Weapons and Ether

Casimir, among others, was excited for the next session. They would begin weapon training and learn arguably the most interesting thing about being awakened which was fighting. The fifth squadron had seen the first field allocated to them. After lunch, Lieutenant Banks briefed them on what they would do next. They would change into training suits which were provided by the military and make their way toward the first field.

Cestane's military only trained the use of two weapons, namely the spear in the sword, with the exception of bows and ranged weapons, for which they had special squadrons. So, the cadets would only have two choices to make well under Cestane's military. If one would start with a spear, they would also learn the sword, although not as intensely and the reverse is true this was done to ensure that their troops had flexibility with the two most distinguished weapons in history.

Casimir didn't know how to use the spear yet so he picked a spear first considering he hadn't inherited an art for fighting with it. Those who started with the regular bastard sword and a normal spear usually went on to get more customized and niche weapons such as a scythe or great sword would end up responsible for their training.

The fifth squadron had arrived at their training field and found Lieutenant Banks, Officer Evelyn, and Officer Morris waiting for them. When the cadets settled, Officer Evelyn began briefing them on what they would be doing next.

"All right good afternoon cadets you shall now begin your weapons training. As of today all Cadets start with the spear and in your second year you should move on to the sword in front of you are your three commanding officers for your stay here. This is your first time seeing us or three together we hope we get along well."

The cadets did not respond, however, remained saluted awaiting instructions. Lieutenant Banks stepped up next.

"OK, so you will learn Cestane's primary spear art. As you all know, you will primarily be fighting creatures of the abyss. The spear has been refined in the art of killing anything that moves, breaths, and entails corruption. Proceeds to collect your Spears and let us begin with the first four movements"

The cadets collected their spears one by one. They received wooden spears which were primarily for practice instead of actual artifacts. Lieutenant Banks demonstrated the first movement and then the second and then the third and lastly the fourth. From then on, the officers would monitor the cadets as they all performed the first movement up till the 4th sequentially. Occasionally one of the officers would bark out instructions when a cadet's form was poor or lacking.

Casimir didn't know much about weapon arts but he felt from the forms, was that the spear art they had received from the military was, in comparison to what he had received from the tome, fairly simple albeit stalwart.

It was grounded and deceptively offensive, primarily focusing on shrinking while you opened and enlarge your opponent while they attacked. It went by rather simple logic the bigger the targets the easier it was to hit it. Casimir could tell that most of the movements and swings that they performed, served to hinder attacks rather than launch them, but he was fine with that he would learn diligently.

Casimir was left largely satisfied by their weapons training and their officers did not have many complaints about their performances. They seemed rather largely content with what they had seen. Perhaps it was enough considering this was their first session. Although anti-climactic the lesson came to an end and they moved on to their ether management training.

Ether training would take place within the common dormitory Ether facility. When they arrived at the facility, the chain of events that would take place, was so not much different from what they had experienced at the weapon training. They received a briefing from Lieutenant Banks and Officer Morris, this time and how to go about the management of ether and from then on practice on their reserves. Casimir didn't know how they would monitor the cadets' progress but he did it diligently nonetheless.

Contrary to what he had learned from the tome, he cycled his ether the way they had been instructed to by their offices. Not that it mattered, he would just cycle and manage his ether the way he had learned it from the tome whenever he was not under scrutiny. The training was coming to an end and Casimir couldn't help but wonder what of training their origins and getting used to their applications and abilities. He would ask one of the officers if he got the chance.

Ether management ended and they were dismissed. The 5th squadron made their way toward the dormitory. They would shower and have supper. After supper came their individual training. The activity would take place within an assigned building for the training. Casimir continued to ingrain the spear art within his muscles as he made it a point to understand it on a fundamental Level.

The first day of his military life was not as hard as he anticipated but he would not slack off. If there was one thing, he was not short of, it was determination and he would exercise every single bit of it for the next two years.

His days wouldn't change and the schedule remained the same for the next two months.