For the next few months, their routine continued.
All six boys started training inside the training hall at the masters' training grounds. After the initial week, the set of stretching movements no longer caused them difficulty or pain. As Williams had predicted, they began looking sturdier, more flexible, and their appetites increased twofold.
Alan and Williams joined the boys in their training. The four worked on the moves demonstrated by Alan and Williams, while the two honed their own skills. Every day, Alan and Williams sparred with each other while the other four observed them. Initially, they did so in awe. Gradually, they started noticing subtle variations the boys used compared to normal combat and weapon skills and movements.
After their training, they started discussing not only combat but also healing, music, painting, and other topics. Dave was well-versed in trading and economics, so they delved into that subject as well. Although everyone wasn't skilled in every area, their involvement was nevertheless at its fullest. They eagerly tried to learn new things from Alan and Williams, which, in turn, made them excel in their academic year.
Every evening, before commencing their training, the boys visited the stables. Ben, Bob, Dave, and Chris were initially in awe of the two majestic horses Al and Wil had. The name "Trouble Maker " intrigued them. But after seeing the behavior of horse with Alan they though, it was an apt name. Gradually, as time passed, the four of them started going to the stable every day with Alan and Williams, began assisting the two in taking care of their horses.
All the boys also regularly sent letters to their families. These communications helped them stay connected with the current happenings in their town.
By the end of the third month, Williams developed an interest in musical instruments, calligraphy, and pottery. Alan, influenced by Stan's guidance, also took up pottery.
Following Stan's advice, they abstained from the healing section for their studies that year. The first year at the Academy concluded without them realizing it.
In midst of all these Alan and his friends celebrated Williams birthday. Who felt touched by their gesture.
Alan and Williams even practiced controlling and improving their Mana flow. Headmaste Stan also guided them on a regular basis, making Alan have perfect control over his Mana flow.
He even started to use his Mana effortlessly in his multiple affinities. Williams on the other hand also started to control his Mana movement inside his body. As the headmasted predicted he had invoked boost ability but unlike the prediction, Williams was able to use both boost his power and his speed at the same time. When activated together however the Mana drain he felt was huge. So Williams started working on increasing his Mana pool.
Over time, the boys gradually opened up to each other, revealing the challenges they faced. Alan and Williams discovered that all four were dealing with either family or financial issues.
Ben had lost his mother a couple of year ago. His Father running an Inn was facing a financial crisis. After Investing all the gold he had earned and even after borrowing the money from others, he was unable to stabilize the functionality of the Inn and it was failing badly.
Bob's father was a decent earning Adventurer but had to spend all of it on his wife's deteriorating health, which arraised a couple of years ago. His father was not in a position to either get retired from the Adventurer's life which will put a stopper to his family income nor to leave his unwell wife to go out and take any high paying jobs.
Dave was from a wealthy merchant family but was having a family issue. His mother died when he was 2 years, forcing his father to get remarried in hopes of providing motherly care for Dave. Things were going smoothly until his half-brother was born. Even though he was never treated badly by his stepmother, he was never loved like a son after that point. He was feeling like a guest in his own house. All the attention, love and care showered towards his half brother, whome he also loved. As he grew older, the bond between brothers grew stronger and he realized, till he was around, his brother could not inherit his father's wealth, which could even cause family strife in future. So he decided to either build his own life or support his brother from a distance.
Chris was already leading a hard life with no family who can care for him nor Gold to help him in his future endeavors.