BORNEO

Ch. 5: Caught In The Middle

Your Strength +1

A sudden notification appears in front of Rimba who has been hitting the dummy swinging the rod like a bat instead of magic catalyst repeatedly for around 1 hour.

"(Oh? The training actually can increase my stats too? Nice. I wonder if I can keep raising my Strength or other stats if I keep training, it would be better if I can also learn some skills.)"

Encouraged by the stats increase, Rimba become more motivated in hitting the dummy. He faintly feel that his strike become stronger, he now have 10% more Strength compared with when he started after all. Rimba feels less hesitant hitting the dummy, unlike in the military training where he have to spar with other cadets for their close-quarter combat training. He doesn't have to worry hurting another person. He remembered on his first close-quarter combat training sparring session he was beaten soundly although he fought better because he was hesitant to hit his opponent seriously. Once he revealed a gap, his opponent retaliated with strikes that hurt as hell forcing him to endure pain and eventually losing out.

Your Vitality +1

Your Constitution +1

Another notification popped up after another hour. Rimba took a glance and glad that other stats are also can be increased through training. He become more pumped up.

Your Agility +1

1 hour later and another notification popped up. Rimba ignore the notification and continue hitting the dummy when he saw Ethan is walking to the weapon crate and put his wooden sword down. Rimba also stopped and come over to Ethan.

"Are you done? Will you going back to the orphanage now?" Rimba asked.

"Yes, I need to go back and get some buckets of water for the orphanage." Ethan asnwered.

"Are you coming with me?" Ethan asked back.

"Yes, I can also help you getting some water." Rimba replied and also put his rod to the weapon crate.

"Let me ask sir Olaf first if I can leave with you." RImba then proceed to Olaf who already finished his own training earlier and watching them from his chair in front of the hut.

"Sir, can I go visit the orphanage? I will come back here later to continue my training." Rimba asked politely.

"Go. I still need to observe you, but I will allow you to walk around in this village. Just make sure you come back in the evening, I can't let you staying at other places yet and we don't have any inn here. You will stay with me for now." Olaf give his permission, but still remind Rimba that he is still under his supervision.

"Thank you sir, I will be back in the evening. I was wondering where to stay, but you just solved for me." Rimba responded and make a small bow before leaving with Ethan.

Along the way to the orphanage, Ethan points out some building to Rimba, explaining what kind of building each and mention whose place it is. Rimba is grateful, at least no he have basic understanding of the village. Suram village only have one main road straight from the southern gate where Rimba coming from to the northern gate, the village chief house is in the center of the village on the left side of the road facing eastward, sandwiched between the general store and the apothecary. Across the road is the smithy, the training field is in the northeastern part of the village. In each gate there is also a wooden tower for the militia to stay during night watch.

The orphanage itself is in the southwestern part of the village, so Rimba actually passed by it when he first going to the training field. The building looks old, but still in a good condition, there is a well in front of the building, Rimba guessed Ethan will take the water from there. There is also a pile of firewood beside the building, an woodcutter axe stuck in a big stump. Rimba saw some children who also present when he questioned by the Village Chief in front of the gate.