What is the training?

After the big hooha that was the reveal of Ben's past this morning Ben was being moody and Dad ended up going to town, promising to return later that day.

I guess I must have been thought of as too young to learn anything about my parents, but honestly, it's probably because they were both so caught up in talking Dad simply forgot to tell me.

And honestly, what a dick! Your adopted son says 'I'm going to be a marine' and your response is to talk about marines like they're assholes and that pirates have big dreams of freedom?

Also, he very blatantly avoided the topic of both his brother and how exactly he knew Ben's parents.

But fair, I guess. I mean, everyone has some secret or another. I can't exactly go ahead and say "I'm the Nick you all know and love but guess what? I have the memories of my past life! exciting, right!?"

UGHGHGHGHGHGH

And what do I do about my legs in this life? I know I don't want to be a pirate or a marine but I would at least appreciate the ability to walk. Or run. Or dance. Actually, let's face it, I probably wouldn't dance as that will just scare away any prospective girlfriend.

"What are you making a face and muttering for over there?" Ben nagged at me

"Contemplating the best strategy to kick your ass once I can move these legs" was my quick retort.

"HAHHAHAH Nick, shit, that was the first time you've joked about your legs like that. That's funny!" That's right Ben, keep laughing, and suffocate from laughing too hard while you're at it.

"What's so funny?" Oh Dad is back and … there is someone behind him. Two someone's actually.

"Nick was telling me he was gonna kick my ass once his legs work again."

"You can probably kick his ass now, little scamp. The way he fights, he might as well not be able to use his legs as well"

"Hey!"

Okay, that was kinda funny to me.

"My, what cute kids commander." Oh right, there were two more people behind dad. One was a dude, the other was some lady. This was the lady talking. Are all the ladies in this world really attractive?

"Dad, they are…?"

"Let me introduce to you to my second-in-command, Leomund, and his wife, Myra. Ben, Leo here is going to start your training tomorrow morning."

"Wait, I thought you were going to train me!?"

"Commander, are you sure you want me to train him? I mean… no offense, but I thought being your kid, adopted or not, he would seem a bit tougher."

Before Ben could retort, our dad interjected, "Ahhhh, listen up you two. Basically, I have a tough time in thinking about training you because I'm a bit of a softy for my kids. Ben, you are going to be joining the Kingdom's basic boot camp under Leo, but he's going to be doubling your training."

"Doubling!?"

"So start packing! You need to leave tonight if you want to start training in the morning."

Ahhhh, man, when dad makes a decision, he sure moves quickly.

"Nick."

It's going to suck not having Ben around, but then who is going to be taking care of me? I can't just -

"Nick!"

- drag my self around like a zombie corpse. Actually, that seems like a funny prank, some crushed tomatoes and some thickener for fake blood - who's GRABBING MY ARM!?

"NICK!"

"WHAT!? Jesus, you scared me!"

Myra giggled and Leomund looked confused.

Dad was just looking at me sternly.

"While Ben is upstairs packing, I wanted to talk to you."

"Er- about what?"

"About your new living arrangements. " Oh. Guess he's ahead of me in thinking about stuff. Guess he has a plan. I prefer my corpse dragging idea though.

"You're going to live on the base with me. Since Ben will be there training starting early in the morning I figure we could move to my place on the base. Myra will be taking care of you while I am not around. She's a trained medical professional unlike your brother."

"Oh, that's nice"

"Hey Nick. I have a question, do you mind commander?" Leo looked to my dad who just waved and nodded.

He looked at me deeply and asked "What is the meaning of the word 'Jesus'? "

Uhhhhhh, that's a weird thing to ask.

"What kind of training is my brother going to go through? Let me know how horrendous an experience he's going to have." Buy time! Think fast!

Is it a name? No, a swear word? No. Why is he asking, this feels super super weird. It's an oddly specific thing to ask about.

"Well, the training is straight forward. He'll be doing 4 basic training programs: marksmanship, swordsmanship, hand to hand combat, and basic physical fitness. At your father's request, I have put him into the accelerated 6 month camp, and as you know, I will also be doubling the amount of training he does. From then, your dad and I will assess the best way to train him going forward, although I imagine we will be focusing largely on physical fitness since he's to be joining the Marines later. But let me show you something- reach your arm over the table"

Sure, sure. Also, I'll be honest-ish about the Jesus word.

Wait, why does my arm feel so heavy?!

"Wait, you can manipulate gravity?!"

"Hooooooh, you catch on quick! But that isn't quite right. I can only modify the weight of things around me."

"If you can increase the weight of things, how did you target just my arm?"

"Your bones. I increased the weight of your bones in that arm only."

"So, you train soldiers like this normally?"

"We only put the elites through this, but for your brother - yes, I will be doing this as well. Gradually. By the time he is done with the 6 months, I imagine he will be ready for the elite training camps if all goes well. We'll likely end up throwing him into elite training camps while also forcing him into continue physical fitness training but at a much higher level. All while gradually increasing the weight of his body."

This is actually probably a very useful training fruit. Probably way better than wearing all those weights like Zoro did the manga.

"Now, can you tell me about that word? Where did you learn it from?"