Chapter 19: Preparations
"You are all here."
"Did we get the training time wrong? I thought you said we meet at 5 AM today."
I rolled my eyes. "No. We simply roused at an earlier time. Nothing too bad at doing some training while waiting for the two of you." I answered Alva.
"Is that why Hund looks like he's half-dead?" Alva rudely poked the man with his foot who was crumpled over on the floor. "Did you even let him sleep last night? You were quite physical."
"Brat. Stop that. Your accusations are superfluous." I kicked his foot away, to which he parried at the last second.
"Good morning, Master." Dustan bowed, ever so gracefully.
"Hm."
I motioned for them to sit on the floor in front of me.
"Today, I have an announcement. Are you still listening, Hund?"
The man grunted in reply, letting me know that he was still alive.
"What is all this about? Your timing can be so ungodly." Alva bewailed.
I cleared my throat. "I shall be holding a tournament on my floor next week. In addition, from the results of the event, I will choose two new disciples."
At my words, all three of them looked at me in surprise.
"HAH?!" And of course, there is Alva—always boisterous with his reactions.
"What do you mean new disciples?! I thought you were supposed to be some kind of unreachable celibate who refuses take in disciples? And now you want to take in more?"
'Celibate'
What kind of wording—I nearly hit the lad for his incongruous wording. Day by day, the urge to kill the boy grows. I gave the blonde a forced smile.
"And who do you think is to blame for tarnishing my reputation as such? It is the two of you! Forcing my father's hand to enter the Tower and serve under me. So, the lot of you has no right to say anything about me choosing two more." I lectured.
Alva scoffed. "Hah! You were probably forced by the nobles to take on more. Seeing as you took a mere commoner under your wing."
He hit the nail on the head. However, I simply decided to ignore his presence.
"The tournament will be a single-elimination round. If they lose once, they're out of the running. The match up is simple. I'm going to have you three fight with every participant as preliminaries. Then, those who do win against you will have a chance to fight with me. If I deem them usable, I shall take them in as my disciples. Any questions?"
"I do. I have a lot actually. Are you using us to make sure that no one becomes your discipl—mmph?!!" Dustan was smart to cover Alva's mouth.
"We do not have questions, Master." Hund was quick to follow up.
Huh. Since when did he and Dustan synced up?
"Alright. For now, Dustan and Alva will do their morning regime. Hund, make sure you rest. You're going to need it later on. I will go for a quick shower then be back for breakfast by 7 AM. Got it?"
"Yes, Master." They all replied deftly. Well, except for Alva who resisted until the very end.
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As soon as I was done bathing, I was quick to go to my room and put on my disguise, painstakingly.
Damn it. Looks like this is going to be my routine from now on. I miss the days when I did not have to mind my figure, when puberty had yet to show my gender, oh so plainly.
I finished wrapping bandages across my chest and the paddings for my waist. Choosing a loose top, I made sure to wrap bandages on my arms too. Just for show.
The baggy pants and leather boots are staple. Wearing a vest to support my fake 'figure', I decided not to put on my straps where I usually attach my sabers, just for today.
Since the nobles visited me yesterday, I doubt they would be bothering me today.
"Done." I looked at myself in the mirror. I have always been surprised at how I manage to pull off the look.
No time to admire.
Quickly, I headed to the training grounds and all four of us went to eat breakfast. After the meal came the hard part.
"I have to speak with the support staff for the tournament. Get some rest if you would, but be prepared for a sparring session in the afternoon." I instructed.
Luckily, I managed to finish arranging the matters for the tournament earlier than I thought and I was able to eat lunch with the kids.
After lunch, we headed to the training grounds.
"As I have told you earlier, you will be participating in the tournament to serve as an example." I paused, letting them savor the gravity of the role I gave them.
"An example for what exactly?" Alva queried.
"I'm sure the lot of you are aware that as the number one, I have a reputation to keep—a reputation to salvage after what happened the other night. By putting you out there and letting you serve as preliminaries, I am making a statement to everyone that my disciples are in a whole other league." I looked at them sternly.
"That is why I need all of you to work on your techniques. Remember, this is not just a one-on-one. Your matches will be somewhat akin to my battle with challengers to my spot as number one. It will be a continuous fight. So, the first thing I want the lot of you to work on, is your endurance."
"Alright, I get that. But, why do we have to keep this position?" Alva strained.
I smirked. "That is because I'm not just talking about aerobic endurance. I need you and Dustan to build up muscle endurance too. I rather think your muscles would prefer to stay useable in the long run."
"Then, why is Hund doing runs instead of planks?!" Alva complained.
"Because he already has good muscle endurance. But, his cardiopulmonary endurance is lacking. Must be because of his large build." I hummed to myself in thought.
"Last question." Alva paused to breathe. "How do you know all this stuff?"
"This stuff?"
"Your medical knowledge." Dustan piped in. He was already sweating profusely.
"Keep your breathing steady, Dustan. Refrain from speaking. Keep your core muscles tight and breathe through your nose." I steadied his form.
"Hey!! Answer the question." Alva dropped from his position.
I sighed. This demanding kid.
"I learned by myself. As you may have observed, I fancy the medical world as the library in one of the rooms on my floor indicate."
"You have a library?" Dustan asked, also dropping from his position
"How accurate are your sources, huh?" Alva continued to question.
I rolled my eyes. "Would it satisfy you to know that I have a friend who is issued a royal license as a doctor?"
"A royal license? I would have never guessed that you are well-connected." Alva grumbled.
"Alright. Enough talk. Back to your positions." I ushered them.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone