Chapter 186 — The First Training Platoon
S.C. 1512 — Early Morning
Hidden Island — Northern Clearing
The fog machines hummed faintly in the background, releasing a cool mist over the island's northern forest.
Ren stood on a small rise overlooking an open clearing.
The sun hadn't fully risen yet.
But eighty refugees were already gathered below him.
Men, women, older teens—thin from hunger, but eyes bright with hope.
They stood in messy lines, shifting nervously.
Leo muttered beside Ren,
"Boss… they look like they've never exercised a day in their lives."
"That's why we're starting," Ren replied calmly.
Kiro stepped forward with a clipboard.
"Only eighty? I thought more would join."
"They will," Ren said.
"Once this group shows results."
Bram cracked his knuckles.
"I like this. Let's shape them up."
Zemo growled approvingly.
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1. Why Training Was Needed
Ren scanned the gathered refugees.
Some limped.
Some had weak posture.
Some lacked muscle entirely.
But that wasn't the true problem.
They lacked confidence.
Fear had lived in them too long—fear of starvation, nobles, bandits, uncertainty.
This training wasn't for soldiers.
Not yet.
It was to give them:
Strength
Endurance
Discipline
Purpose
A future
Ren stepped forward.
"Everyone," he said.
The murmurs died instantly.
"I won't ask you to fight. Not now. Not soon.
But this island needs people who can work. Build. Survive."
People listened.
"Your bodies are weak today. That is normal. It will change."
A young girl raised her hand timidly.
"What if we fail?"
Ren met her eyes.
"You won't," he said simply.
Something in his tone—calm, steady, absolute—made many straighten their backs.
---
2. Introduction of the Instructors
Ren gestured to the side.
"Your instructors are Leo, Bram, and Kiro. They will train you in different areas."
Leo stepped forward first.
"Strength training. Lifting. Carrying. Endurance movement.
I'll teach you how to use your body correctly."
Bram cracked his knuckles again.
"Combat basics. Self-defense. How to stay alive when danger comes."
The refugees gulped collectively.
Kiro pushed up his glasses.
"Breathing technique. Stance training. Body alignment.
You'll be able to work twice as long without collapsing."
Several refugees blinked.
Zemo barked once, loudly.
Ren placed a hand on his head.
"And Zemo will keep watch. He understands everything."
Whispers spread—some amazed, some confused.
---
3. The Warm-Up
Ren raised one hand.
"Warm-up. Follow Kiro."
Kiro nodded and took the lead.
"Arms up. Stretch.
Slow breathing.
Hold the position."
The refugees struggled.
Some lost balance.
Some groaned.
Some fell immediately.
Leo shouted,
"Keep going! It's only stretching!"
Kiro corrected postures calmly.
Bram laughed loudly whenever someone fell—which weirdly motivated them more.
Ren watched silently.
This was good.
They were trying.
---
4. Endurance Walk — The First Test
Ren finally stepped forward.
"Everyone. Line up.
We're going for a walk."
"A… walk?" someone asked.
Kiro smirked.
"They have no idea."
Leo barked,
"MOVE!"
They walked across the island:
through dense forest
up small hills
past the construction site
around the shipyard
near the fog-covered shore
Some gasped for breath.
Some nearly fainted.
Bram carried two on his shoulders without slowing down.
But no one quit.
Ren walked beside them quietly, keeping his breathing steady.
When a man stumbled, Ren caught his arm.
"Stand. Keep going."
The man nodded, trembling, and continued.
---
5. Strength Training Ground
By midday, they reached the open field Ren prepared last week.
Logs, stones, sandbags.
Bram grinned like a demon.
"Welcome," he said, "to the fun part."
The refugees did not look convinced.
Ren gestured toward the equipment.
"You won't lift heavy things today. Only practice movement."
They learned:
how to grip a log
how to balance weight
how to carry without injuring their backs
how to place their feet properly
A woman in her forties lifted the smallest log and cried in surprise.
"I… I can do it!"
Leo cheered.
"That's right! That's how it starts!"
---
6. Breathing Technique — Foundation of All Training
Kiro gathered them again.
"Sit."
They sat.
"Breathe like this…"
He demonstrated the technique Ren had refined—deep nasal intake, diaphragm engagement, slow exhale.
At first, they failed miserably.
Some held their breath.
Some wheezed.
Some snorted loudly.
Zemo tilted his head in confusion.
But slowly…
one group
then another
then most of them
began adjusting to the rhythm.
Their shoulders relaxed.
Faces loosened.
Hearts steadied.
Ren could feel their mental state shifting—his telepathic senses catching the faintest emotional glow.
Hope.
---
7. Evening — Small Steps Count
By sunset, the refugees lay scattered across the clearing, exhausted but alive.
Kiro handed out water.
Leo tossed fruit around.
Bram bragged about lifting three men at once.
Makino arrived with food trays.
"Everyone, eat slowly," she ordered.
The refugees devoured their meals, but they smiled between bites.
Ren stood at the edge of the clearing, watching silently.
Makino approached.
"You look… proud," she teased.
Ren shook his head.
"Not proud.
But satisfied."
She smiled warmly.
"This is the first group.
They'll inspire the rest."
Ren nodded.
"Yes.
This is where their lives change."
Zemo leaned against his leg, tail swaying gently.
Ren looked over the resting crowd.
Weak yesterday.
Stronger today.
Stronger tomorrow.
This was only the beginning.
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End of Chapter 186