Chapter 5: Training
Morning
Lucien and Aren woke up early the next morning for sword training.
Lucien knew that even though they didn't need heavy physical training, learning swordsmanship required a strong foundation.
"First, we're doing posture training," Lucien said.
Aren blinked.
"Aren't we starting with swords?"
"No," Lucien replied. "Before using swords, we need to learn the basics."
He knew this from reading many novels.
Aren frowned.
"So what do we do in posture training?"
"We fix our bodies for swordsmanship," Lucien answered.
"Now—stand still for a moment."
"…What?" Aren raised an eyebrow.
"Just do it."
Aren sighed but stood straight, feet planted on the ground.
Lucien walked around him, hands on his hips.
"First, stop puffing out your chest. You look strong, but one push and you'll fall."
Aren relaxed slightly.
"Like this?"
"Yeah. Better." Lucien lightly tapped his shoulder.
"Drop these. You're holding them too high."
Aren rolled his shoulders down.
Lucien stepped behind him.
"Your head is leaning forward. Pull it back—no, not like a turtle. Natural."
Aren chuckled.
"You sure you're not secretly a teacher?"
"Shut up and listen," Lucien said and he though " I don't know if this going to work but let's give it all. "
He crouched and pointed at Aren's legs.
"Bend your knees a little. Locked legs slow you down."
Aren adjusted his stance, frowning.
"This already feels tiring."
"That means it's working," Lucien said.
"If it feels easy, you're doing it wrong."
Lucien suddenly placed a hand on Aren's shoulder and gave a light push.
"Hey—!"
Aren stumbled half a step, then steadied himself.
Lucien nodded.
"See? Your body caught itself."
Aren took a deep breath.
"Feels heavier… but stable."
"Good," Lucien said quietly.
"Stand like the ground is holding you."
Aren struggled.
"Aren't you going to start your training too?"
"I'm about to," Lucien replied.
This posture is perfect, Lucien thought.
If he learns this now, he'll grow faster than in the original story.
Aren suddenly glared at him.
"O-Okay! I'm starting too," Lucien said quickly.
After 30 Minutes
Lucien finally exhaled.
"Okay. If we keep standing, we'll collapse."
Aren wiped sweat from his face.
"My legs are numb."
After a short break, Lucien picked up two wooden swords and tossed one to Aren.
"Footwork," Lucien said.
"If our feet are wrong, nothing else matters."
Aren nodded and copied Lucien's stance.
They moved slowly.
One step forward.
One step back.
"Keep your weight low," Lucien said.
"Don't bounce."
Aren frowned in concentration.
"Too loud," Lucien added. "Enemies hear that."
"Then show me," Aren shot back.
Lucien demonstrated, feet sliding smoothly.
Aren tried again. Better.
Again. And again.
Their breathing grew heavier.
Lucien raised his sword.
"No fighting. Just swings."
They stood facing the same direction.
Swing.
Stop.
Reset.
Again.
Their arms started burning.
"Slow down," Lucien said.
"Same angle every time."
Time passed without them noticing.
Finally, Aren lowered his sword.
"My wrists feel like they're on fire."
"Good," Lucien replied. "That means you're using them."
They moved to grip training, holding their swords straight without shaking.
Lucien laughed weakly as his hand trembled.
"If one of us drops it, the other owes food."
"Then don't drop it," Aren said.
When their arms finally gave out, they collapsed on the ground, staring at the sky.
"You think this'll work?" Aren asked.
Lucien closed his eyes.
"Yes. It just takes time."
After resting briefly, Lucien sat up.
"Tomorrow, we start earlier."
Aren groaned—but nodded.
Lira watched them from a distance.
After breakfast, Lucien and Aren went to work. Their body were already tired. Aren's legs trembled, but Lucien helped him during work.
That night, the three of them ate and went to sleep.
One Week Later
They stood on the open ground, wooden swords at their sides.
Their movements had changed.
What was once stiff now flowed.
What once failed now held.
They began swinging.
One.
Two.
Three.
The sound of wood cutting air was steady.
Aren suddenly stared at his hands.
"They're not shaking."
Lucien tested his grip.
"Mine either."
They moved into footwork.
Step forward.
Pivot.
Retreat.
No stumbling. Barely any dust.
"We're improving," Aren said.
Lucien laughed.
"Yeah."
They pushed each other lightly to test balance.
Aren shoved Lucien.
Lucien slid back and stopped cleanly.
"That was smooth," Aren said.
Lucien tried the same. Aren staggered—then recovered.
They looked at each other.
Something had changed.
Not power.
Not skill.
Control.
After training, they sat and drank water.
"It's working," Aren said.
Lucien nodded.
Then Lucien stood up and planted the wooden sword into the ground.
"Next step."
"Next step?" Aren asked.
"Yes," Lucien said.
"Our body are stable now. You feel it, right?"
Aren moved slightly.
"…Yeah. Lighter."
"Before, we were forcing everything," Lucien explained.
"Now our body listen."
"So what's next?" Aren asked.
Lucien tossed a small stone into the air.
"Reaction. Timing."
He dropped it suddenly.
Aren reacted late, swinging at empty air.
Lucien smiled.
"See?"
They started drills.
Lucien tossed stones. Aren dodged or blocked.
Then they switched.
At first, many stones hit the ground.
Then fewer.
Lucien drew lines in the dirt.
"Footwork under pressure. Step outside the line, you restart."
"…Restart?" Aren sighed.
"Yes. Restart."
Mistakes happened. Many of them.
But Aren moved faster now.
Forward.
Slash.
Retreat.
As the sun rose, Aren leaned on his sword.
"This feels different," he said.
Lucien nodded.
"Training isn't just pain anymore."
"So what's after this?" Aren asked.
Lucien looked at the horizon.
"Speed with control."
"Control?" Aren asked.
Lucien smiled.
"Our movement changed. Now we refine it."
Before they could continue—
"You guys should eat something," Lira called.
Lucien glanced at the sky.
It was time for work.
As they walked away, Lucien thought quietly.
Aren is learning fast… as expected of the protagonist.
His status still showed:
Loading: 20%
Until this changes, Lucien thought,
the best move is to make the protagonist stronger and he become stronger also —and become his trusted friend.
Lucien smiled lightly.
Everything was going perfectly.
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END OF CHAPTER 5
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