Setting Up

"The four of you will be working as a team for a week and your skills will be examined by us. We will test your survival skills, combat skills, teamwork and how well you can all adept to a dangerous environment." General Quilax spoke sternly. "We will then decide where to place you in the army. If you do well you have the chance to command a squad of your own. Are there any questions?"

General Quilax was a no nonsense type of person. He was the perfect counterpart to General Clofos, who seemed to be a very nonchalant type of person. During General Quilax's orders General Clofos would often yawn or close his eyes and rest for a moment. When Agent Astronova gave him a look it was almost like he could sense it and would wake himself up and listen.

Xylon was the first to speak his thoughts. "Sir. Will. We. Be. Separated. After. This. Training?"

General Quilax glanced over "not if you wish to work with a fellow Disciple, but if one of you wants to be in command of a squad you will have to discuss that with your Sponsor."

"Sir" Zyra spoke up. "Will we be receiving any Merits or this training exercise? We will be gone for a week an unable to participate in the war against the Xeomorphs." Zyra's tone was much more respectful talking to her Sponsor. 

"Good question Ms. Goldbranch. You will be given 1,000 Merits affective immediately and after the week you will be given another 1,000 Merits. The first thousand is for you to purchase anything you will need for he week to survive. I suggest you choose what you need together."

The Disciples remained silent indicated they no longer had any other questions. Well they did, but they were sure asking what the environment would be or what type of lifeforms they would be facing would go unanswered. It would defeat the purpose of the training exercise. 

"Since there aren't any more questions. I would like each Disciple to go to their rooms and call each Sponsor when they are ready. We have private matters to discuss with each of you." And just as quickly as they arrived their hologram's vanished. Kaelon showed Lucas which room was his. He was going to be the bedroom on the right hand side on the second floor. 

His bedroom was nice. It was 11x12ft room with a bed, dresser and another door with an attached bathroom. It was a cozy place, but not the same. This would be his first night not at his Lair and it felt off. Wrong even. He thought he should be out there making a name for Kur and creating a network of scum and villainy. But he knew this was best to train here and learn about the universe. Plus Alduin was on his own task spreading the name of Kur. 

Seeing as Lucas had actually brought nothing, no clothes, no bags no nothing, he had nothing to unpack. He pulled up his communicator and called General Clofos. A hologram of the general appeared, but he was looking off in the distance and picking his nose with his pinky. 

"Ah Lucas it's about time you called" the General spoke as though he was reading something in the distance. "First things first. I'm going to gift you an additional 1,000 Merits. So you should have 3,000 now. I'm not going to give any hints on your training, but I think you will up for it. Secondly the Quarter Master will have your uniform for you when you arrive. He already knows about the cloak and won't issue you a Fauld like everyone else. Instead you will have a set of white armor with nothing on it. I've sent a memo out stating your cloak will be your representation as my Disciple."

"This brings us to another serious matter" the General's tone become more grave. "I've already gotten a report about your body. I can give you missions to earn the necessary Merits to pay for your surgery, but the will to do so is yours and yours alone. I can't and won't baby you. Your cultivation is your own. I'm sorry you will be stunted, but I know you will become a powerhouse regardless. That being said I have another gift for you."

"Since you are the only Disciple in the Foundation Realm, everyone else is in the Core Formation realm. I have given you access to the rune section of the Study Hall. You selection will be limited, but you have one hour to study as much as you want."

"Are you serious?!" Lucas was flabbergasted. "I can spend one hour studying runes?"

"Of course" he said with a wave of his hand. "You need the biggest boost compared to the others. I'm surprised to hear you have killed a Vampire so that means your combat prowess is much higher than the other Disciples, but they have larger pools of mana. You're more a glass cannon while they are seasoned veterans."

"Thank you Sir" Lucas said with a bow. "Is there anything else I should know about this training exercise?"

General Clofos stretched his hairless chin. "Hmmm. The only thing I can say is expect the unexpected and be prepared for any environment. I do suggest you get a Spatial ring to carry the things you will need. And to buy things you will need. The Quartermaster should have everything you'd need."

"That's a good idea. I will do that Sir."

"Oh you don't have to call me Sir when we are in private like this. I've also called for Sohia to show you where you'll need to go and help you procure the equipment she thinks you'd need. I highly suggest you listen to her. She's not a cultivator, but is very knowledgeable."

" I will. She was very nice when we first met."

"That's good to hear. Now that our matters have ended I have to return to the front lines. I will not see you again till you have returned from training. Do come back with no more damage to your Spirit Nodes." He spoke with a smile before the hologram disappeared. 

Lucas left his room seeing everyone else back in the commons room. They all seemed to look at him differently. Like they felt sorry for him. He immediately knew they knew about his Spirit Nodes. He let out a defeated sigh and spoke. "Guy's don't worry about me. I can save up for the surgery or I can wait for my Master to complete the task they have and they will be able to fix me, hopefully. I won't hold you guys back."

"Don't worry about it" Kaelon said. "From what I've heard you are more powerful than us, but can't fight for as long. We've got you covered." 

"He's. Right. We've. Got. You. Friend."

Zyra was the only one still looking at him differently. It was as though she wanted to fight him and beat him. Prove she was the best. For whatever reason. Lucas just shrugged and left he building. Everyone seemed to be doing their own thing for one reason or another. Even though they said they should get their equipment together. Lucas didn't care, he was sure everyone was told different thing. 

While he waited outside everyone left and headed in separate directions. 'Seems like they all have their own game plan' he thought to himself. After a few more minutes waiting Sohia arrived. She wore the same uniform as before, but she looked like she had just gotten out of the shower. Her hair was still damp and she smelt like flowers. 

"I'm sorry I'm late Sir, I got called during my off time. Shall we go?"

"It's really alright. I'm sorry you were called to work when you were off. Thank you for showing me around."

She smiled brightly! Normally being late would cause her to lose some Merits, but she was glad Lucas didn't do that. Mainly because he was a nice person and didn't even know he could! "Thank you for your understanding. And don't worry about my time off. When the Xeomorphs attack everyone had to get to their stations regardless of if they are working or not. The Xeomorphs don't care."

"Now then where shall we go first? I know the Quartermaster has your gear and is eager to meet you. I think he wants to hire you for a job he has. The Study Halls' Rune section will be open to you when you arrive. And the market district has some good deals with Spatial items and other survival gear." 

Lucas thought for a moment. "Let's go meet the Quartermaster. I would like to get my gear first and see what kind of job they are offering me." Lucas paused and came to a realization. "What kinda of job would they even ask? I've only just arrived."

"Oh your name is on the lips of many higher ups. Mainly because you are an unaffiliated Runemaster path Cultivator still in training. You aren't a high realm expert with a lot of connections so many will be looking for you. Rune equipment is extremely valuable and everyone will be looking to hire you to escribe a Rune for them."

"Oh is that so?' Lucas tilted his head thinking about how valuable he is. "How much does a piece of equipment with a rune on it sell for?"

"Merits wise? Roughly 10,000 merits for a simple item. Although since you are a Disciple and not part of any guild things are different. If you take the job now your Sponsor will take 60% of what you earn. Although if you join a guild things are changed. Your Sponsor will only take 25% and the Guild will also take 25%, leaving you with the rest. That being said being part of a Guild also has its own perks. Depending on the guild you can get exclusive products from other people within the guild."

"My Sponsor really gets that much from me?! That's a total rip off!" Lucas was appalled. He did all the work only for his Sponsor to take a large chunk of his hard-earned Merits! It was an outrage! 

Sohia shrugged. "Sorry Lucas, that how the CIA runs. A big reason Sponsors take that much back is because you get other benefits being a Disciple. So as a way to pay things back they take some Merits from commissions. That being said any and all Merits you earn from a mission are solely yours." 

Lucas took a moment to think as he followed Sohia. "So what guilds are there?"