Chapter 34: Ways of the Shield

As Saad started to clean up this time, he realized that sweeping the floors wasn't enough. The state of the place was more daunting than he had initially thought. It seemed like in just few days the mess had gotten a lot worse. Saad groaned inwardly, realizing that he now had to do full housework. Dusting, sweeping, organizing – the works. It was a far more daunting task than he had expected. Once more, he felt frustrated. Wasn't the game supposed to be more fun?

Time seemed to stretch on as Saad scrubbed, swept, and organized. It was a thorough cleaning that required his utmost attention and effort. Hours ticked away, and his initial enthusiasm was gradually replaced by fatigue. However, his determination to complete the task kept him going. Saad's chore mastery helped him maneuver through the cleaning process more efficiently, and he gained more points in dusting and sweeping. The once-dingy rooms began to take on a semblance of order and cleanliness.

However, by the time he finished all six rooms, it was already the time for his training session at the training center. The bright light caused shadows within the cottage, and Saad's heart sank as he realized he no longer had enough time for his herbalism lessons. The realization was disappointing, but he also knew that he couldn't keep the Ashen Witch waiting. Resigned, he cast a final glance around the now-neatened rooms.

"Master, I've completed the cleaning," Saad announced, his voice carrying a note of fatigue. He stood amidst the transformed space, his breath slightly labored from the effort he had exerted.

The Ashen Witch glanced up from her cup of tea, her expression inscrutable as ever. Her gaze swept over the room, and Saad could sense a faint flicker of approval in her eyes. "Not bad," she remarked, her tone cool but not devoid of recognition. "At least you can follow basic instructions."

[You have completed the quest Apprentice's Journey-II]

Saad managed a tired smile, relieved that his efforts had met with some level of approval. "Thank you, master. I did my best to make it presentable."

The Ashen Witch nodded, setting her cup down on a small table beside her. "You've completed your task for now. You may leave."

Saad's weariness was momentarily replaced by a spark of curiosity. "Master, when can we continue with my herbalism lessons?" He knew that he was being really forward but he was eager to get as much as he could, after all, he was going to be really busy with all of the quests and training. He was fully aware just how much the potions were important and in the long run, having the skills to create them might not just save him but also could earn him money if he could learn better recipes. The game was still new and he wanted to aim for the top!

A brief pause followed his question, and the Ashen Witch regarded him with a gaze that seemed to pierce through his very being. "What hurry are you in, lad?" she finally replied, her tone measured. "You will have the opportunity to learn. Be patient for now."

Saad knew better than to show any sign of frustration and just nodded, "Ok, master."

Without further ado, he turned and made his way to the door, his steps carrying a mix of mental exhaustion and eagerness for what lay ahead. The day had been eventful, to say the least, filled with quests, unexpected opportunities, and hard work. To think he would be getting mining quests and then a special quest. 'Am I going to pick up another unnecessary skill?' He groaned as he thought about mining and not to mention the looming deadline of Rosarie. He had gotten really busy in just few hours.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Saad set his sights on the Seraphia Training Centre. It was time to finally get his Class and resume his defense training. Even though he had gained a shield skill. The fight with the arachnid queen had made him realize that if he wanted to go far in this game, he needed to get the controls down now. He needed to master them, there was no easy way out of it. Since he didn't have real life money to spend on high quality gear, he needed to have impressive controls to counter that.

As Saad entered the training center, a mix of intimidation and determination coursed through his veins. He knew he had come a long way since his initial foray into this world. Now, armed with a good shield and a basic shield skills, and being over level 10, he felt like a changed man. Yet, the imposing figure of Gram, the defense trainer greeted him with the same stern demeanor as before.

"Kael, don't just stand there. Grab your shield and let's get back to training. Others have started already!" Gram's deep voice resonated, filling the air with authority. Saad couldn't help but feel a sense of intimidation for the man. He looked like he could easily squish him to a pulp. Gram's pressure was no joke.

Saad nodded, his newfound confidence flickering in his eyes. After all, he had fought against a real monster, he wasn't so naïve anymore. He wanted to use his fancy shield but Gram shook his head, "First become worthy of the shield. Put it away and grab the wooden shield."

Saad felt a little down since un-equipping the shield meant losing precious defense points but he had a lot of trust in his light armor-"And that armor! Store it away. A real man doesn't hide behind fancy equipment!" Saad felt his shoulders slumping. He was back to square one.

He approached the racks of training equipment, his fingers grazing the wooden surface of the shield. He went to the wall where dungarees hung and with a heavy heart, he unequipped his set and put the training clothes on.

The training area was vast, with different dummies and targets set up at various distances. The trainees were all standing in front of the still weight from yesterday, Saad was aware of the disastrous power of the weights. He readied himself and tried to stand the way, Gram had told them yesterday.

As Saad positioned himself, shield in hand, Gram's booming voice provided clear instructions. "Today, we're going to continue to focus on your shield techniques. It's not enough to have a good shield; you need to know how to use it effectively. Even the best weapons become useless if you don't know how to use it."

Saad listened intently as Gram explained the basics of shield maneuvers, from blocking and parrying to deflecting and countering. The man's knowledge was evident, a testament to his experience as a warrior. However, Saad quickly realized that Gram hadn't found any solutions for his lack of vitality and measly base defense. The challenge still remained—how to withstand powerful attacks without being overwhelmed.

As Saad started to practice, he understood the weight that swung to him with the force of a truck. Gram's instructions were firm but helpful, guiding Saad through the nuances of proper shield usage. Yet, despite his improved shield and skills, Saad found himself using too much stamina. He repeated the exercises again and again, attempting to strike a balance between defense and energy conservation.

After the third attempt, his body gave way, and he collapsed onto the padded floor, his breaths heavy and labored. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his muscles trembled with fatigue. It was clear that there was a long way to go before he would master even the basics of shield techniques.

Gram's stern gaze remained fixed on Saad as he caught his breath letting his stamina slowly recover, the intensity of his presence almost palpable. "You're improving, lad, but there's a crucial aspect you're still missing," he stated, his voice carrying a mixture of criticism and guidance. "Blocking is one thing, but deflecting is a skill that can save your life in a fight."

Saad was eager to learn but his body felt like it was breaking. Kael was a slim kid and that put heavy pressure on his body. His initial excitement had been met with the harsh reality of just how much he had to learn, and he was more than willing to put in the effort because it was the game world and nothing was impossible here. Unlike real world, putting in time and effort bore fruits here, "Deflecting?" he inquired, curiosity sparking in his eyes and other trainees as they looked at Gram who was now holding a shield.

Gram stepped closer, his massive frame towering. "Deflecting is about using the angles and edges of your shield to redirect attacks away from you. It's not just about stopping a blow but turning it to your advantage." With a practiced motion, he raised his own shield, demonstrating the stance he wanted them to adopt. "You need to find the right balance between strength and finesse. Use your shield's surface area to guide the attack away from your vulnerable points."

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