The training fields were huge. It basically consisted of 2 buildings as well as a wide open air area. The bigger building was for inside training, if the weather would prevent them from training outside. The other was a store room, where all the training dummies and wooden weapons, as well as real swords, armour, etc. was kept.

The field was surrounded by a relatively high wall, so it was hard to peek on training sessions. That was also the reason why I haven’t seen anything of the training fields yet except the outside appearance. The rest, I only knew because Sakura, Ryo, Haruto as well as Takeshi kept on talking about it for hours. If there was anything I didn’t know about it, I would be surprised.

I arrived on point, exactly at 15:00. The first thing I did after going inside the training room was wonder if I perhaps chose the wrong side course, because the only students who attended martial arts, were Williams clique as well as 4 other boys, which looked like delinquents with their comfortable clothing. The last 2 people was a blond girl, with blue eyes. Her looks weren’t bad but I wasn’t particularly interested in her and a young boy, looking very similar to the girl. If I’d take a guess they were siblings, perhaps even twins.

The atmosphere was really strange. They all knew each other, while I only knew William. At least they looked like they didn’t like each other, so they weren’t ganging up on me. I was seriously relieved about that. All 4 groups were nervous and scouting the others. Williams gang, the 4 boys stood together, the twins and last but not least me.

After 5 minutes, 1 teacher finally showed up. Strangely enough, when he arrived everyone else lined up and stood still. It seemed as that stare battle never happened and they were all friendly with each other. To my misfortune, it was something, that teacher instructed his students to do. It was for something like discipline.

“We have a new face this year?”(Teacher)

“Yes, teacher.”(Me)

He said when he saw me. Afterwards he looked at the other students.

“Why has no one instructed the newcomer of the rules?!”(Teacher)

He shouted with a loud voice. The others trembled at his shout, but then bowed down and apologized to him. He turned back to me and started explaining.

“My name is Nerlan Armstrong. From now on, you will only address me with sir and as they did, every time you see me coming, you will stand in line and wait for my instructions. Did you understand student.”(Nerlan)

“Yes sir!”(Me)

“Good with this straightforward personality, it will take more effort for me to break you, student. I am really happy about challenges. Well, everyone go to the fields and wait for me.”(Nerlan)

“Yes sir.”(Students)

Armstrong was leading the way and the others just followed behind him. I needed to forget his statement about breaking me, or else I wouldn’t have been able to follow behind them.

“Do you perhaps know what Mr. Armstrong meant with breaking me?”(Me)

I anxiously asked the girl, because she seemed like the only normal person to me.

“First of all it is Sir Armstrong and my name is Kathrine. It is as he said, he will break your mind and body with physical training, so you learn your place. You should be prepared for it, cause it will hurt.”(Kathrine)

Perhaps she wasn’t normal too. Kathrine said everything with a monotone and bored voice. It didn’t look like she was controlled or something like that, she acted like that because she predicted my reaction as well as my question so she was bored that I wasn’t more interesting.

When we left the building and arrived at the open field, Armstrong stopped and everyone got in line, this time I was there too.

“Before I forget, we will train with a trainee today. He will be here in about 15 minutes so greet him with respect when he arrives.”(Armstrong)

“Yes sir.”(Students)

Even though I could clearly see that everyone was confused, they all answered with no hesitation.

“Until my trainee arrives, I will break the newbie. All the others stay in line.”(Armstrong)

“Yes sir.”(Students)

“Newbie step forward.”(Armstrong)

“Yes sir.”(Me)

“I’ll summarize the rules for you. You are not allowed to move, defend, attack or use magic until I allow you to. Understood.”(Armstrong)

Am I at least allowed to breath?

I could only think about this joke quietly.

“I asked you if you understood?!”(Armstrong)

“Yes sir.”(Me)

“Good than I will get started now.”(Armstrong)

He was starting inhaling and exhaling.

“How long do you think he will last?”(Kathrine)

“About 5 minutes.”(Twin brother)

Was what the others whispered. Armstrong finished preparing and started to run at me. I had no idea what I should do. I panicked when he came near me, but I stood firm and didn’t move. I could see a big smile on his face.

It is better to skip what happened during the next 10 minutes. Long story short, he was beating me up, while I wasn’t allowed to do anything. Even my trained body couldn’t withstand the damage and literally broke down after 10 minutes. There was almost no places left, which he didn’t punch at least once. Let’s ignore the bones he broke for the time being. It did hurt like hell.

During the first 5 minutes all the students were looking at me normally. Afterwards, their gazes made a 180 degree turn. One after the other started to look at me with respect, except William.

“10 minutes? You survived 10 whole minutes and even made shed some sweat, while not screaming at least once, what an interesting student you are.”(Armstrong)

The first thing he went for was my mouth so how the fuck should I have been able to scream. I just hoped all my teeth were intact. It was a really inhuman way of training, was all I could think about and let it at that.

“Sir Armstrong, I have arrived.”(Trainee)

This 1 sentence broke the silence. Everyone was standing in line as instructed before. At least everyone who could.

“Good timing Lidus, take care of his injuries.”(Armstrong)

“Yes sir.”(Lidus)

He came near me and picked me up. While carrying me he went to the second floor of the training house and put me down on a bed. I was quite surprised when he healed my injuries with magic. The swellings were gone in a matter of minutes. Most bones were still broken but the pain lessened a lot. The most important thing was that I was able to speak again.

“So, how was it Mr. Brownie?”(Me)

“What are you talking about? I don’t like your disrespectful tone at all, student. My name is Lidus.”(Lidus)

“I am sorry Mr. Lidus. So how was it seeing me getting beaten up?”(Me)