(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117: What it takes to be a Field Guide

"Alright everyone. I hope you are ready. Gather round." Kellen barked, and the Guides moved closer to Kellen, even if they appeared uncomfortable. Once everyone was close in, Kellen began.

"We know that some of you have an idea about what Field Guides are. We are, in some ways, emergency rations when inside of a gate. At least, that is what most of the outside world, and new Espers view us as. But, we are more than that.

We are informational booklets themselves. We are healers in a pinch, tour guides of an extreme ’adventure park’, and yes, in some cases, rations themselves. It is our duty to have more knowledge than everyone else that enters the gates. Sometimes, that includes other Guides, but it definitely includes Espers.

We need to know what is safe, venomous, poisonous, any dangerous areas to look out for, what type of monsters roam certain areas, details about those monsters, what flora grow in the area, what type of gate, etc. There have been times when knowing the breeding period of certain monsters can be the difference between you making it out of the gate alive, or in a body bag.

Some of this can be learned through books, and we will do our best to depart as much information as possible, but most of this is learned through experience. As a Guild, our mission is to go to the front lines and close gates, which means we have access to as many gates as we need to make you lot good Field Guides.

My job is to take all of the base knowledge you have as regular Guides and turn you into spectacular Field Guides. I have seven years of active experience. Most Field Guides last 2 years, and then they retire. That is fine. If you last two years going in and out of gates, wear that with honour.

But keep some things in mind. You are a Guide in the truest sense as a Field Guide. With all of the information and physical prowess we are going to drill into you, your job is to make sure everyone you brought into the gate, makes it back out alive. Injured? No big deal. Potentially missing a limb? Healers are outside waiting for a reason. As long as they make it out alive, you’re golden. But if they don’t make it out alive? You better have a damn good reason why someone didn’t make it out.

Which takes us to why it is so important to be physically fit. I do not care what size you are. That has never been a concern of mine, and never will. My biggest focus while you are my students is to make sure you can get yourself, and others, out of a dangerous situation. Sometimes, that’s a few seconds of effort, and other times, it is several minutes to hours. You will need to have stamina, you will need to have guts. We are going to push you to your limits, and further. You will need to know how deep your powers go. What are your true limits? Because that will be the difference between life and death for you. There is a saying that goes around the front lines. Brent?" Kellen turned to Brent, who nodded.

"An untrained Guide is dead weight, and dead weight gets left behind." Kellen nodded.

"We are here to make sure you are not dead weight. As I said, our job is to teach you how to survive on the front lines, and how to keep others alive as well. We’re going to put you through your paces today because we need to know what we’re starting with. As Guides, we are expected to have a good memory, but that’s about it. For now, split into two groups and Guide Jameson and I will lead you in some warm up stretches before we run you into the ground." Kellen told them with a slightly menacing grin. He watched as a couple of them swallowed.

Bree and the two Guides who had witnessed what Kellen had done stayed together and were insistent that they had Kellen as their instructor. Kellen had no idea why, since it was obvious that he scared them. But, he followed their wishes and motioned for more to join his group. He made sure that he had more in his group than Brent. So, Kellen ended up with about 8 wannabe Field Guides in his group, while Brent had 4.

Brent was clearly grateful for the smaller group, blowing Kellen a kiss much to Kellen’s exasperation. Brent was right. He had never truly trained anyone, but Kellen knew he had the makings to be a good teacher, he just needed experience. But, Brent had still used a lot of his own powers in the last 2 hours, and Kellen wanted to give him some time to gather himself.

Plus, Kellen had the training experience. He’d trained several dumb, idiot Guides on the front lines. Hell, he’d trained Brent, and he turned out just fine. He’d already lasted 3 years. That was a good track record.

Once the groups were sorted, Kellen watched as everyone relaxed as they started normal, average stretches. It made Kellen smile that they thought he was going to put them through something insane, even as a warm up. That being said, Kellen could tell he was going to need to send them to the medical bay once this was over.

This was going to be awful for them. They were far below what he had anticipated for fitness level, especially from people who wanted to become Field Guides. This was going to be a rough day all around.

Brent and Kellen moved them towards the obstacle course with the students in tow after the stretches were done. They were clearly interested, but also weary of it. Kellen could understand why. They were regular Guides, anything was scary.