Minutes later, Maximo was led to the basement, which, surprisingly, was a large training facility.

Despite being underground and without windows, it was well-ventilated, and Maximo saw many pieces of training equipment. He even saw a sparring ring in the middle. But what attracted him the most was a certain pillar on the side. It was covered with strange writings and had a black sign with a red 0 on it.

Just then, he saw a muscular man walk up to the pillar before punching it. Suddenly, the writings on the pillar flashed, and the number rose, reading 2,581.

"Hehe! 21 more than last month." The man grinned and left. Moments later, the number returned to 0.

"What is that?" Maximo pointed at the pillar.

"It is a power-measuring pillar. It roughly estimates your combat power after punching it. I am unsure about how it exactly works, but it is a good indicator of the raw power within your body." Kristin explained.

"What is the average for a regular person?" Maximo curiously asked.

"About 500 for a regular untrained adult, the G-rank standard, to 1,000 for a well-trained soldier, which is comparable to an F-Rank adventurer. 2,500 is the minimum for E-rank, the approximate level of a new knight. The warrior from before was an E-rank warrior on the bottom end." Kristin explained.

"Does the technique you use to punch it influence the result?" Maximo asked.

Kristin shook her head.

"It is about whether you seriously punched it or not. Technique doesn't influence it... which is also why there can be a significant difference between two individuals with the same combat power measurement. After all, one could be a mighty warrior, while the other could be a powerful magician, having completely different focuses. It could also belong to a noble scion who never trained in his life, only eating and passively training, having no technique or magic whatsoever, or in other words, trash." As the last words left her mouth, a look of clear disdain flashed in her eyes.

Maximo guessed that Kristin was more than just another pretty face.

"Then, what's your power measurement?" Maximo curiously asked.

Kristin smiled, didn't immediately answer, and pointed at the pillar.

"First, you will give it a try. Then, I will show you mine."

"Okay." Maximo nodded.

Walking to the pillar, Maximo took a punching stance.

"Remember, punch as hard as you can. Don't worry, it perfectly absorbs the impact, so your hand wouldn't hurt." Kristin reminded.

Taking a deep breath, Maximo bunched forward with a soft cry.

"Hya!"

Thud*

The writings on the pillar flashed again, and the number on the pillar changed before finally settling on 467.

"Oh! Very good!" Kristin's eyes lit up.

"But it is below even F-rank..." Maximo bitterly smiled.

"You are just 10 years old. Normal kids your age would only have 150 to 200 at most. That is to say, you are two and a half to three times better than your same-aged peers. Your Gift should also be a decent one." Kristin explained.

"Oh... Okay." Maximo nodded, feeling better.

"Now, let me show you mine." Kristin lightly smiled and walked to the pillar.

As she walked to the pillar, Maximo noticed that the surrounding voices quieted down. Everyone was looking, as if ready to see a show.

"Why are they like that? Is Kristin special?" Maximo wondered, and soon got his answer.

Maximo then saw Kristin getting into a punching position, and the air around her changed. From calm beauty, he had the sensation that she turned into a ferocious beast ready to pounce.

And then, she punched.

WOOSH*

BAM*

Maximo went slack-jawed as he looked at the rising number, which soon settled.

It read 23,659.

"Whoa..." Maximo uttered.

"Hm, not bad. 172 more than last month." Kristin nodded to herself.

"Erm... Miss Kristin, what rank does that number represent?" Maximo warily asked.

"5,000 is the minimum for D-rank, the level of a senior knight, 10,000 is for C-rank, the level of a veteran captain, and 25,000 is for B-rank, the level of a Royal Knight Captain. That is to say, I am a peak C-rank, comparable to an elite veteran knight, close to being a Royal Knight Captain. The Guild Master is a peak B-rank magician, by the way." Kristin explained.

"What about higher ranks?" Maximo curiously asked.

"Rascal, reach C-rank, and then start asking such questions." Kristin smiled. "Now, any more questions?"

"Just one... are you Gifted?" Maximo curiously asked.

Kristin nodded, but then shook her head.

"Not exactly. I was born to a knight's household at the start, but I didn't have a Gift until I luckily stumbled upon a natural treasure that awakened my Gift ten years ago. As for what my gift is... It is big sister's little secret~." Kristin said with a playful look.

"Did she just shamelessly call herself big sister? And it is obvious your gift is related to brute strength!" Maximo mentally retorted.

However, this also brought a new piece of information.

"So, anyone can awaken a gift if they get lucky? Does that mean I can potentially awaken a second one or upgrade my current one?" Maximo figured.

"Since you have no more questions, I will start evaluating you. Do you know what your gift is? Is it a strength type? Magic type? Or a special type? Or is it inconvenient to tell me?" Kristin inquired.

Maximo rubbed his head, trying to articulate his gift, and spoke.

"I think calling it a talent-increasing type?"

"Talent-increasing? No direct strength gain?" Kristin raised an eyebrow.

"It doesn't directly improve my strength, but it does improve my training speed and limit, I think," Maximo explained without giving exact details.

"Well, that doesn't really explain much. Is it an immediate effect? And talent in what?" Kristin inquired.

"It is gradual, taking days, months, even years... As for what... it is in everything." Maximo wryly smiled.

"Gradual? Everything?" Kristin had a bewildered look.

"Yes." Maximo nodded.

"That's a new one. Is the improvement speed related to absorbing crystals?" Kristin asked.

"Yes... But once the improvement is done, it is permanent." Maximo replied.

"Okay, I think I more or less understand. We will discuss a proper training plan later. For now, let's see what you can do. Start by making some laps." Kristin instructed.

An hour later, Maximo was already sweating and out of breath, and Kristin looked satisfied.

"Not bad, you have a good, well-balanced foundation, but you lack the training. We will mend that later. Now, for the last test..."

"There's more?" Maximo groaned, feeling exhausted.

"Don't worry, it's a simple thing. We will measure your magic aptitude." Kristin replied and motioned. "Let's go back to the Guild Master."

"Magic?!" Maximo's eyes shone in excitement.

Five minutes later-

Back in Ailmar's office, a crystal ball was prepared and placed on his desk, right in front of Maximo.

"Place your hand on it, and we will know whether you have magical affinity," Ailmar instructed.

Maximo hesitated for a moment before finally placing his hand on the crystal.

Suddenly, Maximo felt a weird sensation running across his body. And...

Nothing. The crystal didn't change.

"Ah... you have zero talent for magic." Kristin shook her head.

"Aw..." Maximo's shoulders slumped.

"Only 1 out of 10 has some magical affinity, so it isn't surprising, even with a gift," Ailmar said.

"Can magical affinity improve?" Maximo asked, eyes full of hope.

"You can train your magic, but affinity is something you are born with. But there are exceptions. One of which is to awaken a Gift, and another is to consume an elixir or natural treasure." Ailmar said.

Maximo frowned, thought for a moment, and asked.

"Then, can I have a technique for training magic?" Maximo sheepishly asked.

"You can get a rudimentary one, but why? You can't even train magic." Ailmar raised an eyebrow.

Kristin didn't speak, just looked at Maximo, letting him say it himself.

"Well..." Maximo hesitated for a moment before he explained his Gift in a way that was simple to understand.

After a few minutes, Ailmar nodded.

"Okay, I think I understand now. You likely have a Special-type Gift that improves the talent of things you would like to focus on, is that it?" Ailmar summarized.

"Yes. Pretty much." Maximo nodded.

"Okay, I can arrange it. But first, you need to sign an apprenticeship contract. And don't worry, we will waive your apprenticeship premium." Ailmar smiled.

"Erm... I barely know how to read and write..." Maximo warily said.

"We will read it to you. It is merely a formal agreement to abide by guild regulations and agree to the training terms and repayment for your training plan. By the time you are 18, you will already be a full adventurer." Ailmar explained.

"Okay," Maximo replied.

Ten minutes later, Maximo properly signed the contract.

"Good. For the next two years, we will teach you the fundamentals and provide you with crystals and beginner techniques. After that, you can start dungeneering with other trainees." Ailmar grinned, taking back the contract.

"Thank you, Sir!" Maximo smiled back.

And thus, Maximo's training days started...