Chapter 8 - This is my Teacher?

The training grounds were a fair distance from the guild’s building. The place was situated far from any business areas for two main reasons; noise and possible damages. To get to the training grounds I had to walk through the town square. Everywhere I looked I saw fellow Wanderers heckling street vendors for cheaper prices or shouting loudly to form parties.

I got asked a couple times if I could join one of the multiple players parties but once they noticed I was weaponless they all sneered and walked off. That was fine with me, I didn't want to join anyone haphazardly like that.

I hurriedly passed through the square to the edge of town when I started hearing the sound of swinging swords and the yells of effort from the people. Knowing I was nearing the destination, I quickened my pace.

The training ground was just a flat square of land around 30ft wide with stands for magic and swordsmanship training. From what I know, magic was available to players even though they were under level 5. The main things they can do are mana arrows, force knock, and mana chain. A DPS skill, a control skill, and a rooting skill respectively. Once the players reach level 5, they'll unlock their attribute magic and be able to use both their attribute and unattributed magic.

I was interested in learning a little of everything from the training grounds, however the crowds around the trainers were no joke. It looked like groupies surrounding their favorite band member, all clamoring for even a glance their way. I shuddered at the thought of even trying to enter that. The swordmaster wasn't any less surrounded either… In fact, that looked even more dangerous, with all the brawny men shoving their way to the front.

I wanted to get the teacher's attention… but I knew that my 100 hp wouldn't be able to hold up in those mosh pits. “Damn, that's what I get for signing up for this game a month late. Even though I joined late, this game is still extraordinarily popular and flowing with new players.” I mumbled to myself with a ‘can’t help it’ face. While lamenting my misfortune, I noticed a single man on the edge of the training grounds surrounded by liquor bottles.

The man looked quite drunk, and it was still only midday in the game. Around him lied arrows, just strewn about as if he threw them at people. His face was scraggly as if he hadn't bathed in weeks. I probably would have completely dismissed him as an eccentric homeless man if I hadn't seen a gleam of hidden strength in his eyes.

I approached him with caution. As expected, once I reached within 7 feet of him, the man picked up one of the arrows and threw it at my chest. I dodged it matrix-style. The man, probably stunned that I dodged, was paused with his hand still raised in the throwing motion.

“That's dangerous you crazy old man!” I shouted at him belligerently.

He just laughed at me, “I've never seen a man dodge that way, hahahaha.” Once his laughter stopped, he took another swig from one of his bottles. I could see a bit of interest and humor in his eyes, even through the bleary mess that was his face. I tried to capitalize on that interest.

“Are you possibly a trainer here?” I asked in a softer voice.

He glared at me, and then he sighed. ‘I really can't make heads or tails of this guy’ I thought.

“Yeah I am I trainer here, not that anyone wants my training though. Everyone is too uncommitted, hoping to stand tall with a sword or blow away the competition with magic. Damnit…” He took another drink. “I teach archery and traps. For whatever reason, that's viewed as somewhat ‘unfocused’ by you Wanderers. We Settlers have no problems with archery though, so I make money from them. It's a meager amount, but it's enough to buy my booze.”

When the man said the word unfocused, he explained that the archery profession didn't work toward a mastery of their attribute like magic did or toward a secondary benefit like swordsmen do. A concept well known in the game was the fact that each element has its respective start boost. Earth - Strength, Fire - Vitality, Water - Dexterity, Wind - Agility, those were the main boosts. Along with Light - Purification and Healing vs. Dark - Corruption and Decay, those were all the known attributes with their secondary benefits (Chapter 1). Magicians work toward mastering the element while leaving aside the secondary benefits. Swordsmen do the opposite, they focus on improving the benefit with the attribute itself being secondary.

Archers had to focus a little on both subjects and as such were lacking in both abilities. However, this didn't bother me. I knew that this would be the man I would need to follow.

I grew excited. Finally, I had a chance to meet a trainer. As usual, I tried to be polite to him, “Sir, would it be possible for me to get some training from you?”

He laughed once again, this time right in my face. “Every time one of you Wanderers want something, you all get polite like that. Fine then, however, I'm going to need payment for your training.” He smirked at that, thinking that I would never pay him when I could get free training by the other two trainers.

“Understood, how much will it take?” My reply surprised him. He held up 8 fingers, probably meaning 8 gold. I took out 8 gold from the initial 10 gold everyone receives. I was crying inside as I handed over the money, but it was required for me to be able to make this world into a living in Real.

He stood up, swaying a little. “Alright Greenhorn, I'll train you for a few days. I hope you're prepared.” He said to me with a frighteningly maniacal grin. I shuddered and wondered if this was the right decision.

“What's your name, Greenhorn?”

“Ah, Foris, sir.”

“Good, but you're going to stay as Greenhorn for now.” He grinned. ‘Then why did you ask for my name!?’ I thought irritatedly.

“My name is Hen, but you're going to refer to me as Teacher. Got it?”

“Got it, Teacher. Umm, when will we be starting training?” I asked.

“Now.” With a terrifying grin, he took hold of my arm and dragged me off into the nearby forest.

Shit, was it too late to ask for a refund? I was not sure if I should follow a drunken archery master into a forest like this. I was frightened for multiple reasons.

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After walking deep into the forest, he let me go. “The first trial for you is for you to get back to the training ground.” And just like that, he dashed off. I stood there dumbfounded as I heard him get further away.

“YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! At least leave me with a weapon Teacher!” I yelled at the direction he left.

I took the first step to chase after him and kicked something. I looked down and saw a knife stuck into the ground. ‘When did he throw that? No wonder he has master status to be able to do all that secretly.” I picked up the knife, still not knowing how to use a weapon, and headed in the direction that Teacher ran off in.

Before getting too far, I looked back to where I started and began orienteering. I saw that the sun was setting to my back, so he must have took me far west. I picked a tall tree in the distance and headed toward it, using it as my marker.

END

Woo, training~

Haze