Soon everyone in the family started preparations of their own. Ben started his studies. Malina was preparing for the breakthrough. John was arranging the funds. They did not want to take money from Ben. They decided to wade this on their own. Ben also did not push it because he knew his parents. He decided to act when it was time. He was sure that he would not need to act in his mother's case because it was ascending to the noble realm, which was rather easy. If it was not for the family responsibilities getting in the way she would have succeeded. This was the case with most people and the reason why early start is often considered good.
Ben also insisted that John start with the preparations for his ascendence as well. Relentless persistence from the side of Ben had effect with John also looking for options. Ben was happy about it.
Ben also asked his sister to start training lightly so that it will be helpful when the time came. He did not say much but just told her about the importance of training in martial journey and how early start will be helpful for her. Just the fact that she could explore big forest and how she could eat from the ' Barbos restaurant' was enough to entice her. He also added that if she was a beast master she could get a cute pet. This also added to the allure.
Ben did not neglect his studies or training. His days were often 18 hours long. It was occupied fully by studies and training. He was training to keep his body in top condition so that it would not become a hindrance when he started training in martial arts. He was training mostly at school. Although he could not the healing mechanism, the large space in school was good for training.
He trained in the martial arts from the 'Agastya Parvam', integrating it to the innate techniques he acquired: Aether Leap and Rush n' Ram. As he practiced, he developed a style that was unique to him combining these skills into a singular flow. He tried different combinations, different approaches, talked with Mahaansh about his approaches, taking corrections from him and occasional sparring here and there with Mahaansh.
On the theory subjects , Ben was doing ok. He completed the most the difficult subjects in 15 days barely. The others he started studying. They were some what easy and manageable. Many of them just involved memorizing certain stuff. The most difficult of them was Etiquette studies. He had to see a lot of videos, infer things from them along with studying the theory in the subject.
In between all these he found time to mingle with his class mates and friends. They saw on the working days at school. Ben looked he was free all the time, but he was actually really busy, which his 5 friends understood but others in the final year did not. All 5 of them sat together during breaks, cracking jokes, discussing mundane stuff and sometimes discussing future plans. When they do discuss, they all get reminded of their eminent separation. But they could not waste their time. There was always time to come together and do stuff. Roshin first suggested it.
They decided that after the military training for 2-5 years they would come together and start something together. It was the dream of a bunch of teenagers, but it was not like they were not allowed to dream.
Days went by like this. Ben's days had become hectic during the last few days before his first exam. He was meditating, training and studying. He did not have time to look at other matters. Like his mother's ascension towards noble rank. One day when he came for dinner all of them looking at him and smiling including Miraya. But he did not know why. That was when he sensed something. He exclaimed, " Mom, you are a martial noble now!!!!!" Malina answered , " Yes, I am. I ascended yesterday at my company's facility. It was smooth. No problems at all." " She also got a promotion" , John added. " Congratulations Mom" Ben said. The family spent their dinner happily.
After a while John also informed Ben that he was also using the opportunity to improve his powers. He purchased some meridian arts and martial arts that are in line with his line of work and his meridian seed. He said that he had saved some money, and he was going to use the opportunity to train to improve his realm. Ben was happy for both of them. Finally he could be freed from the guilt he had due to the stagnation of his parents' realms.
He had learned from Mahaansh that people often stagnated in their realms when family matters came. This was especially true for middle class families who often don't have much savings or political power. If the sole breadwinner or the strongest amongst them has an accident or worse, the children might suffer. Hence, many don't take the risk. The rich however are free from such constraints and will have countless failsafe. So their realms often increase. Mahaansh therefore implied that Ben should try to improve his powers during the period when he is basically free from various responsibilities. If not, he might also become stagnated.
Becoming a lord martial will guarantee a substantial income for several decades. Becoming a Martial Overlord or Duke will guarantee income for a century or more. Becoming a Monarch or an entity is like making generational wealth. This was also an allure combined with the various immunities that they have.
Soon the exam started. Ben put everything else away for the time being. He needed to secure good mark in these exams to get ahead on the score. If not the scholarship for the martial seed will be in jeopardy. Ben looked at the long term. He wanted to save up for his martial journey. And he disciplined himself to take one step at a time, with each step being stable, steady and firm. If he was going to write these exams , it was going to be with 100% preparation.
The subjects which was spread through was the etiquette studies. It had theory questions as well as practical tests. He had to got through multiple practical tests for the same subject. This was based on the first aid to be given, protocols and skills required for surviving in the wild and so on and so forth.
The difficult subjects, the ones with calculations were the ones he had trouble with. As a martial knight he was expected to answer practical questions which had real world relevance. This made the subjects more harder. Each mathematical problem came with a twist. Each question in physics was like answering some kind of hidden ancient cryptic message. Chemistry and biology and symbols all over them that Ben sometimes forgot. The other subjects were also full of application level questions, to the standards of a martial knight.
During the 30 days of the exam, Ben did not even get time to train his cultivation technique properly. He wanted to give the exam his whole. Finally his studies at the school came to an end after the grueling final 60 days.