Rolled In Mud

And so, with my insistence that left no rooms for refusal, days passed one by one and to my surprise no one left no matter how hard I pushed them. I long discarded my teacher's persona, completely letting free my snarky words and became more of a demon instructor. That's how my classes became hellish, I rolled them in mud and tears with no concern over their wellbeing.

Rina contributed the most tears, but she never went back on her words. Not letting out a single complaint even though the training is basically an abuse. That naivety really makes me worry about letting her into the world, so I took special care in training her as a ranger and sharpening her senses. She needs to be a predator to escape being a prey.

Next is Goruk, being the closest one to leaving. At the start he seemed to be going down a spiral of doubt and misery, shedding tears just less than Rina. However, he seems to have reached some sort of enlightenment and continued even with tears streaming down his face. He is the least talented among the four, but he is definitely the most hard working.

Alni and Rou, unfortunately did not shed any tears. They've probably sweated more than it rained, being the greatest weirdos of humanity that enjoys pain and hardship. Alni is chock full of talent and has a personality that enjoys challenges. No matter how bad a state she was left in the day before, she would spring back fully expectant of the next day. Now you might ask why a priest or healer need to be rolled in mud, it's because she's a goblin, and wants to be what's called a battle priest that can use magic in close combat. In other words, she's nuts!

Rou is quiet as usual, but every day he burns with an unusual fervour. He likes the feeling of becoming stronger and more powerful, so he enjoys the act of training. Sometimes I saw a tug on his lips as he tries to stand from the ground, eyes completely changed, filled with passion. Unlike Alni who's just a pervert that enjoys the harsh training, Rou can usually be found swinging his sword and doing more than designated that day.

Speaking of which, he no longer walks the path of sword. To be more specific, he practices skills irrelevant to the sword but still uses a sword as his main weapon. It was difficult to an unholy degree trying to make him use another weapon, but it was solved easily when our city's resident Sword Saint came to visit.

The set of training lasted two weeks and was much more practical than it was theoretical. Unlike the first day where I kindly told them everything, now if I can teach them somewhat physically, I will. If I did this from the start I would have had them find out the difference between Elite and pre-evolved goblins themselves as I put them through the wringer. Aaahh, I was too kind.

As for what they learned, I taught them a number crucial skills for combat and survival, and a number of auxiliary skills such as <Meditation>, <Breathing> and <Training>. They are the type of skills that's more useful the longer you have them but you can't really tell by yourself.

Today, after two weeks of gruelling life, I have determined that they are capable enough to survive in the forest themselves. And so this week their assignment will be to level up and evolve into High Goblins.

Normally, if they took two weeks to make it to the first evolution it would be impossible to evolve once more in half the time. These two weeks all they did was skill training, meaning their level were stagnant, yet they did not show any doubt that they can do it.

When I asked them: 'Hunting monsters would be a hundred times easier than being haunted by you.' Quote from Goruk.

And he's not wrong. A part of the training was no different from bullet hell, and I must say that wanderers are truly blessed by the Gods. They learn quickly even if they don't have any talent.

Now, while they are gone, I have something important to deal with.

Just at what level should I let them graduate?

Wracking my goblin brain for so long, I could only draw up a vague plan. That means that it's still too early to think about it!

So instead I focused on the lessons after they return. The dexterity of High Goblins is practically on the same level as humans, and while their spirit varies from individuals, knowing that they are human, it should be higher than goblins at least. It's time to teach them some magic languages.

Runic languages are also good, the basic ones consist of six rune for the two poles of light and darkness, 4 elements of fire, water, wind and earth. Plus commands of Station, Forward, Turn, Gather and Split for spell movement, Shot, Spray, Blast and Ward for spell type and Mark, Link and Direct to create a controlled spell. A total of 18 runes, less than their alphabet, even children can learn.

I quickly acquired relevant materials by flipping through the neighbourhood library. The books are stacked nicely tall, not only do they contain an in depth explanation of the Basic Runic Language, they also encompass a large collection of spell structures using these runes.

That's it for the runes, there is really not much to prepare at this stage. It's more troublesome to prepare the crafting equipment. As you would expect from goblins, few even take interest in crafting. At most some woodcraft, tailoring, smithing and magic inscriptions. I also do alchemy but I'm like the only one who spent enough time for it to be worthwhile. Young gobs are all about bigger and smashier, got no patience for art. Haaa~

And so, to the human settlement!