Sorry for being a couple hours late guys! I was doing a bit of editing on this to make sure I didn't look like a fool.

Quick question. Would you like to see more of a first person perspective from the eyes of Mano? Or is the way it's going now fine. I'm leaning towards wanting to put more of an effort in making it more first person, but idk if it'll sound weird when accompanied by the way I'm writing now. Any suggestions?

Anyways I'm really tired.

Thanks fellas

---- Chapter 3 ----

Standing near the entrance to Myst Training Hall’s school ground are five people. Four of them being this year’s combat instructors and the other being Chief Takk.

“I wonder how many students we will get this year?” The dwarf woman, Master Dorna, wonders to the rest of the crew.

“We can only hope for a few. Swordsmanship is so popular not many want to do anything else...” Sighed the Master Feralis, the archery instructor.

“Look on the bright side. At least the magical universities only open up to twelve year olds, even though the test for magical affinity is at the age of eight. If not kids would just leave school then and we wouldn’t have any students past eight except the ones who fail.” Master Tethys interjects.

“I guess that’s true but only one in a thousand have the knack anyways, so it’s not likely. Thanks for the consolation though.” Master Feralis smiles in reply. Master Tethys and Master Feralis are old adventuring partners so they care for each other a lot.

Master Dorna turns to the vanguard instructor this year, an elf woman name Krieg, “How many students do you think it will join the vanguard this year Master Krieg?”

“These days kids are all weak, with no determination. I will not accept just anyone.” Master Krieg's face is cold. “I’m not going to waste my time on kids who are just doing this for fun. They will be tested and only the ones that succeed will I teach.”

So far Krieg hasn’t accepted any students in the ten years she has taught at Myst. Her test is just too hard for a five year old to handle.

“Fair enough. The vanguard is a rough position anyways” Master Dorna responds.

It is not required for a teacher to accept students if he or she deems none are suitable. The instructors here are the cream of the crop so their methods won’t be questioned. However, one can’t decide until they test the applicants.

For example, Master Arron asks each child what their dream is and decides on that whether or not a child is suitable. Most pass. On the other hand, Master Dorna takes her kids through rigorous training regime in the mountains. Not many pass her tests. The masters do whatever they deem necessary to grow fantastic talents.

Naturally if a teacher doesn’t accept you, you’re expelled and need to find a new training hall to study at.

After mingling for a while longer they get the signal that the students that passed will be arriving shortly. Lining up, the instructor await the new class to arrive.

“Hou~?” Chief Takk raises an eyebrow. “More students this year I see. How promising.”

Most years only around 20 students are accepted into Myst. But this year there are over twice that many, at 43.

Time to Introduce the instructors.

----

I PASSED!! I’m so excited the uncle examining us let me into Myst! Mano thought to himself. This place is so big I wonder if i’ll get lost?

Mano idly followed along with the rest of the kids to the group of people in the school yard. Including Master Arron there were six strong looking fellows in front of the children. Each of them began their introductions and the children listened attentively.

Wow that man with the bow’s body looks so powerful. But look at that short lady too, she’s got a serpent as a pet! I wonder if i can get one of those in the vanguard? Mano was bursting with excitement thinking of all the cool adventures these people must have gone on.

I wonder if the vanguard instructor is that pretty lady to the side. She’s almost as pretty as mother. I hope she’s nice Mano figured the elf woman was the vanguard instructor by looking at the equipment the others were wearing. For some reason though, the Master only wore light leather and cloth clothes.

Oh she’s stepping up! I can’t wait to hear what she has to say!

“I am Master Kreig the Vanguard instructor... I do not accept disciples.”

HUH? Mano’s jaw dropped.

Some of the other children were confused as well. None of them wanted to be a vanguard but at the same time didn’t know why she wouldn’t accept any of them. Then something strange happened. Whenever they looked at her they became very afraid. Like a monster was looking at them, ready to pounce and kill them at any moment.

What Master Krieg was actually doing was releasing killing intent on the children. This was her test. A vanguard must be able to show no fear, even in the face of an impossible enemy. Her test was actually a quite effective and many of the other vanguard instructors slapped their head wondering why they hadn’t thought of it.

Che- if you can’t handle this much how can you stand on the front lines where you are the first line of defense! Your comrades lives are in your hands! Master Krieg looks down on the children with distain.

“You may now choose your instructors children!” Master Arron smiled, and all the instructors spread out to give the children space to split up.

Most the children, twenty of them, went to Master Arron. He had them each line up and begin listing their dreams off to him. The rest of the 23 children equally split up amongst the Archery, Subterfuge, and Hunting Instructors. Being led off to take their corresponding trials.

All except one.

----

Watching the children departing Master Krieg sighed. Kids these days really have no guts! That killing intent wasn’t even that of a 3 star beast, if I released real killing intent they would have all passed out from shock. Well, time to go then.

Master Krieg turned toward the vanguard wing of the school where she resided and was going to start walking. Until she felt a small tug on the edge of her sleeve.

“Huh?” Surprised Krieg turned back around. Only to see a boy standing there shivering a little in fear, but didn’t show it.

Mano looked up at her with his big blue eyes. “C-can I be a vanguard please?”

Master Krieg’s eyebrow twitched, and if you looked closely you could see her cheeks take on a slightly pink hue. She quickly regained composure and recollected her thoughts while releasing her killing intent. The boy became visibly more comfortable.

This boy, he clearly is afraid of the killing intent I released. But he stood up and approached me anyways. Heh, looks like I was wrong about this bunch. I guess this one is fine.

“What’s your name kid?”

“Mano ma’am” The boy happily replied.

“Fine. Follow me, you are the first child to approach me in my ten years here. My training is harsh, I hope your ready for pain” Master Krieg responds with a slight smile.

“Yes master!!” Mano happily responds. Krieg is leading the child, facing away from him but if you looked you could see her cheeks were pink again.

The reason she was so flustered was because of a certain reason. Master Krieg absolutely loves cute and adorable things, and the child that was now her disciple was the most adorable child she’s ever seen. It took all her strength not to strangle him with hugs when he approached her and asked her to be his master in a shy voice.

What a weird hobby quirk of the most powerful vanguard instructor in Myst history.

----

Mano was happily following in step with his new master.

Wow she was so scary at first! It took a lot of strength to approach her! Mano was thinking to himself. For some reason though for a split second I got the same feeling from her as i do from the maid-aunties back home.

This school really big though. We have been walking for nearly 15 minutes and the only thing i can see is a small building. Is that the vanguard building? Mano exclaims to himself as the two approach a small log cabin on the edge of a small pond.

The cabin was quaint with nice wood walls and a shingled roof. Weight sets and workout equipment could be scene outside, along with an outdoor bathroom and water basin.

“This will be your new classroom. Every year is separated to a different building based on class size and specialization. Seeing as you are the only vanguard student this year, and it will be only me teaching you for the next seven years, this is enough. You will start tomorrow with your training so pack some things. This is where you will live till you graduate. You will still have holidays off of course. But aside from that, starting tomorrow you eat, sleep, and bleed here."

She said that last phrase with a menacing smile. Knowing just how hard her training can be. Mano shivered with excitement. Surprising Master Krieg.

“I definitely wont let you down master!” Mano bowed deeply.

----

-The next day-

Man yesterday was so fun. Mom and Dad went crazy when they found out i got accepted as a vanguard student at Myst Training Hall. Mano thought while happily trotting along the trail that he and Master Krieg walked yesterday.

Mano didn’t have many possessions that he was attached to at home so he packed lightly. 6 pairs of everyday clothes, 2 clothes for formal events, and a small coin purse filled with his life savings. In total it was a lot more that he thought. A whopping 30 gold pieces! Saving money is great!

Mano didn’t know that Brom and Natalie each put one gold piece in his savings every time he saved on himself, which is what led him to having a bigger savings than he thought. It got the point across though. Now Mano valued saving and like watching it grow bigger.

I wonder what my first day of training is going to be like. I hope it’s something fun.

Mano finally made it to the cabin. Now that I look at it, this place is pretty nice. I’m happy it looks homey. I don’t know if I’d like a stuffy room with two roommates like the guys at the swordsmanship hall. Opening the door and taking a step inside cabin he is confronted with a large shadow.

Master Krieg is looking down on him with a cold look in her eyes. “You’re late.”

Mano was confused. “But master, I thought you said to arrive here just after dawn?”

“Whatever time I assign to you, I expect you to be there twenty minutes early. I’m going to put you through a lot of work, you will need to be warmed up so you don’t get injured.” Kreig seemed to ease up when it came to teaching. Mano being adorable definitely had nothing to do with it. Well, maybe a little bit.

“That being said, you were late so as punishment go run twelve laps around the pond.”

“Yes master!” Mano dropped his things and was already heading for the door.

“Wait! You forgot your uniform.” Krieg motioned to a pair of work out clothes on the bench near the door. “Put it on before you leave.”

“Okay.” Mano picks up the clothes which all together weighed about 7 kg. “Whoa, these clothes are heavy! I have to run in these?”

“Those are nothing, by the time you graduate you will be able to wear 90 kg clothes during everyday activities. For now you will start with these. Wear the clothes I’ve prepared everyday while you are here, you have many pairs.” Master Krieg felt proud of herself on the inside. She managed to make weighted clothes that all look like regular clothing to people not wearing it.

Mano returned with the clothes on, “I’m off master.” He ran off to train like the wind. I can’t wait to get stronger!

Master Krieg let out a wry smile as Mano ran off. “That kid must like pain, each lap around the pond is about 1.5 km.” She laughed to herself and sat on a chair outside of the cabin over looking the pond.

Mano ran a lot everyday at home. He was an active child and often went exploring and climbing trees in the garden. Theres no way running was going to be hard for him.

At least, that’s what he thought.

“Gee this pond sure is big, one lap is takes a long time, I’m already getting tired.” Mano underestimated the distance of the run and over exerted himself in the first couple laps. When you add on the 7kg clothes he was wearing it was a wonder he didn’t collapse already. It was getting progressively harder to run as he finished each lap. “I’m going to seriously have to learn to pace myself here.” He began to slow down.

“Hey! I see you slacking there! I expect you to work like your life depends on it! Four more laps!” Master Krieg yelled to him as he passed by on his eighth lap.

“I’m in trouble.” Mano thought to himself as he picked up his pace. He wasn’t going fast now by any means, a five year old can only go so fast before failure. The main thing is he was pushing his body to the limits.

“Haah, Haah.” Mano was collapsed on the ground after he completed his laps. Every one of his muscles were on fire and shaking slightly.

“You were too slow! I’m not going to teach you any form of combat training till we have your body in tip top shape. If you’re determined, I should have you ready in just about 3 years time. Come now, we can’t skimp on your academic training. You will do push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and flexibility exercises while I teach you.” Master Krieg had a wicked grin on her face. Like a demon.

“Y-yes Master.” Mano weakly attempted to get up but his muscles gave out on him.

“Here before you get up.” Holding a small ceramic cup with a dangerous looking green liquid inside, she offered it to Mano. “Drink this, it’s a special recovery tea that will help you continue training while also providing you with the right nutrients to grow.” She brings the cup to his lips and feeds him some of the medicine.

“Ugh, It tastes gross master!” Mano wanted to spit the liquid out but stopped when he could feel his strength returning much stronger than before. “Wow! This stuff is great! How did you make it?”

“It’s a secret, but I will teach you in due time. With it I will be able to put you through more hell than you can imagine.” Master Krieg had a cold smile. “Now let’s get you inside so I can teach you some mathematics. Just so you know every question I ask that you get wrong, is going to cost you.”

For the first time in Mano’s life, he felt like he might die.