30 Chapter 19: Monsters in Human Skins (2/2)
”The healing ointment did its job,” Shui answered, ”that is what it does, heals cuts and bruises that would take days and weeks to heal in a matter of a few minutes.”
”So, it magical?” Magus asked, as that would really be the only explanation for how the ointment miraculously did what it just did.
”Yes, though it the plants and herbs that are magical in nature, anybody could really make it.”
”Could you teach me how,” Magnus asked, medicine that can cause injuries that take days and weeks to heal in a matter of a few minutes is nothing short of a miracle drug. Crazy ideas and plans formed in his head, and he wondered how much it would sell for.
”Finish up your training exercises, and we will see,” Shiu replied.
”Come on,” Magnus said, ”I am inj-...”
”You're what now?” Shui asked as he raised his eyebrows, goading Magnus to finish what he was about to say.
Magnus had nothing to say for himself as he got himself in a pretty awkward situation since he was stretching his shoulder and gave it a spin.
So without a word, he got back on to the course and couldn't help it when he cursed the damn miraculously healing ointment.
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After his training with Shui was over, his following lesson was with Bulut, who gave weapon training. First, though he had his lunch with was much more diverse and nutritious than the simple porridge, stew, and soup that he always eats at the orphanage, and during that time, he made sure to practice his meditation technique.
Like yesterday, they went over the basic twelve stances. Magnus felt like he was getting the hang of things, but Bulut was still calling his stances scantily better than an old man's posture.
As promised, they got into the theoretical part of the class after finishing up the practical portion. Today they were covering short swords! Bulut brought with him many different live weapons and laid it across on to a table for Magnus to see.
”Once we take off the training wheels and I deem it that you would not stab yourself with your own weapon, the first weapon you will be learning to wield is the short sword. So make sure you pay attention, I will be quizzing you,” Bulut started off with.
”To start off with a short sword has the advantage of being relatively light-weight and easy to wield. Another significant advantage of short swords is that it's better to use when fighting in confined spaces, like, for example, the streets or indoors.
The greatest disadvantage of the short sword is its reach. Yes, there are weapons with shorter reaches and use your reach when you have it. However, keep in mind, you will always be in danger when facing somebody that has a weapon with a longer reach, so try to get within range as quickly as you can.
Now, there are many different types of short swords used all across Pandora. Some of them are put to more everyday use, while others were used as primary or secondary weapons on the battlefield.
For example, we have here in our weapon room, a Falchion,” Bulut said as he held out a short sword that looked like an ancient machete. ”This weapon is good for cleaving chops and a devastating slash. Another short sword that we have here is a Cutlass, a good weapon to have at sea.” Bulut put away the Falchion then took out a slightly curved blade with a hilt guard.
”Then there is the Wakizashi, a good weapon to have at the side and great at slashing,” once more Bulut took out another weapon, which was basically a short version of a katana.
”But for propriety's sake, you will not be using anything fancy or unusual. You will simply use the most basic and conventional short sword ever. That would make it so that you are extremely effective in any intended role. You will also be the finest in close-quarters weapons and you will hit that sweet spot for general utility. There might be better short swords out there that do specific things better, but your strength will be that you do not over specialize in one thing.”
”So better go with mediocrity,” Magnus summed up.
”Yes,” Bulut answered, ”I do not want you to get bogged down with too many complications and complexities are always the death penalty on the battlefield.”
Magnus wondered about Bulut's past, the man acts so rigidly and stiff, it reminded him of a soldier. Who knows, maybe the man was a soldier in his past, but Magnus's guess was as good as anyone's.
”Now, if you do well in your lesson, this sword is yours,” Bulut said, as he took out a dark grey blade with a black leather pommel. It was the sort of blade that Bulut was talking about he would be leaning to use. It was simple and straight without any complexities.
Magnus reached out for it, but Bulut smacked his hand away, ”As I said, you will get this only when you do well in your lesson, and I think you are ready to carry it around without maiming yourself.”
The orphan rubbed at his hand as he tried the pitiful route, with puppy eyes and watery gazes, being a kid once more was not all bad, he could always pull the heart-rending act. However, Bulut was as hard and unmovable as stone, Magnus asked himself if the man had a heart at all.
”Moving on, the short sword has the balance point…”
Magnus really wanted to reach out for the sword and defy Bulut's order, but those numbers looked real monstrous.
[Name: Bulut Highest Stat: Strength(19.21)]
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Once his weapon lessons were over, Magnus made it over to where Taylan would be to commence his thieving lessons. Magnus found him at his usual place tinkering with his musical instrument. He never saw the man play the damn thing ever since he came here.
Magnus wondered if he was only an enthusiast or if he was any good with the thing, however, what caught his attention was what he was wearing. The thief had on a grimy, worn-out pair of tunic and trousers with dirt soot face and unkempt hair.
”What happened to you?” Magnus asked, the man had never dressed richly or as fine as a guilder, but he kept himself clean and dressed in more than modest clothes. Right now he looked nothing more than a beggar dragged out of the street.
”I am dressed for the occasion,” Taylan replied as he grabbed his instrument. ”Let's be on our way, now.”
Magnus followed after him as they made their way out of the secret hideout and into a back alleyway he never knew that the tavern had. He was still confused with what Taylan meant and asked, ”What do you mean you're dressed for the occasion?”
”I am a street performer, and you will be the one thing you have down perfectly a little street rat.”
Magnus was very peevish of that subject, he has to do what he has to do to get by, but it isn't like he wants it thrown right back at his face. That is why Magnus remarked, ”Well, you look like a beggar than a street performer.”
Taylan didn't seem to take offense to that as he just shrugged his shoulders and responded with, ”I guess beggars and street performers are one in the same!”
At that reply, Magnus had nothing more to say, it really is hard to stay mad at a smiling man who takes your insults and slights with courteous dismiss.
As they walked the streets, Taylan spoke up while keeping his eyes on the road ahead, ”Today we will be starting off with the most basic and useful skill of a thief, pickpocketing, or as they like to call it on the streets, teasing. Which aptly named because that is what pickpocketing is basically is, you are teasing!”
Magnus had the feeling he knew where this was going, he had to stop the crazy idea right here before it got out of control. ”Do you plan on letting me loose without any training?”
Taylan shrugged his shoulders with little care, ”As I said before, you got the potential, all you need is the skill set and to gain that it takes a lot of practice. That is what we are here for on the streets, to get your feet wet.”
”What if I get caught, the guard will haul me off and chop off my hand,” Magnus said.
”Well if your hands are not deft enough, improvise, act out a diversion, do whatever it takes, but I want you stealing purses. I will be watching while I perform, and by the end of the day, I better see three of them, filled with iron.”
The only enjoyment Magnus got was that he had a look at Taylan's stats!
[Name: Taylan Highest Stat: Agility(18.97)]