The air in the Patrian training grounds was thick with the scent of pine needles and iron. To the average recruit, this was a place of suffering; to Arthur, it was a goldmine of hidden potential.
He stood before the iron-thread scarecrow, a training dummy that had broken the spirits—and weapons—of thousands of hopeful soldiers.
Arthur's fingers brushed the shaft of the wooden spear. It was a common item, yet he held it with a reverence that bordered on the religious.
He closed his eyes. In the darkness of his mind, he visualized the flow of mana and the mechanics of the Satisfy engine. To the world, he was a level-one commoner. To the system, he was an anomaly.
Huff... He drew in the mountain air, filtering out the noise of the whispering cadets.
Sigh...
He exhaled the tension, grounding his center of gravity. When his eyes snapped open, they were no longer the eyes of a trainee.
He slid into a low, predatory stance—the legendary spear-stance of Dominion, the God of War. It was a posture that shouldn't be possible for a beginner, requiring a level of muscle control that defied early-game stats.
Instructor Kesle's throat felt dry. He had intended to shout the command, but it came out as a sharp bark. "Start...!"
The system reacted instantly. Three green light-dots flickered into existence: one at the forehead, one at the jugular, and one directly over the heart. Before the spectators could even register the color, the air screamed.
Thrust. Thrust. Thrust.
The movements were so fluid they appeared simultaneous. The wooden tip of the spear didn't just touch the dots; it buried itself into the iron threads with a rhythmic thud-thud-thud. All three targets were neutralized in exactly four seconds.
Arthur didn't pause to admire his handiwork. As three red dots flared across the dummy's shoulder, torso, and pelvis, he transitioned from a linear thrust into a sweeping arc.
The spear became a blur of pale wood, whistling through the air. In a single, continuous rotation, he struck all three points.
The crowd gasped. Most soldiers used the spear as a simple poking tool. Arthur was using it as an extension of his soul.
His "Insight" stat was working overtime, predicting the system's RNG pattern based on the subtle vibrations of the training dummy.
A green dot flashed on the forehead. It existed for less than a tenth of a second before Arthur's spear tip met it mid-manifestation.
55 points. Time elapsed: 14 seconds.
The instructors were leaning forward now, their professional detachment replaced by raw disbelief. Arthur was playing a different game.
When a cluster of dots appeared—a green at the pelvis and three reds across the upper body—Arthur performed a diagonal "Rising Moon" strike.
He cleaved through the green and two reds in one motion, then snapped the spear back like a piston to pierce the final red dot with surgical precision.
80 points.
Arthur's breath remained steady. He saw the final target: a pulsating green dot at the heart. He knew the durability of the wooden spear was reaching its limit. If he wanted the record, he had to give the system something it couldn't ignore.
He stepped forward, twisting his hips to channel every ounce of his physical power into a final, desperate strike.
CRACK.
The wooden spear didn't just hit the heart; it was driven by such explosive force that it pierced the head of the scarecrow—an object designed to be "highly resistant" to physical damage. The spear shattered into a thousand splinters, the vibration numbing Arthur's arms.
[You have set a new record in Patrian's reserve forces training Spear Test!]
[!]
[You have set a new record in the West Continent Spear Test!]
[The title 'Genius Spearman' is received.]
[Genius Spearman]
* When using a spear, the damage is increased by 20% and the hit rate is increased by 10%.
* All spear-related skills experience gain increased by 20%.
* This effect is applied separately from the Spear Mastery effect.
[The exclusive skill 'Extreme Thrust' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Extreme Thrust Level 1]
* An extreme force of thrusting a spear that deals 1,200% physical damage to the target. If the spear penetrates an additional 800% of physical damage will be dealt and increase critical damage by 250%.
* Due to the use of extreme physical force there's a chance the abnormal state of 'Bone Fracture' could occur.
* Mana Consumption: 1,000
* Skill Cooldown Time: 10 minutes
[The exclusive skill 'Spear Charge' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Spear Charge Level 1]
* Charge by using a spear in a straight line that deals 200% physical damage to the target. Increase movement speed by 10% until the target is hit.
* Mana Consumption: 350
* Skill Cooldown Time: 3 minutes
[The exclusive skill 'Spear Shot' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Spear Shot Level 1]
* Throws a spear that deals 600% physical damage to the target. The enemy will fall down.
* You must reclaim the spear in the thrown window. If you fail to retrieve it within 30 seconds, you will lose ownership of the spear.
* Mana Consumption: 150
* Skill Cooldown Time: 1 minute
Arthur stood amidst the debris of the spear, his chest heaving slightly. The rewards were staggering.
In Satisfy, special ans exclusive skills were usually reserved for high-level quest lines or hidden classes. Getting one at level one was like finding a nuclear silo in a medieval village.
"Sir Kesle," Arthur said, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. "What's the next test?"
Kesle stammered, his mind struggling to process the shattered scarecrow. "A-Ahem. T-the next test is swordsmanship. Cadet Arthur... proceed."
Arthur moved to the weapon rack. He didn't pick up a single sword; he took two. The crowd murmured. Dual-wielding was notoriously difficult in the early players without weapon mastery skill, often resulting in a massive accuracy penalty. But Arthur wasn't worried about penalties. He was worried about speed.
"Start...!"
Four green dots appeared. Arthur's hands moved in a blur of cross-cuts. The left sword took the shoulders; the right sword took the heart. In the same breath, he whipped the right blade upward in a shimmering arc, catching the head target.
3 seconds.
It was a masterclass in economy of motion. Every step Arthur took was calculated to position his blades for the next spawn. He wasn't reacting to the dots; he was anticipating the system's logic.
Five red dots. Arthur's blades danced—a stab here, a parry-slash there. He looked like a weaver at a loom, if the loom were made of steel and violence.
Then came the final surge: two green dots and three red dots. Arthur didn't hesitate. He prioritized the green "critical" zones first, his blades shearing through the air with a hum.
After the green targets vanished, he unleashed a flurry of stabs, hitting the three red dots with the precision of a jeweler.
14 seconds total.
[You have set a new record in Patrian's reserve forces training Sword Test!]
[!]
[You have set a new record in the West Continent Sword Test!]
[The title 'Genius Swordsman' is received.]
[Genius Swordsman]
* When using a Sword, the damage is increased by 10% and attack speed is increased by 5%.
* All sword-related skills experience gain increased by 20%.
* This effect is applied separately from the Sword Mastery effect.
[The exclusive skill 'Heavy Strike' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Heavy Strike Level 1]
* A strike uses the weight of the body and sword that deals 1,500% physical damage to the target. If the sword crushes the target will have the abnormal state 'Bone Fracture' causing 500% physical damage and an increase critical damage by 175%.
* Due to the use of heavy physical force there's a chance the abnormal state of 'Lose Balance' could occur.
* Mana Consumption: 1,000
* Skill Cooldown Time: 10 minutes
[The exclusive skill 'Sword Counter' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Sword Counter Level 1]
* When using a sword to block attack the sword counter would automatically activate and deal 300% physical damage to the target.
* If the target was hit in the 'Weak Spot' guaranteed critical hit and increase critical damage by 200%.
* Mana Consumption: 450
* Skill Cooldown Time: 2 minutes
[The exclusive skill 'Continuous Stab' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Continuous Stab Level 1]
* Quickly stab the target 5 times. Every stab that hits will deal 100%, 120%, 150%, 190%, and 240% of your attack power respectively.
* Mana Consumption: 300
* Skill Cooldown Time: 3 minutes.
Arthur exhaled. The "Genius Swordsman" title was exactly what he needed to bridge the gap between his current level and the monsters he planned to hunt. He could feel the weight of the instructors' gazes shifting from skepticism to awe, and even a hint of fear.
The final test was the range. Arthur took a wooden bow and ten arrows. He didn't check the string or test the tension; he simply knew. He closed his eyes one last time, clearing the "mental clutter."
"Start...!"
The first arrow was away before Kesle's voice had finished echoing. It struck the green dot on the head. Arthur's hand was a blur, reaching for the quiver. Using his "Insight," he saw a faint emerald shimmer on the heart section. He released.
Thwack.
Then, he did something that made the veteran archers in the crowd jump. He notched two arrows simultaneously. He tilted the bow at a precise 45-degree angle, calculating the wind resistance and the recoil.
Twang!
The arrows split in mid-air, curving slightly to hit the neck and pelvis dots at the exact same moment.
It was a feat of high-level archery that usually required specific "Multi-Shot" skills, but Arthur was doing it through raw manual control.
The final green dot appeared on the head. Arthur didn't even look. He had already aimed, his arrow flying true the moment the light manifested.
The training ground erupted. Cadets were screaming, throwing their caps into the air. The instructors were clapping, their faces etched with the realization that they had just witnessed history.
[You have set a new record in Patrian's reserve forces training Archer Test!]
[The title 'Ideal Champion' is received.]
[Ideal Champion]
* Your Insight and Dignity are increased by 10%.
* Easily gain more information from Eternal residents.
* All stats +25.
[You have set a new record in the West Continent Archer Test!]
[The title 'Genius Archer' is received.]
[Genius Archer]
* When using a bow, the damage is increased by 15% and the attack speed is increased by 10%.
* All bow-related skills experience gain increased by 20%.
* This effect is applied separately from the Bow Mastery effect.
[The exclusive skill 'Gale Arrow' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Gale Arrow Level 1]
* An arrow that uses the power of the wind deals 500% physical damage to the target. If the arrow penetrates the target will deal 600% physical damage and cause an abnormal state of 'Bleeding'.
* Mana Consumption: 600
* Skill Cooldown Time: 2 minutes
[The exclusive skill 'Heavy Shots' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Heavy Shots Level 1]
* Deals 200% physical damage. Weak spot hits guarantee 200% critical damage.
* Mana Consumption: 350
* Skill Cooldown Time: 5 seconds
[The exclusive skill 'Multi Shots' has been acquired as a hidden reward.]
[Multi Shots Level 1]
* Quickly hit the target 5 times with increasing damage multipliers.
* Mana Consumption: 300
* Skill Cooldown Time: 1 minute.
Kesle walked toward Arthur, his expression solemn. He held a velvet-lined case.
"Cadet Arthur," Kesle said, his voice echoing across the silent grounds. "I have trained many men. I have seen knights born from dirt and heroes fall in the mud. But I have never seen anything like you. You aren't just a soldier. You are the benchmark by which all future soldiers will be measured."
He handed Arthur the citation.
[You have taken the top position in the training of Patrian's reserve forces!]
[You have obtained the first prize 'Senior Reserve Forces Citation'.]
[Senior Reserve Forces Citation]
* Beginner Sword Mastery level is increased by 3.
* Beginner Spear Mastery level is increased by 3.
* Beginner Bow Mastery level is increased by 3.
* You have become the role model for the Patrian reservists.
Arthur looked at the golden notification windows. He wasn't just a player anymore; he was a walking arsenal.
"Thank you, Sir Kesle," Arthur said, bowing slightly. "But this is just the beginning."
As he walked away, the cadets parted like the Red Sea. Arthur smiled. The "Hidden Rewards" were his. Now, it was time to show the Eternal Kingdom what a true "Genius" could do.