Nodding again in understanding, Aramaki patted him on the chest and released his son, after which Bill said goodbye and jumped off the ship's deck.
He didn't go down to the dock but headed straight to the second floor of the base.
The plan was to recruit Sasha first, because he was confident that Ricky would follow him then.
Convincing Rance and Fia would be more difficult, at least materially. Bill had learned that Rance was promoted to commander just a few months ago and was now in line to receive his own ship.
As for Fia, the situation could vary. She had eight years left on her current contract, but like Rance, she had excelled in her roles, achieving the rank of lieutenant in just two years, which was impressive.
Thinking about this, he headed to Captain Zima's residence on the second floor of the fortress and knocked. Sasha's mother answered the door.
After greeting her, Bill asked where Sasha was, and he was told that she and Ricky had gone to the MTT building several hours ago, but she understood that they wouldn't be back until dinner.
Bill thanked Mrs. Zima and headed to the familiar building where he had once learned about the Six Powers and much more in this world.
The MTT building was a fully functional training center. It housed weights up to 5000 kg, a shooting range, heavy ropes, boxing rings, a medical facility, and a fighting arena large enough for most giants.
Despite all this, the building didn't seem as big as he remembered when he stepped inside and looked around.
Maybe it was because he had seen Sea Kings the size of a kilometer or fought giant octopuses, but instead of marveling, Bill simply headed towards his target, which he easily found in the combat arena.
When no fights were being held there, the arena was a favored spot for swordsmen. Seeing Sasha and Ricky practicing with their swords on the spacious arena, Bill didn't call out to them but instead quietly observed from the side.
Ricky was creating a small whirlwind, darting back and forth between thirty mannequins set up on the arena. He ran among them with his eyes closed, barely grazing them with his swords. To the untrained eye, his sheer speed would be astonishing, but what impressed Bill the most was how Ricky moved at the very moment his swords made contact with anything.
Ricky was not yet able to summon lightning with his blades, but he had fully mastered the Tempest Arts and Wave Step.
Sasha, on the other hand, moved like a tortoise, executing various four- and eight-point strikes. Bill realized that she was practicing Polyhedral Arts, which involved striking at the angles of geometric figures.
With 500-kilogram weights on both arms, she traced a strike in the shape of an "X," and then a much more complex star-shaped strike. Using a combination of strikes, the intersection point always crossed more than once, and with each crossing, the power doubled.
This was the true technique of the Polyhedral Arts.
Watching them for several minutes, Bill waited for them to finish their exercises before shouting:
"You've improved significantly!"
They both turned their heads at the same time, and Sasha spoke first: "Oh, Bill? I didn't expect to see you today." Then, grinning, she added, "Have you come to admit that swords are better than fists?"
Saying this, she sheathed her long sword and, despite being weighed down by 500-kilogram weights, casually approached him.
Ricky wasn't far behind, but instead of saying something to Bill, he joked, "He's even started using hammers!" he said with a smile.
Bill didn't argue because it was true that he had begun to appreciate the finer aspects of the battle hammer.
After all, it was a fearsome weapon. A sword can kill a man, but a hammer will leave him alive, yet in agony. People usually don't think they'll die, but anyone can imagine what it's like to live with the aftermath of a hammer blow.
Nevertheless, he didn't justify his new fondness for this weapon and instead laughed along with them as they approached him.
They formed a circle and began a conversation where Ricky talked about the intricacies of the Wave Step.
After some time, Bill moved to the reason for his visit and asked them to talk somewhere more private.
They agreed without hesitation, and they moved to the side of the arena to sit in the stands.
When Sasha removed her weights and sat down, Bill got straight to the point: "Listen, you know how I told you yesterday that I became the Captain of the Scientific Division?"
Pausing for a moment, he continued as they nodded: "Well, you see, Captains in the Scientific Division are more like... umm... department heads. When I became Captain, I was appointed as the head of the Purchasing department."
Ensuring they were following his words, he went on.
"But for financial reasons, despite the existence of a commission, this role has never been filled. Now I have a commission, but I'm also the only employee in this department."
After finishing his explanation, Sasha and Ricky exchanged glances before Ricky, with a light laugh, said, "So you've become the head of a non-existent department in the Scientific Division?"