Chapter 8: First Day

Thadius silently ate his breakfast of plain, white rice. His surroundings were just as plain; wood from wall to wall. Even the chair, bowl, and spoon he was using was some type of carved wood, table included. While enduring the desolate atmosphere, he could only ponder his new master's sense of style.

After he was rendered unconscious, he was carried to a large compound near the top of mountain. Being that nearly everything in the compound was made of, carved from, or had a percentage of wood, he wasn't surprised when he first looked around and didn't find a fireplace, but it did bring up a very important question.

'How does he survive winter up here?' Thadius thought while he chewed. If he was going to live here for the foreseeable future, he needed an answer. Fortunately, he wouldn't have long to wait.

"You finished?" a voice sounded out near him.

Thadius nearly jumped out of his skin when the old man appeared directly beside him. 'When did he get there!?'

"Y-yes sir, I just finished." he responded.

Corban smiled with an amused glint in his eye. He would enjoy sneaking up on his new student in the future."Good. Today will mark the beginning of your training, and if you are to survive the winter, you'd better learn quickly. Come with me."

Corban's compound was separated into two sides with a large training hall in the middle. On one side was the residential area where they just left. This housed the kitchen, dining room, his master's bedroom, and a few guest rooms. The other side of the complex had Corban's private office and a massive storage room. Thadius called it the 'business' side.

They were heading that way now, crossing the grand training hall as a cold wind blew through the open doorway. There were no doors in the entire compound. There was also no glass or shutters for the windows. Saying that the complex was drafty would be an understatement.

What about thieves, or wandering animals that found their way inside? The answer was surprisingly simple. No living creature was dumb enough to ignore such heavy pressure, and the location was a natural thief deterrent. Not to mention that the compound had a renowned sword master as a security guard.

The frigid breeze ruffled Thadius' tunic and goosebumps rose on his skin. It only served to remind him of how dumbfounded he was to find that Corban had confiscated his coat. 'It won't help you here.' was the only response he got on the matter after asking about his first crafted piece.

Once they arrived at the storage room, Corban stopped him just outside the door and went inside. He came back moments later holding a bunch of stone slabs. Then with a peculiar look, he asked, "What do you think these are?"

"Stones for heating the rooms?" Thadius guessed hopefully.

"It's a training aid of my own design. Well, I had a bit of help, but it was my idea." Corban declared proudly.

"What do I do with it?" Thadius asked as he was handed the stack of slabs. It was at least 100lbs(45kg).

"You wear it!" The swordsman laughed. "For the next year, this armor will be closer to you than anyone you've ever known. It'll be your best friend, your wife, and your mistress!" he laughed again, giving Thadius a hearty pat on the back. Then he reached out and attached each piece for his student in turn.

The armor completely covered Thadius' arms and chest. There were pauldrons, gauntlets, and a chest piece, with the weight evenly distributed. The peculiar thing about the 'training aid' was that it was strangely adjustable. Additional stone slabs could be added or moved atop each other like magnets. There were also some large stone rings that Corban had retrieved, and he locked the rings around each of Thadius' wrists before adding extra slabs on his back and shoulders.

Fortunately, Thadius wasn't a stranger to weight training since he had done much of it throughout his life. So with expectations toward the nature of his first training session, he was obviously shocked by what he heard next.

"Just so you know, you won't be able to take this off without a key..." Corban said from behind him. A cunning smile was slowing spreading across his face.

Thadius froze at his master's words. Then, as if on cue, there was a low humming sound. The armor slowly morphed to match the contours of his body and barely moved after that. While he still had a full range of motion, it was as if the armor had become a part of him.

Thadius was overcome with a sinking feeling in his heart as he said, "You make it sound like I won't be taking this off at all..."

"That's correct..." There was no hesitation in the response."You could get a mage to undo the enchantment. Of course you'd have to get to the capital for that since there are no mages in Yune. Then, if you do make it, you'd have to find a master enchanter."

Thadius wasn't even concerned about leaving, but there were obviously more pressing concerns about the arrangement. "It'd be pretty difficult to bathe in this thing."

Corban just chuckled mischievously. "That'll take care of itself. Besides," he gestured with his open arms,"I'm sure you've noticed that my place gets quite the breeze. Now follow!"

They walked around to the back of the complex to a gigantic staircase that seemed to go all the way down the mountain. The surrounding forest was dead silent as the afternoon sun broke through the trees. It could be easily be mistaken for the view outside of some secret mountain temple.

Thadius was already panting by time they arrived at the staircase. The stone armor had matched its shape to his chest, but didn't allow his lungs to fully expand. He could still use his Controlled Breathing, but with Corban's pressure, the thin air, and the rock armor, his stamina didn't last long at all. Corban waited patiently for him to catch his breath before they descended.

"Who taught you such a breathing technique?" Corban asked as he watched his student. He was curious since previous pupils had all fainted on the first walk. He had been prepared to take the armor off at a moment's notice, but Thadius had not only managed to stay conscious, he had kept pace.

"My parents." Thadius gasped.

"Are they soldiers? Or are they adventurers?"

"They're athletes...they compete...in a world tournament...every four years." Thadius was struggling with every breath. He timed his words so that he only spoke when he exhaled.

"A world-wide tournament?"

"Yes...sir." Thadius replied.

"What do they compete in? The sword? Archery perhaps?"

Every step down seemed to knock some air out of his lungs, but Thadius proundly replied, "The tournament...is comprised of many events...My father is a gymnast...and my mother...is a swimmer."

"I'd like to hear more about this 'gymnast' later. You say your mother is a swimmer. Did she teach you how to swim as well?" Thadius just nodded. He decided to conserve his breath on yes or no questions.

Corban smiled. "Good, I'd like you to teach me the form during your stay. I've become considerably interested in the world of Travelers."

They chatted as they went down for almost an hour. Then Corban turned onto a small path in between the trees. After a few minutes, Thadius began to hear sounds of rushing water. The forest path eventually gave way to picturesque view covered with a light mist.

There was a crystal clear pool with a waterfall rushing from an overhanging cliff. Fish could be seen between the scattered rocks and boulders that lay just beneath the surface. Sunlight cut through the mist as a rainbow and scattered over the rippling water.

"Quite beautiful isn't it?" Corban asked as he too admired the pond.

"It's quite cold too..." The mist had clung to Thadius' skin, turning the brisk wind into an icy blast.

Corban's tone had suddenly turned solemn as he replied, "That's why we're here, Thadius. Should you prove successful today, you should be able to bear the chill."

"And i-if I'm un-unsuccessful?" Thadius shuddered involuntarily.