Chapter 17: Training
Ray stood in the center of the target practice hall with a bunch of small crowds watching. A *health bar immediately popped out from his right arm. A *hologram timer also appeared above from Ray's head.
*Health bar serves as a life line for the practitioner
*Hologram timer measures how long a practitioner takes to finish a level
Ray: "This is quite nice. I'm starting to enjoy this." He said fascinated.
He looked at the wide transparent screen on the right side of the hall. The countdown begun…
*Whoosh!
A bronze crystal was sent flying towards Ray direction. With his good reflex, he somehow managed to avoid it.
"Boo!!!" The teasing crowd yelled.
Nympha: (Hmm…He's fast…) "Hey kid! You're not supposed to dodge it. You need to tackle it!" She yelled over the crowd.
Ray: "I'm still new to this!" He retorted. (Tch! I almost got hit.)
Ray closed his eyes and concentrate. A stone sword materialized from his hand.
"What's that useless stone sword! Use a real weapon, kiddo!" Said a medium-built fighter.
Ray: "Nghnn…" (Why don't you come here and do it?!)
Another bronze crystal flew from his direction.
*Clang!*
Ray retracted it by his stone sword. His sword was barely pushing the bronze crystal.
Ray: (There's something strange about this? Why does it feel like it's hard as iron?)
Every time Ray blocks the bronze crystal, Nympha's eyes twinkle.
Nympha: (Heh…I was right. This kid is not ordinary. This level could be equal to the performance of an A rank fighter.)
Ray: (This is getting annoying. I better end this fast.) He examined the crowd. *sigh* (I just hope no one will notice.)
Ray focused on his right hand and closed his eyes. He tried to concentrate once more. He felt the vibration, the sound and the energy emitting from the bronze crystal.
As the bronze crystal charged its way to Ray, he swiftly swung his stone sword. In an instant, the crystal was cut into half.
The crowd went silent.
Nympha: (…That…was…superb! He cut the bronze crystal with his stone sword. This could not get any better!)
"Anyone happened to see that?!" A young lad fighter blurted.
"Hoho! Great one kid!" Cheered by A rank mage lady.
Ray: (Phew! Good thing not everyone notices that.)
The atmosphere of the crowd changed. Everyone anticipates what to come next. Ray was set for round two.
Ray: (Heh…This is not that hard as a I thought…) He was pretty confident.
*Whoosh! *Whoosh! *Whoosh! *Whoosh!
Four silver crystals appeared charging directly at him.
Ray: "!!!"
The silver crystals charged on both sides cornering Ray in the middle.
Nympha: (Well, I wonder what you will do to escape this? Let's see how this will end.)
Ray's resolve to win wavered.
Ray: (What the! There's no way I can avoid this attack!)
Ray tried his best to calm down. His eyes were set to the four silver crystals.
Ray: (Well, here goes nothing…) Four big stone swords materialized in mid-air. "CHARGE!!!"
*Crack! *Crack! *Crack! *Crack!
The silver crystals split into halves.
Nympha: "Heh…" A smile formed on her face. "What do you know? He managed to break them."
"Whooh!!!" A loud cheer was heard from the crowd.
Ray was silent.
Ray: (I think I overdid it.) He recalled his mother's word. "Remember Ray. Use your power when it is only necessary. Never expose yourself." (I'm sorry mom.) He felt guilty. (I just hope no one notice.)
Away from the crowd, several high-ranking factions stood watching.
Nympha: "Ray! You sure got some luck!" She yelled.
Ray: "Okay??" (But that was not a mere luck, though.) He stepped out from the practice hall.
Nympha: "Congratulations! You somehow managed to survive your first training." She rushed towards him.
Ray: "Thanks." (For some reason, her voice was unusually loud.) He looked at the massive crowd. (Maybe next time I come here; I will make sure to keep it low.)
Both of them went ahead to the changing room.
Nympha: "I can't believe it Ray! You actually succeeded the inter---beginner level." She almost spilled it.
Ray: "Inter---what?"
Nympha cleared her throat.
Nympha: "I said beginner level. You really did great."
Ray: "It's a good experience."
Nympha: "Well for your first attempt, you sure got some potential kid."
Ray: "But I can't show my real potential here." He mumbled.
Nympha: "Real potential?" (Heh…This is worth investigating.)
Ray: "No. It's---it's nothing, sis." He shook his hand.
Nympha's blood boiled with excitement.
Nympha: "Ray, wait for me outside. Change first." She threw the small black cube.
Ray: "Eh!" He managed to catch it.
Nympha: "Just hold the small cube in front of you. It will absorb the armor and the bracelet. Keep it. It's yours."
Ray: "Where are you going?" He was confused by her action.
Nympha: "I'm going to talk to the 3rd District Manager." She was gone out of sight in an instant.
==
Nympha: "Ray!" She waved her hand.
Nympha saw him waiting, standing beside a large column.
Ray: "So?" How did it go?"
Nympha: "Come. Follow me."
Nympha brought Ray on the last corner of the 3rd District. They went straight to an abandon structure.
Ray: "So what's exactly is this place? It looks deserted."
Nympha: "This was once a training hall of the guild."
Ray: "The guild?"
Nympha: "The Guild of the Shield of Faction."
Ray: "The guild has a training hall in the 3rd District?" He was puzzled by her statement.
Nympha: "Yes."
Ray: "It doesn't look to be well-kept to me."
Nympha: "Long story Ray."
The crystal lamps lit up as they entered the room. The bright light shown its interior. The room has a sparring ring at the center. A punching bag was hanging on the side of the corner. Weapons such as shields, armors, spears and swords and other training equipment filled the place.
Ray: "This looks like a mini training hall." He said with amazement.
Nympha: "It is. This place was where the members of the Shield of Faction once trained."
Ray: "I see. You guys have it exclusive."
Nympha went inside the sparring ring.
Nympha: "Need some gloves?"
Ray: "Huh???"
Nympha: "I guess you don't need that."
Ray: "I don't understand." He was getting confused.
Nympha: "Just come inside and show me what you can do." (I need to confirm something.)
Ray followed her in the ring.
Nympha: "Good let's start!"
*Whoosh!
Ray: "Whoa!" He was able to avoid her punch swiftly.
Nympha: "Nice reflex."
Ray: "Sister you're not trying to kill me, are you?"
Nympha: "Of course not. This is what you call sparring, silly."
Ray: "You've got your knuckles on!" He exclaimed. (Getting hit by those, will be the end of me!)
Nympha: "Oh right…There." The knuckles on her hand disappeared. "I guess you won't be complaining now."
Ray: "Yeah??" He answered uneasy.
Nympha: "Geez. Don't be scared." She consoled him.
Ray: *gulp* "I don't think that's impossible, sister Nympha." (I felt it. She's serious!)
Nympha: "Try your best not to get your ass whooped."
Ray: "Eh?? Eh???!!!"
=0=
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone