The Matriarch of the Madison Family

"Is this the instructor team of the CoreEnergy awakening course?"

Instructor Aliyah replied, "Yes, is there anything you need?"

The young-looking busty woman went outside the hall and shouted, "Mistress, it is indeed this place. You can come off the carriage now."

What's going on? Larne and the other instructors looked towards the door and saw the busty woman walk back, followed behind by a fat, stocky fellow. That fellow wasn't just big-boned, he was truly filled with fat all over his body; his arm itself was as thick as Larne's upper thigh. The stocky man walked so slowly and breathed heavily every few steps, making Larne sincerely fear for his condition as he looked like he was about to collapse at any moment

That busty woman returned to Instructor Aliyah and took out a student identification document before saying, "Excuse me, my young master here is a new student for the CoreEnergy awakening course. As it is a little convenient for him given his body, he arrived a little late. I hope you will understand."

Wait, what? Isn't the total amount of students for the awakening course only 900 people? Why has another one appeared out of nowhere? How did he even pass the academy entrance test with a figure like that?

Instructor Watkins looked at the documents and gave Larne a bitter smile. Larne took the documents over and thought, Orun, this really is a genuine identification document and it even came with a letter addressed to me. The letter forthrightly stated that the fat youth was called Billy and he was the sole heir of one of the highest authorities in the Akan Trade Alliance, the Madison family who controlled the Salt and Luxury Chamber of Commerce. Aged Eighteen this year, his Mother was also an alumnus of the Orca Academy. The Madison house was one of the academy's largest sponsors who contributed up to 15000 gold kans every year.

Given that Billy was the eldest son of the Matriach of the Madison Merchant Group, he had been spoiled by his parents and ended up in the state he is today. Having felt that being in that condition wouldn't be good for her son in the long run, the Matriarch of the Madison Family started worrying about how his son would be able to inherit the family business one day.

However, she started worrying too late. When she decided that her son should start cutting down his weight and instructed the family butler to only give him 3 meals a day as opposed to 5 meals he normally had as well as decrease the serving of each meal by half, within but a day, her son threw a huge tantrum and caused the Matriarch several older elders in the family to complain to her and added a few more dishes to her son's meals.

Not knowing what to do, she hired a SwordLord and spiritual master and hoped that he would help her son awaken his CoreEnergy. Matriarch Madison thought that if her son managed to awaken his CoreEnergy, he would be able to slim down naturally as he continued training in it. While the plan itself was rather sound, within but a month, the SwordLord and Alchemist she hired had come up to her and told her that her son couldn't be able to awaken his CoreEnergy. His body's condition is already bad enough. If he doesn't start losing weight, he'll only have a few years to live at most," Larne said as he looked at the fatty. However, that fat kid was practically unfazed by Larne's conclusion and thought that Larne was purposely exaggerating his condition and trying to scare him.

Let him come over here and place his hand on the pillow. I'll examine his body condition."

The fatty approached and curled up his sleeve as instructed and placed his hand on the pillow with his wrist facing upwards. Whoa, this is no hand! It's a pig's feet! Look at it, it's even glistening with a layer of oil on top! Larne sighed and stretched out his hand with three fingers extended and started reading the fatty's pulse.

Huh? Where is his artery? Larne lightly pressed downward but he couldn't feel a thing. Does he have too much fat? Larne furrowed his brows and pressed down even harder and finally felt a very slight and weak pulse.

After a moment, Larne retracted his hand and gave a long sigh as he shook his head. The busty woman asked anxiously, "Mister Instructor, how's the condition of my young master's body?"

Larne mulled about with a gloomy expression before asking, "Are you the family caretaker?"

"Ah, yes. I am the second caretaker of the Madison house who's in charge of all the young master's personal needs," replied the woman.

"I believe you are not the right person to make this decision. It's better if you ask the Matriarch to come.

The busty woman however was genuinely shocked as Larne wasn't the first to have said something like that. While the SwordLords and Alchemists they hired had come to the same verdict, it was a confidential matter and hadn't been leaked anywhere outside the house. The fact that Larne came to the same conclusion signified how serious the matter was. "The Matriarch of the house is presently having some tea, I'll go invite her over immediately."

The busty woman quickly ran out of the hall and left in the carriage.

Without much delay, Matriarch Madison was brought there the woman was stunningly beautiful and she looked at Larne with an eagle-like expression. "So, you are Ruslan Larne, the famed dual Gold and Purple ranked instructor of the academy, Instructor Landon?" Are you by chance related to  Baron Ruslan of the Iron-guard Dukedom

Larne took a deep breath as he didn't expect Matriarch Madison, one of the most influential people in the Akan Trade Alliance, to be a SwordLord expert and would even know some information about him. Even though she dressed simply and had a stunning face, Lorist could feel a faint pressuring aura emanating from the woman's body. Larne had only felt this aura from another SwordLord and Purple Instructor Watkins before.

Looking at Matriarch Madison, Larne calmly said, "Good afternoon, Matriarch Madison. I'm indeed Instructor Landon and I do not quite understand or know who you are referring to from your words. I have invited you over to discuss the matter of your son. He has to start losing fat no matter what, not because he has to do that in order to awaken his CoreEnergy, but also for the sake of his life and it doesn't look like he has much time to do it. I'd like to know your opinion on this matter. Are you going to have him lose weight before having him enrol here, or do you want him to join the class straight away and do that before he awakens his CoreEnergy?"

Matriarch Madison was surprised at what Lorist had just said and asked agitatedly and enthusiastically, "Do you have a way for my son to lose weight and awaken his CoreEnergy?"

"Well, I do, but the young master will have to suffer quite a bit for a long time, at least half a year," nodded Larne.

"Ah..." Matriarch Madison thought to herself whether Larne was lying to her. Last time, I brought my son to the most famous Alchemist in Nornak City and he said that it would take at least three years for my son to slim down… Half a year sounds rather short in comparison.

"What do you mean by suffering? Will he have any danger to his life?" asked the Lady.

"To others, things like restricting caloric intake and doing physical training might be normal. But for the young master, it will be nothing short of torture. And, to ensure that the young master completes the training regimen set for him every day, I might have to resort to some rather unpleasant, maybe even humiliating measures and some minor injuries or wounds will be inflicted. But I can assure you that there is absolutely no risk to their bodies to heal the damage. This group will be handled by Instructor Hank with Instructor Watkins assisting him, is that alright?" Larne looked towards the two instructors who nodded their heads in agreement.

"Instructor Aliyah, I'll leave the collaboration effort with the herbalists/Alchemists to you. Make sure each student consumes the internal energy recovery medicine every day without fail," Larne instructed.

"I understand, Instructor Landon. I'll make sure to chase them to the ends of hell if that's what I need to do," promised Instructor Aliyah.

"The last class only consists of one student who has absolutely no problems with nutrition given his excessive eating. Before awakening his CoreEnergy, he has to lose at least two-thirds of his body weight. This student will be handled by me and the rest of the instructors and assistants. That's all. We'll be starting tomorrow so feel free to discuss among yourselves about your student groups."

Larne then waved towards the busty woman who was sitting in a corner. "Caretaker Asake, please come over here. I'm afraid i have to trouble you with this.

After a while, Matriarch Madison finally said, "Since I've agreed to let you decide whatever's best for him, I guess I shouldn't worry too much. If you really can help him awaken his CoreEnergy within a year, I will personally reward you with 1000 gold Kans."

The instructors watching by the side all gasped.

Larne merely shook his head and said, "I can't guarantee anything at the moment. That will come after we have him slim down."

"Two thousand!"

The breathing of the instructors nearby intensified.

"Matriarch Madison, please trust our work ethic. Since we've accepted the task of training your son, we will definitely do the best in our power…"

"As long as his CoreEnergy gets awakened, I will give all of you 3000 gold kans!" interrupted the president, unwilling to back down until she heard some kind of promise.

Huh!, gasps could be heard all around the room

Larne could feel all the instructors behind shaking in their feet, including even Instructors Hank and Aliyah. Only Instructor Martins still retained his calm.

"Alright, I'll do my best. Please rest assured," said Larne, finally nodding his head.

———

Currently, all the instructors are having a meeting.

"Group 1 has a total of 369 students and their conditions are mostly fine. Most of them are healthy and have great circulation. With the usual training method and some boosts from herbal medicines, they will definitely be able to awaken their CoreEnergy within a month. Instructor Martins, I'm sure you're more familiar with large-scale group training sessions like this given your experience in training new recruits in the city garrison. I'll be handing the group to you. Pick four instructors to help you out as well, is that okay?"

"No problem Instructor Landon," replied Martin with a smile.

"Group 2 has 200 students who don't have any problems with their bodies either, but they are still undergoing puberty, so their circulation won't be at their best for the moment. Monitor these students for the time being and make sure they receive sufficient nutrition and training to boost their condition. I need someone patient to handle this class for the next three to four months before they attempt to awaken their CoreEnergy. Everyone, who do you think is the most suited for this group?" Larne said.

Quickly, a Silver-level instructor called Tunde was nominated by the rest of the instructors and he picked two other instructors as well as two assistant instructors to be in charge of Group 2.

Larne looked at the name list again and said, "Group 3 has 240 commoner students whose main problem is their lack of nutrition. Instructor Emrys, you've done the same thing before the last time so I believe you know how to handle this class. I'll be assigning this group to you."

Emrys nodded and picked two instructors and assistant instructors respectively to manage the group.

"Group 4 has 126 noble students. Apart from 5 who have incurred injuries that have harmed their condition, the rest of them have experienced intercourse while they were still too young and has harmed their internal energy greatly and will risk to his life whatsoever," explained Larne.

"If Matriarch Madison can trust us with it, I'll need you to sign an agreement that states that the family members of the young master would not be allowed to interfere with the training process at all. While you can have someone oversee the whole thing, you are not allowed to have any objections or opinions to how we treat the young master. Once the agreement is breached, please take full responsibility for your son as we will no longer continue with his training program and send him back to you," Larne stressed.

"This…" Matriarch Madison started hesitating. After all, that was her flesh and blood that she had so meticulously spoiled ever since his birth who had not weathered any sort of hardship. She felt that the moment he agreed to Larne's conditions, her son would form some kind of enmity towards him.

"I see that you love your son a lot. Maybe you should have him lose weight before letting him enrol in the CoreEnergy awakening course," said Larne relaxedly. This was the most convenient solution as the instructor team did not have to be troubled with Billy's matters.

"No, I'll put him in your care. I hope you don't disappoint me," Matriarch Peterson said, having made her decision.

"Um, are you sure you don't want to think this over?" Larne asked, dejected.

"There's no need. Let's handle it your way," said the Matriarch resolutely as she waved her hand.

"Well, alright. Please come over to sign the agreement as well as settle some other matters relating to the young master's enrollment. Given his unique condition, we might have to ask for additional fees," Larne said. It looks like the following days will be troubling.

"I only have to sign the agreement, right? Have him arrange everything else. She will make sure you have what you need," said the Matriarch as she pointed to the middle-aged butler and beckoned her to come over. "Asake, from this day onward, you will be stationed here and help Instructor Landon with anything he needs. Also, you are only allowed to monitor the young master and cannot interact with him whatsoever without first consulting the instructor, understood?"

"Yes, master," replied the woman respectfully.

Having signed the agreement, the president let out a breath of relief. "Instructor Landon, my precious son has never left his home before nor experienced any sort of hardship. Now, I'm handing him to you. I hope you can try to ease him into the process and not be too harsh on him right away..."

Larne paused for a while before saying, "Sometimes, the love of the parents can be harmful to the child..."

While the plan itself was rather sound, within but a month, the SwordLord and Alchemist hired had come up to him and told him that it was quite impossible for her son to be able to awaken his CoreEnergy given his physique. They spoke so candidly and even said that what flowed in his son's veins wasn't blood but pure fat and oil! In the end, he warned the president that her son would not have more than 3 years left to live should he continue to eat away with abandon and refuse to slim down.

The president was frantic and started racking her brains for a solution to her son's problem. It was at that time that she heard about Larne's reputation as a Purple-ranked Core-Energy instructor as well as the success he had with his CoreEnergy awakening courses. The president was convinced that this would be the method to help her son slim down. Elated, she hurriedly got into contact with the academy head and got her son signed up for the course right away.

In the letter, Academy Head Grei described the condition Billy was in and requested Larne to help the president out with this issue. For her son, the president was even willing to add 5,000 gold Kans to the yearly sponsorship she has been providing to the academy! The academy head stressed that no matter what, Larne had to find a way to help the president out. He even promised that as long as President Madison's request was fulfilled, she would even award the instructor team as much as 1000 gold kans.

Orun, this old miser is giving me even more trouble… Sheesh, this is a CoreEnergy awakening course, not a weight loss class! Without first shedding all his fat, how would that fatty even be able to awaken his CoreEnergy? Sigh, I guess I can't be too harsh on that old bastard since the Madison family is indeed a huge benefactor of the academy and it would be quite difficult for him to turn down their earnest request.