On the day of my training under Selyne, she taught me the tongue of her language. Including grammar, and all of the basics that anyone can be taught. Once I understood and spoke the language of an art god, it was time for my body and mind to be worked on.

During the mornings Selyne instructed me to run around the mansion until she ordered me to stop. Not only would I need to run, I was also told to build my strength up. Giving me weight guards on both my arm and legs I was tasked with cleaning the entire manor floor. However, the worst part is needing to clean the walls outside. I was required to jump as high as I can while dusting the walls.

In the afternoons I would be given a meal, but under the guise that I read books while balancing many other books on top of my head. If I were to slack off she would poke me with a stick or a ruler. After eating I would need to cut bushes in the garden filled with traps.

In the evenings I would be tasked with painting a portrait of her servants. This was probably the most relaxing task that came to my mind. However, for each day that passes I was expected to finish each portrait of the entire household within a short amount of time.

On the nights I would just be dead asleep on the bed. Too exhausted to eat mentally and physically. Although I would have to force myself to eat. Soon after I would be forced awake to do exercises. At this point I would feel dead inside, like the bowels of my soul just escaping from me, but it would be brought back inside at the very last moment when it could see the light. When I couldn't move anymore, I was moved to my bed.

Waking up I find myself feeling refreshed like I could do it again. Nevertheless, I would come to realize that this sort of task is arduous and painstaking.

Oblivious with the nonstop routine, I did not see any improvements whatsoever. Blinded by the repetition I did not know if I was making satisfactory results, as I am not seeing Selyne frequently as I used to. Usually it would be her servants tending to me, or I would be left to my own devices. Time went by quickly because I stopped counting by the 36th day.

On the 100th day, I looked in the mirror and saw that my muscles are more bulky as they used to be than when I was scrawny. The morning routine became a breeze for me, I could jump higher than when I first started, multi tasking was second nature to me as I focused on more tasks without losing concentration, during my meals. I could evade new sets of traps easily through analysis, while cutting the bushes in style from the gardens. I was even able to paint all 148 of her servants each within a five minute window.

This hundredth day I would finally get to meet Selyne once again. Alas this would be a short reunion. When she gifted me a sword she brought me to a place filled with many people inside.

“Get ready, it's time. For the final trials.” Selyne gave a serious look at me.

I had no words to say to her it seemed as though she was leaving me behind.

Entering the door, I noticed that she did not enter the door. As the door slowly closed I could see that Selyne was cheering me on. I could tell she was wishing me luck from the small glimpses of a smile.

Many presumably participants were present, forming in a line I assumed that I would need to do so as well.

A few minutes passed and I could see a trial proctor. They would ask each individual to identify themselves.

Halfway through it was almost my turn. A proctor came to my position, as he was walking towards me. He examined me, and told me to identify myself.

“M-Moki. My name's Moki.”

“And?” Was there something else I needed to say? Uhh I can’t recall.

“...” I didn’t know how to respond…

“Your house name idiot! Give me your house name.”

“Oh...it’s, Selyne Phantysillia!”

“Excellent. You're all set, please find a place to rest, while the exams are preparing.”

Uh he says that like I know what’s going on.

“Well, excuse me this is my first time here. Where exactly would I need to go while waiting?”

“Aah, my deepest apologies, I am quite busy as you can see. Feel free to lounge about anywhere, the exams won't be starting anytime soon.”

That’s not helpful at all…it's something I guess?

Walking around the plaza, I began to feel something in my garment. Checking the pocket of my undergarment I felt a piece of paper in the pocket.

Upon inspection it says to unfold the paper. Bringing it out an instrumental note like character fell off from the paper onto my ear. Hearing a similar voice through the note I was amazed I could hear it.

“Hello? Moki? Can you hear me?” Ah that must be Selyne.

“Yes I can hear you Selyne!?!”

Shockingly I was able to voice my message through.

“That’s good. Where are you currently.”

“Umm I don’t know, this place seems like a plaza.””

“If you are in a crowded place, go somewhere less crowded. I have further things to discuss with you.”

I go to an area filled with less crowds, and await for her response.

“Found a place yet? Good.”

“As you know, we have not been in contact for long. The reasons are because I needed to make an accommodation specifically for you. I needed to teach you something I had no time for.”

“After this message is over the note will send pathways to your visual receptors.” wait is she saying that I have been listening to a recording? Some perfect timing she did, curious as to how she did it.

“For the past one hundred days you have tempered your mind and your body. Well done. Although your training is not complete, during the trials you will witness skills that potentially everyone possesses, and those who possess abilities unlike any other.”

Then how do you expect me to undergo the trial, if all i have been doing is strength training?

The note gave me a second vision of Selynes recording. “Hold your horses, before you complain. There is one thing I would like you to keep in mind. Personally if we had more time, you would be more suited for combat. Which is why I want you to understand how to utilize ink cells. It should make surviving in the combat exams possible.”

“Watch carefully.” Selyne made strokes with her sword in the air, out came black waves.

When the wave disappeared, I could see the strokes she made were a drawing of me. And yet this second me could move independently.

“See this other you over here? It may look like you but it is not the exact replica. But it can be used as a way to attack. Note how this doppelganger can attack and interact with anything. Also note that you can telepathically communicate with a drawn Doppelganger.”

A demonstration of a dummy was shown getting obliterated, and cleaned up by my own doppelganger. This could be useful.

“Wait, there are more things you can do with ink cells, other than bringing drawings to life.” Selyne then began to draw so many things. A rose on a pot. Little critters of animals. And other objects that i could not recall, as she made a quick stroke which brought flames obliterating anything. Including my own clone.

“Noo!!!” I thought to myself, as I saw my doppelganger disintegrating in flames.

“As you just witnessed, ink cells can not only bring drawn objects to life, it can be a way to attack as well.” The flames died out after disintegrating everything drawn by her.

“Now, when it comes to attacking with ink cells, you need to imagine the shape you want to summon with the ink cells. The ink cells are affected by the user's mind. Meaning that there are potentially unlimited amounts of ways to attack other than the limitations of the person's imagination.”

I am a little confused about how to attack with ink cells, but I should get the hang of it with a little practice.

“Moki, please take a look at the sheath of your sword.”

Looking at it the sword was embroidered with a gemlike emblem. Upon inspecting it Selyne would answer my curiosity.

“That gem you see, is an item that draws in ink cells to the sword when pulled out. Go ahead and try it out”

Pulling out the sword I can see that some particles are oozing out of the blade. It's a little weird drawing with a sword, but I make an effort in drawing something.

“Well done in using ink cells for the first time.” I drew a banana, hoping to get a snack by the way.’

Hehe, smart aren't I? “Oh I wouldn't recommend eating that banana.” Not heeding the warnings of the recorded Selyne I took a bite anyway.

When I bit into the banana, all I could taste was sludge and the unpleasant toxicity. “Blehhh” I vomited a puddle out through my mouth.

The projected Selyne just gave me an annoyed look , “As I was saying, try not to ingest ink cells. They aren't compatible taste buds for non Art gods. If you are hungry go to the dining hall and eat your fill. The exams won’t start until tomorrow.”

I-I would have liked that information from the start rather than a warning.

“This recorded message will now end. Over” The note tightened onto my ear.

Understanding what I needed to do while waiting, I went to the dining hall and dug in. This is free, right?...

Chapter 11 End