What the party agreed on first, was the new shares between them.
Osric; 40%
William; 25%
Paul; 5%
Jayson; 15%
Garrick; 15%
No one complained and Garrick was also fine with his share, despite being more experienced and skilled than most.
Other than that, they mostly talked about what each of them would do next.
William would continue on working with Richard.
Paul would keep studying monster theory.
Jayson would keep training with Franklin and soon start adding swordsmanship training.
Osric wasn't sure what to order Garrick to do, since he couldn't pay much attention to him yet. He still had to do things at the arena.
But Garrick gave a solution himself.
"I plan to just follow you everywhere you go from now on."
Osric was a little perplexed.
"What do you mean?"
"I have nothing better to do. And I decided to follow you, so why not do it literally?"
"I'm curious about the way you spend your time. And if you continue doing what you have and keep building your reputation, you'll eventually make enemies. It wouldn't hurt to have someone with you at all times."
Osric considered it.
'He's right. Whether I like it or not, I will only make more enemies the more I grow. It's already happened with Elliot and his party, and after that was the gang that messed with Jayson.'
His eyes focused on Garrick.
'He's capable and I believe he can also become reliable.'
"Fine. You can follow me."
"But before we all go our separate ways. Let's do some bonding as a party besides talking." Osric said with a faintly devious smile.
William understood immediately and gulped down saliva. 'Shit.'
Paul and Jayson weren't sure—
And Garrick quickly caught on.
"Haha, sounds fun!" Garrick said loudly.
Osric stood up from the table and walked to the back of the hall.
"Follow me."
They followed him out to the training ground and coincidentally, Franklin was already there. He was waiting for Jayson.
"What's this? Everyone came today? And it seems you've found yourself a new member."
It only took a quick glance at Garrick's body for Franklin to recognize his strength.
'Not bad. Clearly well trained and hardened with experience.'
"Franklin. This is Garrick. Our new member and a D-Rank mercenary. He'll have to get his adventurer badge after this. I thought it would be a good idea to have all our members train and spar together for once." Osric told Franklin.
Franklin smiled.
"That's a very good idea."
He also shook hands with Garrick before calling for Jayson.
"Jayson. You will train separately from them. But you should still observe them closely. Follow me."
"Yes sir."
Jayson was slightly disappointed but he understood.
Garrick was unusually quiet right now.
His eyes were still focused on Franklin.
'So that's one of the 2-Star knights in Ashbrook. I can definitely feel his incredible power.'
Despite being only a year older than Franklin, they looked a decade apart in age.
'Being a knight and having mana really is something else. Reminds me of that fucker, but stronger and more purposeful.'
Osric interrupted his thoughts.
"Alright, William and Garrick. Pick up some practice weapons. Paul, I know this might not seem useful to you, but I want you to stay and understand us better by observing how we fight."
"I don't mind." Paul replied.
Meanwhile, Jayson had started his physical training with Franklin's guidance at the other end of the yard.
"William. Stay to the side for now. I will spar Garrick first. I haven't experienced his combat power outside of the arena without weapons."
Garrick chuckled. "That's right kid. This won't end the same way. I definitely won't lose this time, but show me what you got."
Osric knew that he wasn't bluffing. His body shifted into a more natural and guarded stance. His focus intensified greatly.
'This isn't the arena.'
'I can't let my guard down. Garrick has been a mercenary for many years. Wielding weaponry is his territory.'
Garrick firmly gripped his wooden spear and moved into position as well.
'This will be fun.'
Osric moved first.
No hesitation.
He stepped in—
Fast.
Direct.
The same kind of entry that had broken through Riven's defense the night before.
Garrick didn't move much.
He didn't need to.
The wooden spear shifted—
Just slightly.
And stopped Osric before he could even reach him.
Not a strike.
Not a clash.
Just—
Denied.
Osric stepped back immediately.
Reset.
No frustration.
Just focus.
'…Too early.'
He adjusted his angle.
Came in again—
Different approach.
Lower.
Faster.
The spear was already there.
Same result.
No progress.
The tip hovered just short of his chest.
Close enough that another step forward would've meant getting hit clean.
A murmur spread behind them.
"…He can't even get close."
Osric circled.
Light on his feet.
Searching.
Garrick turned with him.
Slow.
Relaxed.
Always facing him.
Always ready.
No wasted motion.
Osric stepped in a third time—
More committed.
Trying to break through the timing.
The spear moved again.
Cleaner this time.
Sharper.
It tapped against his shoulder—
Not hard.
But perfectly placed.
His momentum died instantly.
Again.
Osric stepped back.
Further this time.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'…This isn't the arena.'
He shifted his stance.
Lower.
More careful.
But the feeling remained.
Every step forward—
Every attempt—
Was being read before it even happened.
Across from him—
Garrick smiled faintly.
Like he had been waiting for this.
"Different, isn't it?"
Osric didn't answer.
But for the first time—
He didn't move right away.
He just stood there.
Watching.
Measuring.
Reconsidering.
'…I can't even reach him.'