Chapter 4: Training Pt.1

Leaving Beowulf's office, we made our way through the building. As we walked, they gave me a small tour of the different facilities. The building had the shape of a plus: a central hall and four extensions that each served a purpose: the medical wing, where I woke up; the training wing, the living wing, and the common wing, which had multiple purposes.

"I know it seems like alot for now, but you will be able to memorize it easily," Steffen said as we reached the training wing.

"Don't even Lilian gets lost sometimes," Fin teased.

Ignoring his taunt, Lilian sighed and continued forward.

Entering the training facility, I was surprised at its size. If I had to guess, the floor we were on was at least the size of a football field. There were three more floors like this, each offering a different experience.

"Welcome to the unranked training floor. This floor is for all new personnel who are training to become demon hunters," Steffen said with a sigh.

Looking around the room, I saw dozens of newbies sparing against each other, training, practicing magic, and studying.

"Normally, someone would spend two months training to prepare your body for mana injections, but since you already have good control over your mana, we will have you spik some of the training," Steffened explained, leading us to a group of students.

Walking up to the group, we could see that it was some kidnapping of class, and a large man with a shaved head and a battle axe was teaching the class.

"Oi, Chris, I have a new student for you," Steffen said, walking up to the man.

Chris: A-Rank

Kill Count: 9568 Demons

Skill: Stone Body

"Captian Beowulf, this is surprising," Chris said, turning around.

"Class, this is one of the SS-rank Captian, Steffen Grimwood, Aka Beowulf; he is a hunter of unbelievable caliber," Chris said 

Seeing Steffen, I could see the admiration and excitement on the students' faces. Taking a closer look, I realized that the students looked to be different ages, ranging from 15 to 25. 

"Calm down anyways. I have a new student for you. His name is Virgil Bealnoc. He has already unlocked his mana, but he still needs to choose a weapon and learn basic combat," Steffen explained.

"...I see very well; then I will do my best to catch him up," Chris said, giving me a small smile.

"Goodbye for now, Virgil; I will check up on you as your training progresses," Steffen said before walking away.

"Good luck, Virgil," Lilian said with a small wave.

"You better become a good fighter. I need a new training partner," Fin said, walking away.

"Alright, class, welcome our new student, Virgil; even though he is joining halfway through, he was brought in by Captain Beowulf, so we should treat him as an equal," Chris said, placing a heavy arm on my shoulder.

As he talked, I could feel the weight on my shoulder increase to the point where I could see my bones begin to shift. Looking at Chris, I could see a large grin on his face as he watched me struggle under the pressure.

(So you're that kind of person, very well)

Remembering what Steffen taught me, I coated my shoulder with a thicker layer of mana. Within a few seconds, the pressure on my shoulder disappeared and I was able to stand normally.

Realizing that I was no longer affected, he clicked his tongue and removed his arm. 

"You can take a seat next to Goto," Chris said with a frown.

Taking a seat next to the boy he was pointing at, he continued his lesson on hunting demons.

"No class, the most common D-rank demon you will encounter are the living damned. They are the demons that escaped hell, and now they hunt the elderly, stealing their life force. They are a bitch to deal with since you have to stab them in the chest three times and once in the head,"

"...Uhm, sir, that information is wrong," I said, raising my hand. 

Hearing my comment, all the students looked at me with an annoyed look, and Chris seemed pissed off.

"Now, what makes you say that it's not like you have seen a Living dammed," Chris laughed, causing the other students to laugh.

"But I have and killed one. They don't only hunt the elderly; they hunt humans that have committed sins. The only ones they can't steal life from are children since they carry no sin. Also, you have to stab them in all three of their hearts to kill them; their head has nothing to do with it," I explained.

"...So you killed a living dammed," Chris said, surprised.

"Yes, I have," I replied

"Alright then, would you like to demonstrate to the class that we have a simulation room that hunters use to practice killing demons?" Chris said, pointing at a nearby door.

"I don't mind, but I don't have a weapon," 

"That's fine; when you enter the room, you will be given a chance to choose a weapon," Chris explained.

Standing up, I walked into the simulation room. Standing in the center of the room, I could see a weapon rack and a podium with a screen on it. 

Walking up to the screen, I could see hundreds of different demons ranging from D-B rank. After a few minutes, I found the Living Dammed. Clicking it, the screen changed to one filled with all kinds of weapons, from swords and axes to shields and guns. 

Pressing on a dagger, one materialized before me, floating in the air. 

(This is more futuristic than I thought) 

Picking up the dagger, the Podium went into the floor, and across the room, a hologram of a living damned martialized before me.

Looking at those blue eyes, I felt my mind become clouded with anger. 

"Are you ready, Virgil," I heard Chris's voice ask.

"Yes," I replied, calming my mind.

"Alright, then begin," Chris said 

The next moment, the demon let out the same blood-curdling scream before charging at me. To my surprise, this one was much faster than the one I faced before. 

Calming my mind, I dodged the demon's swipe and cut it'd forearm with the dagger. Unlike the one I fought, this one could not feel pain and continued to throw a volly of slashes and jabs at me. 

I don't know if it was because of my ability to use mana or the skill Steffen said I had, but I could see each swipe as if it were in slow motion. 

(This is much easier than the first fight) I thought, cutting off one of the demon's hands. 

Dodging all of its attacks, I found a gap in its attack pattern. Taking the chance, I closed the distance and sent three jabs into the demon's chest.

The next moment, the creature lay dead on the floor. With the demon dead, the simulation ended, and both the demon and dagger were dematerialized. 

"That was some impressive fighting, Virgil," Chris said 

"Well, class, I expect all of you to learn from Virgil," 

Hearing that, I could feel everyone's mood worsen as they all gave me death stares. Taking my seat, I ignored the stares and continued with class.

3 hours later…

Once class was over, I was about to make my way back to Steffen's office when one of the students stopped me.

"Hey Virgil, the rest of the class is meeting up for dinner. Do you wanna join us? You could give us some tips on taking out that demon from before," Goto said with a small smile.

"...No, thank you, but I will give you some notes tomorrow," I replied after a few seconds.

"Oh, okay, see tomorrow then," Goto said

As I walked towards Steffen's office, I could see a dozen people, some taking some as friends while others seemed a little closer.

(No, Virgil, you just got here) I thought pushing away unneeded thoughts