Combat Class Teacher

After leaving Owen's office, someone led Altair to the training room.

Anastasia Roland, Altair's combat and firearms teacher.

Just from her appearance, she looked like a woman you wouldn't want to mess with.

Through introductions from others, he learned her basic info: she had previously served in the 16th Army Corps of the Kingdom of Ruun's South Continent, and was now retired.

Since retiring and returning to the North Continent, she had settled down in Bexland, been here for three years now, and the club had never had any "gossip" about her.

After a brief introduction, Anastasia understood why Altair had come.

So she directly took him to the underground armory and began teaching him about firearms.

"It's been over 160 years since Emperor Roselle invented guns. Common firearms now include revolvers, Military High-Pressure Steam Rifles, High-Pressure Steam Machine Guns, Six-Turn Machine Guns, and so on."

"Because of the caliber differences in revolver bullets, revolvers come in all sizes. Women generally use small-caliber guns, or some medium-caliber ones. As for large-caliber revolvers, don't even think about it—that kind of caliber requires professional training and still isn't very effective."

"A Military High-Pressure Steam Rifle is a powerful firearm. Its barrel structure is complex, long, and thick, usually made up of three thin barrels, connected to a long pipe that links to a metal box. This rifle uses high-pressure steam as its power source, firing extracted 'phlogiston' bullets at extremely high speeds with devastating destructive power..."

"Military High-Pressure Steam Rifles are military-controlled items. Only true iron-blooded warriors can handle the size and weight of the backpack."

"Additionally, there's the High-Pressure Steam Machine Gun, which looks similar to the rifle but can pour out a hail of bullets with formidable firepower."

In summary, revolvers come in various calibers, from normal ones to "Revolver Cannons."

High-pressure steam guns are like "Air Guns," using burning "phlogiston" to propel "bullets."

Six-Turn Machine Guns are like "Hand-Crank Gatlings."

After finishing her introduction to firearms, Anastasia officially began teaching Altair how to shoot.

But she still demonstrated as she spoke: "First, check if the gun has any issues, then load the bullets. When gripping, lock your left hand's tiger's mouth tightly, press the rear protrusion firmly against the back of your hand... wrap your left hand's four fingers around your right hand. Push your arms out, don't lock them straight..."

After Anastasia personally guided him through the precautions for using firearms, she handed Altair a "medium-caliber" revolver and six bullets, telling him to practice shooting.

Altair took the revolver, excited that his old dream was finally coming true. He immediately used the techniques he'd learned and unloaded on the target.

While Altair was still savoring the sting in his tiger's mouth from the gun's recoil, Anastasia looked at the target and said bluntly, "Looks like your shooting talent needs work—you didn't hit a single one..."

Hearing the result, Altair sighed, "Why? I aimed right at it!"

After two straight hours of nonstop shooting, Altair could now at least hit the target with a "medium-caliber" revolver using six bullets—though barely, with no accuracy. He consoled himself, thinking he just needed more practice. Which good sniper wasn't forged by a mountain of bullets?

As for large-caliber revolvers, those were out of the question. They clearly didn't belong in the "gun" category; practicing with a "hand cannon" like that was pointless for him.

After finishing the morning training, Altair wanted to have lunch with Anastasia to get closer, but she didn't agree.

Altair didn't go home either; he just had lunch at the club. It wasn't very tasty, but the portions were generous, with unlimited meat. After the morning's workout, he ate a bit more, and even had ice cream for dessert.

In the afternoon combat training, Anastasia's first lesson for Altair was teaching him "Jujutsu."

According to Anastasia, "Men and women are different. No matter how much a woman trains, it's hard for her to beat a man."

"In any era, the 'mass' of men and women is completely unequal. The most common data is that adult men generally weigh at least 60 kilograms or more, while adult women are around 50 kilograms."

"Just from body weight alone, it's unequal, let alone the difference in durability between men and women. Even if you train in combat and can throw ten punches in an instant, if you can't break through their defense, you can't break through."

"Of course, there are exceptions—like someone who's chronically malnourished, with low weight and muscle mass. But even in that worst-case scenario, a man still has the gender advantage."

"Of course, if you train like me and give up on aesthetic body standards, you might have a chance to stand on the same starting line as a man."

"When fighting to the death, you also need to use whatever tools are around you... If you're up against a man, go straight for his weakest spots."

Anastasia was truly military-trained. Everything she taught was about chokeholds and finishing moves. There were no flashy techniques—if she could kill in one blow, she did.

As for weapon practice, don't overthink it. With his current ability, using a weapon would be like handing it to the enemy.

First, train the basics with hands and feet, then move to weapons. Anastasia recommended daggers, Knuckles, and the like—swords and sabers weren't even mentioned.

That afternoon passed under Anastasia's instruction. The main focus was training Altair's understanding and application of various Jujutsu "locking techniques."

In practical sparring, Altair was purely the one getting locked. By the end of the training, he was drenched in sweat and his muscles ached.

When Anastasia was about to leave, Altair struggled to his feet and invited her to be his private coach in her free time.

At first, Anastasia refused. But when Altair offered 10 Gold Pounds per session, she couldn't resist the temptation of those fragrant gold coins and agreed.

If she'd held out one more second, it might have been 20 Gold Pounds per session.

After she left, Altair collapsed to the floor and lay there for over ten minutes before recovering. He thought to himself, "I'm already a Beyonder, and on a path that boosts physical ability early on—how am I still getting beaten down!"

Every day, he cursed, "That damn Roselle, instead of pushing the Industrial Revolution properly, he had to get creative and even copied yoga."

How did he know? Anastasia had recommended it, saying it was a good training technique to improve body control and flexibility!

He was sure that yoga wasn't meant to be used like this!