The first morning of training, Lucien stepped onto the field behind the house. The grass was damp with morning dew, and the sun shone warmly, but the beauty of the world could not calm his racing heart. Today, everything would change.
Alaric: Lucien, the first lesson is endurance. We begin with basic exercises. Push-ups, squats, running laps. You must push your body beyond what it thinks it can handle.
Lucien nodded, remembering his past life. I've trained before. I've pushed myself to stop my classmates from bullying me. I can do this.
He dropped into a push-up stance, and his father joined him, counting each repetition. Squats, sit-ups, and running laps followed. Every movement pushed Lucien past the limits of pain, but he remembered the promise he had made to his parents: to protect them no matter what.
By midday, sweat soaked his clothes. His arms trembled, and his legs ached. For the first time, he thought about giving up.
Lucien: Maybe I can't do this… maybe I'm not strong enough.
Alaric noticed his hesitation but said nothing. He had been watching his son carefully.
Alaric: Remember, Lucien, strength comes from persistence. Pain is temporary. The mind is your weapon. Do not quit.
With a deep breath, Lucien forced himself to stand. He continued, pushing harder than ever before, repeating each movement until his body ached more than it ever had. That night, even after the sun had set, he trained quietly in his room. He repeated the techniques he had learned, over and over, building muscle memory.
Weeks turned into months, months into years.
Each day, Alaric introduced new techniques. Lucien learned the basic forms of the martial arts ranks:
Novice: Basic strikes, stances, and footwork
Apprentice: Defensive blocks, counters, and precision attacks
Adept: Paired training, combination strikes, and endurance drills
Warrior: Advanced maneuvers, reaction training, and agility exercises
Elite: Sparring with masters, multiple opponents, and tactical decision-making
Master: Full mastery of all techniques, internal strength, and body control
Lucien's favorite days were when he trained alongside his father. They practiced paired drills, learning timing, distance, and coordination. Alaric would correct his stance, demonstrate new sword strikes, and push him to match his strength. Lucien absorbed everything faster than his father expected.
Alaric: You're growing faster than I thought, Lucien. Your body adapts quicker than most children your age. This is remarkable.
Lucien remembered his past life vividly. Even though he had been reborn, his body retained some lessons. Years of training to defend himself, building strength with push-ups, running, sit-ups, and lifting weights, had given him a foundation. Now, in this new world, every lesson he learned amplified his growth.
By the time Lucien was six, his body reflected three years of relentless training. His muscles were defined, and a faint six-pack had begun to show. He could execute nearly every martial arts technique taught to Novice through Elite rank. Even paired drills with his father felt natural.
His Sixth Birthday
The morning of his sixth birthday, Lucien stood in the training field, exhausted but proud. His mother, Elara, and Helena, the maid, watched him from the porch.
Helena: I thought you were going to give up during training, my lord…
Elara: Same here. The first day you trained with your father, I thought you wouldn't last. But look at you now, Lucien. You've pushed past your limits every single day. You've grown stronger than I could have imagined. You're becoming a man who can protect me.
Lucien felt his cheeks flush with pride and nervousness.
Lucien: Mother… Helena… I'll always do my best. Even now, I want to protect everyone, and I'll never stop training.
Helena's eyes glimmered with pride.
Helena: Young master, I'm here for you, always. Even though you're strong now, I'll continue to support and protect you.
Alaric stepped forward, placing a hand on Lucien's shoulder.
Alaric: Today, I am proud, my son. Not only have you grown strong, but you have learned discipline, endurance, and focus. The strength of your body and mind now rivals children far older than you. Continue to grow, Lucien, and one day, you will surpass even those who wield AURU.
Lucien beamed. All those early mornings, all those nights training alone… it was worth it.
That day, as the sun set, Lucien reflected on his journey. Three years of unbroken effort had shaped him. He had grown stronger, faster, and wiser than most children six years old. And deep in his heart, he knew this was only the beginning.