"Nngh!"

It's been a while since I slept this well. Okay, the beds in the palace were qualitatively better, but try relaxing with all the conspiracies going on, you won't make it. I lost count of how many maids who changed the sheets carried hidden knives. No, this is much preferable.

"Wham"

Wha-

"Hey, sleeping beauty. GET OUT OF THE SHEETS!!!" (crazy lady!)

At once, all my alarms go off, and I'm directly at high alert. Survival instincts kick in, making me grasp for the dagger under the cushion, and focus on the figure that just kicked the door open. There stands a woman, with reddish brown hair, wearing a partial chainmail around the chest that leaves the arms free. Her gaze is freezing, but more unsettling is this almost murderous aura around her.

"Hah, at least you got good instincts. Maybe we can make something out of you." (crazy lady)

Sure, weird woman who barged into my room. That longsword at your hip is a good argument to make me agree with anything you say. But wait, what she just said...

"I take it, you're Relia?" (Elin)

Damn, was that a mistake? Why is she staring like that?

"Well, apparently we have a smartass here. Try to keep that head on your shoulders." (Relia)

You just have to love the kind of people who casually start threatening you.

"Would you mind telling me what exactly you're doing here?" (Elin)

"Taking you to your training. I got tasked yesterday to rough you through training no matter what, and by experience I know that enough try to dodge it the first few times." (Relia)

Maybe I should've run.

"Sure... However, I just woke up and didn't even eat breakfast. So how about you come again later." (Elin)

"Hah. Funny that you think that you would get breakfast before the first few sets." (Relia)

I definitely should've escaped last night.

"So, are you coming peacefully, or do I have to beat you up first and pull you by the leg to the exercise field?" (Relia)

The thing is, I have a distinct concern that she's actually serious.

"Damn. Can I at least dress?" (Elin)

"Sure. But better not wear anything you like." (Relia)

Wonderful. What an outlook. So it comes that I find myself on the exercise field a short time later. I chose to dress in the uniform that I got for the mission. If the queen already puts me through this, she can also pay for a new one. While I take in my surroundings, I find that there is a stack of wooden weapons set up.

"Take your usual weapon of choice. I need to see what I can do." (Relia)

Great. Sparring. This lunatic is sure to go easy on me.

I move to the rack. The assortment is interesting. You find all the classics, like swords or clubs, but also more outlandish forms, like a glaive, or claws. Of course, all in their wooden forms. However, I believe the bow could still hurt if you get hit by that projectile. Hard to make this harmless. While a bigger weapon sounds appealing, I'm most familiar with the dagger. Anything longer is simply too unwieldy if you seek to shank someone in the city. Also, I need to admit that I'm too weak and small to effectively wield even a medium-sized sword. A spear might be safer, granting me more reach, but it would be cumbersome to carry one around as short as I am.

Yeah, two daggers are more my style. This way, I can even throw one in the heat of the battle. Might even catch this crazy off guard. This is the right choice.

"Huh, light weaponry. Well, in that case, I'm really sorry for you." (Relia)

Or maybe not.

"Ehm, would you elaborate?" (Elin)

"Now you see, there are very different training methods to teach someone the fundamentals of enhancement techniques. Yet it should be something the character is comfortable with. Otherwise, it's only going to be a drag starting out, no matter how much talent the individual has. In the case of light weaponry, you're going to be made to dodge a lot of attacks. People with a focus on agility need to learn to act deliberate under stress and to avoid damage while still fighting effectively. Strength and perception training in comparison don't afford quite as harsh beatings as you're going to receive here." (Relia)

"Wait! I reconsider! I'm a ranged fighter!" (Elin)

"Nice try kiddo. By experience I can tell you that teaching a technique that isn't compatible with the recipient usually won't work. I can see that you lack the calm to stay back and take aim. Not to forget that it wouldn't help all that much in your line of work. No, teaching your eyes to aim would only screw you up from focusing on general perception." (Relia)

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I never really looked much into body-strengthening techniques. Back in Ekoras, it was said that some higher-ranking adventurers would offer to tutor you, but of course only against a hefty tuition fee. Nothing I could afford by any reasonable means. In addition, it's said that practitioners would have to eat double or thrice the amount of your regular fellow. So while the increased abilities sounded nice to have, the downside was considerable for someone at my station at that time. So I rather focused on surviving the next day instead of learning an ability that would likely kill me.

Now, however, I have a much more convenient position. At least, I assume that the queen is going to keep me fed. If I were to make a pro-contra list I guess the merits for going through with this training would outweigh the faults. I mean, a bit of short-term discomfort should surely not influence my decision to gain some solid advantages that could even save my life were I to get into another fight.

"Fine, alright. Let's do this." (Elin)

I mean, how bad can this be?

"I see you're motivated. That will serve you well. Just a moment please. There's something I need to take care of." (Relia)

I follow her gaze and see that there's a girl running our way. She seems to be somewhat about my age. Maybe a bit older, but not much taller. Also, she got white hair. I actually never saw anyone that age donning white hair. Also, it's so disheveled that it looks as if she made it just out of bed. Good night's sleep for someone who apparently let the woman next to me wait. As she gets closer, I notice that her skin is weirdly grey. Like of someone severely sick, but one couldn't tell from the way she's running. Then, as she comes a bit closer, the most stunning feature would be her pale white eyes. There's barely any pupil to take note of.

"Are you finally gracing us with your presence, Yomi? I expected you half an hour prior." (Relia)

The girl keeps on running, trying to push herself a little faster, which causes a slight stumble. When she finally makes it to us, I wonder why she isn't wheezing as off-balance she looked before. Next, she starts even to talk without catching any breath.

"Sorry. I know I'm late. There were... circumstances. Ehm, who is this?" (Yomi)

Wow, if ever a gaze told me I'm not supposed to be here. Do I now have to convince her why I have to be at a place where I don't wanna be?

"This is Elin, a royal courier who I'm supposed to teach the basics. Therefore, she's going to train with us, which means that she's here at the right place. Now, on the other hand, I'd like to know how it came that you weren't here. We have a fixed meeting every day, and you failed to be on time." (Relia)

"Uh, you know, I didn't quite get out of the bed. You know, I have trouble waking up since... well, you know." (Yomi)

She looks at me saying this. Surely part of this so awfully badly kept secret.

"Mhm, mhm. I understand. Yomi, would you come a little closer?" (Relia)

Now I see a sense of dread creeping into the disturbingly white-blue eyes of that girl. Nonetheless, she complies.

"Whomp"

Only to earn herself a fist to the stomach so hard that it lifts her off the ground.

"Yeah, I see. You seem to be quite sleepy. If you were awake you could've dodged this." (Relia)

I need to commend her that she didn't throw up after this stomach churner. Yet she really could've seen this coming. Though I admit the intensity shocked me. Even more shocked I am about how quickly she picks herself up again. Wouldn't you rather go to the infirmary after this punch?

"Gruh, you know, just because you can doesn't mean you have to." (Yomi)

"It's what you're responding best to. Now then, you'll start with thirty rounds around the field. Let's see if this gets you going." (Relia)

"I doubt it. Urgh." (Yomi)

Unbelievable. The girl seriously starts running. Thirty laps... After this. Any normal person would at most be capable of crawling. And not for long.

Then the most terrifying thing ever happens, and the crazy sadist turns towards me.

"Looks like she's occupied for the time being. Then as you said, let's get started!" (Relia)

I am starting to reconsider a lot of my life choices right now.

-----

"Left! Right! Dodge! I said fucking dodge!!!" (Relia)

"Wham"

Uff! I think I just broke a rib. Even if this woman only uses a wooden sword, swinging a club at a sufficient speed can cause serious harm. Oh, and did I mention that she fails to internalize the concept of holding back? Seriously, she's like two heads taller than I am and swings at me like I were an orc. Urgh, there she comes again. Though, it seems like she doesn't wind up swinging at me while I'm on the ground. Instead, she extends something towards me.

"Here, drink!" (Relia)

"What is this?" (Elin)

"A military-grade healing potion. Whatever bruises you got should, depending on what you got, heal within the next few minutes. Until then, commence with light exercises." (Relia)

Oh great. I'm getting patched back together after she took me apart. But the potion I still take gladly. After all, those things are apparently topped on healing power. It's actually crazy that they would waste such a thing on me. With five of them, you could probably buy a house.

"Wouldn't it be more cost-effective if you didn't beat me up like this in the first place?" (Elin)

"Don't you worry, we're stocked up!" (Relia)

She opens a wooden box wherein lie around fifty healing potions. Yeah, how could I get out of this town with them? Retirement in a faraway country doesn't seem so bad all of a sudden.

"Shouldn't you rather use them to feed some big shot with a splinter?" (Elin)

"What do you take the army for? We got our funds for a reason. No, you're going to drink all of them. Believe me, you're going to need it." (Relia)

"Isn't magical poisoning a thing?" (Elin)

I heard it can happen when you drink too many in a row and makes your condition deteriorate.

"That would be even better. The best way to make someone realize a strengthening technique is stress and a body that's upped on life essence. Just tell me once you start coughing up golden goop. Then we should probably call it a day." (Relia)

I start to estimate my survival chances lower and lower. However, I'm not the only one having a hard time. As bad as she is with me, I'm at least allowed to take a breather. The girl is still going. She didn't slow down once during that time, yet stumbled on occasion. On the other hand, I feel like this Relia will only let her off once she starts vomiting blood.

"Is this supposed to be your walking form?! You can do faster, you did it at the start! So go or I'm going after you with my sword, and no, I don't mean the practice weapon!" (Relia)

Seriously, she's already going for her thirty-second round and this monster of a drill officer is relentless with her.

"Captain Relia!" (soldier)

A messenger.

"What is it? Didn't I say I don't wish to be bothered if I already have to take care of this?" (Relia)

"I'm sorry. An urgent call from the commander. Your presence is demanded." (soldier)

"Shit. You two! Keep going! No slacking off until I am back again!" (Relia)

What exactly am I supposed to do? Okay, I've got some dagger techniques shown to me, but am I supposed to do air practices the whole time? Well, I guess I'll do some easy moves, so I can feign that I put in some effort. Nothing that drains me too much. It's still better than what the girl got. She runs on and on and on.

At one point, she suddenly grows a bit sluggish. Is it just me, or is she now even paler than before? Oh no, that doesn't look...

"Whock"

...good.

Yep, she faceplanted right next to me. I suppose I should look after her.

"Hey you! Everything alright?" (Elin)

Can't see her face, but she seems to mumble something.

"Can't. Need to. Can't. Empty. Need to..." (Yomi)

"Ehm, is everything alright?" (Elin)

Hopefully, she didn't hurt her head too much. If she trains under that lunatic she must have some value, so it probably wouldn't be good.

"I need to, I need to, I need to..." (Yomi)

Something serious? Do I have to call a healer? What about the healing potions?!

"I need to breathe!!!" (Yomi)

"Whooooooohhhh"

Wh-what is this? Her mouth, a gaping maw! My breath. I cannot... It's like it's sucked away from me. Pink-green smoke being drained out of my mouth.

It's cold! Why is it so cold?! Spreading, no, not spreading, but vanishing. The cold is absence. Devoid of life. My life! Help!

"Whoooohhhh"

"Whomp"

"What the fuck do you think you're doing there?!" (Relia)

The lunatic!? She just knocked her head!

"I, I'm sorry! She was suddenly there and I, I couldn't..." (Yomi)

"Whack"

"How many times do I have to tell you to get that in order?! This is why you're still useless! Learn to control that!" (Relia)

"I, I'm sorry." (Yomi)

"Don't be sorry, be better! This can't keep happening!" (Relia)

What exactly just happened?! I felt so weak. Still feel, but it's gradually getting better.

"And you! Didn't I tell you not to come close to her?!" (Relia)

"No, you did nothing of the sort! What the fuck was this?!" (Elin)

"Well, today you met Akaras' very own revenant. A dead girl returned to feast on the living, seemingly whether she wants to or not. Say hello to Yomi." (Relia)

The girl in question awkwardly waves before quickly running back to do her round, probably to avoid further punches.

"Well, certainly the both of you are a handful, but we're gonna make proper soldiers out of you." (Relia)

I said this now several times already. But can someone please get me out of here?!

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