"Punch here as hard as you can,"
Instructor Majong said while extending her hand out to me.
I gazed upon the giant hand that was larger than my own face. I gulped down my saliva and released my bag from my own grip, took position, and swang as hard as I could at her hand.
She didn't waiver from her spot, nor did her hand tremble the slightest from my blow. Suddenly, I went into daze. I felt immensely weak. How did these hands manage to rip off the dragon's scale. Yes....it wasn't me alone. I alone had no strength to protect anyone. I was weak.
Instructor Majong realized my worry and said out sternly this time.
"A little training would do for you, don't worry. As long as you don't give up, you're not classified as weak"
I focused on her giant face covered with one large scare across her face. Her scars were the proof of her extreme battle.
"Who gave such a scar? If you don't mind me asking.." I replied to her with a question
"Haa ha, just one of those horn beasts, that's all! But sucks for it, I ripped out those horns right after he gave me this scar!!"
Although she spoke with such enthusiasm, I could still sense some sorrow into her words. The reason why Rodrigals and most Giant started going extinct was due to demons. Once they came from the underworld, they started killing every creature's in sight.
During the war against the demons, five millennials ago, Rodrigals and Gaints were the ones that fendered off the demons into isolation in the demon relam. However, the aftermath of the battle was severe. All Rodrigals were dead, and some Giants remained. Whether it was Giants or any other creatures, we all despised the demons. Those emotionless horned monsters.
"Your body needs training first. This small body of yours won't be able to wittsatnd the [Starlight's tomb's] magic." She said again while pinching different parts of my body.
"Run around this field until I tell you to stop."
"This field?"
"Yes."
I gazed at her muscular figure again and realised where that build had come from. Half of it must have come due to her walking through this so-called filled.
This wasn't a field. This was definitely half of Yoplis Kingdom itself. The giant meadows of hell.
After two hours. Sweats dripped from the tip of my nose. I tried my best to catch my breath but failed so many times. My legs had already given up. My brain got foggy, and in the distance, I could hear a faint voice incoming.
"You still have 5 laps left!!" Master Majong shouted out.
Who knew you could see hell while still being on earth. The [Starlight's tomb] started vibrating again in the back.
These few days, I felt as if this weapon of mine had been responding to me. However, I brushed that thought. I mean, how could such a thing happen.
"It's talking to you again"
"??"
Master Majong uttered from behind, and she crossed her arms while looking down at me.
"What do you mean?"
"That weapon of yours is talking to you."
"Hahaha Master, you rely like joking,"
I laughed, but she didn't. Instead, she again gave me that sternly look of hers. When you see that expression, you know easily that there is no joke.
"This phenomenon does not occur with all weapons. But the weapon you're holding is able to do so. Your weapon is a close relative to an ancient artefact."
"What? But this is an inanimate object. How does this thing have the will to communicate?"
"My club here also has the ability. Although they can't speak, you just need to learn their language. This thing right here is my partner in battle. I don't see it as an object, I see it as a comrade"
"Wow, that's fascinating. I was so lucky to get this weapon." I pronounced lightly while holding onto the still vibrating [Starlight's tomb].
To think that my weapon was trying to speak to me.
"When you learn their language, you get better at wielding and understanding their potential."
"Really?!!"
"Yes."
"Then. Please teach me their language Master!!" I got up excitedly and exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"It's pretty hard, considering your mana and your weapon's mana. Your weapon has 10 times more mana than you. You need more mana to control it. "
"Oh...." I was highly disappointed, not with [Starlight's tomb] but with myself.
All the party members are amazing and strong. Tremious has an enormous amount of mana and can defeat almost anything. He was the one who protected me several times now.
Kyoko is smart and can treat others. She is excellent at handling a bow and was the one to actually defeat the two demons in Golem's town.
Last but never the last, Dermis. Although he is reckless and stupid, he never lets his comrades get hurt. He was always the brave one and is the most reliable. To think that I would be jealous of them one day. I had nothing.
My mana is not polished and refined. My spear wielding skills are nothing. I probably make the [Starlight's tomb] look useless when I wield it. I can't do anything.
"Get up immediately. You're starting to look like a loser."
"Huh?" I looked up to see Master Majong grabbing onto my cloth and pulling me up. She must have noticed my expression yet again.
"You are one forgetful child. My first words to you were, if you don't give up, you will not be classified as weak."
My eyes filled with emotions. What was I thinking? This person that I haven't ever met is believing in me. How could I be so stupid?
Thus that's how my hard training under Master Majong began.
***
"Focus your mana within the centre... Okie, now let it flow easily like water inside your body. Breathe slowly and make sure that your mana doesn't leak out...good enough"
Master finally said while smiling and looking proudly at my progress.
In these few days, I have been sitting my bottom on the floor and learned to not let my mana leak out of my body. Apparently that's how most people lose their mana. They don't know how to prevent it from leaking out.
I was very surprised to see how much mana I let leak out of my body everyday.
Now that I learned the following. My mana had gravely increased. Every time I held [Starlight's tomb] now, there is this mana flowing out of it and it reaches my mana.
"That's their way of communicating. They supply you with their mana so that you could feel their emotions"
"Is that so"
"Now let's give it a try then"
"Close your eyes and hold your weapon tightly. Except all the mana that is flowing in you from the weapon. Slowly but surely you will feel their emotions"
I closed my eyes and did as she told. The cold yet flowy mana met my mana and fused with it. The mana was cold and their was a tingling feeling in my heart. I smiled and opened my mouth.
"You're happy aren't you?"
[Starlight's tomb] vibrated again and I swear I could imagine a child smiling at me. Perhaps it was the essence of it.
Artifacts are made from essences of life after all.
She vibrated again and this time I felt her anger.
[Starlight's tomb is angry at you]
"What that voice??????? What's going on Master!!" I was flustered and startled with the sudden voice in my head.
"Hahahahah, you already heard her voice is in your head hahha" she laughed out loud while I looked confused and startled.
"This is the secrets of this world. Even our weapons can talk you see. This child was talking to me nonstop the whole time. Such a chatty child"
"What??"
[You took so long to respond]
"This voice is only in my head?"
"Yes, only the ones that weild an artifact learn. No one else knows about this secret. That's the sole reason to why Artifacts make you stronger"
"Wow"
"Try talking to her in your head"
I noded and processed to do that.
(Can you hear me?)
[You weak human!! How long does it take for you huh! ****!! ]
My eyes grew wide and I glanced at Master who was forming a frown.
"This kid, her language! Talk properly!"
(I'm sorry?)
[You better be, you ****!! If you had taken longer I would've have *** and *** and then **** ahhh ***!!!!]
My jaw dropped to the floor. And the only thought that ran across my mind was.
(So annoying)