Chapter 4 Trial of Strength

The morning Eric was to begin training found Kaito making his way toward Eric's sleeping barracks. It like many of the other N Class barracks consisted of a single one person bed, a toilet, and a sink. Kaito stormed into the room to find Eric still asleep.

"Get out of that bed now! There is too much to do and sleeping in ain't on the list!" He yelled with the intention of waking Eric.

Eric merely rolled over and muttered "Five more minutes."

Kaito shook his head in disgust. He intended to train Eric in the same manner he trained members of his own division and if it meant training Eric like a dog then so be it.

With a motion of his hand he manipulated the water in the air above Eric to form a sheet. A cruel grin came over Kaito's face as he lowered the water's temperature to 20 degrees then allowed it to fall on Eric.

The moment the water hit Eric he screamed and leapt out of the wet bed.

"Good you're finally awake." Kaito said folding his arms across his chest.

Eric shot him an angry look "What the hell was that for?!"

"No need to yell. I could have woke you by setting your sheets on fire. I felt a splash of cold water was much more humane." Kaito answered with absolute seriousness then added "Perhaps in the future you'll get up when instructed to do so the first time."

Eric went for a towel that hung beside the sink to dry himself with then turned toward Kaito "Five more minutes wouldn't have killed you…"

He stopped when Kaito had his sword drawn and aimed at Eric's throat "Five minutes would have been more time then I'd need to kill you. Within that time I could have killed you 10 times over."

He showed Eric a meaningful look "This isn't some lavished resort where you can sleep in without a care. We're here to train men how to become soldiers not to babysit children."

After he returned his sword to its sheath Eric who was still stunned by Kaito's intimidation finally managed to form a response "I take your meaning Kaito."

"Let me be perfectly clear if I feel the need to train you like a dog then so be it. I mean to work you to the bone. I promised Chancellor Hakuro that I'd train you and I mean to keep my word. Also in the future you will address me as sir or general." Kaito remarked in a serious manner.

"Yes sir." Eric replied as he snapped to attention then asked "What can I expect from my first training session?"

Kaito showed him a slight grin "You'll see soon enough. First let's dry you off."

He formed a gust of hot air which quickly dried Eric off.

After assessing himself to make sure he was dry he replied "Lead the way sir."

Kaito lead Eric through the various other barracks. Once outside the hall Eric stopped to regard the words 'N Class barracks' above the opening "What exactly does 'N' represent?"

"N is the term used for soldiers who either haven't developed or don't have any elemental manipulation." Kaito explained then added "There are two classes of soldiers within each division. There's the N class soldiers and then there's the S class soldiers who have either one or more elements they can manipulate."

After he finished his explanation he continued leading Eric to the training grounds. After taking the life downward they finally reached the area where the soldiers were taken for training. In front of the two was a huge metallic door build with a sideways opening mechanism.

"We call this the Three Trials Chamber where we train initiates in fields of strength, intellect, and skill." Kaito explained then made his way to the door's key panel on the right hand side.

With a loud metallic creak the door began sliding open. Eric entered and looked in awe at the chamber's size and structure. The chamber was a vast configuration of metallic floors, ceilings, and walls which were lined with indicator sensors. He then turned his attention toward three bulkhead doors which each had the name of the trial they tested.

"These are the three trials we use to train initiates and new recruits." Kaito explained indicating the three doors.

"Each of those chambers focuse on a specific lesson which aligns with the trial's test."

He paused to indicate each room individually "The Trial of Strength is where we train one to withstand heavier gravity, The Trial of Intellect tests one's ability to develop strategies on survival, and finally the Trial of Skill tests one's ability to fight as well as integrating the lessons of the previous trials while in the heat of battle."

Eric remained awestruck for a time then managed to ask "Which trial will I start with?"

Kaito directed his attention toward Eric "All initiates and recruits go through all three trials in the order I mentioned. You are currently an initiate so therefore you'll be doing the same."

Eric looked at the Trial of Strength chamber then looked back at Kaito "So I'll be in this chamber for the entire day?"

Kaito failed to restrain a laugh "You won't get off that easily boy. You like every other initiate have to train in there for 9 weeks and I'll be the one who insures that you don't slack off."

Eric gritted his teeth at the answer "9 weeks?!"

"That'll be the least of your problems." Kaito remarked in an almost condescending manner then added "It's the accumulating gravity you should worry about."

Eric began to feel nervous when he asked "How much gravity will I be training in?"

Kaito's answer was immediate "You'll start by training at 50 times normal gravity for the first three weeks. However 50 times more begins accumulating every 3 weeks. So by the end of the 9 weeks you'll have trained at 150 times normal gravity."

Taken by surprise with Kaito's reply Eric finally yelled "150 times normal gravity?! You can't be serious."

Kaito let out a slight laugh at Eric's reaction "Let me point out that you may very well be training at a child's level with 150 times normal gravity. You could put me in there and 150 wouldn't vase me in the slightest."

Eric was both curious and almost too afraid to ask the following question "How much can you withstand?"

A look of pride fell over Kaito's face when he answered "I trained in there for an entire year. So I can withstand 18,250 times normal gravity."

Eric was struck with panic and disbelief "18,250?! You've got to be shitting me!"

Kaito shook his head "I didn't become a general by slacking off and being lazy. Even though I was regarded as a protégé I still had to work hard to achieve my current status. You on the other hand have a long way to go before you reach my level."

After a few deep breaths Eric finally managed to calm down and nodded in agreement. Kaito tossed him what appeared to be a training uniform "Change into that uniform then meet me in the chamber."

Eric looked around to find a changing station in the left hand corner of the training chamber just in front of the Trial of Strength chamber. The training uniform followed a black and red color scheme. Once he put the uniform on he felt a sudden surge of energy coursing through his body. He felt much more energized then he ever had been. After changing he made his way to the Trial of Strength chamber where Kaito was waiting in the center of the chamber.

"What kind of uniform is this?" Eric asked curiously.

"The product of the Research Department's long time study of the human body. The uniform is made with a special material that releases bursts of energy and enables the wearer to overcome fatigue." Kaito explained then added "However it does not negate the effects of the gravity nor does it remove pain."

The bulkhead door behind Eric closed then sealed itself shut. The inside of the chamber was about 50 feet in diameter and followed a circular structure. Once Eric finished looking around he returned his attention to Kaito "So how will this…"

He barely finished speaking when the gravity switched on.

"This chamber is fully equipped to run by itself. All I have to do is insert the proper level on my card key then it handles the rest. I've set it to an initiate's level." Kaito directed his attention on Eric who was struggling to get to his feet then added "As for how this will work I'll be having you go through a series of routines which will involve 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 laps around the chamber, and ends with me giving you instruction on hand to hand combat."

Kaito began to notice that Eric despite the sudden increase in gravity was managing to get up albeit with some difficulty "Hm I didn't think you'd be able to even stand."

Eric let out a laugh "I said I've never been in a real fight, but I never said I never trained in the event I had to defend myself. I spent 35-40 minutes at the gym lifting weights at least 40 pounds."

Eric finally managed to get to his feet only to have Kaito yell "On your knees!"

Not wishing to get on Kaito's bad side he got on his knees and assumed a push-up position. Without further delay he struggled to begin his 100 push-up exercise.

"This will be the same routine you will endure the entire 9 weeks you are training in here. These exercises will aid you in adapting to heavier gravity." Kaito explained as Eric still struggling to begin his push-ups.

Eric stopped for a moment to appraise Kaito "Has anyone told you…that you're certifiable?"

Kaito pressed his foot on Eric's back causing him to slam onto the floor "Spare me your bullshit comments. I have no intention of being merciful during your training sessions. I'm not your father so don't expect me to go easy on you as if you were my son. I mean to work you to the bone and if that means I have to break a few to do so then so be it. You may be the guardian of this world, but in my eyes you're merely another initiate that needs to earn his keep and until I tell you otherwise that's all you'll ever be. Understand?"

Eric finally managed to raise his head to regard Kaito "Understood sir."

Kaito removed his foot allowing Eric to continue his exercises. Eric continued trying to start, but each time he went down it took a lot of effort on his part to push upward. All the while Kaito watched him with the vigilance of a hawk to make sure Eric didn't cheat his way out. He maintained his vigilance not once offering Eric any aid. Slowly, but surely Eric was making progress with his push-ups. Drops of sweat ran down his face all the while, but thanks to the uniform he wasn't feeling fatigued.

Kaito let loose a laugh of mockery "My great grandfather could do 100 push-ups five times faster and still have time for tea."

Eric paused again to regard Kaito "How the hell can you make it sound so easy?"

Kaito shrugged "If truth be told we humans of Tengoku have traits that set us apart from humans in your world. Case in point we can withstand gravity which would crush someone in your world flat. Granted we may struggle at first, but we manage none the less."

Kaito finished allowing Eric to continue his exercise. He finally managed to get 100 push-ups done only to struggle with getting into a sit-up position. However Eric soon found out that the sit-ups were even more difficult than the push-ups. As soon as he managed to raise himself from the floor he'd fall right back down. Taking deep breaths he finally manages to preform 10 sit-ups before he hit the ground once again.

Had Eric not been wearing the uniform he would have passed out from the fatigue he'd have suffered from the push-up exercises. Eric would have already quit by now, but he remembered that he swore to discover his inner strength even if it meant going through excruciating pain. This thought was ultimately the one thing that motivated Eric to endure.

Having completed his sit-ups he slowly got to his feet to prepare for his laps around the chamber. He began at a slow walking pace and remembering to take deep breaths. Eric had taken many walks when he was on Earth so this was a routine he had performed during such occasions. However he had never taken a walk in 50 times the gravity of Earth.

All the while Kaito was beginning to grow quite irritable. In all the years he had been training inititiates and new recruits all of which were from Tengoku Eric was the first initiate who was not from Tengoku. In fact Eric may very well be the first ever nonindigenous initiate to be trained by the DGC.

Eric continued his slow paced laps around the chamber sweat accumulating on his face fell to the floor and was soaking the training uniform. By the time Eric completed his laps he was all but out of breath and wet with sweat.

It finally came down to Eric's hand to hand combat lessons "Take up a fighting position." Kaito demanded.

Eric raised both of his hands in front of him in what he considered a fighting position. Kaito shook his head and said with a note of disgust "You call that a fighting stance? How pitiful."

Rather than taking up a fighting position of his own Kaito simply vanished then reappeared delivering what appeared to me a single punch right into Eric's stomach.

Eric staggered backwards with his arms wrapped around his stomach. Off to the side Kaito let out a scornful laugh "You leave too many openings. If I were to go for the kill I would have run my fist through your gut."

He cracked his knuckles for emphasis "You'd make it too easy a job for the WARU Clan to kill you."

Eric finally managed to regain his composer, but rushed blindly toward Kaito hoping to deliver a hard punch to the general's face only to hit thin air. He tried finding him, but was unable to even get a glimpse of Kaito. He looked up just in time to see Kaito drive his elbow into Eric's back slamming him onto the floor. Kaito leapt back onto his feet and stood over Eric who was struggling to get back up. Eric began tasting the tang of blood in his mouth. At some point probably when Kaito pile drove him onto the floor he had bitten down on his lower lip and now it was bleeding profusely.

"It's unfortunate that the uniform doesn't heal injuries to the body, but as the saying goes 'no pain no gain'." Kaito managed to say.

Eric finally managed to get back up then assumed a better fighting position. Unlike the previous stance this stance actually pleased Kaito "Now that's more like it. However it's still little more than pretense."

Kaito also got into a fighting stance though much more refined than Eric's posture. Rather than rushing at him again Eric carefully assessed Kaito in an attempt to determine when he would strike.

Before he could put his thoughts into action Kaito vanished once again. Eric tried to maintain his vigilance, but much like before he couldn't even catch a glimpse of Kaito. Eric finally whirled around hoping to deliver a round house kick to Kaito's chest only to have Kaito dodge it and hit Eric with a strong right hook causing Eric to hit the wall of the chamber then watched as he fell to the floor "You rely too much on your eyes. You need to learn how to use your other senses" He sighed theatrically then added "Still your observation was brilliant, but your timing and execution were off balance."

Eric got back up spitting a bit of blood out of his mouth "Dammit. I may as well be fighting a ghost. How am I to fight against someone like that?"

Kaito's reply held slight annoyance "During your training you'll learn how to do so. If you keep complaining like that you'll never reach that goal. Trust me when I say the other two trials won't be any easier."

A look of curiosity fell over Eric's face "I never got the chance to ask Chancellor Hakuro this, but what exactly is the WARU Clan composed of?"

Kaito cleared his throat "The WARU Clan has its own hierarchy. The Dark Lord of Jashin is their equivalent to the Chancellor of the Republic of Tengoku. Beneath that there are said to be seven warriors who command the clan itself. Supposedly these seven warriors are named after one of the Seven Deadly Sins and were said to be more like demons then humans. At least that's what some survivors claimed."

Fear began to tug at Eric's core. If those stories were true then what chance did he have? Worse yet there was the Dark Lord himself "What about the Dark Lord?"

A look of uncertainty fell over Kaito's face "In any of the past Jashin Wars no one has even seen him anywhere on the battle field. The only time we saw him was through a warning message and we never saw his face as he wore a hooded cloak."

If anything this frightened Eric even more then Kaito's information on the seven WARU Clan leaders. Having an enemy who was said to be more demon then human was one thing, but having an enemy that was virtually anonymous was even more terrifiying.

Forcing himself to swallow he finally managed to ask "What chance do I have against enemies of that caliber? I can't even land a solid punch on you."

Kaito held up his hand "Now is not the time to get anxious. Fear is one's greatest enemy. If you let the fear take over it will destroy you. I realize this is hard for you to comprehend, but eventually there will come a time when you have to face that fear alone."

When Eric didn't respond he added "We'll worry about that when the time comes. For now we need to focus on the here and now. Over the next 9 weeks you will continue the same routine. During that time I don't want to hear any whining or complaining."

Eric nodded in agreement. Now was not the time to become a coward. He swore to discover what his hidden power was and he was willing to undertake anything Kaito threw at him.

With an emboldened expression on his face he finally managed to say "I understand sir. I intend to see this through to the end."

Eric's declaration made Kaito smile inwardly "This kid is gonna go far."

End Chapter