Today was the day I'd begin my training as a Grimwald Soldier. It was hard to describe how I was feeling. Curious, antsy, and a little nervous, but also excited. How does one train to become a killer? That was exactly what I was about to find out.
It was my first good sleep since the Domain. Even headed to bed early to ensure I got the proper amount of sleep… Lord Elgin severely requested it. Waking up slightly groggy, I headed into the bathroom to take a shower.
Which included another difference between the estate and my home in the Lower District, running taps.
Who knew that a morning shower would be so reinvigorating? Though I miss the calming sensation of warm water. It'll still take some time to get used to cold showers. Back at the Middle District inn… back before my Will, warm showers were one of the few things I had to look forward to at the end of my shift.
After my shower, I put on the regular clothes provided for me by Lord Elgin, which were just correlations of the laced shirt and cotton pants I wore yesterday.
After getting ready for the day, I made my way out of the room, which I still couldn't find the light switch for, and headed to the dining room for breakfast.
Monarch's, I really have to walk far.
With the dining room and my room at opposite ends of the large estate, it was like I had to earn my meal through a morning workout. Which, I guess, isn't any different from back in the Lower District. Only then, I was walking much farther.
Passing a few servants on my way to the dining room, they all flashed me with different levels of strained and respectful bows and glances. All of them found it unnatural that the family accepted a random boy into the estate, despite being 'family'. And from their perspective, there was nothing outstanding about me. All this arrangement was doing was bringing discourse and confusion into their position as Grimwald family servants.
Arriving at the dining room and opening the doors, everyone there stood at my arrival. Lavinia was in her long-sleeved jumpsuit, no longer wearing her trench coat. Leo was dressed in a jumpsuit of a similar fashion, and Lady Phia was still in ethereal black clothes, now no longer in the form of a dress. Even Elgin was there, to my surprise, wearing the same thing as his son and daughter. They all had baggy black trousers with thin and flexible leather boots. Aside from Lady Phia, whose ethereal black clothes obscured her lower body in a haze.
Without missing a beat, Lord Elgin walked right up to me. "Who are you?"
Answering quickly, "Rin Reyguard, son of Reinen and Silke Reyguard of the Yusura Kingdom. You are my uncle, set to be father-in-law by marriage. Lady Phia is the sister of Silke Reyguard."
He stared at me, considering my answer before speaking, "Passible. But you answered too hastily. Even people who know where they're from take a moment to think about it. You… are thinking too much. And it's pronounced 'Zih-lkuh', remember that."
"R-right. Rin Reyguard, son of Reinen and 'Zih-lkuh' Reyguard of the Yusura Kingdom."
He nodded in affirmation, confirming that I said it right.
He looked back towards the others, who were already walking towards the doors. "Ready?"
Lavinia responded first, a determined look on her face, "Of course."
Then Leo, with his usual grin, "Always."
Followed by Lady Phia last, "Let's go." Looking at Lord Elgin with a loving smile.
"Where are you going? I thought we were eating?"
Leo was the one to respond, "Where are we going?" He said, correcting me, "The four of us already ate, but as per your training, you need to earn your meal."
Walking past me, he put a hand on my shoulder. "Ready cuz?"
Ready for what?
As it turns out, 'earning' my meal was hugely underplaying it.
Training starts today, and from now on, to earn my breakfast, I need to run. North of the estate, within its massive lawn, is a park that the family owns. With the sun not even up yet, the park was illuminated by several lights, brightening up the whole place. The center had a field of flowers and trimmed bushes, cut out in a maze-like path. The important part was the outer section of the park, which was going to be used as our track. A well-maintained rubber-paved circular road, 400 meters long.
They use it to train their stamina. Apparently, they do this sort of training together sometimes to push themselves. Being a competitive and active family, they take their role as a family of assassins seriously.
Each one is near the pinnacle of human physique and incredibly athletic. My task today was to run 100 laps, which they can all do in under two hours. So, that was my goal.
Standing at the designated starting point, we all waited until Lord Elgin began the clock. Using a timer connected to his wrist, he counted down from three.
"Two…"
"One…"
"Begin!"
…
"H-how many… laps… have we done?" I managed to get out through labored breaths.
My Will may have enhanced my body, but nothing else has changed. My body is still malnourished, and running is not in my physicality.
I don't think I have even five more laps in me.
Leo was currently beside me, laughing obnoxiously at my tormenting struggle. Finally speaking between laughs, "We've done 20."
"Monarchs!"
20, how could we only have done 20? And how is Leo laughing while running?
He was perfectly fine, not only laughing while running, but keeping up with me without breaking a sweat or labored breathing.
Lavinia was a little bit ahead, slowly gaining distance, fully focused on her training. I was using her as my pacer, going as fast as my tired legs could carry me to keep up. I was slowly losing steam. Soon, I'd have to slow down. It seemed like she was slowing down a bit, just for me, but was gradually speeding up. Seeing my diminishing pace, she must have decided to focus on herself.
Lord Elgin was completely engrossed in the run. Unconcerned with the progress of everyone else. His speed was unmatched. When he ran by, a refreshing gust of wind would blow through. The sheer violent force threatened to blow me off balance. I could tell he was doing it on purpose.
Lady Phia was dismissing the run, staying in the back with Leo and me. Sometimes, running up ahead to check on Lavinia.
She simply enjoyed the time spent with her kids.
Her movements were graceful, like every step she took had zero resistance between her and the ground. Not even the wind dared to stand in her way. She ran at the same height, like she was floating. Her head never bobbed between each step, and every footfall was completely silent. When she went too far away, it was as if I wasn't even staring at a person, but rather a shadow of one in the distance.
By lap 50, I was barely holding on. Every breath sent sharp pins in my throat, and air moved with a crackle in my lungs. My vision was tunneled, becoming peripherally impaired, only able to focus on what was directly in front of me. My legs moved in uncoordinated automation. My tired and oxygen-deprived brain could only manage single conscious thoughts, which were entirely focused on breathing. I knew that if I stopped, I wouldn't be continuing any time soon. To compensate, I turned my slow jog into a slow walk.
Leo slowed with me, but continued ahead at his normal pace when I said I was going to walk for a bit. When he passed Lavinia, she began to run faster as well, now pacing herself with Leo. Though it didn't seem like she could keep up.
Lady Phia went with them, sticking with Lavinia after trailing behind.
I walked for a long time, 5 laps to be exact. I tried to run again sooner, but failed to get my legs moving fast enough. Only after 5 did I feel like enough strength returned to my body to continue. By the time I was ready to run again, Leo, Lavinia, and Lady Phia had already finished their laps. Along with Lord Elgin who finished much earlier.
Only 45 more to go…
…
There was one last lap, and I was practically crawling. My lungs burned, which was the first instance of heat I've felt in days; everything else was still cold, though; my feet were sore; and I was so hungry. The only thing keeping me going was pure determination to eat, and Leo shouting motivating words from the sidelines.
Crawling across the line marking the last lap, I collapsed on the floor and closed my eyes in triumph. My level of exhaustion was inconceivable. Being able to push the human body this far was something I've never imagined before, nor wished to experience again.
However, this is what I signed up for, and this is only the beginning.
"Well done. Though, me personally, I would have run." Leo said, picking at the grass on the ground.
"Who knew such feeble people could exist?" Lavinia jumped in with her own condescending words. Shooting out small colourful beams of light from her Will to pass the time. Creating a light show in the air, of different shapes.
"Who…who asked… you. You haven't been… starving… for years." I responded. Slurring my words through gasping breaths, my mouth parched of all moisture.
She gave me a curious look of ignorance before turning back to her lights.
Lord Elgin just stood there, staring at me, but gave me a nod of his head when I looked at him.
"Come. Let's get you something to eat," Lady Phia said in a lovely tone. Slowly helping me up. "Leo, help him back inside."
"Right!" Leo jumped up, rushed over, and put his arm around my back, supporting my weight. "How are you still so cold? You just ran 100 laps."