Early morning.
Merlin was awakened by the annoying cooing and cawing of birds outside the window.
His eyes slowly opened.
Getting up from the bed, he glanced at the pocket watch on the bedside table. It was 6:10 AM.
A week's time was enough for Merlin to develop an accurate biological clock.
Swish! With a sound, he pulled open the curtains, and the fresh, cold morning chill instantly rushed over his face.
Standing in front of the window, Merlin couldn't help but shiver.
"It's getting cold, but equipping the Lynx makes it bearable. However, Lami and Yol should get some warmer clothes!"
Before long.
Merlin came to the small courtyard outside and started his basic physical training shirtless.
Three sets of one hundred push-ups, squats, and sit-ups as a warm-up, then continuing to polish the body's flexibility with the Lynx Body Tempering Arts.
Twenty minutes later, switching back to three sets of one hundred exercises, repeating the cycle.
At 7:30 AM, when Lami came out sleepily, the first thing she saw was Merlin, drenched in sweat and emitting a layer of white mist, in the middle of his workout.
Lami greeted him with a grin:
"Morning, Merlin-niichan. You're up so early again today! Unlike me, just getting up now."
"Children need to maintain sufficient sleep so it won't affect their future physical development. What you need to do now is eat and sleep on time; moderate training is enough."
While doing push-ups up and down, Merlin spoke to Lami.
Listening to him, a trace of helplessness appeared in Lami's eyes. She walked three meters away from Merlin, feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward, arms straight with palms facing each other, back straight and core tightened. While doing squats, coordinating with her breathing, she complained with a cadence:
"Obviously, as long as you help me absorb the negative effects that are bad for my body, I can also do high-intensity training. Why won't you?
"Yet you only give special treatment to Sister Yol. Stingy."
She puffed out her cheeks at Merlin.
Merlin switched to squat exercises at this time, exhaling stale air, inhaling when squatting down, and exhaling when standing up, his voice with the same cadence:
"How are you getting along with those peers in the dojo? Have you made any new friends? I remember there are girls in your class too."
Lami rolled her eyes at Merlin helplessly; he was changing the subject again.
She knew Merlin was doing this for her own good. Sister Yol also said that her brother wanted her to have a complete childhood.
But, having experienced that kind of tragedy, she really couldn't muster any interest in those peers living in relative peace.
They discussed when to eat, finally being able to slack off, and having new clothes to wear. But Lami asked herself, all she wanted was to become stronger so she could help Merlin and Yol.
She didn't want to be a burden to the two. Not to mention Merlin-niichan, Sister Yol was physically gifted. When learning swordsmanship, it could be said she was improving every day.
In a week, she had completely mastered the basic swordsmanship framework.
She could already hold a sword and sometimes spar with Merlin-niichan in actual combat.
Although she was small, she knew gratitude.
She didn't want to just be a parasite without any use.
Seeing the frustration in her eyes and that deep stubbornness, Merlin couldn't help sighing. The values and outlook on life of a child who had experienced war were completely different from those of a child who didn't know what war was.
Instead of blindly blocking her, it was better to let her experience it herself. If she couldn't endure that kind of hardship, she would give up on her own.
So.
Merlin chuckled lightly and said: "If you are really determined to do high-intensity training.
"Then I won't stop you anymore. But it will be very painful. are you sure you will really like that in your heart?
"Other little girls dress up beautifully and talk about various games, while you can only hold a cold bamboo sword, physically and mentally exhausted every day. Sometimes, the skin on your hands and feet will be worn and torn.
"Are you sure this is the life you want in the future? You have a choice.
"Lami, you are only just over seven years old now. You can completely wait until you are eight or nine before starting swordsmanship and physical training. There is no need to push yourself so hard."
Lami lowered her head, but soon raised it again, smiling brilliantly:
"So, Merlin-niichan, you've agreed? That's great! I finally don't have to waste time every day!"
"I'm going to tell Sister Yol the good news."
Lami stopped doing squats and ran back happily and cheerfully.
Seeing this, Merlin shook his head helplessly.
...
8:30 AM.
After sending Lami to her training area, Merlin and Yol arrived at the VIP training ground.
The two warmed up by running laps around the training ground, maintaining their even breathing rhythm. Yol chuckled lightly:
"I didn't expect you to agree."
"Lami came to find me just now looking especially happy!"
"Is this really okay?"
Merlin breathed evenly. The two were running fast. Feeling the rustling cold wind blowing on his face, Merlin said calmly:
"I gave her a choice, but I can't impose my will on her. Although Lami is still young, girls tend to mature earlier. Especially those who have experienced war.
"We only need to ensure that she can grow up physically and mentally healthy, with no worries about food and clothing. As for how to walk the path in the future, we can offer opinions, but we can't choose for her.
"Because everyone is a unique existence."
A strange light flashed in Yol's eyes, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, "Mmh, that's enough. By the way, the enlightenment class for children in the dojo only teaches literacy.
"Isn't that a bit too little to learn?
"I was wondering if we should buy some interesting books and read them to Lami?"
"Sure! Our house happens to have a study room that is still very empty! Let's go to the bookstore to buy some interesting books later!
"When we have free time, we can also read books to relax our minds!"
Yol nodded with a smile: "Mmh, I also need to buy some cooking books. It's somewhat inconvenient to always eat in outside restaurants.
"By the way, I heard there is a path up the mountain behind the dojo. There are many wild beasts living on Petrel Mountain, and several hot springs! How about we go for a trip someday?"
"Okay! We can hunt some wild beasts to improve our diet then. I'm growing right now! I need to eat more meat."
"Pfft! Hahaha!"
Yol was immediately amused, choked on her breath, and stopped while clutching her lower abdomen.
Merlin didn't stop. Instead, he sped up, swinging his arms, leaning forward, head slightly raised, legs alternating rapidly.
Sprinting fast.
A moment later, 9:00 AM.
Fiore arrived on time. Seeing the two with steam rising from their heads, a flash of praise passed through his eyes:
"Not bad, looks like you've finished warming up."
A week had passed.
Under his observation, these two had endurance far exceeding ordinary people, and they didn't have the impetuous mentality common among young people.
Even basics could be completed seriously. He witnessed with his own eyes the foundation of their swordsmanship being built from scratch.
And both were very intelligent.
They had learned most of the basic swordsmanship stances, and some non-standard movements were corrected under his guidance.
Just in terms of the "foundation" of swordsmanship, it could be said to have been "built."
Satisfaction couldn't help flashing in his eyes. For an educator, being able to educate an intelligent disciple was something to be joyful about.
Not to mention there were two this time.
"Teacher Fiore, I wonder what you plan to teach us today?"
Merlin asked curiously at this time.
Yol was also looking forward to it.
Through systematic learning of swordsmanship, gradually mastering her own physical strength, this feeling of becoming stronger little by little made her very happy.
At this time, Fiore stroked the short beard on his chin and laughed:
"In a week, because of your intelligence, the basic framework of swordsmanship has been set up for you.
"What you need to do now is to continue polishing this foundation day after day, perseveringly.
"Until it becomes instinct.
"I think for smart and steadfast people like you, I don't need to nag too much about such simple truths.
"I won't say much more about the basics. In your future practice, if there is anything you don't understand, you can come to me at any time.
"What I'm going to teach you today is exactly the foundation of our Rock Heart Sword Dojo."
"Foundation?" Surprise appeared in Merlin's eyes, "Teaching us so early? Not going to observe us a bit more?"
The corner of Fiore's mouth raised in a smile:
"Early? Not early at all.
"Human lifespan is generally only that short hundred years. As a teacher, naturally, I can't hold back your learning progress.
"You are both talented people, and not young anymore. Especially Yol, who has missed the golden period of childhood.
"Then, we can only make up for it in other ways."
Speaking of this, Fiore suddenly winked at the two, "Besides, you are my VIP students. This old man can't let you spend money for nothing, right?
"Basics can be taught by any sword dojo. Since you chose my Rock Heart Sword Dojo, I have to teach my specialty.
"This is an equivalent exchange between us!"
These seemingly somewhat impersonal words spoken in a humorous tone contained a teacher's care for his disciples.
It seemed he was indeed a person who would do real work as long as he received money.
Regardless of how the relationship started, this affection of being cared for.
Had to be acknowledged.
"And the real skill in the dojo to be taught to you is a meditation method, a Rock Heart concept."
"It can also be said to be a psychological suggestion cultivation method.
"Using it together with the breathing regulation method I taught you before to use with swordsmanship, calm yourself down gradually.
"Thereby fantasizing yourself as a mountain rock, experiencing the breathing of rocks, fitting your body and mind to nature, thereby tempering your spirit and will.
"And the final stage of Rock Heart is to experience the Breath of All Things.
"Of course, currently only my eldest son can almost achieve this stage."
Fiore looked at the bewildered Yol, then at Merlin who looked thoughtful, and a smile hooked the corner of his mouth:
"So now, start learning with me!"