intense as the training before, but it was nerve racking. Magnus was made to walk on planks then robes. He could help to look towards the ceiling where there were thin ropes, and he wondered if he would be made to walk that next.

The next training was vigor training, Magnus had to run through a course that Shui set up. The course was not as easy as it looked; all kinds of things were gunning for him like sticks, sandbags, swinging hard ropes, etc. Magnus’s goal was to dodge all that, but it was impossible. Shui had to drag him out battered and bruised.

After that, it was aerobic training, Magnus was taken to another room which basically a swimming pool. This room was an underground reservoir with enough water that it was perfect for a swimming pool that was 10 meters deep, and 15 meters in length and width. They did all sorts of exercises, but the underlying goal was the same. He needed to hold his breath longer and longer.

Finally, they rounded things off with moderate intensity exercise. This was by far the best and easiest training; it looked like a complete breeze compared to all the others he did.

Once that was over half the day was gone, just like Shui said it would be, Magnus was let out to have a meal, then it would be weapon training with Bulut.

As Magnus ate, he thought of all the training he did with Shui. Basically, his training covered all his stats. Even if these people did not know about the six stats, Shui training covered each and every one of them.

Flexibility training made him malleable so that he could do the training and improve, strength training covered strength, endurance training covered endurance and agility, balance training covered dexterity, vigor training covered durability, aerobic training covered vitality, and moderate intensity exercise rounded things off.

Even with all its benefits, that training session totally drained him, he did not know how he would be able to finish up his other three training he has left, but then an idea struck him. Magnus thought back to his meditation technique and how it literally revived him. Practicing it right now would be the perfect moment!

Magnus crossed his legs together as he cleared his mind and slowly recited the mantra. This time it did not take long for results to come in as a sudden wave of bliss hit him. Also, this time, Magnus did not make the mistake of stopping during mid tracks in surprise. He kept reciting the mantra until he felt like more than enough time passed before he would be expected back in the training room.

When he came to a halt, the wave of bliss faded away, and Magnus took in a deep breath enjoying the freshness he was feeling. Then he stretched his limbs, feeling energized and ready for his training.

-------------------------------

Once more, Magnus stood inside the training room, but this time his instructor was not Wang Shui but Bulut.

“I believe Shui told you your training will start today, correct?” Bulut asked as he held a stick in his hands.

Magnus nodded his head in reply.

“Good, my lessons will be divided into two parts, the practical and the theoretical. Meaning during one time you will be learning how to wield daggers, short swords, throwing knives, and short bows. During the other parts I will be imparting with you my knowledge about weaponry. Is that understood?”

Once more, Magnus nodded his head, and he even went as far to acting like a soldier and saying, “Yes, sir!”

From the bob of is his head, Magnus could tell that Bulut appreciated the soldier in him. These training sessions were not only for him to grow and become more skilled, but they also let him gleam each instructor's personality. How they taught, what they expect from him, and even the way that they conducted themselves showed how they were as a person.

From Wang Shui, he got the feeling that he is the teacher, from the way he wanted Magnus to be proactive and ask questions. From Bulut, he got the feeling he was the commander; he wanted absolute obedience and strict behavior.

“Here take this,” Bulut said as he handed Magnus a stick which was similar to the one he held.

“We will start with canes, then when I think you are ready, we will move on to blunted weapons. Finally after you show promise, we will move to live steel.”

Magnus nodded his head along to Bulut statements as he stood prim and proper, then once he finished talking about the different stages of his training, he suddenly attacked Magnus. It was only thanks to him being on the ready that he was able to block the strike.

“Excellent,” Bulut said as he withdrew his crane, “That is the first lesson you will be learning, always be on the ready! No matter, you must either be ready to defend yourself or be ready to attack. This is a common mistake that everybody makes, whether it be masters out of arrogance or beginners out of ignorance. So if you do not want to die, always be on the ready!”

During that time that Bulut was giving his first lesson, he attacked Magnus three times, one from the right, and the other two from the front and back. Magnus was able to block all of them since he was constantly weary, but he had to strain himself each time since Bulut blows were like a bull ram.

“Now, what is the first lesson that you learned?” Bulut asked in a bellow.

“Constant Vigilance!” Magnus shouted back.

“Good,” Bulut said, and in an offhanded manner, he added, “great phrase, I might just use that. Now moving on,” he added, getting back to his serious demeanor.

“The second lesson you will be learning is the proper stances. Now let’s fix this appalling stance you are in.” Then with his cane, Bulut fixed up Magnus’s stance as he told him to move his leg this way and that.

Finally, he was content with the ‘okay’ stance he had, “much better than the piss poor one you had before, though not by much,” was his words.

“This here is an On Guard or more accurately a Mid Guard, it is that the basic starting stance,” Bulut said as Magnus stood with his crane held out at his midsection and his right leg bent at the knee, and the left leg straight, while his hips and shoulders remain facing squarely forward.

“This stance is good for thrusting, go ahead and try it,” Bulut said in an encouraging manner but still in an orderly format.

Magnus did as he was told eagerly not needed to be told twice, this was a novel experience learning about melee weapons. It kind of reminded him of the times, he would go out hunting with his father and as he taught him all about firearms.

“Good,” Bulut said one Magnus thrusted the cane a couple of times, “and remember there is no reason to scream, it is a waste of energy.” He added as he addressed the shouting Magnus was making with each thrust.

“Yes, sir!” Magnus said feeling a bit abashed but not showing it in his expression, which was total seriousness like Bulut’s. Even if he could have sworn that he saw a flicker of amusement of Bulut’s face. He did not know what came over him, but he remembered all those karate movies and sort of emulated them.

“Now, moving on to the next stance…” Bulut said as he once more adjusted his body to stand in another stance.

One by one, they went through one stance after another, Bulut went over what each stance was good for, and he had him try it out. Magnus felt overwhelmed; all in all, they covered 12 stances in total, and they were just the basic ones.

Though in Bulut’s words, those 12 stances where all he needed, all those other fancy stuff would just get him killed. Magnus could see the wisdom in that, these 12 stances basically covered everything, and he could spend a lifetime mastering them. So what was the point of jumping to more complicated stuff that could be detrimental for a beginner like him.

“That will be all for today, even though we did not cover any theoretical knowledge, I believe this is more than adequate today since it is your first day after all and this is all new to you. However, tomorrow, we will cover short swords, and we will continue to go over the stances. I will have you know; we will stick to the stances until you show me that the slightest of breezes will not tip you over.”

Magnus was slightly disappointed at that; he knew that his stances could use a lot of work. But he had this childish imagination that he would already be swinging his sword like a pro and doing backflips and awesome chops.

Bulut must have noticed Magnus’s let down because he now got into the importance of stances. “You may think that stances are unimportant, but they are the fundamental! They are the building blocks that you jump off from to learn how to attack, parry, dodge, and block. You may think it is boring, but if you do not have proper stances you will die.

Then in a more softer tone, Bulut added, “Look, kid, you may be taken in by the flowery performance and the beautiful dance of swordsmanship, but knew this a master only looks at footwork and stances of a person, that it what shows the person skill. That right there should show you how important stances are, so once you show me that your stances are adequate will proceed on to more advanced stuff.”

“Like what sir?” Magnus asked as he could not help himself from reaching for the dangling fruit.

“I do believe I already mentioned it but if I must repeat myself, you will be learning how attack, parry, dodge, and block. After that I will be teaching you the most important lesson, how to control the flow of a fight. Once all that is covered we will take off the training wheels and be moving on to blunted weapons were you will learn how to properly wield short swords, daggers, throwing knives, and short bows. Then finally, we will move on to the last step, live steal, I will have no more to teach you at that point, so it will be sparring session from then on.”

As Magnus listened to Bulut talk he felt more and more excited, it was like he was a kid again, which he was physically right now, but complications aside, he felt like a little kid at Christmas. He couldn’t wait to cover more in Bulut’s class, though he still had to pay attention, it looked like the man was giving his closing remarks.

“Now it looks like my time is over, but I want to impart with you one last lesson of the day. If you can not win, flee. If victory is not assured, you better be the first one running no matter what! Is that clear, boy?”

This time Magnus could tell that Bulut was deadly serious, this was not the pretend stuff he was putting on, but a deadly menace.

Magnus nodded his head also in that deadly grave attitude, that is a lesson he could wholeheartedly agree with.

Bulut must have felt that Magnus was in total agreement since his face slacked a bit, and he let him off to his next lessons with Taylan.