31 Gear Up

Sturm's morning studies were particularly intense the following day. Instead of just language, arithmetics, and economy, the lessons included new subjects resembling chemistry and physics. The only problem was that if this world's scientific laws were the same as on earth, most of Edgar's information was either very rudimentary or just plain wrong.

Gravity was a known concept, but the generally accepted explanation was based on the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Earth and water are heavy and would fall, while air and fire are light and would rise. All matter was composed of these elements. Depending on the specific elemental quantity, an object or being would gravitate towards the earth's center down below or towards the skies up above.

Most of the lesson bored Sturm. Every person on Earth that received a basic education would know enough about physics and chemistry to understand how wrong this world's theories were. As his professional MMA career had always been his priority, Sturm never went to university, but most of his school marks had usually been well above average.

After silently enduring for the whole morning, Reinhardt finally saved him from his boredom and took the boy to the local armorsmith. After entering the shop, they could hear the sound of hammering in the background, which immediately aroused Sturm's interest. The front side of the building served as a shop, while the backside held the smithy where the hammering came from. Soon after, a young man around 16 years old stepped behind the counter.

"Mr. Reinhardt, welcome back. How may I help you today?" The respect and awe in the apprentice's voice were apparent.

"Hello Hierro, I am here for my apprentice." Reinhardt signaled at Sturm. "Give him a full set of leather armor and a hunting dagger. I heard your master learned how to make our northern Hirschfangers."

<<What? I have my fists. Why would I need a knife? Well, I can use it for skinning our prey, so I guess I'll take it.>>

Hunting daggers were common in the northern tribes, as their agriculture was limited, and hunting was their primary source of food. The hunting dagger, or hirschfanger, as the Northerners call it, was a large dagger half the size of a sword used for slashing, stabbing, and skinning. The versatility made it a favorite product, and the smiths that knew how to make them would not have to worry about a shortage of customers.

"Yes, while the master is not a specialized weaponsmith, he did indeed study the hirschfanger on his latest travels. May I ask if reinforced leather armor is ok? We do not make pure leather armor as due to the weight only combat slaves would use that."

Before Reinhardt could respond, Sturm requested the heaviest reinforced leather armor they could provide in his size. Not only would pure leather armor be almost useless when receiving a beast's claw, but he had already been training both in the quarry and the pit for years. Considering his habit of wearing heavy shackles around his wrists and ankles, he would be able to handle a few iron plates sewed into the leather armor.

The difference in power between him and the wolves had shown he would have to get stronger and reduce the giant gap between them, even if just by a little bit. A heavier armor would provide further protection while also being another tool for training.

"Are you sure, Sturm? It will slow you down considerably, and we both know your reaction speed is your biggest advantage. Why would you give that up for some armor plates that may not even guarantee your life if you end up getting hit?" Reinhardt could not understand his student's decision. Sturm had always been smart and logical regarding combat. It felt like the first time he would have to reprimand him on something so basic.

"That's exactly why, Reinhardt. If I want to get stronger, I have to work on my deficiencies as much as I have to work on my strengths."

The discussion went on for quite some time, leaving the armorsmith's apprentice standing awkwardly next to them, not knowing if he should speak up or not. When the two finally found a compromise, the apprentice let out a sigh of relief and happily sold a fitting piece of dark brown leather armor reinforced with integrated black metal plates. Additionally, Reinhardt chose a simple hirschfanger made of medium-quality iron accompanied by a leather sheath made of Early-Bronze mudcroc hide.

While Sturm wanted to go on a hunt and experience real life-threatening combat immediately, he had to admit that Reinhardt did have a point. Risking to throw one's life away against some basic beasts would be incredibly stupid. They both decided that he first had to go through multiple sparring rounds until Reinhardt, his mercenary friends, and Daga deemed him ready.

It would require a period of adaptation until Sturm would be able to defend himself under the additional weight.

It took the young slave three days to get used to the new weight distribution. The armor was not any heavier than the total weight of the shackles he usually wore, but it made a big difference if the weight was on his wrists and ankles or around the whole body.

Daga expectedly turned out to be the most challenging opponent, as keeping up with his speed required utmost efficiency and control. On the other hand, if he could keep up with the assassin, keeping up with anyone apart from nobles should be possible. After the fifth step, every additional celestial step was like the difference between an amateur fighter and a professional one. A gap similar to years and years of intensive effort and training. No matter how good Daga was, the most he could achieve was matching a sixth-step noble, not surpass him.

On top of sparring with armor, Reinhardt had also tasked the assassin to train Sturm in handling Hirschfangers. Unarmed combat and armed combat had similarities, and Sturm's physical capabilities, instincts, and fighting sense could translate to either of them. Sadly the only skill with a blade that the young slave wanted to learn, namely skinning, was not a part of the lessons.

Reinhardt was confident three days would be enough for the boy to learn the basics and adapt to the weight in actual combat. As they promised Edgar, they would only hunt at the forest's outskirts, where only the weaker beasts roamed.

On the fourth day, the duo had one last briefing on the northern outskirts of the city. Their targets were Tier 3 Bronze grassfoxes, which had the average power of a third-step commoner. Power did not mean their physical strength, which was relatively weak and only at the Tier 1 standard, but an assessment of their physical prowess in combination with their abilities.

Grassfoxes had low physical strength but compensated with agility, sharp teeth, and camouflage in high grass regions. Their green fur and speed made it impossible for most commoners to react before they had their throats bitten off, after which they would quickly hide between the grass again. Their quick and silent kills caused merchants to call them little green ghosts and the Mercenary Association to assign them the bounty of a Tier 3 Bronze Beast.

Outside of high grass areas, though, their strength would not even reach the second stage. Sturm shared similarities with them. His strength and agility were below average, but his perception and instincts were top-notch. Those skillsets directly countered the foxes and were the reason Reinhardt had decided to target them despite their relatively high power. He had promised Edgar to only hunt Tier 1 Beasts, but in front of Sturm, the foxes would be no different than Tier 1 giant rabbits.

"We will take the northern road towards the slave fields. Have you ever wondered why there were no women at the quarry? That is because they work in the slave fields where the physical burden is somewhat lower than at the quarry. Part of the road leads through high grass, and the grassfoxes have gotten braver, attacking caravans and hindering the city's supplies. We will take care of them, get some rewards, and train you at the same time."

The high grass area was approximately six kilometers east of the northern city gates. Sturm and Reinhardt did not even see a single caravan on their way, but they did see guard patrols. Those patrols informed them that official business had been halted until the monster situation was back under control.

"Is this the area? The grass is at least thirty meters away. You said those foxes sneak attack and hide right away. How would that be possible here?" Sturm asked.

"You're right. Usually, they would not attack travelers on the road, but they are showing the same behavior as the wolves. Something is riling up the beasts, and they are either getting much braver or more desperate. These thirty meters have always been enough to keep them away, but not anymore. I even heard some talks about just burning all the grass away and annihilating the entire grassfox population. If the guards and mercenaries can't get the situation under control, it will probably get there."

*Rattle*

Sturm immediately tensed up. <<Already? We have not even been in this area for a minute!>>

Reinhardt heard it and readied both his axes while Sturm concentrated his senses to the maximum. The Nine Pillar's [Black Room] could cover at most 7 meters, and establishing it now would merely exhaust the mind unnecessarily.

Grassfoxes were supposed to be small, but listening to the amount of grass it pushed away, the creature had to be at least as big as a boar. With each step the monster took, the earth vibrated slightly, a testament to its weight.

<<Wait, this smell. Blood?>>