[Thabo POV]

Thank goodness I took a nice break; though I have no body I still feel strained for some reason. It’s time for me to recheck the situation within my soul. I’ve confirmed that I opened control of my [true heart] and am ready to move on to the next stage. I notice now that I have three sets of circuits in my soul; the first are circuits connected to my [true heart] these are the largest and are responsible for circulating and storing mana/energy within my soul. The second and third set are connected to my medium/life point, they are responsible for releasing energy into the world to be used. The first is a [fixed circuit] set, which is set to your bodies exact shape and size, this set is responsible for martial arts. Then there is the [variable circuit] set, as its name suggests it has no true shape or form and is responsible for releasing magic into spells.

This directs me to what I now notice is the strongest path for energy in my body; the [central power flow]. Which begins in my true heart, then flows to my mana core, then to my medium point finally flowing back to my true heart. This is a circular flow of energy which basically decides how strong you are. The true heart as I’ve just noticed is responsible for pulling raw magical energy from the environment into your soul, it’s also responsible for circulating the power within your soul. In this way your [true heart] has the main job of creating [spiritual pressure]. The pressure exerted on magic by the soul. A strong pressure means faster casting for spells and faster martial arts, at extremely high levels you could even affect the power within your opponent’s soul.

The [mana core] has only one job; convert external energy into your own souls’ energy. As I said before the more powerful the [mana core] the purer the mana produced will be. The [medium point] is often associated with life, that’s because its main job is to bind the soul to the body and turn spiritual energy into mana or ki. Its only after passing through this point can spiritual energy actually be used. It turns corporeal spirit energy into actual and usable energy. Fortunately, this point has a 100% conversion rate however its main lagging point is filtering energy and properly delivering it to the circuits. This is what differentiates martial artists from magic users. Though both may have the same amount of energy, a martial artist may not be able to funnel energy into their [variable circuits] and form spells quickly or well enough often leading to leakages. Opposite goes for magic users trying to use martial arts which rely on [fixed circuits]. I, however, had equal talent in both so I never faced issues of favoring one side.

Oh yes, that’s an important point for when I get connected to the system; spiritual energy is the source of both mana and ki/stamina so it’s usually the only thing displayed until you choose your specialty. Also stamina is a measure of your ki so exhausting it doesn’t mean you’re tired just that you can’t use physical abilities.

So that’s the three; the [true heart] gathers pushes and stores, the [mana core] converts and the [medium] channels, filters and releases. Get these three working to maximum potential and you’ll be a powerhouse. Those you’ll still need to learn martial arts and spells. Now I’ve done the [heart] time to do the [medium].

[Simphiwe POV]

Sargent: “Alright new recruits! I don’t care if you’re some hero or wimp! Today is the first day of your God damn life!! Because from today onwards you will become a champion! A fighter! A Mother fucking winner!!! IS THAT CLEAR!”

Players: “YES SIR!!”

-Damn I shouldn’t have signed up for the army, they warned me that I could pick a different department in government and that I didn’t have to go with this one, but then I’d never get to fight out on the field…- Thought Simphiwe

After orientation, they were told about all the different departments; intelligence, management, media even politics for those who wanted to lead, but only soldiers fought in the front lines and that’s what Simphiwe was here for. The training was harsh and by what he had heard you would have to be at least level 20 before they allowed you to become a true soldier. That wasn’t all those as there were a number of other sub-stats that the military required a certain bare minimum for e.g. running speed.

Simphiwe had already been given his basic uniform, the blue jump suit and black boots, and stayed behind with only Mark as the other two left for other departments. He was now regretting that decision as he saw what was about to happen next.

Sargent: “Alright trainee’s now’s time for introductions, but I am not giving my name out to people who will not be here tomorrow! So you see that hill over there!? That place is called ‘hello hill’! You run your ass up here scan your name tag over the poll at the top then come back down get greet me! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD! That is how we say hello in the army!!!”

Quest: Making the team.

You have signed-up for the army, however joining is not nearly that easy. Complete all the challenges set out for you in this test and successfully join the army.

Rewards: first military rank, unknown.

Sub-quest: Run up the hill and back in the time limit. No spirit energy use is allowed.

Simphiwe was starting to believe that this man couldn’t speak normally. Like everything that came out of his mouth was just automatically converted into a shout.

Simphiwe: “Oh shit that’s a huge hill, and what’s with all the barbwire and fortification? Do they even want us to reach the top?” Simphiwe whispered.

Mark: “Don’t stress too much, with a bit of help from the good old stamina bar we’ll make it easy. Have you learnt the basic martial arts yet? It’s how you unlock your ki and get a stamina/ki bar.” Mark whispered in response.

Simphiwe: “Yeah I’ve run that football stadium before.”

Mark: “Then we’re good.”

Sargent: “Your time limit is one hour thirty minutes! Ready! Set! And g-OH wait I forgot. We’re removing all magic from our little race, there are receptors on your suits, use magic and martial arts all you want but the second we detect anything you’re disqualified. And GO!”

Simphiwe and Mark: “shit”

The trail was brutal; filled with obstacles like mud, barbwire, high walls and even random fire from what seemed to be paintball guns. Most gave up half-way. The number of people taking the test was huge though as the players were mixed in with the normal NPC recruits. The large number of people mixed with the fact that no straight path was enforced on them encouraged the new recruits despite the banning of martial arts. Most when they saw an obstacle decided to avoid it and go around. Well most except…

Simphiwe: “*Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* damn another wall *Heavy breathing*”

Mark: “*Heavy breathing* On the count of three Sim *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* I’m in front so I’ll support you this time *Heavy breathing*.”

Upon reaching the wall the Mark got down on his knees in front of it and Simphiwe quickly jumped to the top of the short wall using Mark’s shoulder as a boost. He then turned around and held out his hand. Mark quickly jumped up and grabbed Simphiwe’s outstretched hand. They Simphiwe pulled him up and they both jumped down on the other side and continued running.

*Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing*

Mark and Simphiwe both ran in a straight line no matter what the obstacle. They had not spoken out loud nor discussed joint tactics of tackling this course between themselves, but every challenge they faced they resolved head on without diverting with teamwork and tactics. And after 45 minutes, half the time they were allocated for this run. They noticed that most recruits had already given up or passed out. The two never noticed but the obstacle course was always changing. Whenever you went around or avoided an obstacle it would rearrange itself to make your new path even harder. By the time they reached 25 minutes the walls for most were 10 feet tall and the pits 20 feet deep. The paintball fire was practically deafening and sudden avalanches and flash floods were happening all around the mountain.

Mark: “We’re almost there *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* just *Heavy breathing* a few *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* more minutes. “

The goal was in sight for the two of them though the hill got steeper and steep as they ran up until eventually…

Mark: “Sim… *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* this is impossible, *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* it literally just became a vertical wall *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* let’s try a different route *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing*.”

Simphiwe stared at the wall for a few seconds. He too couldn’t believe how it had changed so quickly from a few minutes ago. Worst part is how they made it look so natural. Simphiwe then looked around and though there were parts of the mountain that hadn’t become this impenetrable wall yet. Where ever he saw people the same linear wall challenge impeded them.

Mark: “*Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* I can tell going around will just like *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* respawn this thing *Heavy breathing* but let’s try *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* running for it. *Heavy breathing* they can’t move the ground *Heavy breathing* faster than we can run *Heavy breathing*.”

Simphiwe: “……………………………………………. *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing*…………………………………………...Nah………………………………………... *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing*”

Mark: “*Heavy breathing* w, what? *Heavy breathing*”

Simphiwe: “I said ‘nah’ they’re just screwing with us, let’s ram the damn thing *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing* *Heavy breathing*.”

Before Mark could reply Simphiwe had already ran full speed into the wall. Only to smash into it with a resounding.

*BoooooooooFfffff*

But Mark as sharp as he was, did not miss that sound. That was not the sound of a man hitting a solid wall it was obviously hollow. He then began ramming the wall along with Simphiwe. Hit after hit after hit the two of them ran into the same spot. After about 10 minutes both their shoulders were sore but…

Simphiwe: “Mark! Look its cracking!”

With renewed energy the two slammed into the wall, now desperately punching and kicking, they first got a crack then a hole then started working on it till they could fit through. Before the hole even reached the floor Simphiwe jumped through it into the cavity.

Mark: “HEY! SIM! What do you see! Hey! Move I’m coming in.”

Mark followed suit and climbed into the hole. He went in feet first and landed on the ground with a thud. He then saw Simphiwe silently staring at something in front of them.

Mark: “Hey what’s up, why are you stopping, where’s the check point- “

Mark was cut off by the low growling sounds he heard, after a few second of adjusting to the darkness Mark could see what was stopping Simphiwe. The two, not three of them were in a room. On one end was Mark and Simphiwe, on the other they could see the check point but with a hunched over creature blocking it. The beast was 2 and a half feet tall. It had brown fur and dark black claws. It held a wooden stick in one arm and some improvised shield in the other. It had a dog-like face and red wild eyes. It was foaming at the mouth at growled as it tried to loosen the chain around its neck.

Simphiwe: “Looks like it can’t get us from here thanks to that chain, but we won’t be able to reach the check point if we just stare it down either. So, fun question, which one of us is going first? Or do you want to commit a romantic double suicide?”