Chapter 279: Training & Etc. (2)

This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:

• Adventurer GrimV

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8:04 a.m.

Office Building, Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint.

Vivian was wearing her usual attire with her Inquisitor Half-Mask as she stepped into the shared office space and made her way to her private office.

Standing outside her office door were 3 women -- Juana, Arabella and Sonia.

In the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint, there were 5 Priests, 5 Knights and 15 Guards stationed here. However, out of those 25 people, only 4 were women -- Vivian, Juana, Arabella and Sonia.

Juana was a Noble Priestess from the Marbleam Chapter Temple. She was in her mid-20s with short black hair and tanned skin. Her rank was High Sergeant and she was part of the Air Division. And in this station, she was the main person in charge of the aerial units.

Arabella was a Noble, a member of the Temple of Wizards, and a Knight from the Verglas Knights Chapter with the rank of a Sergeant. She was in her early 20s with long and straight gray hair, and pale skin. And in this station, she was the main person in charge of checking and signing the documents of the travelers entering from the North Gate. Meanwhile, Priest Lieutenant Anthony was the one for the South Gate.

Sonia was a Commoner, a member of the Temple of Thieves, and a Guard from the Luxen Knights Chapter. She was in her late teens with long orange hair tied into a ponytail. And in this station, although she helps in patrolling, she and Guard Captain Marcel were the go-to people in spotting and setting up traps.

What the…

She suppressed the urge to face-palm.

Do they really have to stand and wait outside my office…?

There are so many vacant chairs around…

When they noticed her, they immediately straightened their backs.

This is seriously getting out of hand…

And when Vivian finally reached them, they all immediately saluted.

“Sister Inquisitor Monad!”

“Priestess Inquisitor Monad!”

“Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad!”

Vivian let out a tired sigh and then switched to a formal but friendly demeanor before saluting.

“Sister High Sergeant Juana, Knight Sergeant Arabella, Guard Sonia,” she said with a smile and then reached out for the door handle of her office door. “Please, you 3 don’t have to be so formal. This will only be a short, casual and friendly chat about female health.”

Ka-cha!

As she entered her office, she immediately removed her cloak, revealing her backless sweater, and then hung it on the side.

Arabella and Sonia’s eyes turned to saucers for a brief moment. Although they heard some rumors about Vivian’s long-sleeved turtleneck short dress being backless, this was the first time they’d actually seen it.

Oh shit…

I only have one sofa…

Meanwhile, the chairs…

Only 3…

When it came to the sofa, there was only one 3-person sofa that she bought from Fredo Village and she uses for sleeping. As for the chairs, there was her chair behind her desk that she also bought from Fredo Village and then two chairs in front of her desk.

“Let’s all gather around the sofa. Two of us can sit on the sofa while the other two can sit on the chairs.”

“Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad, allow me to carry the chairs for everyone,” Sonia said.

Vivian shook her head.

“I’ll carry one and you’ll carry one.”

“Yes, Honored Priestess In--”

Vivian held out her hand.

“Remember, we’re all here to have a short, casual and friendly chat about female health. And don’t forget, we’re the only females here but this is the first time we've all got together. It’s actually such a tragedy. I mean, where’s the girl power, the sisterhood? We are failures. So let’s all at least try to enjoy this moment in a casual and friendly way, okay? You may address me Priestess Monad.”

Sonia’s jaw dropped and she turned to Juana and Arabella who were standing on the side and deciding with their eyes who was going to sit beside Vivian on the sofa.

“Guard Sonia, come on,” Vivian said as she turned and walked away to grab the chair behind her desk.

When Vivian and Sonia came back with the chairs, Juana and Arabella were still standing on the side and deciding who was going to sit beside Vivian on the sofa.

“Sister Juana, Knight Arabella, both of you are going to sit on the sofa. Guard Sonia and I would be sitting on the chairs.”

“Okay, Sister In--…”

“Okay, Priestess In--…”

Vivian looked Juana.

“That’s Sister Monad.”

And then turned to Arabella.

“And Priestess Monad.”

“Yes, Sister Monad,” Juana said.

“Yes, Priestess Monad,” Arabelle said.

Vivian turned to Sonia.

“And you?”

“Ah… Um… P-P-Priestess M-Monad…”

Clap!

Vivian clapped her hands and then let out a cheerful smile as she tilted her head to the side a little bit.

“Excellent~!” she said and swept her gaze on 3 of them. “Now let’s take a seat.”

They all sat down.

“First off, I want to apologize to all of you for asking all of you to be here despite your busy schedules.”

Juana shook her head.

“It’s fine…” she said and smiled.

Arabelle waved her hand.

“It’s no big deal at all…” she said and smiled.

Sonia lowered her head.

“There is no greater honor than serving you, Hono--…” she said but didn’t continue her sentence.

“The second one, please allow me to apologize for not preparing and serving you anything to eat. I figured that we all just had breakfast so it would be pointless.”

The trio was about to repeat the same routine but Vivian immediately intervened.

“I want you 3 to stop that. It’s getting old and annoying. How many times do I need to tell you 3 to act normal?”

The trio became quiet and then lowered their gazes.

Vivian pressed her fingers against her half-mask as she let out a sigh.

“Look, if my goal was to lord over you 3, do you 3 honestly think you can do anything about it?

“If my goal was to hurt any of you, do you 3 honestly think you can stop me?

“Even if everyone here in this border checkpoint teams up against me, do you still honestly think it would make any difference?”

Snap!

She snapped her fingers.

“If I want to, I can easily turn all of your bodies into dust with the snap of my fingers. And when the authorities come to question me about what happened, I can easily make a story and they can’t do anything about it even if they used [Halo] on me. And it wouldn’t be because I’m powerful, it’s because I know all of the flaws of [Halo] and the laws.

“So quit being so flinchy, awkward or subservient and just act normal -- or at least just try to act like you’re having a great time even if it’s just for 5 minutes because you 3 are seriously getting on my nerves.

“I need you 3 to wear your big girl panties on and man the fuck up.

“Am I clear?”

Juana, Arabella and Sonia nodded with a bright and cheerful smile.

“Yes, sister.”

“No problem at all, Priestess Monad.”

“That’s a very simple and easy request, P-Priestess Monad.”

“Now, let’s start at the beginning,” Vivian said and then cleared her throat. “First off, I would like to apologize to you all for --”

***

10:02 a.m.

Clang!

Lafa’s dull sword and Wayne’s dull dagger clashed.

Their blades parted ways as Lafa tried to push forward while Wayne moved to the left.

Woooh!

Lafa did a spinning attack and Wayne evaded it by rolling away.

Vooom!

Lafa immediately rushed over to Wayne and then jumped mid-air with his sword held above his head.

Pah!

“Blaaargh!”

Wayne dug the sole of his boots on the ground as he pivoted and then caught Lafa who was still in mid-air with a high-kick to the stomach.

Clang! Thud!

Lafa dropped his sword before falling to the ground.

“Point,” Vivian said.

She was watching from the side while sitting on a chair. Although the sky was bright and sunny and the ground wasn’t wet, she still made sure that the hem of her cloak was placed on her lap.

Vooom!

Vivian got up from her seat and then appeared next to Lafa in the blink of an eye.

[Heal].

A faint yellow light enveloped his body.

Vooom!

Vivian returned to her seat.

“Begin.”

Wayne and Lafa resumed sparring.

Vivian let out a sigh behind her Inquisitor Half-Mask.

Those 3 idiots earlier weren’t able to give me the answer I was looking for…

Looks like I have no choice but to ask Pen…

I’m going to write a letter to Pen during lunch break and then have it delivered by Juana…

But hey…

At least those 3 idiots were able to teach me how to cut my own hair…

Damn…

That’s crazy, man…

Never in a million years did I expect that I would learn how to cut my own hair…

Me, a barber, but not for others, but for myself…?

That’s so crazy…

I guess it’s true when they say that you’ll never know what you will miss until it finally happens…

Wait…

Is that how it’s said…?

You’ll never know what you will miss until it’s gone…?

You’ll never know what you will miss until it’s too late…?

Or no longer there…?

Abandon it…?

Fuck…

I miss the internet…

“Point.”

She got up from her seat.

Vooom!

And then appeared next to Lafa.

[Heal].

A faint yellow light enveloped his body.

“That’s enough,” she said and then turned to the rest of the Guards -- Wayne, Julius and Pamor. “All of you mentioned that you’ve felt an increase with Physical Force, right?”

The 4 Guards nodded.

“Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor,” they said proudly.

Out of all of the people stationed here, Julius, Pamor, Wayne and Lafa were among the few people outside of the Priests Squad who weren’t afraid of Vivian. The reason behind that is because they were labeled as “Inquisitor Monad’s pets” -- a few would even call Vivian their “Sugar Mommy” but that was a term they would only say in their hearts.

Everyone stationed here came to a unanimous decision that Vivian was, without a shadow of a doubt, the overall boss and only someone with a death wish would dare to cause any problems for her. Because of that, since they knew that Vivian would not only have her 4 “pets” “train-perform” for her every now and then, but she would also heal them, feed them, and pay them 10 gold coins each per week, everyone made sure that her 4 “pets” would always be in top condition and available to “train-perform” for her.

Naturally, there were, of course, some Guards and Knights who tried to voice out their complaints to Knight Captain Edgar. However, he would just tell them to write the complaint themselves and then send it themselves to the Fifth Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint or wherever Knights Chapter they are from.  

Meanwhile, for the Priests, no Guard and Knight approached them, and they said and did nothing, including Priest High Lieutenant Lennon.

However, Julius, Pamor, Wayne and Lafa were not dumb. Although they may not be well-versed in politics, arts, math and science because they were all Commoners from simple backgrounds, they were well-versed when it comes to street-smarts. They knew that once Vivian leaves because the Holy Crusade Contract was only 6 months, while theirs, Knights and Guards, was 12 months, they would receive a lot of heat from their fellow Guards and some of the Knights, particularly from Knight Lieutenant Lamont, so they already made a couple of preparations, such as sharing 70% of the 10 gold coins they would each receive from Vivian every week to their fellow Guards.

And speaking of getting paid 10 gold coins a week, although that may not much from a Knight’s perspective and especially from a Priest, to the Guards, that was quite a lot.

Knights Chapters Recruitment & Salary:

• Trainee - When a person becomes 15 years old, they can sign up to join the Knights Chapter of their respective kingdom. And the requirements needed are:

-a document of their birth certificate

-a document of their citizenship

-a document from the Knights Office to show if they have any criminal record

-a Class Crystal of the Temple they’re part of

-at least 1 Opened Magic Art Mastery

Once their application is approved, they are required to go through a “Basic Training” and “Training Course” training at the headquarters of their respective Knights Chapter for 2 months. In those 2 months, they would be given free lodging and 2 free meals a day, and they would be taught how to read, write and count. And in the last week of the second month, they would have to take and pass a written exam about the command signals and command structure and a group practical exam in performing the command signals from the Knights Chapter Handbook. If they managed to pass those 2 exams, they would be given a 100-gold-coin reward and become a Guard if they’re a Commoner or a Knight if they’re a Noble.

Meanwhile, if they weren’t able to pass the written exam, they have 2 more chances to go through the 2-month training. And if they still failed after 2 tries, they would no longer be eligible to join the Knights Chapter.

• Guard - 25 platinum coins annual salary

• Guard Sergeant - 50 platinum coins annual salary

• Guard Lieutenant - 75 platinum coins annual salary

• Guard Captain - 100 platinum coins annual salary

• Knight - 250 platinum coins annual salary

• Knight Sergeant - 500 platinum coins annual salary

• Knight Lieutenant - 1,000 platinum coins annual salary

• Knight Captain - 2,500 platinum coins annual salary

• Knight Major -  5,000 platinum coins annual salary, Title of Nobility, 3 True Magic Arts Requirement

When it comes to “Field Mission”, they also have something similar to that called “Chapter Mission”. However, the only reward they would receive is Rank Promotion Points.

They may also receive deductions in their salary for violating any of the rules from the Knights Chapter Handbook.

Despite the salary not being much when compared to a Crusader’s salary (Ch. 276), they have the backing of their respective kingdom and they’re “more free” compared to a Priest.

For Priests, there’s an unspoken rule that all Priests/Priestesses are required to prioritize working with fellow Priests/Priestesses and working for the Temple of Priests or their respective Chapter Temple. And even if they officially retire at 65 years old, due to them having spent their whole life working with Priests and working under the Temple of Priests, most of their connections would be tied with the Temple of Priests -- even their own or main bank account is through the treasury of the Temple of Priests. One false move that could be deemed as “heresy” by the Temple and they would be finished. And if the Temple couldn’t get them through “heresy”, they could get them through the “Female and Children Protection Movement” of the Orion Kingdom which is a subsidiary kingdom that’s solely under the Holy Kingdom but has its fingers on all human kingdoms in the Northern Continent except for the Grahm Empire.

Basically, once a Commoner or a Noble becomes part of the Temple of Priests, it would be close to impossible to break free from its tentacles while still staying in the Northern Continent. The only people who could realistically protect them are Royalty and Aristocratic Nobles but the price they’d have to pay would be something only the Elemental Gods know.

“Remind me again what your current Physical and Magic Force are?” Vivian asked.

“My Physical Force is Mithril-Orichalcum while my Magic Force is Mithril, Honored Priestess Inquisitor,” Julius said.

“Both my Physical and Magic Force are Mithril, Honored Priestess Inquisitor,” Pamor said.

“My Physical Force used to Silver-Mithril, but thanks to your guidance, Honored Priestess Inquisitor, it’s now Mithril. Meanwhile, my Magic Force is Silver-Mithril,” Wayne said.

“My Physical and Magic Force are the same as Guard Wayne, Honored Priestess Inquisitor,” Lafa said.

Vivian's eyes secretly glanced at him behind her half-mask.

And yet this guy has yet to win against Wayne…

Why is that…?

A matter of skill…?

A matter of talent…?

Heart or what they call -- I think it’s called fighting spirit…?

“I see,” she said and nodded. “We’re going to train your Magic Force now. If you level -- I mean, feel an increase with your Magic Force, inform me immediately.”

The eyes of the Guards lit up.

For people without the Light Affinity, training one’s Magic Force was harder compared to the Physical Force. And although there were other Classes that had a healing-type spell, like the Bard’s [Lullaby], it costs 40 mana points.

“All of you, throw any spell that you want to increase towards me. You don’t have anything to worry about hurting me. Make sure to only use Low-Tier Magic Arts so that you will have more shots.”

The Guards hesitantly looked at each other.

In the Knights Chapters, there were unspoken rules.

The Supremes are on top of the food chain, the Knights are in the middle of the food chain, and the Guards are at the bottom of the food chain. Moreover, if a Noble signs up in a Knights Chapter, they would start as a Knight. Meanwhile, if a Commoner signs up in a Knights Chapter, they would start as a Trainee. Because of these things, it’s considered taboo for the three groups to spar with one another even if it’s just for training purposes. The only time it’s socially acceptable for them to spar with one another is if it’s a death battle or defending one’s honor.

And that’s just within the Knights Chapters. Between the Knights Chapter and Holy Crusade was a whole ‘nother different issue.

Furthermore, raising their hand against an officer, let alone from a different organization, would definitely put them in hot waters. The best case scenario is them receiving a 100% deduction of their salary, getting demoted (if they have a rank) or losing Rank Promotion Points, getting arrested, and then rotting in jail for at least 6 months.

“What are you waiting for?” Vivian asked.

The Guards looked at each other one last time before returning their gaze to Vivian.

Julius raised his hand forward and activated a spell.

[Fire Arrow].

Wooh!

Poof.

The 15-inch-long arrow made out of fire disappeared as it landed on Vivian as if it struck an impenetrable wall.

Pamor raised his hand forward and activated a spell.

[Ice Arrow].

Wooh!

Poof.

The same thing happened.

Wayne raised his hand forward and activated a spell.

[Earth Arrow].

Wooh!

Poof.

The same thing happened.

The eyes of the four Guards widened. They already knew that Vivian was strong. But they didn’t expect that their spells would be this powerless.

Even the other people nearby who weren’t being “trained” by Vivian were surprised.

“Don’t stop. Continue throwing spells until you’re out of mana,” Vivian said.

[Fire Arrow].

[Ice Arrow].

[Earth Arrow].

Vivian turned to Lafa who was raising his hand.

“Guard Lafa, what are you doing?”

Lafa scratched the side of his head with an awkward smile on his face and then bowed several times before finally answering.

“Please forgive me, Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad…! Please forgive me...! I only have one Affinity -- Soul…! You said that I have to make sure to only use Low-Tier Magic Arts so that I will have more shots…! But I’m not sure if you’re fine with that…! Please forgive me…!”

[Fire Arrow].

[Ice Arrow].

[Earth Arrow].

“You can use [Soul Bomb] on me.”

Lafa bowed once more.

“Thank you, Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad...!”

He raised his head once and then activated a spell.

[Soul Bomb].

Wooh!

A white ball appeared on his hand and then he threw it.

Boo-ooo!

The spell landed on Vivian and it exploded into a mist of white smoke. However, a confused expression flashed across his face.

[Fire Arrow].

[Ice Arrow].

[Earth Arrow].

Lafa’s brows knitted together as he stared at his hand and did an open-and-close motion. His gaze also bounced between Vivian and his hand.

“That’s weird… I never experienced this before…”

[Soul Bomb].

Wooh!

A white ball appeared on his hand and then he threw it.

Boo-ooo!

Lafa’s brows knitted deeper as he stared at his hand and did an open-and-close motion once again.

“This is really weird…”

He turned to Vivian and raised his hand.

[Fire Arrow].

[Ice Arrow].

[Earth Arrow].

“H-Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad…?”

“What is it?”

“My [Soul Bomb] seems to be broken... I’m not absorbing any mana… I think you’re too powerful…?”

Vivian’s eyes turned to slits behind her half-mask.

I see...

So I really am immune to Soul spells now…

All thanks to my [Soul Body] spell…

I couldn’t find any way to confirm it or find out the uses and limitations of the Body spells because my Magic Force was too high…

At least I now know that Poison and Soul no longer affect me…

The next Magic Arts I need to master should be Lightning and Ice…

Once I master those things, I’ve already eliminated the main stunning or locking spells…

Fire is just burn…

Dark is just fear which I can counter with [Cleanse]…

Wind, Earth and Chaos are just fatal blows which I can easily counter with [Greater Origin Transformation]…

Light…

Well…

That’s only dangerous if I’m a Necromancer…

However…

She returned her attention to Lafa.

Now how do I explain to these idiots on why Soul spells don’t affect me…?

I mean…

Based on what I’ve read…

Regardless of how high or low the Magic Force is between the caster and target, the magic effect of Soul spells would still be applied…

And then during the registration at the Basic Training…

My record shows I have Light, Lightning, Poison and Wind…

Tch!

She clicked her tongue.

Why…?

Why did I fucking choose Wind…?

I should’ve chosen Soul…

[Poison Golem].

Vivian activated a spell and a 3-meter golem made out of green-colored mana appeared beside her.

Everyone around stopped and stared at the Poison Golem. Considering their age and background, most people haven’t seen a Golem-type Spell. The reason behind that were:

• The Golem-type spell was a Legend-Tier Spell. The Low-Tier Spell are like [Fire Arrow] and [Poison Strike], Mid-Tier Spell are like [Fire Lance] and [Poison Bomb], and High-Tier Spell are like [Enchant Fire] and [Enchant Poison].

• The Golem-type spell costs a lot of mana; 100 mana points to summon and 10 mana points per second to maintain. And once the caster unlocks Level 10 on the Body of their Magic Art Mastery, the cost of all of the spells under that Body’s Magic Art Mastery would be reduced by half, making it 50 mana points to summon and 5 mana points per second to maintain.

• The Golem can’t be over 50 meters away from the caster. Once that happens, the Golem will automatically disappear and the caster will have to re-summon it.

• Although the Golem’s bodily functions don’t operate the same as a living being where it can still move despite losing its head, the issue is that it can’t regenerate its lost limbs or be healed. The caster could only re-summon it.

So when it comes to a real battle, most fighters would only rely on Low, Mid and High-Tier Spells. Whenever a fighter summons a Golem during battle, most of the time, they would only use it as a diversion.

“Guard Lafa, try throwing a [Soul Bomb] at this,” Vivian said.

[Soul Bomb].

Wooh!

A white ball appeared on Lafa’s hand and then he threw it.

Boo-ooo!

He shook his head apologetically.

“I’m very sorry, Honored Priestess Inquisitor…! I still wasn’t able to absorb any mana…!”

Hmm…

So there really is no mana to absorb from Golems…

I already tried it back when I first learned this spell…

But I just wanted to confirm it if it would be the same if another person other than myself tried a Soul-type spell on my Golem…

But there's one time I'm still unsure about...

Can I train my Physical Art on my Golem...?

Like, let's say I use Physical Arts on it or just spar with it while using a specific type of weapon...

So many questions, so little answers...

I mean…

Sure, I can try it…

But I still have to focus on training my [Savage Mastery] to get the [Primordial Beast] skill…

And even if I did decide to test it…

I would need a specific weapon…

And I were to spar with it, I would need a wide space…

There’s also the mana issue…

Both my Poison and Soul Golems cost 50 mana to summon and 5 mana per second to maintain…

Yeah…

Even if I use the [Great Origin Enchant] + [Halo] combo, my mana recovery couldn’t maintain it…

A person naturally recovers 1 mana point every 2 minutes…

Let that person wear a mana recovery Magic Item, it becomes 1 mana point every 1 minute and 30 seconds…

Let that person have a spell like [Halo], it becomes 1 mana point every 1 minute…

And if I combined [Halo] with [Greater Origin Enchant], it becomes 1 mana point every -30 seconds or 1.5 mana points every second…

I’m still down by 3.5 mana points just to maintain a Golem…

Quite pointless to be honest…

And this is already me, a Greater Demon, having the [Greater Origin Enchant] which amplifies any skill or spell by x4…

Really, really quite pointless…

No point in investing anything in that type of training method…

She deactivated the [Poison Golem] spell and the Golem vanished.

“Guard Lafa, you can rest for now. I’ll think of another way on how you can train your [Soul Mastery].”

Lafa saluted.

“Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad!”

Vivian turned her attention to Julius, Pamor and Wayne.

“You 3. Why did you stop? Already out of mana?”

They hurriedly saluted.

“Sorry, Honored Priestess Inquisitor…!” they said and then immediately raised their hands forward.

[Fire Arrow].

[Ice Arrow].

[Earth Arrow].

As Julius, Pamor and Wayne were throwing spells at Vivian, a Crusader riding a black-colored Draghorn began descending from the skies.

Chapter end