While it was called a class, they didn't have a room to meet in. Instead, a giant field with ample room for a hundred people to train was where they were meeting.
Cassian arrived relatively early compared to everyone else; he no longer cared about messing around or chatting with friends. He could feel in his heart that it no longer meant anything to him.
Not to mention that he didn't have anybody to talk to, and nobody who would want to talk with him.
A small group of instructors stood behind a bald and muscular man. By his position and demeanor, Cassian could tell that he was the main instructor for the class.
None of the instructors moved an inch while waiting for all the students to arrive. They all stood patiently with their arms held behind their backs.
On the other hand, most students were already chatting amongst each other, making new friends, and bragging about their awakenings.
"SILENCE!"
The head instructor's yell immediately controlled the entire crowd.
"I am the head instructor of the lower weapons class, Jackson Crumb, and you will refer to me as sir and only sir."
Instructor Crumb was not yelling this time, but his voice still filled the entire training field.
"Yes, Sir." Everybody immediately replied.
"Good, now today you will all practice on your own. Dismissed."
"Yes, Sir."
This was not a new procedure to everybody; to ensure the quickest start after awakening, everybody was strictly trained beforehand.
Everybody quickly broke off to find their own spot to practice, and Cassian did the same.
Without hesitation, he started practicing, swinging his sword endlessly.
His focus channeled out any distractions and allowed him to focus entirely on the sword.
An hour later, nearly everybody was exhausted; they were going full power for an hour. More importantly, unless one had a defensive class like a knight, it was suggested to put attribute points into strength. So everybody was lacking in stamina.
While most people had already slowed down, about a dozen were still standing. Some of them had distributed their awakening stats into stamina, but Cassian hadn't even sweated yet.
"What is your name, boy?" Instructor Crumb was standing behind him.
What was scary was that he didn't even notice the hulking man appear. Even if he was focused on training, it was still too much.
"Cassian Locke, Sir."
"Interesting, the only F-rank, but you outmatch everybody here."
He made sure to say this so everybody could hear him.
"Show me what you got."
Crumb grabbed a wooden sword from his belt.
Cassian charged without hesitation.
The two clashed swords, and a battle of strength continued. Cassian could tell that Crumb's sword was not moving when they made contact; the difference in strength was too much.
Cassian's movements were extremely fluid, allowing successive attacks without breaks.
However, Crumb easily blocked or deflected them all.
"You have the swordsmanship skill already. I guess it's my turn to attack."
Crumb immediately went on the offensive; each of his blows was stronger than the last, and they easily became faster and unpredictable.
Cassian was only able to block half of the man's attacks, but his body never retreated. Any injuries were quickly healed, allowing full combat power.
Cassian found a gap in the man's attacks and took that opportunity.
"You were even able to see that."
With Cassian back on the offensive, he was slowly gaining momentum.
Until Cassian suddenly misstepped, breaking his posture and making his attack extremely predictable.
However, just when Crumb was about to deflect it, he activated sword slash. The power of the sword increased, which changed the angle of Crumb's sword slightly.
"Don't get arrogant, you're just an F-rank with no future." It seemed like he suddenly became cruel, an instant change in demeanor.
Crumb lifted his sword high above his head and slashed down in a flash.
Cassian tried to block, but his sword shattered on impact.
"Stupid F-rank, just because he started with slightly higher stats than us."
"Did Mr. Crumb just break equipment with a wooden sword?"
Everybody immediately started gossiping.
"Shut up and get back to work," Crumb commanded again.
"Yes, Sir."
Crumb then pulled a sword out from nowhere and tossed it at Cassian.
"Don't get arrogant."
He then left and joined the other instructors, observing everybody.
Out of earshot, they held their own conversation.
"Why did you do that, sir? You are not one to care about rank." One of the normal instructors asked.
"That kid has potential; he awakened the swordsmanship skill within three days as an F-rank, not to mention his high stats. However, to become powerful, he will have to overcome heinous challenges."
"Then why not help him?"
"My kindness will just make him weak and reliant."
All the instructors fell silent.
"Don't worry, I just decided to become the first obstacle he has to overcome. He had already decided to walk that path before today."
"Yes, Sir."
"From now on, leave all his instruction to me."
"Yes, Sir."
Meanwhile, Cassian checked out the stats of his new sword.
[Longsword - Common - Strength +3]
This was the quality of equipment the E-ranks usually got.
Cassian checked his stats at the end of the class. His sword slash skill had risen to level 2.
Which meant it now increased his damage by 13.3%.
The last part of the school day was supposed to be future planning with personal trainers, but Cassian didn't have that privilege.
Instead, he went straight home for more practice; it was the only thing he could do, and the only thing that could get his mind away from his life.
That night, he got tortured again, this time it seemed mediocre in comparison. He was hung upside down and beaten with a wooden bat. Eventually, the tool splintered into his skin, but he kept his cool.
He never revealed anything, not what he was thinking or how he was feeling. He didn't want to give the demon any satisfaction in torturing him.