Returner's Revenge

300 Year Old Plum Method

Right after their classes, they went to the training area just as Kris told them. “I have not visited this place at all. I did not even know this exist.” One of the student said after entering the area for the first time. “Well, I guess its good that I am not the only one to have stepped inside this area for the first time. Another student added. “This part of the training area has not been really that famous and a few number of people use it, their numbers are close to none. It looks like this place have only been used for a week. I heard about this place but I did not expect to see that there are a lot of equipment here.” Jhonas says when he entered the area for the first time as well.

“I saw the equipment here yesterday and they look like they are heavy but I guess they are easy to use.” Xia tells them and found out that they are the first ones to arrive before Flora and the others. “Now that everyone is here, we are going to start with a warm up, jogging.” Kris said as he jogs around the area. “Follow me, we are going to train and develop your stamina. That way, you can easily dodge a spell that targets you.” The others hesitated first, but when they saw Xia follow behind him, the others jus followed as well.

After three laps around the area, Kris told them to stretch themselves and after that, they proceed to push-ups and then curl-up. Kris was happy to see that none of them even complained of tiredness. An hour in their exercises, they have a few minutes of rest. “Don’t let the sensation of the exercises we did disappear. If you ever feel like it is slipping away, do one of those exercise or a jog will do.” Kris instructed. And to their surprise, Flora and the others have already entered the area. “Woooh! So they are the ones that Kris and Xia are talking about- but why are they not training?” Flora ask Kris who is lifting weighs. “They are on a break. I’m not a dictator like you, you know.” Flora outs her finger on the weighs and double its that made Kris struggle.

“You demon.” Flora just smile while Kris continue to struggle lifting the weigh and some of the students then got interested in the weighs that one of them even grabbed one, James and Ophir rush in to stop him but it was already too late. “Are these really heavy-!” he mustered everything he can before he could drop the weighs on his feet and smash them flat. “You’re lucky enough to hold this before you drop this on your feet.” James said as he help the student place the weighs back. “There are some inscriptions on the weighs, that is already a sign that the weigh’s heaviness will be determined by your mana.” One of the student who wears glasses said. [Looks like there is a observant one in the group.] Kris says while continuing to struggle with the weighs but then Flora moves her finger away and points to Jhonas and another student.

“What about them? Why are they not exercising?” Kris turns to her and realize that she might be talking about Jhonas and the cold queen. “Oh! Them? They are just here to observe. They are also our classmates but they are strong so there is no need to train them. Where is Johannes by the way?”

“Oh! He was called by the headmaster for who knows why so that’s that. We have already asked him some questions and his answers are quite believable.” Kris puts the weighs away while the others are trying to figure out the secret behind the inscriptions on the weighs. “Everyone, lets get ready. Our friends here will train with us.” Kris says right after resting a few seconds after lifting the weighs.

They did the same thing the group were doing earlier, the exhaustion are finally showing on their faces. Though it was within the system’s calculations that their exhaustion will surface on the continuation of the training. What surprised Kris was Ophir and James’ performances. Even after all the things they experience under Flora’s unforgiving methods, they are still able to keep up with their training. [Their muscles must be aching so much right now.] He says to himself, half an our later and they concluded their training for the day.

“That was really exhausting. I thought my limbs are going to be separate from my body.” One of the students said as he fell flat on the floor. “There was nothing special at all. You are all just wasting you time. You will not get stronger at all.” Jhonas says with a confident tone. “They all should have realized that the moment they saw what they are doing.” He added. He shakes his head with a disappointed face. “I thought you have something special in store for them but now that I have seen it for myself, I am just utterly disappointed.”

Kris just smile even when Jhonas said all of this to him, it was then that he takes out a few jars and opened them. The scent coming from the jars immediately stop Jhonas from walking out of the area, he recognize the smell coming from the jar.

“300 year old plum!” He cried and when he turn, his words hold true. Kris is holding five jars containing 2 plums inside. The shock on Jhonas and the other student’s face is indescribable. “Just as I thought, you are aware of these.” Kris says with a grin on his face. “Where the hell did you get them? “

[Why is he acting like that. Does he also know how to use it this way? Wait-! He is from that place- then that means this method originated from their kingdom! How could I forgot about it!] Kris smiles bitterly after seeing Jhonas’ reaction when he recognized the smell of the 300 year old plum. “Where did you learn that method? I’m sure my ancestors are the only ones who knew that method.”

“What are you talking about?” the student beside him ask. “He is planning to use the 300 year old plum to strengthen their bodies after an exhausting training. The 300 year old plum is used to heal physical injuries and other life threatening diseases from pandemics, but only few knows that it can actually enhance ones body when eaten. That information is not spread because there could be a monopoly of the plum but since there is not much that grow that information is kept hidden.” He explains.

Kris distributed the jars to his classmates and told them to take a plum each and eat. “Where did you get them? They cost usually a gold coin each. They are not something that a student can buy.” Jhonas walk towards Kris who is smiling.

“Well, I’m just lucky enough to have a connection with someone who has access to these goodies.” Jhonas then grab his collar and threaten him with a fierce tone. “I can kill you right now for using that method. But something tells me that I am missing something, that’s why I’m keeping myself in check.” Kris grab his arm and pulled it away. “Are you perhaps afraid that it will affect and cause problems to your kingdom?  Don’t worry, your ancestors wants it to be kept a secret and I plan to continue what they want to do with that method. As for where I knew of that method, you wont believe me even if I told you so you don’t need to ask me about it.”

“Try me.”

The two exchange fierce glares at each other, everyone else stops them from fighting each other inside the training area. “What is the meaning of this?” the headmaster asked when he enters the training area with Johannes.