52 A Year of Hell and Heaven

A year has passed since his subordinates arrived and settled down in Claiomh Solais. A week after settling down, Clay brought all of them to the Training Area. The Roman Colosseum look-alike stood proud close to the center of the City. Isaac had already been training for almost a month and this proved to be his advantage and an unexpected motivation for his other three subordinates. Caltec, Jon and Mor seemed to have their backs lit on fire as they competed between themselves who would improve most in training. Isaac showed a smug expression when they were all introduced to each other. Unfortunately for him, Clay had yet to make a contract with him effectively making him one of his people. So, his smug face was replaced with a despondent look when the three of them summoned their own contracts and shoved them to his face. With a look of indignation and pleading, Isaac also looked towards Clay expecting him to also make a contract.

At that time, Clay had yet to evaluate Isaac as someone he could actually use in the long run, however, he reckoned that if Isaac were to fully control his own leakage of Magic energy, then perhaps Clay would be able to analyze how the Spirit Magic signatures coming from Isaac are coming from. Although, from his initial analysis, Isaac's spirit energy is from the Spirit King called Frost but connecting to that spirit king may prove to be a challenge. So, he sought out other ways to make a contact with spirits and he succeeded when he analyzed Isaac's spirit signature and traced it back to its origins. The way to do this was to grab Isaac, invade his own mana storage and find a link to the spirit energy signature. When Clay grabbed a hold of that spiritual energy signature, he was able to trace the origin back and saw the surprised look on the Spirit King, Frost. It was not only the spirit king who was surprised but also Clay, which made him somehow lose concentration and let go; disconnecting the line. After that first encounter, Clay did not try again, as Isaac may come to danger if he tried that again.

In the end, Clay did make a contract with Isaac to be one of his subordinates. He personally told Isaac to be the mayor of the City, taking care of it to his utmost.

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Of course, his gain for this, was if he were to incorporate Haki in his already formidable body, it would develop into a weapon that can be used however he wished to. Toughness was not a problem and sharpness can be honed through Haki, there would be nothing that could hinder him except the truly tougher than him.

Without any other progress from then, Clay made it his daily routine for a year to train his subordinates personally. He gave Caltec, Jon, and Mor the same load as Isaac had and witnessed their faces pale and their veins bulging out of pure pain. Just like Isaac, he also healed them at the right time and never let them rest. Of course, Isaac was not exempted from this. He was also lining up with them.

"Isaac, you should also tell them the important points I told you about this training. I'll leave these here while you guys train your bodies first. I'll be back after a week. You don't need to rest to sleep or eat. Just drink the potions at specific times and you'll live to see your families again." Clay told them with a serious face. It was not a joke to train like this. If they made a mistake, they could very well die in a moment.

Leaving them behind, Clay turned towards those people behind them looking quietly towards the 4 people who were being tortured, in the name of training. Clay announced: "Those of you who know how to take care of herbs and plants, move to the right side." And the people were divided. Most of the farmers from Caltec's family stepped towards the right just as Clay had ordered. Then, "Those who know their magic affinity, stay at your side, but move forward. More than half of yet again from the farmers group stepped forward and from the left side almost all of them except the children below 12 also stepped up. They had the same number of children.

"Those who know how to take care of herbs and plants will from now on become alchemists. Those who know what their magic affinity is, should learn magic from me after I instruct the alchemists. The children are required to attend the Primary Education program Isaac and I set up in the evenings so that they can learn how to read and write by the time they graduate." Clay made his voice clearer and firmer as he spoke. The families in front of him had looks of admiration but also fear plastered on their faces. But Clay did not mind this. It was better that they fear him now, than later when there's no place for regret.

"Alchemists, go to the botanical garden a kilometer away from this Training Area, to arrive at the Botanical Garden, you only have to follow the scent of flowers. When you arrive there, I will also get to you. Now, those who know your own affinity, divide yourselves into your corresponding affinity. Fire to Fire, Water to Water and Wind to Wind and so on! Once done, as a group shout your affinity. Proceed!"

Clay's instructions were clear, and they followed without much mistakes. It was the fear and awe and respect that gave them this much trust in him.