Drake finally finished running circles around the village and collapsed back in bed at the guild after consuming what could be considered as liquid trash.  Passing out, I began to dream… it wasn’t expected, but it is sleep in a game.  I woke up the next morning sweating remembering the disturbing dream. It started out similar to my day, but instead of running circles around the village, I found myself dressed as a woman being trained to cook by Rya.  Rya was a little handsy and would tweak a few unmentionable spots any time I made an error cooking.  I decided that I would never learn cooking in this game after that.  Looking at the log for yesterday I noticed a few changes to my status:


    <table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Drake</td><td>Title</td><td>Elan’s Chosen</td></tr><tr><td>Gender</td><td>Male</td><td>Race</td><td>Halfling</td></tr><tr><td>Fame</td><td>0</td><td>Adventurer Rank</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Health</td><td>92</td><td>Mana</td><td>78</td></tr><tr><td>Strength</td><td>10</td><td>Agility</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Stamina</td><td>4</td><td>Pool</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Intellect</td><td>10</td><td>Dexterity</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Luck</td><td>0</td><td>Charisma</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Money</td><td>20 Copper</td><td>Quest</td><td>Increase stamina by 20 through classes with Rya


    Increase agility by 20 through classes with Jack</td></tr><tr><td>Base Armor</td><td>4</td><td>Base Attack</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>


    ‘Wow, I have some stamina now, but it gave me a boost on my health. But that sadist is going to kill me if I don’t figure out how to raise my stamina faster.’  Heading downstairs, I found Rya fuming at the guild master.  I was probably the reason because he nodded in my direction and I lost my chance at breakfast. Rya grinned savagely at me, “No running today. Today we do arm work and you better do it right….”


    ‘What fresh torture has she dreamed up to make certain I do today’s task right?’ Shuddering, I was pulled to a training yard with a very deadly looking pair of dummies.  She told me to stand still with my legs shoulder width apart and put my arms out straight with fists.  Doing so, she positioned one dummy touching my fists and everywhere else around them was covered in blades.  I started sweating as I realized I was going to be punching this dummy and ruining my hands over and over until I managed to miss the blades.  I was then told to put my arms down by my side bent at a ninety degree angle while the other dummy was fit snuggly against my back and its arms covered in blades.  My face fell as I realized there’s no way to run without getting cut since the arms are snug against my sides and then came the announcement. “You must strike alternately at the dummy. If you strike fast enough, I won’t fire at you today.  By the way, you only get healing once an hour.  I really want to know how long you will last with your stolen blessing!”


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    I try to get more information about the blessing but receive an error:


    <table><tbody><tr><td>Incorrect racial profile to read blessing.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    I successfully strike three times with each hand before the first cut.  After the tenth cut, the first hour was over and the promised healing occurred. “I want ten percent more strikes this hour than last, and it will increase each hour.  If you fail, you will get lower healing, if you succeed, you get higher healing. If you pass out, I’ll consider healing you…. But there will be another punishment.” Cringing at that because I recall the dream I double my concentration and receive another notice after five hours pass.


    <table><tbody><tr><td>Pool +1: You have increased your mana pool expansion rate for the first time.</td></tr><tr><td>Intellect+1</td></tr></tbody></table>


    When the session ends, I’m at about ten health. Rya grins again causing me to shiver again. “You know, I’m a mage, that’s why I am not doing these exercises with you.  Tomorrow, you’ll be running again.  I’ve got something special planned since you seem to be able to dodge my fireball.” I ate my trash and went to bed, a little scared of the dream I had last night. This time, I had a rather normal dream.  I punched Rya in the face until it bled.  I woke up refreshed and relieved, until I managed to eat breakfast and saw Rya grinning again.  Thankfully I’ve gained eight stamina points over the last two days.  Only twelve more until I can get away from her. “Good morning idiot! Today you better pray your agility doesn’t fail before I let you go.  Follow me, and by now I’m sure you’ve noticed that the disciple mark on your card makes it impossible to hide from me.”


    Today I am taken to a slime filled pit with a sequence of logs hanging from ropes. “Run along each log to the next pedestal in sequence.  If you rest too long, I shoot, if you take too long crossing, I shoot.  If you fall, you better use that dagger I saw, because slimes love fresh meat.” ‘Dagger? What dagger?  I completely forgot about weapons!’ I spot one hanging beside the logs and immediately think it’s a trap.


    “Miss Rya, is that a crack on your staff?” She looks down and I toss a few pebbles at the knife.  Sure enough, a half dozen knives fall.  I grab two as she turns back around. “Looks like I am not going unarmed after all.”


    Rya grins, “Ah, but those are cursed.  You can’t put them down until night.  Have fun eating. No get started!”