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**
• Basic Breathing Technique (Entry 10/100)
• Basic Fighting Technique (Entry 10/100)
• Basic Footwork Technique (Entry 10/100)
**
TJ's boon, [Limit Breaking Hard Work], was definitely doing its magic.
To TJ, it felt strange, fresh, and enlightening, because all he had to do was to perform the technique according to how he was taught, and his progress would be updated.
Each time a mastery point was added to the progress, TJ would discover a few things about the techniques he's practicing. Most of the time, it happens subconsciously. He'd only discover it after he performs the technique again. He feels increasingly familiar with it, like he just sort of gets it; there is no need for any further clarifications or additional instructions—nothing; he would just know what to do next.
It's like his body was correcting itself so that he could display and use the techniques he learns more efficiently.
As TJ uses the Basic Breathing Technique, he'd feel his body getting warmer, like soaking in a hot tub after a long day. It's so comfortable that it's lulling him to sleep. It's also soothing the ache in his muscles exerted from the training so far.
Speaking of training...
True to his word, Mr. Eden taught them how to throw a proper punch and how to take a hit next.
The proper punching and kicking stance is what triggered the [Basic Fighting Technique] to be registered in his skill list, and it's the addition of this that gave TJ more insights into the mechanics behind his awakened boon.
Basically, he benefits from repetition but also not really.
Practice makes perfect, sure. And with the [Limit Breaking Hardwork], that's even more true. But if TJ were to just do the same thing over and over again, hoping that he will progress, then he's dreaming.
The boon pays attention to effort and efficiency, not some simple repetition.
Punching and kicking a total of 100 times won't propel him to a breakthrough. To have real progress, each repetition must be purposeful. Each punch, from start to finish, must be executed correctly and with intent; only after that will the mastery increase.
Additionally, TJ must also integrate the new things he learns as he progresses to make even more progress. Absent-minded repetition won't be acknowledged by the boon.
And honestly, TJ respects the intent behind it. The boon is, after all, called the [Limit Breaking Hardwork]; blind repetition doesn't count as hard work.
Still, considering that he's made this much progress within hours after learning these skills shows that the boon was incredible.
One must know that only in the [Novice Rank] will professionals be able to learn and upgrade skills through raw practice. Once they reached the [Apprentice Rank] and above, skills could only be upgraded using experience points.
There are certain boons that might change this, like TJ's, but for the majority, it works like this.
After being taught how to attack, Mr. Eden taught them how to defend. More specifically, to take a hit. He taught them tips and tricks to minimize the damage or control how much damage they'd receive in order to not be taken out in a single strike.
This didn't condense a skill for Cedric, which he found weird, but he really couldn't complain.
It wasn't until Mr. Eden taught them footwork that another skill appeared on TJ's list, the [Basic Footwork Technique].
Mr. Eden told them that if you can't beat 'em, run away, which was quite comical from what TJ could remember.
He told them that they, as novices, still have much to live for. He taught them that their life is valuable, and if it's being threatened, there is no shame in running away.
So long as there is life, there is hope.
But of course, he didn't tell them to run desperately at every encounter. The basic fighting and footwork technique he taught them will be their tools for survival in dungeons. Running away was the last resort, something that they should do if their lives were being threatened.
Of course, the basic footwork technique isn't just for running away. It's to increase their speed and flexibility, allowing them to dodge and maneuver to a safer area to avoid injuries and attacks.
The perk included in the Basic Fighting Technique was called [Fighter], which gives a 5% bonus to their damage modifiers when they use the technique in a fight.
As for the perk of Basic Footwork Technique, it's called [Lightfooted]—which gives a bonus 5% movement speed and agility when the skill is used in combat.
TJ wondered about the changes that happen as his mastery over the skills increases, but that's something he's going to have to figure out later.
Oh, and according to the book, the mastery levels for combat arts are entry, minor mastery, major mastery, and perfect mastery. If he fills up the mastery count at the Perfect Mastery level, the skill will automatically level up.
As the skill levels up, it will have a new perk that makes it stronger in some way. And it only snowballs from there.
**
Even after learning the basic skills that Warriors needed, TJ still wasn't confident enough to confront the Dream Echoes he had collected so far.
Speaking of Dream Echoes, TJ managed to gather another two, making the total count of complete Dream Echoes five. Three were Warriors, and two were Casters.
The first three, he gathered automatically just by going to his usual road to school. If there's a Dream Echo Fragment nearby, TJ will be notified and will be asked to choose if he wants to absorb it. The current detection range was 50 meters.
TJ discovered that, although the boon said that there's only one Dream Echo Slot available, he could still gather and condense Dream Echoes as he pleased. He assumed that the slot was for the specific Dream Echo he wanted to fight. Since he's not planning on it yet, the spot remains vacant.
It's not that TJ's scared of using his boon. He just didn't want to go in there unprepared. Maybe once he perfected his basic skills, he'd give it a go, but right now? It can wait.
Ding Dong!
TJ was startled by the sound. It was the school bell that signified the end of the day.
"Alright, you brats. Remember your lessons and get out of here. See you tomorrow, or not." Mr. Eden didn't say too much nonsense and disappeared after dismissing the class.
TJ noticed that he left an afterimage with how fast he moved, but that faded shortly after. Inwardly, he wondered if the teacher was using an upgraded version of the Basic Footwork Technique or something else entirely.
Feeling the fatigue catching up to him, TJ dragged his sweaty body to grab his things before heading to the locker room.
Looking around him, he was comforted that he wasn't the only one. The majority of the class felt like him too.
But of course, there's always an exception.
There were five people in the class that looked relatively popular and fierce. Three of them hung out together, while the last two weren't as talkative.
From what TJ saw earlier, it seems that these five have known the Basic Warrior Techniques beforehand. They showed off earlier, displaying their very obviously practiced moves and stances.
As he eavesdropped on the murmurs of his classmates, it seemed that these five came from big families and/or clans, which might explain why they're already ahead.
Actually, it's not really that rare.
The Basic Warrior Techniques could be purchased in private markets, cheaply and in a package too. Some are even offering discounts if they also buy the Basic Caster Spells package too. Even the breathing and meditation techniques are being sold too.
Obviously, those coming from rich backgrounds have the option to splurge if they feel like it. They don't have to be worried about being scammed either since these were just the basics anyway.
Another way of learning these skills early on is by having an adult teach them, obviously. If someone in the family awakens as a warrior or a caster and is generous enough to teach others ahead of time, then it's valid.
Of course, there is a need for permits and check-ups before they're allowed, but the procedure was lax, so it's not much of a hassle.
TJ wasn't a part of a huge family/clan. He's an orphan. He didn't gain some kind of life-changing inheritance either. He doesn't have an adult that's willing to teach him ahead of time, nor does he have the money to splurge for basic techniques.
Nevertheless, TJ wasn't really jealous or envious of them. For now, at least.
Although he's got nobody to rely on other than himself, his talents should be more than enough to bridge the gap. His effort and dedication aren't necessarily less than theirs either, so it all evens out.
TJ absent-mindedly hopped into the showers, occasionally nodding to Sieg's chatter.
Soon, he's already making his way back home. Sieg has already waved goodbye to him at his turn.
Just like this, TJ's first day in the training camp was over.