Chapter 17 - The Weight of Training

When the weekend came about, two days in which there were no classes and the cadets were given a measure of freedom, Luna decided it was in her best interest to at least hear Calvert out on his offer.

Yet when she arrived at the expansive platform, the sky blanketed with thick grey clouds, she did not find the old man waiting for her. Instead, perched atop a large black box and reading a weathered tome, sat a boy who was perhaps a year Luna’s senior. He was tall and willowy, his pale skin contrasted by the raven curly atop his head. A bronze pin was on the lapel of his coat.

He looked up from the book in his hand, briefly examining Luna.

“So, you’re the girl,” he said.

“That’s what they tell me,” Luna replied, an impassive look on her face. “And you are?”

“Kane Sarov,” he said, snapping shit the book shut and slowly moving off the trunk he’d been sitting on. “I’m one of Sergeant Calvert’s... understudied is the term he likes to use. I’ve been taking lessons from the old boy this past year.”

“Mm. I see,” Luna said, unmoving as the boy approached. He looked Luna over, his expression blank as he stroked his chin. “And is there a reason you’re here and not him?”

“Oh, he forgot something in his quarters. He wanted me to keep watch on that,” he said, jerking a thumb toward the box. “You’re... shorter than I was expecting. But kind of cute, in a cold, vicious sort of way.”

Luna lifted an eyebrow at him. “Pardon?” she asked.

“Just an observation,” he said, shrugging. Kane bore a small smirk, and there was a glint of... something in his eye that Luna couldn’t quite grasp. “It’s surprising. Did you really kill three dire crayfish by yourself?”

“Only the one,” said Luna. But it seemed the rumor mill was already being cranked into motion around her. “Really wasn’t that big of a deal, all the same.”

Kane chuckled. “Modest too? Wow. You really are the full package.”

Luna grunted, annoyance swelling inside of her. Before she could say a word, however, Calvert came bustling along with a small bunch of books tucked under one arm. “Apologies,” the old man said, puffing for breath. “Left a few things behind. I’d forget my own head if it weren’t attached.”

“You certainly would sir,” Kane said respectfully.

“Mm. I’d expect an instructor to be more... punctual,” said Luna, her hands on her hips. “Sir.”

Calvert shrugged helplessly, hurrying toward the box Kane had been seated upon. “You’ll get used to it if you learn from me. An unfortunate necessity,” he said. “Now then, er, if you wish to increase your qi exponentially, and at speed, I have a technique best suited for the job. Though it’s not something most cadets would be in a hurry to try.”

He nodded to Kane, who raised his sleeves up to his elbows. Now Luna could see that he was wearing a pair of heavy ebony bracers on his forearms, built from a lustrous black metal. “Training weights,” the boy said. “They weigh a lot. You have to burn qi to even lift them and move around in them. But, since you’re constantly burning power and exerting yourself, the effect on your body is incredible once you take them off.”

“I understand the logic, but the tournament is in a couple weeks time. Would I be able to gain much strength in that amount of time?”

“A bit,” Calvert admitted. He crouched by the box, undoing the two latches holding the lid shut. “Admittedly time is short, but I can sense your potential and you’ve shown a strong work ethic at other training exercises. I don’t doubt you’ll make the most of this in the time you have to hand. And if you can convince your teammates to do the same? All the better.”

He slowly lifted two weights from the box, balancing the bracers on his palms. He did not seem to be exerting himself, but Luna could just about sense the weight of the metal.

“Kane,” he said, glancing to his understudy. “Would you please give Luna a brief demonstration?”

“As you wish.” He gave Luna a wink, to which she returned a glare, and proceeded to unlatch the bracers. They struck the ground hard enough to fracture the tiles of the arena, sinking partway in the floor. Then he raised the cuffs of his trousers, revealing a matching pair on his calves. They broke the ground just as thoroughly.

Sensing Kane’s aura, Luna found herself recoiling in shock when it suddenly blossomed outward to a massive degree. He didn’t even seem to be actively exerting himself. Smirking, Kane took off at a run, darting from one end of the arena to the arena, back and forth with such speed that he kicked up a miniature whirlwind of dust around him.

Luna had to tap into her own qi to follow his movements, and the man was still a blur.

He skidded to a halt, letting out a small huff of effort. “Not really the... running type, ordinarily. But speed like this does come in handy,” he admitted, chuckling wryly.

Luna frowned, stroking her chin. “It’s an impressive difference in power,” she admitted with some reluctance. Praising others, particularly cocky fools, was a habit she tended to avoid. But she was not so arrogant as to be delusional.

“But it takes suffering and dedication to make it work. That was the case for myself, for Helsen, for Kane here... and for yourself, if you choose to try this for yourself. Not everyone has the physical and mental fortitude to endure these weights on a daily basis. But the results speak for themselves,” Calvert explained, holding a bracer toward her.

She took one of the weights when Calvert offered it to her. The weight made her grimace, and she found herself burning qi just to hold it aloft. “You weren’t joking,” she admitted, letting out a small huff.

To even walk around with these things, she’d need to be burning through her energy constantly. Even sitting down, she’d need to use her energy to keep from toppling over. Every step would be a workout, from the moment she woke to the moment she went to bed.

It would be uncomfortable, but Luna was willing to endure discomfort in the pursuit of power.

So, carefully, she added each bracer and secured them tight. The interior of each weight was padded, preventing any sort of chafing. Better than nothing, Luna told herself. Once the weights were fitted she took a breath and started walking, already feeling like a fool from how damn heavy her footsteps were.

“Damnation,” she uttered. “This’ll take some getting used to.”

“Oh don’t worry, you’re a natural.” Kane offered her an enigmatic smile as he put his own weights back on.

“It’s an adjustment, as I said,” Calvert said, ignoring his understudy’s input.

Luna stood to attention, her body thrumming with power as she fought to keep balance. “Nothing in this world is free, you know. I’m guessing you expect something in return?”

A small smile touched Calvert’s wrinkled face. “I am merely a man who likes to nurture those with great potential. If Helsen saw that in you, then it is in everyone’s best interest to see that strength properly cultivated.”

“Hm, I’ll bet. Would you be able to get sets for my teammates? I need to ensure they grow stronger too. We are going to win the cadet’s tournament, after all,” she said.

Kane chuckled. “Cute AND ambitious. Quite a combo,” he remarked.

Luna glared at him. “See how cute you find me when I’ve planted my foot in your privates.”

“I don’t know if they quite have your sae potential, but...” Calvert shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Good thing I always have several pairs in storage.”