Outcast

Stepping into the opening after Gorm explained to Valoris that the Crimson Flame Tribe had 2 body refining methods that increased vitality and defense.

One was called " 1000 Hammer Refinement" by which you would have to have your body be beaten and bones were broken then soak in certain herbs that would promote healing. The healed body and bones would come out much stronger than before after having all the impurities forced out and then having the body put back together.

And continue this method breaking more, and more of your body and healing it each time until you are near indestructible and your vitality near unkillable. The other was a set of forms that the beast had to practice. These forms are called " Demons Enduring Determination"

They are extremely taxing on the body and forced out the potential hidden within their bodies. Completing one set in one go would make your body go through hellish pain as your body's potential would be forced out and your body's vitality and defense would be increased substantially.

After that, as you are able to complete more and more sets your body would be even stronger until you gained the body of an Undying Demon.

"I will choose to learn both methods. Please instruct me on what I need to do?" asked Valoris.

" Why am I not surprised. I practice " Demons Enduring Determination" and will show you the forms of it. I will go through one set slowly so you can watch so pay attention."

"Yes sir," said Valoris as he watches Gorm go through 12 moves slowly. After watching him go through this a few times Valoris began the first form. As soon as he got into the correct stance of the first form he felt the incredible strain on his body.

According to Gorm, one must stay in each form at least 2 minutes to complete a set. however, there was also another school of thought that the longer one could stay in each form the greater the benefit one would get when completing the set.

Face snarling, Valoris waited until Gorm told him to move to the next form as the strain slowly built up.

"Time, next form, You will notice that the strain will go back to how it was at the beginning of the first form. Each time you start a new form the strain on your body will be the same.

However, the strain will build up quicker each set. The reason for this was by an elder who improved the original version. The original version increased the strain at the beginning of each set and caused countless internal injuries.

The elder had a theory that by allowing your body to build up to the higher levels it gave it time to adjust and would cause fewer injuries. He has been proven right as very rarely is anyone injured permanently using these forms. Next form!"

As Valoris listened to Gorm's explanation on the history of "Demons Enduring Determination" he felt deep-seated tiredness as if all of his body's energy was s.u.c.k.e.d out.

"NO! I will complete this form. To gain benefits from this set of forms I must ENDURE!" thought Valoris as he used nothing but determination to finish the 3rd set before collapsing on the ground.

As he did he suddenly felt as if every part of his body was brimming with life. Every breath he took felt as if his body was rejoicing with happiness. While no visible change happened to his body if one was to test Valoris's body's defense and vitality they would find that it had increased 30 percent.

Feeling much better Valoris stood up and asked Gorm if they could try "1000 Hammer Refinement". Gorm agreed to say he had assisted multiple students in this taking him over to a corner of the area that had metal chains and straps connected to the ground.

After telling Valoris to lay down there Gorm began to tie Valoris up making sure he could not move at all.

"This is so you don't thrash around while your body is being broken. I have to warn you once started I will not stop until I have finished the 1st hammer refinement. Otherwise, I could cripple you.

This will hurt like nothing else so I recommend you prepare yourself" explained Gorm while pulling a large blacksmithing hammer off the wall that had a beautifully colored black and purple head.

"I understand please begin." said Valoris as he thought " I must get stronger. Strong enough to get show the Bloodyfang that they were wrong! so I must endure. Endure it so that even if dragons stand in my way I can throw them down!".

..BAM

...BAM

....BAM

As he brought the Refinement Hammer down on this young kobold breaking bones and damaging organs Gorm was deeply impressed. Normally by now, the student would be crying begging them to stop pleading with them.

This is why only certain teachers in the Crimson Flame tribe were allowed to assist in Refining student's bodies. Over the years there were many teachers who could not take the students pitiful cries and stopped before completing a refinement crippling the student for life.

"ENDURE, ENDURE, I MUST ENDURE. I WAS BORN WEAKER THEN EVERYONE SO I MUST ENDURE MORE THEN EVERYONE COMBINED IF I WANT TO BECOME UNSTOPPABLE" a mantra repeated through Valoris's mind.

He repeated this over and over until finally, it was over. Quickly take him out of the restraints Gorm picked up Valoris's broken body and carried him over to a large hot spring. Placing him in the hot spring Gorm told him to also swallow some of the water as this hot spring had natural healing qualities and it would help fix his internal injuries.

Doing so Valoris felt his body being rebuilt sturdier and with a life force many times stronger than before. His scales and skin underneath felt thicker and much more tougher. After soaking for an hour or so Valoris came out of the hot spring marveling at how much a single session had changed his body. seeing these results he was reaffirmed on choosing to study Body Refinement first.

"I'm sure you are very excited about how much you have, however you should know the first time someone refines their body is when they see the biggest improvement. Every time after that, you will see less and less improvement until it no longer seems effective," remarked Gorm before saying

"Come I will take you to meet some of the other students and the tribe's teachers. And we will visit the other training areas. While your main focus will be on Body Refinement. You cannot do multiple Refinements so close together. This can cause your body irreparable damage and limit your potential.

No more then 2 refinements a day is allowed understood?"

"Yes Teacher," said Valoris while following Gorm out of the Body Refinement Training Area. As he leaves, he smiles wistfully, while thinking.

"Snake, I made it. Just like we talked about, a new home where we can get stronger. I hope you made it out"