Rise of the Omnimage

Everyone began to move to their respective lines in such a panic. Many still stunned with shock at the simple death of such a large creature. Even Sorin couldn't believe how easily and how quickly a man's life was ended. The amount of force required for that was unimaginable and Sorin had a taste of the new strength he was gaining. Even after his mental infusion he still couldn't follow that strike.

He moved quickly to his door lining up in the forming line with an overly large man stocky build but the size of a bear in patterned armor. The Sgt spoken about by the Captain

The rest of the group moved to the line and when what seemed like around 100 or so conscripts were in the line they were led out into a hall and down it for what seemed like miles until they turned to a large set of doors that opened into a large sand arena with another set of doors on the opposite side. All around them along the walls were wooden melee weapons, shields, and dummies. Marked off training areas that looked like for person on person battles. The line stopped and the soldiers began pushing them into a formation and telling them to stand up straight and look forward.

"My name is Sergeant Agron and this is the position and the formation you get into when we order you to fall to formation. You currently stand at attention. Around you...."

There were tons of smacks ringing out through the formation as Sorin guessed and saw through his heat sense that people got caught looking around.

"Is the location you will spend the next year of your miserable lives in. There are a few rules that will become your reality.

One! You will do as told, when told. Insubordination will be met with execution.

Two! There will be absolutely no intimacy between you disgusting creatures. You will be executed.

Three! After training each day you will use the bathing pond located through the doors leading to the sleeping area.

Four! If you break or displease us we will put a denial collar on you and send you to the salt mines to get some value from your flesh.

Now...let's begin."

The soldiers attending the sergeant spread around in a ring around the whole of the arena.

"Run laps ready, move!"

A few reacted quick enough and began running where indicated by the soldiers other needed...incentives which were in the form of hits by a flexible rod.

Sorin was surprised by the changes in his body. His stamina went so long. He didn't feel tired after even 5 laps which seemed like a half mile each. His breathing came somewhat sharper, yet he wasn't alone in the surprise. He didn't know how long they would run but they kept it up. 15 laps then 20 then 25. At the 30-lap mark Sorin was beginning to feel the burn and his breathing was coming quicker and they continued to run. At the 50th lap people began to lag and want to stop and when one tried to walk, they took a sharp crack from a rod held by the soldiers. Sorin heard her sharp cry, and she began to run again. As they continued to run the hits kept coming. The soldiers never hit the legs but targeted the arms and torso. Sorin even took hits as his legs and lungs burned. By the 70th lap the weaker minded of their number succumbed to their exhaustion and they received beatings and drug off to the center.

By the 80th lap the 20th of their number finally collapsed of exhaustion.

"HALT!"

Agron yelled out and the ones running stopped and doubled over heaving for breath save for those that Sorin could tell had paths designed for physical exertion. They were only slightly worn down and barely breathing fast. They were not doubled over like Sorin was. They were clearly divided into three groups based on their stamina and strength.

There were the big physical guys that in games would be warriors and tanks designed for lots of strength, toughness, and endurance. The second group Sorin would guess are going to be your quick types. These people were your physical damage per second guys like rouges and duelists. Extremely fast but stamina lacks a bit as does their defenses. They have a few hits from the rods. Last group were the group Sorin belonged to. The mages and non-physical classes. His group had the most lash marks on them. Some were black and blue.

"Those not in the middle of the arena, fall to formation!"

The group stumbled over to the location in front of Agron with "assistance" from the rod bearing soldiers.

They stood at attention and continued to breathe heavily as the sergeant began to speak.

"If you didn't notice, 20 of you are set aside. The weakest of you already whether weakness of flesh or mind they are not worthy of even to die in battle but will die in the salt mines."

As he spoke collars were produced and clicked into place around the necks of the conscripts. Some tried to fight though it was futile against the soldiers. The moment they clicked into place the conscripts began to writhe agony before going silent and pale. As they stood with tears, breathing heavy, and sniffles they were led off.

"Now you truly know the stakes you are playing at." Soldiers take them to wash and to rest. We begin again in marks."

They were led to what they called the washing pool where everyone was pushed to the edge to strip and hold their clothes in front of them. They went into the water and used their clothes to wash their bodies they scrubbed out their clothes using the sand on the bottom. They then were rinsed of sand and marched out of the water to the lines of cots where matching set of clothes was waiting. They were lined up on a cot and told to change quickly. Sorin quickly pulled his ring out and put it in his new trouser pocket being clever to keep it balled in his fist. He swapped the shoes and laid out his wet clothes. He turned and stood waiting for further instructions.

"Rest!" One of the soldiers called out and everyone rushed to their cot and laid down. Sorin secured his ring secretly in his pocket. He needed to find a new place for it because swapping it was too much of a risk and these cruel bastards wouldn't hesitate to use it against him or even steal it. The cot didn't have a blanket or pillow, but it was fine, he would get a straw and suck it up. As bad as this was it was survivable. He could use this to get stronger and hopefully learn about the combat system of this world to try to work toward getting home.

Before he fell asleep, he opened up the blinking notification he had received in the amphitheater.

Congratulations!

Skill Minor Fire sense upgraded to Fire Sense.

Based on the amount of aether pushed into the passive skill you can sense things further and away and adjust it.

Sorin closed his HUD and laid his head down. He had a way to improve and move forward. Ideas were already swirling in his head based off what he had seen from the system. "I think I can abuse this system and find my way home, but I have to be smart, or I will never get there." He thought.

He was going to embrace this new battle rhythm and train. He would break free and get home somehow. He would see Brit and Ky again come hell or high water in this life or the next.