Levi looked down at the wooden sword in his hands.
He let out a long sigh.
"...Might as well get started."
The first swing felt awkward.
The second wasn't much better.
Soon...
The training grounds echoed with the repetitive sound of wood cutting through the air.
Vertical.
Horizontal.
Diagonal.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Time seemed to lose all meaning.
The sun climbed higher into the sky.
Sweat soaked through his clothes.
His arms grew heavier with every swing.
Yet...
The number in his mind continued counting.
'Nine hundred ninety-eight...'
'Nine hundred ninety-nine...'
'One thousand.'
He barely had enough time to celebrate.
There were still three more directions.
-
Five hours later...
Levi dropped the wooden sword onto the ground.
"...Finally."
His shoulders ached.
His arms felt like they no longer belonged to him.
His legs threatened to give out beneath him.
Then...
A horrifying realization struck him.
"...Wait."
He slowly turned toward the Knight Captain's office.
'Don't tell me...'
'I have to do this...'
'Every single day...?'
His eye twitched.
"..."
"...I already hate this."
As if the world itself wished to mock him...
His stomach growled loudly.
"...Really?"
"What a wonderful way to make today even worse."
With what little strength remained...
He dragged himself back toward the palace.
-
Steam filled the bathroom.
Levi slowly lowered himself into the warm bath.
"..."
"...This."
He closed his eyes.
"...This is the best thing that's happened all day."
For the first time since morning...
His exhausted muscles finally relaxed.
He nearly fell asleep right there.
After reluctantly climbing out and changing into fresh clothes...
He made his way to the dining hall.
King Maverick looked up as Levi entered.
"There you are."
Levi offered a small bow.
"Good evening, Father."
Maverick smiled.
"So?"
"How was your first day of training?"
Levi froze.
'I hated every second of it.'
He smiled politely.
"...It was good, Father."
"Good!"
Maverick laughed heartily.
"I was beginning to worry you'd avoid physical training forever."
"Looks like you'll finally put some muscle on those bones."
Levi forced another smile.
"...Hopefully."
Food was placed before him.
Without another word...
He immediately began eating.
One bite.
Then another.
Then another.
His speed steadily increased.
Maverick watched in mild astonishment.
'...Has he eaten at all today?'
"Slow down, Levi."
"The food isn't going anywhere."
"And neither is tomorrow."
Levi slowed... slightly.
"...Sorry."
By the time dinner ended...
He could barely keep his eyes open.
-
Levi stumbled back into his room.
Without even bothering to change...
He collapsed onto the bed.
The soft mattress welcomed him instantly.
"...At least..."
"...This bed is comfortable."
He let out one final sigh.
"...I'm going to hate tomorrow."
He was asleep within seconds.
-
Tomorrow came.
Then the day after.
Then another.
Wake up.
Eat.
Train.
Eat.
Sleep.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Days slowly became weeks.
Weeks quietly became a month.
The once-slender prince gradually changed.
His movements became steadier.
His posture improved.
The wooden sword that had once felt unbearably heavy...
Now moved naturally within his grasp.
The knights training nearby occasionally stopped to watch.
Some nodded in approval.
Others couldn't believe how quickly he had improved.
Even the Knight Captain found himself watching more often than sleeping.
One afternoon...
After another exhausting session...
The Captain folded his arms.
"...Looks like that's enough."
Levi blinked.
"...Enough?"
"You've completed the foundation."
"I figured it'd take you at least a year."
He scratched his head.
"...Guess talent's just unfair."
Levi stared at him.
Then...
A wide smile spread across his face.
"...So..."
"Training's finally over?"
The Captain smiled.
"Oh, yes."
Levi's shoulders relaxed.
"...Thank goodness."
The Captain raised a finger.
"...The beginner's training."
Levi's smile slowly faded.
"...What?"
The Captain grinned.
"Starting tomorrow..."
"We're tripling it."
Silence.
"..."
"..."
"NOOOOOOO!"
Levi immediately turned and sprinted across the training grounds.
"COME BACK HERE!"
The Knight Captain burst into laughter before effortlessly chasing after him.
Despite Levi's head start...
He was caught within seconds.
The horrified scream that followed echoed throughout the entire training grounds.
Several knights looked over before quietly returning to their own practice.
"Looks like the Young Master's doing well."
"Indeed."
"He still has the energy to scream."