Spirit Taming

Chapter 38: Where To?

To say that Calrk and Maria spent hours training against Crim was an understatement. Clark was driven to understand how he could move using the ghostly steps to throw a needle with accuracy. His movements felt clunky and broken. He had never had this problem before in his life since he had forced himself to train since he was able to move properly.

Maria found that she was having more success. The hesitations he had using a dagger began to melt away. She had been trained to move well with a bow, but now she had to adapt that to moving with the dagger. It was a tough challenge to adapt any battle style to a new weapon, yet for Maria, it was simple as doing it a few times.

The pressure that Crim had been under was more than enough to teach him how he should dodge. Part of him never wanted to dodge. Not only was he a dragon with his own pride, but he was a slime. Slimes only needed to protect their core from damage. A cut or a burn could be easily resisted and healed.

Luckily, Clark was there sending mental messages to remind Crim that this was the act they needed to play. The movement that Crim relaxed, he would be an open target. At the size he was currently, a beast could swallow him whole. Or worse, he could be cut in half shattering his core. The thoughts were the perfect motivation.

"Just a few more steps…" Clark was exhausted. He has drunk some of the healing water and felt the energy returning to him. Unfortunately, it did not heal the exhaustion of the mind. Clark needed rest.

"Look who finally walks in to their room after being gone for so long. Took a few detours did you?" Alexander sat at Clark's desk. He had just returned from his meeting and wanted to hear what Clark learned. "Now report back to me about your trip."

The change in tone made Clark realize that Alexander was not going to let this slide. He was being tested for a good reason. "I retrieved the packages from everywhere you needed. But I also helped make a potion, forge these throwing needles, and purchased something for Crim."

"You managed to successfully help make a poison? Help forge? And you got to purchase something at the auction?" A wicked grin bloomed on Alexander's face. Clark had already outdone what Clara had been sent to do. It was hysterical, but he couldn't show it.

"The first package is one full of basic potions. I want to set you up properly as your mentor so keep them for when you need them. The second is your wilderness gear. It matches the academy uniform but has my symbol on it to show that you are my personal student." Alexander put emphasis on this. It was a way to keep Clark safe when Alexander was not around.

"The third is mine. I have needed this fruit for many years." Clark barely pulled the wind elemental fruit from his spatial ring when Alexander grabbed it. He was full of focus making Clark feel that it must be the last material he needed to feed to a beast to increase its strength.

"Before we go on further, tell me everything that happened from start to finish." Alexander stayed still while listening to every single word with care. The business card from the collector caught Alexander's attention for a second before Clark spoke about his training he was returning from.

"You are right to realize you can not rely on throwing needles. They sound great but are not a main weapon. They are a secondary weapon used with quick, silent moves." Alexander had seen many people use sneaking weapons in loud ways to get killed. There was a limit on everything that came down to the user of said weapon.

"I think learning the spear is very wise. I personally never touched one but I can pass down a book you may like. It's not special, just different." Unknown to Clark, Alexander had scoured the academy for descent weapon skills. He had sword skills, ax, baton, and even a few more fist skills that Clark could learn. But the spear skill he had found was taken at a whim for Clark to have another option.

"This is called the moonlight spear technique. It's fairly old because the academy does not get many. What makes it different from other techniques using the spear is what the focus is on. Most weapons techniques replicate beasts or emotions. This one replicates the phases of the moon.

It is different but hard to combat." Alexander handed the old brown book with a single faded white moon on it to Clark.

"I will read it very carefully and train it as soon as I get a spear." The only thing missing now was the actual weapon that Calrk needed to train the technique. He wasn't sure how Alexander had this with him exactly when he needed it. Although it was not of much concern, Clark had a technique to add to his repertoire. He just needed to plan it out.

"You also know that you will be able to bring an academy lent weapon correct? That way you can train and go out of the city with it for safety." This was something that Clark had yet to learn. It made him feel much more comfortable since he would not have to go back out and buy something so soon.

"Now, I assume that girl told you about the class trip?" Clark nodded which made Alexander glad he had not separated Clark from Maria.

"Then you will understand that I arranged it. The upper classman class that will take you with them will be in charge of teaching you. Your professor and theirs will go with you. It is best that you learn as much as possible. Especially since I chose the location specifically for you." Clark was waiting for Alexander to finish but found that he was remaining silent.

"Fine. I will bite. Where are we going? What do I need to prepare? Am I bringing Crim? Or am I separating and training with Devi?

Or is there something else in mind?" The lack of information was going to drive Clark crazy. He needed to know everything he possibly could to plan his trip accordingly.

"In a rush I see. And here I expect you to be tired from training." Alexander saw that Clark had grown radically more awake and energetic. It was a good thing too since the trip was going to need just that kind of attitude.

"Another professor will have the flying whale carry both classes to the destination I selected. You will leave early in the morning to ensure you are there to learn about setting up camp. I know you already have such knowledge, but play dumb, it will go a long way." Clark still felt at a loss since Alexander was holding back so much information.

"Now I should get going. I have a few more things to speak to other professors about." Alexander relished the look on Clark's face, "Oh, and you are going to the goblin graveyard."