9

In an open and empty looking field. A large table, with enough seating space for fifteen, had food and drinks stacked on top of it. All of it prepared for the squad who had returned to Hq starving and thirsty.

Hence, why most of the squad was ravenously consuming and drinking what was presented to them, well, other than Sid, Nathan and Snake who were reserved or lazy in their manner of eating.

The squad of nine returned back at eight or 20:00 for those used to analogue, and collapsed on the beds in their assigned rooms to tired and exhausted to grab a meal, expected from the continous ten hour flight with heavy turbulence.

The manor they stayed in, was within a hundred meters of the field, but was built in a pocket dimension only official members could open.

The day after they had rested and lazed about, Rex announced to Snake solemnly:

"Welcome to the primordial squad, others refer to us as a random mercenary squad, but, the name of the squad is the primordial squad and you our now an official member Snake. What benefits does this give you? Well you can train and spar with eight elite and knowledgeable members, have access to our enormous library, have a safe resting location and most importantly, horde any treasure without worry of repercussions. However, none of this is free, you have to follow ten official rules, complete missions and help other members, also our operations must remain an absolute secret, capiche."

"Yes, leader"

"Good, now enjoy the food presented and try not to copy these insensitive bastar** who continued rudely eating and drinking whilst I talked"

"Ok"

Whilst enjoying the practically endless food and drink and conversing with the others, the sun which had raised overhead had slowly dropped from the sky, leaving a nice blue moon to hang over head.

Some of the members, starting with Sid, dismissed themselves to sleep early, which was followed by Nathan and Snake soon after.

The members who stayed up, seemed to become sober and serious as continued a hushed discussion late into the night.

Waking up the next day, Snake lethargically rolled out of the soft and springy bed, placed some clothes on and waddled down stairs, towards the nice smell of bacon and eggs. 

Arriving in the dining room next to the kitchen, Snake collected his breakfast from the interconnected counter and relaxed. This was until Rex came over to give him a schedule that expressed who he would be training with that day and the six other days of the week.

First day- Diamond, Endurance and strength training

Second day- Garnet, Hand to hand combat

Third day- Sid, Languages

Fourth day- Sid, Elemental training and senses

Fifth day- Lily, botany

Sixth day- rest day

Seventh day- faires, cooking.

After reading through the list, Snake had a very important question. What were fairies?

Asking Rex, Snake learnt that fairies were a bundle of sentient elemental mana that one could make a contract (deal) with. However this was unknown knowledge to all but the oldest of races, since fairies were invisible, however they are curious and immortal so, after experimenting for thousands of years most were excellent chefs, first discovered by dragons who could actually see and communicate with them and were known for gluttony, greed, lust, wrath, sloth and pride, six out of the seven deadly sins.

The conversational delay could not hold for long and Snake reluctantly finished his meal and joined Diamond for training.

Diamond started the day by telling Snake the rules:

1:Thou shall not kill squad members

2:Thou shall not steal from squad members

3:follow what is said on signs

4:Kill intruders and spys

5: know at least 10 languages ( dosen't apply to rookies for 4 years)

6: stay good neutral

7:lives are more important than missions

8:try not to kill but be decisive when it is required.

9:Don't ask for age or origin

10: Traitors get banished to purgatory

After finshing his list, Diamond looked up with a shark like grin and said he wanted to know Snakes limits.

So attaching weights to his legs shoulders and waist, Snake started to run whilst shadow boxing, a break every 100 meters was given. Repeated again and again, no healing magic just the normal regeneration of the natural body.

500 meters, done, no problem.

2000 meters, done, light sweating.

2500 meters, barely finished, heavy panting. 

2537 meters, Snake collapsed onto the ground exhausted and tired.

However, this was only the first hour of hell Snake would experience.