Chapter 56: Ch:56 Training Begins

The shamans followed as Marco reached the edge of the field and got down from his horse, his boots hitting the ground with firm, steady thuds.

“Now, before we start our training, tell me your names quickly, starting from you,” he said, pointing his finger to the student on the far left.

“Bernard Crent, master,” he said immediately.

…

One by one, the names were called. Marco listened calmly with a warm smile resting on his face.

“Good,” Marco said at last.

He then casually instructed them to run a lap around the field to warm up their bodies before the training began.

The field was vast, comparable in size to a football stadium, covered in lush greenery and surrounded by tall wild trees.

At the far corners—east, west, north, and south—stood four armored knights, silent and unmoving.

“Since, it’s the first day of training. I’ll go lightly on you,” Marco said, glancing over the group. “Now, let’s call to action, in three…”

Everyone glanced toward the path.

“Two.”

Some dropped their satchels on the ground, others stretched their bodies quickly.

“One.”

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Everyone jogged forward—including Marco.

Footsteps rattled along the dirt path as they moved, their breathing growing heavy and sweat beading on their foreheads.

Then, without any warning, Marco shot forward like a bolt of lightning, his figure blurring as he left everyone trailing in stunned silence.

Marco had already finished a full round, and yet the shamans were barely halfway across.

Seeing him surge ahead, they pushed themselves harder, their feet pounding the dirt in a desperate rhythm. Silence hung over the field, broken only by ragged breaths and the steady thud of running footsteps.

*thump-thump-thump*

Soon, one by one, they staggered to a stop beside Marco, gasping and sweating. He looked each of them over, his sharp eyes catching every small details.

“I hope you all are warmed up now, right?” he said, his voice firm and steady.

The shamans exchanged glances, wiping sweat from their foreheads. Some nodded, some just panted—too exhausted to speak.

“Good,” said Marco, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Now that your bodies are awake, it’s time to awaken your thunder element.”

Marco extended his hands, palms facing one another. “First, rub your hands together and feel the friction, second feel the hum of warmth energy beneath your skin. Do not force it—just let it respond to you.”

The shamans hesitated, then followed his instructions. Fingers pressed and rubbed, palms warming, muscles tensing.

Daniel slowly felt a faint vibration running through his palm.

’Wait… I feel something, something tingling between my palm,’ he froze and lifted his clasped hand to check.

The tingling sensation faded in an instant.

“Master, I felt a strange feeling in my palm,” Bernard said, glancing at Marco.

“Yes, master. I feel the same as well.”

“Master, nothing’s happening…”

“I feel it too… master”

One after another, the students exclaimed. Marco’s gaze swept the group. “Keep on focusing and concentrating on your palm. Do not think of anything.”

The shamans obeyed. Some pressed harder, hands tensing, while others flinched as warmth spread through their palms.

A faint vibration ran beneath their skin, sometimes spreading from their fingertips up their arms like a gentle, electric prickling.

Daniel’s eyes widened as the tingle returned. ’Yes… yes, I can feel it again. Focus… Daniel focus…’ he urged himself.

But just as quickly, the sensation vanished.

“Stop!” Marco announced.

Everyone stopped and turned to him, their eyes fixed on his every move.

“Now that many of you have felt the first stirrings of your thunder element,” Marco said, his tone calm but commanding, “it’s time to strengthen your body again.”

For hours they ran, with only short breaks to catch their breath. Each time they paused, Marco instructed them to press their palms together and focus, trying to draw their energy into a spark.

But no matter how hard they tried, not a slightest single spark appeared. Not even a flicker.

Meanwhile, a wagon rolled into the field, a black-robed figure seated inside. They had come to bring breakfast for the young shamans.

Each received a loaf of bread, a glass of milk, a boiled egg, and two bananas.

Then, the training went on as the sun climbed into the afternoon, hot and bright over the field.

…

“Today, you have shown me your determination, and I am genuinely impressed by seeing that,” Marco said in a steady approving tone.

He let his gaze pass over them before continuing. “Tomorrow, we’ll gather at the same spot before heading to our training area.

And before I dismiss today’s training session, I just want you to remember this, don’t be disappointed in yourself for not feeling the tingle sensation, it’s all a part of learning.”

With that, the first training session ended. The shamans marched back toward the town center, exhaustion heavy in their limbs, each carrying their own thoughts as they went their separate ways.

“Fuck, my legs are shaking like they can go numb at any moment,” Daniel muttered under his breath. “I’ve to reach Aunt’s home, before my legs give up on their own.”

He dragged himself to Jessica’s door, legs trembling violently.

*Knock-Knock-Knock*

“Coming~” Jessica called from inside.

*creeeak*

“Aunt, hurry give me a hand,” he said urgently.

She immediately took his hand and supported his weight, guiding him to his room step by step. By the time they reached the bed, Daniel could barely stand.

He then collapsed onto the bed, sprawled out, his legs aching with pain. Seeing him in pain, Jessica walked downstairs to bring a glass of water.

“Agh, it’s hurting so bad, agh…” he groaned, clutching at the pain.

She returned with the water. Daniel propped himself up and drank slowly.

*glup-glup-glup*

As he sipped slowly, his eyes met hers. She softly licked her lips, then bit her lower one.

’Fuck, don’t tell me she’s going to—’

“Daniel…” she murmured, her body leaning closer.

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[Author: This arc is going to be a little slow-paced 🙂 ]

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