Iron Will of a Shieldbearer

Saad mimicked the stance, the weight of the shield in his hand as he tried to grasp the concept. It seemed easier said than done. "So, like, if someone's swinging a sword at me, I should angle my shield to make the sword veer off?"

Gram's eyes flickered with a hint of approval at Saad's deduction. "Exactly. But it's not just about the angle; it's also about timing. You want to meet the attack just as it's about to hit, not too early or too late."

As Gram spoke, he gestured for Saad to pick up a training sword from a nearby rack. "Now, let's practice. I'll come at you with a few simulated attacks, and your task is to deflect them away. I will be doing this with all of you so keep practicing!" he told the other trainees and looked back at Saad.

Saad's heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. It was one thing to practice with dummies and another to face an actual opponent, even if it was a training exercise. Not to mention, just looking at Gram who was like an unmoving mountain, he was scared. Gripping the training sword, he positioned himself in the stance Gram had shown him. He had held sword for the first time but Saad could feel it. Holding a sword was a lot more comfortable than whip and he felt like he might be able to control it a lot better but still it felt foreign. Even in few days, he had gotten so used to the feeling of whip in his hands. But right now there were more pressing matters.

He was aware that he needed to be careful. One hit from Gram might send him back to earth. But he couldn't get discouraged. He was truly hoping that Gram would hold back since he was just a novice and Gram was aware of his lack of vitality. The shirt and trouser he wore now on the name of training outfit was nothing more than just a normal piece of cloth, providing no perks.

The first attack came swift and strong, a horizontal swing aimed at his midsection. Saad's instincts kicked in, and he angled his shield to meet the blow. The impact sent a jolt through his arm, but he managed to deflect the attack away. However, Gram's stern expression showed that the execution was far from perfect. Not to mention, he had lost 20 HP from just that.

"Good effort, lad, but you're still putting too much force into the block," Gram critiqued. "Let the shield's surface absorb the impact, don't try to stop it with sheer strength."

Saad nodded, taking the feedback to heart. The next few attempts were met with varying degrees of success and failure. Each time, Gram's strikes came from different angles, testing Saad's ability to read and respond. There were moments when Saad's shield connected just right, sending the attack off course, and moments when he mistimed his movements and felt the weight of the blow and lost his HP and stamina.

But as Gram's instructions continued, Saad's understanding deepened. He began to sense the rhythm of the strikes, to anticipate the angles from which they would come. Slowly but surely, he started to adjust his shield's position with more finesse, guiding the attacks away without exerting unnecessary force. It was nowhere perfect but it was a start.

[Your defense mastery has increased]

[Your stamina has increased by 1 permanently.]

[Your defense has increased by 0.2 permanently.]

"Better," Gram's gruff voice finally broke through, a hint of approval in his tone. "You're starting to get the hang of it. Deflecting is about reading your opponent, staying nimble, and trusting your instincts."

Saad's breath came in heavy gasps, his muscles aching from the exertion. But there was a sense of accomplishment that overshadowed the fatigue. He had made progress, even if it was incremental and even gained status point increase. "Thank you, Gram," he said, his voice laced with gratitude. "I appreciate your patience."

Gram's stoic expression softened, a rare hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Don't mention it, lad. Training is a journey, and I'm here to help you along the way. Just remember, you'll face many challenges, but it's how you respond to them that will define your growth." It seemed that his words and his determination had touched the tough instructor's heart because he soon received a notification indicating that his familiarity with Gram had increased.

Gram went to teach other trainees, leaving Saad to practice on his own once he had recovered his stamina. Saad waited until his stamina and HP has slowly started to recover as well. But he had hope. He had one year until his awakening and until then he had plenty of time to train his defense. He was going to master the controls! And suddenly a message window opened up.

[You have fulfilled hidden requirements for the quest 'Iron Will']

[Special Quest]

[Iron Will of a Shieldbearer]

You have shown a strong will to conquer your limitations. Keep up with the harsh training to unlock rewards of your labor

- Quest Details -

Deflect: 0/5000

Block: 0/5000

Gain focus: Incomplete

Duel: 0/300

Deflect attacks from an advance combatant: 0/5000

Difficulty: C

Rewards:

Unique skill: Indomitable Fortress

Defense: +3

Stamina: +3

Saad stood there, staring at the notification in disbelief. The quest requirements seemed monumental, almost insurmountable. 5000 deflects? 5000 blocks? And what in the world was 'Gain focus'? The numbers alone were enough to make his head spin, let alone the difficulty rating of C. It felt like the system had just thrown a boulder in his path, and he was expected to not only lift it but carry it to the peak of a mountain.

But as he read through the potential rewards, a fire ignited within him. A unique skill: Indomitable Fortress, promising a significant boost to his defense and stamina. The very idea of it sent shivers down his spine. This world was extremely dangerous, with challenges that were beyond his wildest imagination. Having a defense skill could very well be the difference between life and death. Saad knew he couldn't pass up an opportunity like this.

With renewed determination, he turned his attention back to the training area. The hanging moving weight looked like something straight out of a nightmare – a massive iron block that swung back and forth like a pendulum. The moment Saad touched it, he could feel the weight, and it was as if he was trying to deflect a charging truck.

The first few attempts were disastrous as always. The weight swung, and Saad's shield barely moved before the impact sent him sprawling. The pain was real, and so were the hit points he lost. But he forced himself back up each time, gritting his teeth against the sting. His muscles screamed in protest, and his body felt like it had been put through a meat grinder.

Saad's determination, however, began to pay off. Slowly, he started to find the rhythm of the weight's movement. He anticipated its swings, adjusted his stance, and angled his shield with precision. The impacts still sent shockwaves through his body, but he was getting better at absorbing the force, at letting the shield do its job. It wasn't pretty, and he was far from mastering it, but it was progress.

As he continued, he couldn't help but notice the 'Gain focus' requirement of the quest. He concentrated, trying to understand what it meant. Was it about mental focus? Finding a state of zen amidst chaos? Whatever it was, Saad struggled. His mind was cluttered, his thoughts racing with each impending swing. The weight demanded his full attention, leaving no room for anything else.

After what felt like an eternity, Saad's stamina was depleted, his arms heavy, and his movements sluggish. He knew he had to stop for now. The quest would still be there, waiting for him to chip away at its gargantuan requirements. He sat on the floor, trying to gain few points of stamina.

Gram's gaze remained unwavering as he approached Saad, extending a hand to help him up. "You're improving, lad, but you've got a long journey ahead. Shield techniques require discipline, control, and patience. Don't expect to become a master overnight."

Saad managed a tired smile as he accepted the help, feeling a mix of exhaustion and determination. "Thank you, Gram. I'll keep working at it."

The big man nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "Remember, it's not about how strong you are, but how well you can use what you have. Keep practicing, and you'll see progress."

Saad nodded and as Gram walked off, Saad picked up his Mistwalker's Ensemble from the inventory and made his way back to the resting area. After a brief moment to catch his breath, he descended the steps and approached the imposing receptionists who seemed even buffer than before. One of the men looked down at him, his expression unchanged.

"I need information about the Whipmastery class," Saad said, trying to sound as confident as possible. "Is the cost same?"