--
The weapons came with an instruction manual and a beginner's skill book. In TJ's case, the skill book was called
• Fencing (Entry 0/100)
Fencing is a classic sword art based on needle-type swords. It has less slashing and more stabbing and poking, specifically where it hurts the most. It also emphasizes speed, accuracy, and great mobility.
The skill provides a solid 5% bonus to the user's overall strength when they're equipped with a rapier, an estoc, or any needle-type sword.
This skill fits TJ's preference. He liked being agile and swift; speed is king, as some would say.
Aside from the weapon, there was also the rest of the equipment. Since they were ordinary training equipment, they don't provide bonus stats or perks, but in terms of quality and comfort, though? They'd be hard-pressed to find something better than what the school provides.
While it's true that these training equipment didn't have any noticeable stats or perks, in reality, they have some hidden traits coming from the materials they're created from.
This equipment was designed to last. So long as their owner was taking decent care of them, they wouldn't wear and tear that easily. The materials used to make this equipment were designed to recover their durability over time, which essentially prolongs their longevity. Of course, that's under the assumption that they remain mostly intact during use.
TJ wasn't surprised that the training equipment matchedhis size perfectly even though nobody came forward to take his measurements. The school has their way of finding this out, so it wasn't really that strange.
With his equipment on, a little pride and confidence bloomed within TJ's chest. With these, he's starting to feel like an actual pro, a novice pro, but a pro nonetheless.
Of course, he didn't dare to lose his rationality over this. He has a very long way to go before he could be considered an actual pro. Just wearing the armor and the weapon doesn't count.
True to his word, Mr. Eden left the young warriors along after this.
No, he didn't leave; he's still in the training grounds with them, sitting under the shade of a parasol and fiddling with his system interface. Maybe he's watching his favorite show instead of teaching; nobody really knows.
And for the most part, the young warriors didn't care.
Most of them are still high on the new toys they just got. Mr. Eden's act of completely giving up on them had completely flown by their heads by now.
He did as he was told. He doesn't care anymore. The students are free to do whatever they want or need to do; he won't force or convince them anymore. In his eyes, they're just not worth the effort.
TJ, of course, noticed this and couldn't help but sigh. But instead of bothering Mr. Eden, he opted to go to his and Sieg's usual spot to continue his training.
He first added some of the training weights to his body. He didn't crank it all away like an idiot because he didn't want any accidents to happen, especially ones he could prevent. And this turned out to be a good idea because even the medium setting of weights caused him to struggle.
Furthermore, instead of practicing fencing right away, TJ opted to refamiliarize himself with the basic techniques with half of the weights on.
He threw a punch and a kick; he also recognized how even his breathing became slightly labored with these weights on. It's like his mastery suddenly drops when it's true, but it really hasn't.
This is why he didn't practice fencing right away. Because aside from the fact that he's not really in a hurry, he wanted to adjust to the burden of the weights first before doing so.
TJ continued like this for a while; he even suggested for Sieg to do the same. Eventually, he moved on to adding all the weights, experiencing the full burden and resistance caused by wearing them.
Although it wasn't too heavy or restrictive, it still placed a burden on TJ's movements.
Why was he insisting on doing this? It's because:
**
[Training Weights]
• A set of beginner-friendly weights that offers additional weight and resistance, perfect for novice warriors.
• Slightly increases training speed.
**
The training weights, when equipped as a whole, provide a bonus to training speed. Each piece must be equipped for the effects to take place; if even a single piece was missing, the effect was cancelled.
How does this bonus translate in terms of TJ's training?
Well, instead of adding +1 to his current progress each time he completes a practice or a cycle, it adds +2 instead.
The training weights technically doubled his progress.
TJ wasn't expecting it to be so effective either. The effects said that it's only supposed to be a 'slight' bonus. Doubling his training speed isn't 'slight.'
Unaware of why this was the case for him, TJ just thought that it's this effective simply because he's practicing the basic techniques or maybe because he's still at the Novice Rank. Maybe once he reaches the Apprentice Rank, the bonus of the training weights will no longer be applied.
Either way, this was a nice bonus. With this, TJ should soon reach the perfection stage of the basics he's practicing.
Of course, from today onwards, he'd have to add fencing to his schedule, but that should be manageable. It might even catch up quickly because of the weights.
**
"Wah! You boys look awesome in those!"
On the way home, a voice suddenly caught their attention.
TJ didn't even need to look back to see who said that; he will always recognize Lily's voice since he's heard it a million times by now.
"Oh, hey Lily!" Sieg bashfully greeted the young lady like a blushing schoolgirl.
TJ fought the urge to roll his eyes at how the big fella acted around Lily.
He finally turns to see her, and he sees that, like them, Lily is in her training attire too. Of course, hers was slightly different than theirs. Lily's training attire glowed slightly with a soft blue light, especially under the glare of sunlight.
'Mana,' TJ muttered inwardly.
Yes. Lily's training attire conducts mana, her mana. TJ could even feel it radiating off her when she's this close to them.
His eyes then landed on the pink staff she's holding. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he asked:
"Are you being serious with that thing?"
"Hey, I won't tolerate any slander to my magical wand of love and friendship!" She huffed and glared at him.
"Wand of Love and Friendship? Is that what you're calling it?"
"Why, what's wrong with that? Hm?" Lily asked in return, poised as if she's daring him to insult her equipment.
"Nothing. It's cute." Not really wanting to upset her, TJ could only praise it instead.
"Isn't it?" Lily's expression immediately brightened up. "Teacher said that he had it specially made just for me! I love it!"
Lily twirled the Wand of Love and Friendship to show off. As it spun, it left a pink aftertrail of mana, which was incredibly eye-catching. It then stopped with Lily holding it a bit higher; it then glowed with an even stronger pink radiance as she struck a pose with it.
"Cool! Cute! Adorable!" Sieg praised and clapped, acting as if he was her biggest fan. Lily ate it up, of course, laughing and patting the big oaf on the back.
TJ just deadpanned. It seems that Lily becoming a magical girl in the future was no longer a wonder but a certainty instead. She's already practicing her poses this early.
But beyond this silliness of hers, TJ couldn't help but marvel at her skill.
TJ has no personal experience with mana, so he can't really say anything. But he did read many posts online saying that controlling mana and learning spells were incredibly difficult in the beginning. Some said that even infusing mana intoequipment that could conduct mana took them months to do. The worst ones took years.
He didn't know how long it took Lily, but from what she displayed just now, it seems that this much wasn't challenging to her.
And as just a reminder, Lily's class affinity was of the Fusion Class, meaning that she can do what Warriors and Casters can do.
Correction: she must be capable of both. Otherwise, she could only kiss her magical girl dreams goodbye.
"Anyways, you boys are coming with me! We're going to that newly opened cafe I saw online. It went viral for their strawberry shortcakes, and we're getting some. My treat!"
Lily wasn't taking no for an answer. It wasn't even a question. She was already dragging them by the hand towards that cafe she told them about, and the boys could only allow themselves to be taken.
'Her grip's strong,' TJ mused to himself. It didn't hurt, just firm. It wasn't like this before, so it must be the result of her training.
TJ then looked to his side and saw Sieg nearly hyperventilating because Lily was touching him.
Sighing at his friend's hopelessness, TJ wisely kept his mouth shut and allowed Lily to drag them both away.