Training Part 4

Blake kept running for the next hour and he had now started feeling a little tired. His heartbeat started to rise which caught the attention of the adults. They didn't expect it to be forever but even an hour was a really good result.

"Sir this is impressive. The increase in heart rate isn't too high and can be brought back to normal if Blake slows down for a minute or two." Maria said in an excited tone. Harold was also impressed by this as Blake's physical condition proved even better than he thought. At first, he thought that Balke might face some problems due to the corrosive nature of dark mana but this was the complete opposite. Blake's dark mana behaved like regular mana until it is inside his body. When it comes out in the form of purple smoke, then it is dark mana.

Harold looked at Kevin and Maria and said "Kevin prepare a training regiment for Blake just like you are going to do for Arya and Simon. Maria, you already know what you need to do."

Kevin and Maria both had serious expressions on their face and then Kevin said "Leave it to me. Simon may become a borderline soul master because of his soul-spirit being a sword. He might have to follow a few training exercises for warriors or what they prefer to call themselves as knights." he said the last part while rolling his eyes.

Maria quickly interjected by saying "Actually I do agree with them. Warriors sound barbaric while knights sound dignified. The majority of soldiers of the government are knights. Soul masters are way less in population as compared to knights."

Blake who had stopped running by this time asked "Why is that? Why are soul masters less than knights?"

Maria looked at the kid in front of her and smiled. She started to remove the straps on his body to separate him from the treadmill and the mana counter. While she was doing that she said "It's quite simple actually. Soul masters depend on their soul spirit more and the resources required to nurture one are way more than that for knights. The most common types of soul spirits are animals and even different species of it. For example, there are more than 9 species of bear soul spirits in 9 different clans. Now their clansmen have different variations of these species. Now such a thing happens with many different animals. Knights need constant training and practice. They don't need monster cores constantly for progress. And the main difference, not many people are born with soul spirits suitable for soul masters."

This was in line with what Anya had told Blake when they were traveling through shell city. Blake was going to ask another question when Kevin said.

"Blake warriors also include people who have soul spirit as weapons. Their progress is the slowest among everyone but their skill ceiling is very high."

"NOT WARRIORS, ITS KNIGHTS KEVIN" Maria said separately, glaring at Kevin, who gulped his saliva and took a step back. Harold was trying to hold back his laughter.

'They did say that Maria has family in the government. Looks like some of them are knights which is why is she so touchy about it.' Blake thought.

Seeing that the discussion had come to an end Harold said "Blake now let's start with actually controlling your soul spirit. For the next 3 months, you are going to bounce between the training we three will give you so it will be pretty much hell. Way more than what Arya and Simon will go through. Are you ready?"

'At last, the thing that I wanted to do for so long.' Blake thought as he couldn't even hide the excitement on his face.

Harold and Blake left the equipment room and moved back to the training ground. Harold went to the side of the training ground and picked up some rocks which were a little heavy and brought them to the middle of the training ground.

Blake was very impressed by seeing Harold do this without using any mana nor did Harold use his soul spirit. For someone like Harold who looks like a scholar rather than a fighter, having so much physical strength certainly came as a shock to Blake.

Harold noticed this and said with an amused expression "Blake don't forget I am the Patriarch of this clan. And this world has only one rule and that is Strength rules all. Now come with me here."

Harold said and led Blake to a corner of the training ground where the rocks were size of a human head. Harold instructed Blake to keep 5 such rocks at equal distance from each other. Blake nodded and did as he was told.

"Now do what you did to that rock yesterday but remember the training we did today. There needs to be strength and consistency in those tentacles of yours. I need them to be dark and denser than yesterday." Harold said in a firm tone like a typical instructor.

Blake also had a serious expression and he stretched his left hand making his wrist and hand get covered in purple smoke. In the next second tentacles started appearing from it. Three tentacles started waving around but they were too short to touch and corrode anything.

"Blake concentrate and let there be only one tentacle. Remember forcing or commanding doesn't work. You have to wish for it. Take your time. Don't rush it in any way." Harold said from the side.

Blake eased his hand a little and imagined having control over those tentacles. After a few seconds, the tentacles that were moving erratically started to become passive. They merged into each other and created a thick tentacle. This tentacle was short and become extremely dark. It was coming from the middle of Blake's palm.

A smile bloomed on Blake's face as he looked at the side toward Harold and said "Uncle I did it. I merged them and now I can feel the tentacle as an extension of my own body."

'This kid's level of comprehension is way better than even me. Looks like I will have to teach him how to keep his strength in check or he may end up attracting the attention of the wrong people.' Harold thought as this was going to be a headache for him but also an adventure.

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