Taking the Pulse (2)

"Hoo..." Lorist let out a long breath and looked up at the timing hourglass suspended above the grand hall. This exquisitely designed and extremely complex device was one of the Kingdom of Trinber's signature products. It was said that fewer than a hundred were produced each year, with each one worth more than a thousand Gold Fude. In Lorist's eyes, the timing hourglass was merely somewhat novel in design. It cleverly utilized gravity and magnetic force. Whenever the sand in the upper chamber ran out, the center of gravity shifted, causing the hourglass to turn over automatically and begin timing again.

Beside the hourglass were two glass tubes of different sizes. The larger tube had twelve markings. Each time the hourglass turned over, the red liquid inside rose by one mark, representing an hour. When the red liquid reached the twelfth mark, it would drop back to the bottom and begin rising one mark at a time again. The smaller glass tube had only six markings, representing the sixty minutes within an hour.

The timing hourglass suspended above the grand hall had been purchased with funds pooled by the teachers and students of the former Yellow Ribbon Academy as a birthday gift for Sir Aristotle on his sixtieth birthday. The sir had ordered it installed above the grand hall as a memorial. Now, however, it had ended up benefiting Dawnlight Academy.

Every time Lorist saw the timing hourglass, he found it hilarious. This thing ought to count as a clock, right? According to Chinese custom, giving a clock to an elder as a birthday gift was inauspicious, because the words for "giving a clock" sounded like "seeing someone off to their end." Sure enough, less than half a year after receiving this thing, the sir had died of a sudden heart attack. Should I give Principal Levens an hourglass for his birthday someday?

Krisha, the black-iron female instructor beside him, placed the list of students on the table. "It's finally done. All the students have been assigned to classes."

Lorist nodded and stopped letting his thoughts run wild. "It's almost four o'clock. Everyone, take a break first. In half an hour, all the instructors and assistants come over for a meeting. We'll discuss how to arrange the various classes. Instructor Anfia, take a few people and organize the student lists. Make a separate list for each class, leaving space after each name for future notes, just like last time."

Anfia nodded. She took the lists and called over two female instructor assistants to begin copying them.

"Hey, Yuri, bring over some tea. I'm too lazy to get up." Lorist called out to Yuri. This time, the academy had allowed Lorist to choose the instructors for the Battle Qi Enlightenment Class, so he had pulled his friend Yuri into the group as well.

Just as Lorist was holding a teacup and chatting idly with several instructors, a middle-aged man in an ornate robe hurried into the grand hall. He came before Lorist and the others and asked politely, "Excuse me, is this the instructor group for the Battle Qi Enlightenment Class?"

Instructor Hughes answered, "Yes. What is it?"

But the middle-aged man immediately turned and left. Reaching the entrance of the grand hall, he shouted outside, "Young master, this is the place. You can get out of the carriage now."

What was going on? Lorist and the instructors watched the entrance. Before long, the middle-aged man returned, followed by an enormous fat man. He was beyond merely fat—he was truly obese. His arms were as thick as Lorist's thighs. Walking was a tremendous effort for him. He panted after every few steps, making anyone who saw him worry that he might stop breathing at any moment.

The middle-aged man returned to Instructor Hughes and took an enrollment certificate from inside his robes. "I'm sorry. Our young master is also a new student of the Battle Qi Enlightenment Class. He was late because of his physical condition. Please forgive us."

Wait, something's wrong. Weren't there only eight hundred and seventy-nine new students in the Battle Qi Enlightenment Class? They had all undergone examinations and been assigned to classes. How had another one appeared? Besides, judging by the enormous fat man's build, how had he passed the entrance examination?

Instructor Hughes took the enrollment certificate and glanced at it, then passed it to Lorist with a bitter smile. Lorist took it and looked at it. Damn, what enrollment certificate? This is a handwritten letter from that old bastard Principal Levens. The letter was addressed to him and got straight to the point: it concerned the obese man. The old bastard said that the fat man was named Dorset House, the sole heir of the House family, one of the seven members of the Peterson Merchant Guild, the highest authority of the Forde Commercial Alliance. He was eighteen years old. His father, the current guildmaster of the Peterson Merchant Guild, had also graduated from Dawnlight Academy. The House family had always been one of Dawnlight Academy's major sponsors, donating ten thousand Gold Fude every year.

Since Guildmaster Peterson had fathered his son in middle age, he had spoiled him excessively. As a result, the boy had grown used to having everything handed to him, and had accidentally been fed into an enormous fat man. It was only now, upon seeing his son become a giant ball of flesh, that Guildmaster Peterson realized something was wrong. What would become of the House family once he grew old and died? How could his son inherit the family business and manage the guild in this state?

Unfortunately, Guildmaster Peterson had regretted it too late. He had tried to make his son lose weight, ordering the butler to reduce his five daily meals to three, removing afternoon tea and late-night snacks, and cutting the portions of those three meals in half. Seven or eight dishes per meal should have been enough. But before a single day had passed, his son had rebelled, crying and throwing a tantrum. The old madam, the first madam, and the second madam had all come out to condemn Guildmaster Peterson, while adding another dozen dishes to the boy's meals.

Helpless, Guildmaster Peterson had tried another method. He paid a high price to hire a Great Swordsman, hoping to entrust him with awakening his son's Battle Qi. Guildmaster Peterson believed that as long as his son awakened Battle Qi, cultivating it would naturally burn away the excess fat on his body. It was a fine idea, but after staying for more than a month, the Great Swordsman had helplessly told Guildmaster Peterson that, given his son's physical condition, he was completely incapable of awakening Battle Qi. To put it bluntly, the blood flowing through his son's veins was not blood but fat. In the end, the Great Swordsman had warned that if the boy continued overeating and growing fatter, he would not live another three years.

What could they do? Guildmaster Peterson had worried himself gray over his beloved son. It was at that time that he heard of Lorist's reputation as a Gold Instructor and learned that Lorist had become the head instructor of the Battle Qi Enlightenment Class for Dawnlight Academy's new term. His eyes had lit up. It was truly a case of finding a way out after reaching a dead end. Guildmaster Peterson had been overjoyed and hurried to Dawnlight Academy to find Principal Levens, obtaining this handwritten enrollment certificate in the process.

Principal Levens had first introduced the fat man's situation, then asked Lorist to find a way to help Guildmaster Peterson resolve his greatest worry. For the sake of the good relationship between the House family and Dawnlight Academy, and for the annual sponsorship of fifteen thousand Gold Fude, Guildmaster Peterson was willing to increase the academy's annual funding by another five thousand gold coins because of his son's enrollment. Principal Levens had demanded that Lorist face the difficulty head-on—and if there was no difficulty, create one and face it anyway—and do everything he could to help Guildmaster Peterson. Finally, Principal Levens had promised that once Guildmaster Peterson's wish was fulfilled, the academy would generously reward the instructor group, with the prize being no less than one thousand Gold Fude.

Damn it, that old bastard keeps bringing me trouble. I'm teaching a Battle Qi Enlightenment Class, not a weight-loss class. If this fat man doesn't lose all that flesh first, how can he awaken Battle Qi? Still, Lorist could not really blame the old bastard. He had no choice. After all, the House family's enormous annual sponsorship was not taken for free. If the family had a problem Dawnlight Academy could help with, the academy was duty-bound to lend a hand.

Muttering to himself, Lorist folded the letter and said to the middle-aged man, "Bring him over. Put his hand here. I'll examine him."

The fat man shuffled over step by step. Following Lorist's instructions, he rolled up his sleeve and placed his arm on the leather pillow. Sigh, is this really a hand? It's clearly a pig's trotter—pale, plump, and gleaming with oil. Lorist sighed and extended three fingers, placing them against the fat man's pulse.

Huh? Where was his pulse? Lorist pressed lightly, but felt nothing. He pressed harder, yet still felt nothing. Could there really be too much fat? Frowning, Lorist found the right spot and pressed down hard again. This time, he finally felt the pulse's faint beating.

After a long while, Lorist withdrew his hand and sighed, shaking his head. The middle-aged man beside him asked nervously, "Instructor, what exactly is wrong with my young master?"

Lorist's face darkened. After thinking for a long time, he asked the middle-aged man, "Are you the butler?"

"Ah, yes. I'm the second butler of the House family, specifically assigned to serve the young master." The middle-aged man nodded.

"You can't make this decision. Go invite someone who can. Your young master must lose weight before he can awaken Battle Qi. His physical condition is already extremely poor. If he doesn't awaken Battle Qi and continues growing this obese, he'll only live a few more years." Lorist looked at the fat man, but the latter remained unmoved, his face full of indifference. It seemed he thought Lorist was merely exaggerating the danger to frighten him.

The middle-aged man, however, was startled, because Lorist was already the second person to say this. The Great Swordsman had been the first. The problem was that the Great Swordsman's words had been kept confidential within the household, so the fact that both men had said the same thing proved how serious the matter truly was. "The family head is drinking tea with your principal. I'll immediately go invite him. Please wait."

The middle-aged man ran out of the grand hall as if flying, and the sound of the carriage wheels soon faded into the distance.

Before long, Guildmaster Peterson appeared before Lorist, his eagle-like gaze fixed tightly on him. "You are Norton Lorist, Instructor Locke, the famous double Gold Badge holder of Dawnlight Academy?"

Lorist sucked in a breath. He had not expected the head of the House family, which controlled one of the seven great merchant guilds of the Forde Commercial Alliance, to be a Gold-rank Battle Qi expert. Although the old man before him was simply dressed and amiable, looking no different from an ordinary elderly man chatting and playing chess in the neighborhood, and although he wore no Battle Qi badge on his chest, Lorist could sense a faint, oppressive aura surrounding and protecting his body. He had felt this kind of aura only once before, when he had faced Instructor Krudd of the academy before going to the Ruins Archipelago.

Lorist met his gaze evenly and spoke calmly. "Good afternoon, Guildmaster Peterson. I'm Instructor Locke. I asked you to come so we could discuss your son's enrollment. Given your level, Guildmaster, you naturally understand your son's physical condition. Whether for his health or for awakening Battle Qi, he must lose weight first, and there's no time to lose. Otherwise, his life will be in grave danger. What I want to know is how you view his weight loss. Will you take him home to lose weight before enrolling him, or have him lose weight at the academy before awakening Battle Qi?"

Guildmaster Peterson was stunned by Lorist's words. He asked excitedly, "You have a way to make my son lose weight? And awaken Battle Qi?"

"There is a way, but your son will suffer, and it will take a long time—at least half a year." Lorist nodded.

"Ah..." Guildmaster Peterson wondered, Is this kid trying to deceive me? The last time he had asked the most famous alchemist in Morante about it, the man had said his son would need at least three years of treatment to lose weight. This boy says six months, yet calls that a long time...

"What do you mean by suffering? Is there any danger to his life?" Guildmaster Peterson asked.

"Dietary control and forced physical training are ordinary enough for other people, but for your son they'll be suffering. To ensure that he completes his daily training, we may also have to use some impolite—and, to him, frightening—methods. A little blood and a few minor injuries will be unavoidable, but I can guarantee that his life will not be in danger." Lorist explained.

"If Guildmaster Peterson is willing to trust us, please first sign a guarantee stating that your relatives will not interfere with your son's life or training while he is at our academy. You may send people to observe, but they will have no right to criticize or protest. If this condition is violated, you must bear all consequences. Our instructor group will assume no responsibility and will immediately send your son home." Lorist raised the stakes.

"This..." Guildmaster Peterson hesitated. After all, this was his own son. His family had treasured him since childhood, fearing he would melt if held in their mouths and fearing he would be lost if held in their hands. He had never suffered any hardship, which was why he had grown so fat. He had a vague feeling that if he agreed to Lorist's demand, his beloved son would suffer terribly.

"It seems Guildmaster Peterson loves his son dearly. Why not take him home first? He can enroll for Battle Qi Enlightenment after he successfully loses weight. It won't be too late." Lorist breathed a sigh of relief. This was the best choice. It would save everyone trouble.

"No. I'm entrusting him to you. I hope Instructor Locke won't disappoint me." Guildmaster Peterson suddenly made his final decision.

"Uh... Guildmaster, won't you think it over?" Lorist was very disappointed.

"No need. We'll do it." Guildmaster Peterson waved his hand decisively.

"Well, all right. Guildmaster, please come over here to write and sign the guarantee. We'll also handle your son's enrollment procedures. Since his situation is special, some additional fees will be required." Lorist was helpless. Starting today, he would have one more source of trouble.

"I'll only sign the guarantee. He'll handle everything else. Find him if you need anything." Guildmaster Peterson pointed at the middle-aged man standing nearby, then beckoned him over. "Bill, starting today, you'll stay here. Satisfy every need Instructor Locke and the others have. Also, you may only watch the young master. Without Instructor Locke's permission, you are not to interact with him. Understood?"

"Yes, master. I understand." The middle-aged man bowed respectfully.

After signing the guarantee, Guildmaster Peterson sighed. "Instructor Locke, my beloved son has never left home or suffered any hardship. Now I'm entrusting him to you. I hope you won't make him suffer too much during training. It would be best if you let him adapt gradually..."

Lorist was silent for a moment before answering, "Sometimes, excessive parental indulgence harms a child instead..."

Guildmaster Peterson...

After a long while, Guildmaster Peterson finally spoke. "Since I agreed to entrust him to you, I should trust you. I shouldn't worry any further. If you instructors can truly make him lose weight and awaken Battle Qi within six months, I'll give you one thousand Gold Fude as a reward."

"Ah..." The instructors beside him cried out in shock.

Lorist shook his head. "I can't guarantee anything. For now, we can only make your son lose weight and see what happens afterward..."

"Two thousand!"

Lorist could clearly hear the breathing of the instructors around him grow heavier...

"Guildmaster Peterson, please trust in our professional ethics. Since we've accepted your son, we'll certainly teach him properly and help him lose weight and train..."

"If my son can awaken Battle Qi, I'll give you a reward of three thousand Gold Fude!" Guildmaster Peterson interrupted Lorist, refusing to stop until he achieved his aim.

Lorist could feel every instructor and assistant beside and behind him trembling. Even Instructor Hughes and Instructor Anfia were no exception. Instructor Marlin, however, remained much calmer.

"All right. I'll do my best. Please rest assured, Guildmaster." Lorist lowered his head.

--------------------Cut--------------------

Lorist summoned all the instructors and assistants for a meeting.

"First class: three hundred and fifty-two new students in total. These students have no physical problems. They're very healthy, with vigorous blood and vitality. Following the normal teaching method, supplemented by a month of physical training, should be enough to awaken their Battle Qi. Instructor Marlin, you trained new recruits in the City Defense Army. You should be familiar with this kind of large-scale training, so I'll entrust the first class to you. Choose four instructors and four assistants to help you. Any problem?"

"No problem, Head Instructor Locke." Instructor Marlin answered with a smile.

"Second class: this class has one hundred and seventy-five new students. They have no physical problems, but they're still developing and have not yet reached the stage of vigorous blood and vitality. The members of this class need to be observed for a while. During that time, we'll improve their nutritional intake and use physical training to promote absorption and strengthen their bodies. So I need a patient instructor to take charge of this class. They should be ready for Battle Qi Enlightenment in three or four months. Everyone, who do you think would be suitable to lead this class?" Lorist asked.

Before long, everyone recommended a Silver Instructor named Soheim. He would lead two instructors and two assistants in managing the teaching and training of the second class.

Lorist looked at the list in his hand. "Third class: two hundred and thirty-six commoner students. Their problem is malnutrition. Instructor Yuri, you have experience with this from last time and know what to do, so I'll entrust this class to you."

Yuri nodded. He likewise had to choose two instructors and two assistants to lead the third class.

"Fourth class: one hundred and sixteen noble students. Five of them have hidden injuries from wounds sustained when they were young. The rest are suffering from depleted bodies and severely weakened Vital Energy because they experienced sex too early and without restraint. They need long-term nutritional supplementation and restorative physical training. Instructor Hughes will be responsible for this class, with Instructor Anfia assisting. Is that all right?" Lorist looked at the two instructors, and both Hughes and Anfia nodded.

"Instructor Anfia, I'll leave cooperation with the alchemy laboratory to you. The nutritional potions that replenish Vital Energy must be taken by the students every day. No matter how awful they taste, they must drink them. Not a single student can be missed." Lorist reminded her.

"I understand, Head Instructor Locke. I'll make the students drink them in front of me every day. I won't let them cut corners or avoid taking the medicine." Instructor Anfia gave her assurance.

"Finally, the last class has one student. His current condition is excess nutrition and extreme obesity. He must lose two-thirds of his body weight before he can undergo Battle Qi Enlightenment like an ordinary student. I'll be responsible for this student together with the remaining instructors and assistants. All right, everyone will be busy starting tomorrow. Today's meeting ends here. The instructors assigned to each class can discuss and exchange ideas among themselves."

Lorist beckoned to the middle-aged man nearby. "Butler Bill, please come over. I have a small matter to trouble you with..."