Training and Persistence

With no familiarity with the area, Zhang Yuan decided to follow Captain Ska to sort out dinner. Ska led his little follower to a small tavern and threw himself into a chair.

"Boss, I'll have a lasagna with onion and meat sauce. And a glass of Golden Sand Wine."

Following suit, Zhang Yuan also ordered a lasagna, but when he tried to order a Dragon Brand Beer, he was informed it wasn't available.

Ska chuckled, "You're fond of Old Nan Qu's Dragon Brand Beer too? What a shame. Unlike Shadow Ale, which you can buy anywhere, Dragon Brand Beer is brewed with their family's secret recipe."

"By the way, do you know why Nan Qu's tavern is called 'Three Old Barrels'?" Ska, feeling talkative, began to show off his knowledge. "Back when Nan Qu came to Baldur's Gate alone from his family, his tavern had very few customers when it first opened, and its reputation wasn't great. But then, he decisively took out three barrels of Dragon Brand Beer he'd brought from home and placed them outside the tavern for passersby to try for free. From then on, the tavern's reputation began to spread."

What is this? An otherworldly version of "good wine needs no bush"? But to be fair, in an environment with immature commercial culture like this other world, having such advertising savvy is indeed rare and commendable.

"Then I'll have a glass of Golden Sand Wine too."

Zhang Yuan was very satisfied with the dinner. The not-so-expensive meal was rewarded with undiminished deliciousness, and when the meal was paid for by the captain, it tasted even better.

The lasagna tasted somewhat similar to the Italian lasagna he'd eaten before, except instead of tomato sauce, it used minced onions mixed with cheese. Layered with minced meat and pasta sheets, it was baked until the surface was golden and crispy. He dug in with a spoon... hmmm.

Missing the sweet and sour taste of tomatoes, it instead offered the mellow richness of cheese and the savory aroma of minced meat and onions.

The Golden Sand Wine's appearance lived up to its name; the orange-yellow liquid was slightly cloudy. With a slight swirl of the glass, tiny particles stirred up from the bottom.

Upon tasting, he found the wine to be sweet and sour. The alcohol content wasn't strong, but rather there was more of a fragrant orange aroma. The freshness of the fruit wine nicely balanced the richness of the lasagna.

Content and satisfied, he returned to the encampment with the captain. As they parted ways, Ska said, "Tonight or tomorrow morning, most of the team will be back. You'll also be joining the training tomorrow."

"Also, get some good rest."

"You too, goodnight, Captain."

After taking care of personal hygiene in the upstairs washroom, Zhang Yuan returned to his room and began preparing his spells for the next day.

After some thought, Mage Armor remained the most reliable choice, but he hesitated over the selection for his other spell slot.

Should he continue with Lesser Malison or Summon Familiar?

The former offered a good combination of damage and lifesteal, while the latter allowed him to summon a magical pet bound to the Mage for life. Not only would it possess decent intelligence and special skills, but it could also provide the Mage with a considerable boost to their early-game vitality.

Thinking about training with the other team members tomorrow, the young mage still chose Summon Familiar so he could showcase himself at the appropriate time. After all, you couldn't just cast spells at your teammates' heads.

Having finished preparing his spells, Zhang Yuan collapsed onto his bed. Although it was still a hard wooden bed, at least the bedsheets and duvet cover were newly washed, which was infinitely cleaner than those at the inn.

Perhaps it was because of all the events that had happened during the day, but the young man was still quite excited. He imagined what kind of people his teammates would be tomorrow and looked forward to the comedic scene of him soaring to success and dominating the unscrupulous captain after his training.

As he thought, he closed his eyes, kicked his legs, pulled up the covers, and fell asleep.

He slept soundly, which he regretted upon waking.

Why? Because he was still thinking if he could, like the protagonist Bhaal's Son, gain special abilities through dreams whenever he started a new chapter.

He considered this the start of a new chapter in his otherworldly life, so why couldn't the system show some consideration and give him a bonus?

Unfortunately, the system remained as unresponsive as ever. Zhang Yuan, getting no response, dejectedly gave up, but he sighed inwardly about how two spell slots were really not enough.

After washing up and going downstairs, Zhang Yuan was thinking about where to wander for breakfast. Unexpectedly, some team members were already gathered at the training grounds for warm-ups, including his own captain.

Ska also spotted his "cheap" mage and beckoned him over. Once Zhang Yuan approached, Ska said sternly, "This is your last leisurely morning. From today on, you will participate in team training every day. Start warming up now and prepare for the morning drill."

He had chosen this path himself. Though somewhat unwilling, he could only choose to obey.

Fortunately, his body had already been enhanced. The person who used to be winded after running two kilometers could now handle even five kilometers without breaking a sweat.

This was just the appetizer; more rigorous training awaited the new recruit.

"Lift your hands higher, how many times have I told you? Keep your sword-wielding wrist straight. No, I didn't tell you to use all your strength."

"Footwork, footwork, how many times do I have to emphasize it? Pay attention to your lower body's footwork. Like this, you're more easily pushed over than a woman."

"Where are your eyes looking? Don't just stare at the opponent's weapon."

After strength training, Zhang Yuan began his footwork and combat technique training, ushering in a day of torment that made him feel like he was dying.

Ska, usually very approachable and cheerful, seemed like a different person on the training grounds. His demands and standards were harsh, his criticism severe and cutting, and he showed no mercy. With any mistake, Ska's wooden sword would surely react faster than Zhang Yuan himself.

The tormented rookie began to question if the person before him was truly Ska or an evil shapeshifter. No, even a shapeshifter wouldn't be this insane. It must be a driving instructor from his previous life on Earth who had transmigrated, soul and all, into this fellow.

While internally ranting furiously, Zhang Yuan, as expected, made another mistake. His footwork faltered and before he could adjust, Ska's "great sword" landed a heavy blow on his backside.

Crack – it sounded like someone's molars were being ground to dust...

Zhang Yuan, deciding to go all out, finally completed the morning training, albeit with bumps and bruises and constant scolding.

As the training concluded, Zhang Yuan had just taken a couple of sips of water when Ska pulled him back to the training grounds. "What are you doing? Don't you let anyone rest?"

Ska ignored him, instead raising Zhang Yuan's left hand and shouting to the other team members, "Brothers of the Flaming Fist, today, a new recruit has joined our ranks. The power of justice has grown stronger."

Caught off guard by this sudden situation, the "rookie" felt a bit flustered and could only put on a brave face and wave a greeting to his new teammates.

Unexpectedly, Ska's words took a sudden turn: "Although Lord Charnem is a spellcaster, he insists on undergoing our melee training. Therefore, in your sparring matches, do not hold back. Treat him as just another soldier."

Please, I beg you, just treat me like a mage and pamper me, the mage, who could clearly cast spells but insisted on engaging in melee, thought tearfully.