13 Murlocs (1)

A few weeks later, Ourin seemed to have strengthened his resolve to become a body refinement acolyte. Being from the Chernobyl Islands, he could only guess what this path was made of, and he would most likely have to wait until he reached the Mercifura Academy before learning the true strengths and weaknesses of this path, as well as ways to grow stronger.

Despite that, Ourin never stopped practicing his knight breathing technique. Since he reincarnated, it had been his one and only treasure that allowed him to overcome dangers, even those which were disproportionate in comparison to what was described in the book.

[Beep! You have completed a cycle of [Ironguard Knight Breathing Technique]...]

[Beep! After comparison, undergoing the Ironguard Breathing Technique increased the Host's strength by 0.0003, Agility by 0.0003, and vitality by 0.0002]

With a slight smile, Ourin decided to get out of the room and go on the board. Looking at his attributes, he could only sigh.

[Scan Complete! Ourin | Strength: 2.8 → 2.9, Agility: 2.3 → 2.3, Vitality: 2.8→ 2.9, Status: Healthy]

His stats had only slightly grown in the past month. The journey was insanely boring too. Most acolytes were merely sleeping and playing cards all day long. Some, like him, continued to train, but they were very rare among the batch of apprentices. After all, why train martial arts when you were about to learn real magic?

After learning that there were several magi overseeing their movements, Ourin naturally grew more conscious about what he was doing. This whole journey was most likely a way to select worthy apprentices. For a long time, he had thought about what would happen if he were to be chosen by an ill-intentionned magus. However, he had dismissed another possibility: What if he was not chosen by any magus?

Without a mentor, getting access to magical knowledge would prove very difficult.

Hence, Ourin started to work even harder, hoping that his efforts would not go unnoticed. His attributes were already on par with most black-robed knights who had escorted them accross the death plains. And while knights were not seen as worthy opponents by magi, there was no denying they were a strong force in the human realms.

The bells rang, this time, not in the middle of the afternoon.

'Did something happen?', Ourin asked himself.

He had already moved up the board, and it did not take him more than a couple seconds to understand that some kind of dangers arose. The seamen were especially nervous, some of them trembling at the bell's sounds.

Soon, frog-like creatures with blue and white skin started to jump onto the board. Despite being inhuman, they possessed hands and feet, and more importantly, they were equipped with crude weapons. Spears and swords, most likely man made since they did not fit their small size. Despite these weapons being too big for themselves, the fact that they were carrying them told a lot about previous ships that were attacked.

"MURLOCS", one of the seamen shouted, before screaming in agony after his arm was crushed from a mace's sudden strike. The murloc which attacked him did not stop here, and instead continued to hit him, the sounds of crushed bones reverberating on the deck, creating an atmosphere of dread which reminded Ourin of the death plains.

However, his experienced did not let him down, as Ourin quickly assessed the situation and unsheathed his sword. Ever since the incidents of the great plains, Ourin would always wear his armour and equipment on himself. This was the last bits of legacy left to him by the Ironguards, and he would make sure to use it wisely.

[Scan Complete! Murloc | Strength: 1 to 2, Agility: 1 to 2, Vitality: 1 to 2, Status: Healthy]

These murlocs did not seem to be as strong when compared to the dire wolves he had previously encountered in the death plains. However, their numbers, their equipment as well as their intellect made them fearsome, perhaps even more fearsome than the terrifying dire wolves which had eaten so many of his companions.

The apprentices were rising to the deck, but even more so murlocs were boarding on the keying ship. Captain Kirkuk and his men were very proactive in their defence, as if they knew that Magus Nocturne would let the events go without interfering. 

Captain Kirkuk knew it, and so did the apprentices on the deck.

It was test, one with their life on the line.