Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 229: First Students

Two days after the contract was finalized, the newly established Celestial Sect grounds buzzed with activity as over a thousand prospective students gathered for the first day of training.

Grim stood on the steps of the main training hall, watching as the final groups of candidates completed their initial assessments.

The response to his recruitment announcement had been overwhelming—young men and women from across the Empire had traveled to seek admission to what was already being called the revival of the sects in the Empire.

"The final count, my lord," Chen Xing reported, approaching with a leather portfolio filled with documentation. "One thousand and forty-three accepted candidates, all confirmed to possess either fire or water affinities."

"How many were rejected?" Grim asked, noting the organized chaos of new students attempting to find their assigned quarters in the dormitory buildings.

"Nearly three thousand," Chen Xing replied with obvious amazement. "Word spread quickly about the sect’s requirements and potential benefits. We had applicants from noble houses, merchant families, and even some from the outer provinces."

"And all of the accepted candidates understand the commitment required?"

"They’ve been informed about the physical training requirements and the eventual oath of loyalty," Chen Xing confirmed. "Though I suspect many of them don’t fully comprehend what that oath will entail."

"They will," Grim said with quiet confidence. "Once the training begins, those who lack true dedication will remove themselves."

At that moment, Shen Lao emerged from the main training hall, his ancient eyes surveying the assembled students with the expression of someone who had overseen similar gatherings across centuries of experience.

"Impressive turnout," the dragon observed, moving to stand beside Grim. "Though I suspect the numbers will decrease significantly once they understand what’s required."

"What do you think of the quality?" Grim asked.

"Mixed," Shen Lao replied honestly. "Perhaps two hundred have the natural talent and discipline necessary for advanced techniques. Another three hundred could achieve basic competency with proper training. The remainder..." He shrugged expressively.

"Will serve as examples to the others," Grim finished.

"Indeed," the dragon agreed with approval. "Nothing motivates dedication like watching others fail."

An hour later, all 1,043 students had been assembled in the largest training area, their conversations creating a low buzz of excitement and nervous energy. Many wore the fine clothing that marked noble birth, while others displayed the practical garments of merchant families or the worn fabrics of those who had traveled far to be here.

Grim stepped forward to address them, his presence immediately commanding absolute silence from the gathered crowd.

"Welcome to the Celestial Sect," he began, his voice carrying clearly across the assembled students. "You have come here seeking power, knowledge, and abilities. Some of you will achieve these goals. Many of you will not."

He paused, allowing his words to settle before continuing.

"The training you will receive here is unlike anything offered elsewhere in the Empire. You will learn techniques that have been guarded by my family for years. You will develop abilities that could make you among the most formidable individuals in the realm."

Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd, quickly silenced when Grim raised his hand.

"But these abilities come at a price," he continued, his voice taking on the subtle harmonics that marked the dark mana’s influence. "The price is absolute commitment, unwavering discipline, and complete loyalty to House Ambrose."

At this point, Shen Lao stepped forward, his draconic presence immediately recognizable to those sensitive to magical energies.

"I am Shen Lao," the dragon announced, his voice carrying ancient authority. "I will be your instructor. Before any of you can learn even the most basic techniques, you must prove that you possess the physical and mental discipline necessary to wield such power."

"What kind of discipline?" called out a young man from the front ranks, his expensive clothing suggesting noble birth.

"The kind that transforms ordinary humans into extraordinary warriors," Shen Lao replied with amusement. "Beginning now, every student will complete the following training regimen twice daily: five hundred push-ups, five hundred sit-ups, five hundred squats, a thirty-kilometer run, and one hundred thirty-second planks."

The announcement sent shockwaves through the assembled students. Several gasped audibly, while others exchanged glances that clearly questioned whether they had heard correctly. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"This training will continue every morning and every evening for as long as you remain part of this sect," Shen Lao continued inexorably. "Those who cannot complete the full regimen will be dismissed immediately. Those who attempt to cheat or skip portions will be permanently expelled."

A young woman near the back raised her hand tentatively. "Master Shen Lao, some of us have never undertaken such intensive physical training. Might there be a gradual introduction—"

"No," the dragon replied simply. "These techniques require bodies capable of channeling extraordinary amounts of mana. Weakness of flesh leads to weakness of spirit, which leads to failure when true power is required."

"But surely—" the same student began.

"The training begins in one hour," Shen Lao announced, cutting off further discussion. "Use that time to prepare yourselves mentally for what’s ahead. Those who complete today’s full regimen will receive their first meal at the sect. Those who fail will receive directions to the nearest inn."

As the students dispersed to prepare for their first training session, Grim observed their reactions with calculating interest. Some moved with determined purpose, clearly viewing the challenge as an opportunity to prove themselves. Others clustered in worried groups, discussing whether the requirements were reasonable.

A significant number began walking toward the estate’s main gate.

"They’re leaving already," Chen Xing observed with surprise.

"Good," Grim replied. "Better to lose the weak ones now than waste time and resources on those who lack commitment."

"How many do you think will remain after the first week?" Shen Lao asked with professional curiosity.

"Perhaps a quarter," Grim estimated. "The physical training will eliminate those who lack discipline, while the oath requirements will remove those who aren’t truly committed to House Ambrose."

"And those who remain?"

"Will become the foundation of something unprecedented," Grim said with satisfaction. "An organization bound by magic, trained by dragons, and loyal beyond question."

An hour later, the first training session commenced with Shen Lao personally overseeing the exercises. The dragon’s standards proved to be exactly as uncompromising as he had promised—students who collapsed during the push-ups were immediately dismissed, those who attempted to rest during the run were expelled on the spot, and anyone who showed less than complete effort was removed without discussion.

By the end of the first session, nearly two hundred students had either quit voluntarily or been dismissed for inadequate performance.

"An excellent start," Shen Lao reported to Grim as the remaining students struggled through post-exercise recovery. "Those who completed the full regimen show genuine potential. Those who didn’t were never going to succeed anyway."

"And tomorrow?" Grim asked.

"Tomorrow we repeat the process," the dragon replied with anticipatory satisfaction. "And every day thereafter, until only the truly dedicated remain."

As evening approached and the students prepared for their second training session of the day, Grim felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Each student who completed the training represented a potential future member of his inner circle—individuals whose loyalty would be guaranteed by magic and whose abilities would be limited only by their commitment to House Ambrose.

[This is quite the undertaking,] Caius observed as Grim watched the evening training session commence. [Building an army of magically bound followers.]

"I’m building something better than an army," Grim replied silently. "I’m creating a brotherhood united by shared struggle and common purpose."

[And absolute loyalty to you,] Caius added with what sounded like approval. [Don’t forget that element.]

"I won’t," Grim said with quiet satisfaction. "That’s the most important part."

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