Laughing a bit, Aelyndra directed a question to Lance, asking about how his own day went and what he had been up to.
Thinking on it, Lance's mind flashed on the events of the day.
...
Lance had been going around with a different purpose in mind, when his ears caught sothing. He moved quietly through the thickets, following the sounds of fists cracking against stone. Each blow rang out with brutal rhythm, echoing like a war drum through the still air. When he erged into the open, his eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Before him, Rusak stood shirtless under the morning sun, muscles rippling with exertion as he worked them. His fists pounded against a thick slab of stone fixed upright, the surface dented and cracked from repeated impacts. His breathing was deep and controlled, eyes focused. Even without seeing his face, the sheer force and rhythm of his movents revealed a man imrsed in discipline and training.
Lance watched for a while, arms folded, his tall fra leaned against a thick tree. Rusak had clearly grown stronger during his absence. His strikes were precise, more refined than before. Yet, as Lance observed, he couldn't help but feel a gnawing dissatisfaction.
There was strength, yes, but it was like a raging river that had yet to be guided into a useful course. Thinking about it made him think back to his training days with Kaelthara. And on top of that, Rusak was also one of those who received the blessing, so if he could utilize it well, he would grow exponentially.
After so minutes, Lance stepped forward. "You won't get much done if you keep throwing your weight forward like that." He said.
Rusak stopped, panting heavily, sweat dripping from his mane. He turned his head slightly and blinked in surprise before a wide, toothy grin broke over his face. "Lance."
"You've been working hard." Lance said, looking around.
"Not hard enough if you're here to criticize ," Rusak said, cracking his neck.
"I'm not here to criticize," Lance said, stepping into the field. "I'm here to offer to train you."
That made Rusak pause. "Train ?"
Lance nodded. "You received a blessing at the Dragon God Temple. But you've barely begun to understand what it ans. You're wasting ti punching rocks. If you're serious about growing stronger, truly stronger, then you need soone to guide you. Luckily for you, I am that soone. Of course, if you're up to it that is."
A challenge sparkled in Rusak's eyes as he heard the final part of Lance's words. "You think I can't handle it?"
Lance's expression was calm, but his voice turned grave. "I'm saying that if you can't, you might die. Or maybe sothing more bearable like shattering your spirit."
Rusak didn't hesitate, waving off Lance's words with his hand. "Let's do it."
Lance gave a short nod, a wide grin on his face. "Then let's begin." He said, snickering within. 'Finally, ti to pass on the hellish training Kaelthara put through.' He thought to himself.
Looking at Lance's expression, Rusak couldn't help but shudder a little. Then again, it was too late, he had already made the decision.
…
They began imdiately, and from the very get go, Lance didn't ease him in.
From the mont Rusak took his stance, Lance was on him like a shadow, though not with brute force, but with relentless, calculated pressure, dodging, weaving, countering every strike Rusak threw with terrifying precision.
Rusak was stronger than most warriors in the nation but it didn't matter before Lance, and the realization was dawning faster than light, in form of physical conformation. It was like trying to punch a mountain that kept moving just out of reach. The target was big, but he just couldn't reach it.
"Faster," Lance barked as he saw Rusak relax a bit.
Rusak gritted his teeth and lunged, following up with more aggressive maneuvers.
"Too slow," Lance said, sidestepping and slapping Rusak's wrist aside.
They circled, the sound of their bare feet brushing stone mingling with the distant chirps of birds. Hours passed, and Lance didn't let up. When Rusak began to slow, Lance switched to speed drills, forcing him to react faster than his instincts could manage. When Rusak began to stagger, Lance shifted to balance training, forcing him to hold stances while under difficult conditions, drawing plenty inspirations from the hell he experienced under Kaelthara. Though compared to that, Rusak was basically cruising.
By the ti the sun dipped low and stained the sky gold, Rusak collapsed to one knee, barely able to continue panting so hard he could barely think.
Lance stood over him, arms crossed, not even winded. "Is that it?"
Rusak tried to chuckle, but only coughed. "I've never been... this tired."
"You're not even close to your limit," Lance said. "But it's enough for today."
He turned and began to walk off.
"You're... a monster," Rusak muttered between breaths.
Lance glanced back. "Don't even think of using any potions or healing magic." He said, then continued off.
Hearing that, Rusak shuddered faintly, barely able to turn his neck to look at Lance as he walked off.
As Rusak lay there, unmoving, Lance left the clearing, heading toward the main training grounds to see what the others were up to, and the progress.
…
Aelyndra gave a small smirk listening to Lance. "Let guess, Rusak's unconscious sowhere?"
"He's still breathing… mostlikely just sleeping." Lance said.
Aelyndra turned to him, placing her hands on her hips. "You didn't break him, did you?"
"He'll be fine by morning. I left him to rest."
She tilted her head. "And tomorrow?"
"We continue," Lance said. "I told him not to accept unless he was ready to go all out. He didn't hesitate."
Aelyndra raised an eyebrow. "I guess it's not a think of species. Males are the sa everywhere."
Lance laughed. "Well, how are the others doing? You know, any special ones?"
Thinking on it, Aelyndra answered with a sigh. "Though so are struggling, there are a few... exceptional ones."
Lance nodded thoughtfully. "If they keep the consistency, perhaps I'll train them myself."
Aelyndra gave him a long look. "You're taking this seriously."
"They all carry a part of the Dragon God's blessing now," Lance said. "It'll be a waste if we don't utilize it well. Besides, it for their own good, and the good of the nation."
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