It took Hermes 6 days to complete all of the day's tasks while wearing the weighted uniform, including running up and climbing mountains. So everyday from here on out his tasks were doubled until the end of the training. He went hard during the day, showered, ate, slept for a little bit and then when everyone was sleeping, he got up every night and went back to do whatever he couldn't accomplish that day. This was how he was able to complete the training so fast. He was determined to be the best at what he does, fighting is becoming his new passion. I guess Ashley and Don really left a mark on him...
The more he trains his body the more he understands how scary strong all of these officials are.. even loba is scary strong and she's not one of the top dogs. This would make anyone anxious, but Hermes was so excited that even by just thinking about it his hands would start shaking on it's own. The work you put in will always pay off in the end... Even if he couldn't breath anymore, nor do one more push up because his arms were giving up on him, he pushed himself to the utmost limit on his own while everyone else just looked down on him.
Believe it or not this was the main source of his motivation, this is something that he's learned from a very young age being from the small country he was born and raised in. The whole world looks down on them like they are lesser beings. You can be one of those who let themselves get eaten by all of these stares from these random higher class people and take on the role of being trash and accepting that they can't change that. Or you can be like Hermes and his brothers that don't doubt in themselves for not even a tenth of a second that anyone is better then them. Don't waste your time talking, no, don't do that, let your actions do the talking and prove to them that this "lesser being" was the one that surpassed them with their own strength. Embrace everything you are labeled as and carry it everywhere with you, use it to your advantage. Don't be ashamed of where you're from, this was his motto and motivation. *The journey to the top is always better when you start from the very bottom*
...
All of those that looked down on this regular man, even if they deny it, they are slowly acknowledging him because of how long he's lasted in Robin's harsh training. They were envious of him because of how good he got along with Ashley, Loba and now Robin, they were secretly plotting to frame him for something...
..
While Hermes was focused on his training, Bruce and the others kept busy by visiting some of the schools around the world that were expecting them to arrive for this year's trial.
(they arrive outside of the school in cars and jeeps in order to fit in)
They arrived in front of the first and also the most promising martial arts school for planet Europa on Earth. The school wasn't the biggest, however they hold the most qualified students and they are loyal to the nation Bruce is from.
Bruce went with Judas and Joseph III to meet some of the future of their nation. They got out of the car and walked towards the front gates in order to knock, however the gates started opening before they had a chance to. Even though they were hiding their presence and holding their powers back to the fullest, everyone was shaking as they approached, all the students and most of the teachers were scared and admired what was in front of them.
"Welcome Master Bruce, we were expecting you"
{Sensei Shin is the head Sensai for this Dojo}
"Hello Sensei Shin, it's been a while." ~ Bruce
"It sure has, haha. Forgive the rudeness of my students, they haven't met anyone of you guys caliber at all. Good thing you guys are holding everything back"~ Sensei Shin
"That's quite alright, so tell me who are this year's candidates for the upcoming Trial?"~Bruce
"Yes, ofcourse" Sensei Shin waved to one of the other Sensei that worked at the school, then all of the candidates started lining up. "Here they are, the top tier disciples of this dojo ready for the trial. They are exencial in every definition of the word, they are also the top in the class in terms of ki control and fighting with ki, even beating some of the teachers." There were five of them.
Bruce starts walking around while analyzing them. Then steps back. "Umm Joseph, what do you think?" Bruce asked Joseph.
"About high tier potential." ~Joseph III
"How about you Judas? ~ Bruce
"Hahah, he can survive one of my punches."
Bruce smirks and says, "Right, that's what I thought." Then he turns to Sensai Shin. "Sensai Shin, there have been some fascinating events occurring lately, see as we speak there is a kid that learned about what Ki is just last week and has never had any training remotely close to any of your top students."
Sensei Shin smiles and nods as Bruce continued with his speech.
"However, even though in terms of strength he is a weakling, there is this inexplicable uneasy feeling about him, everytime you look at him is almost like if you let him, he will bite your neck off."
"hehe" Sensai Shin giggles nervously.
"I do not get that feeling from any of your guys, Sensei. Well at least not from your top ones." Bruce leans his head to the side while looking at Judas signaling him to go get the kid he is talking about, then Judas nods back at him and then he walks toward the student Bruce was interested in. The student looked really confused. He couldn't believe that Master Bruce holds that opinion towards him.
"Since you don't hold a high opinion of this disciple, surely you wouldn't mind me taking him for special training. Right Sensei?" Bruce said to Sensei Shin as a way of toying with him because even if the Sensei had a problem with it Bruce has already made up his mind.
"Master Bruce, forgive my rudeness but I assure you If you take one of these five top students they are worthy. That kid has no potential, he hasn't shown any progress in the years he's been here."
"Are you questioning my decision Shin?" Bruce said while intimidating him with only his stare and Sensei shin takes a step back and nervously answered, "No Master Bruce, I would never question your decisions." he was sweating bullets.
"Good, then is settled" Bruce turns around and starts walking back towards the gate. "Joseph, take care of the rest."
"Haha, hope to see you guys on the other side don't give up now. Hahaha." ~Judas said to the top five disciples of Shin.
"Okay kid, What's your name?" ~Joseph III
" Zeno"
"Hey Zeno, from now on we will take care of your training and needs. No need to worry about anything else. Go gather all of your belongings, we will be waiting for you on the Jeep outside. Say your goodbyes."
"Tha.. Thank you." ~Zeno ran towards the room and gathered all of his belongings.
"Goodbye, see you around Sensei"
Sensei shin nods at Joseph, he is furious and so is everyone else in the dojo. They couldn't believe what just happened.
Zeno is walking back after gathering his things looking at every spot in the Dojo reminiscing, then grips his bag and his facial expression changes. He got sad.
"I don't know what kind of stunt you pulled but everyone knows it shouldn't have been you to go with them you weakling"
Zeno ignores them and keeps walking.
"You disgusting monkey no one loves you anyway that's why your parents left you, you owe your life to us. Be more appreciative." ~ Sensei #1
"Come on Z you're going to leave without saying goodbye to us. Just like an insect. After we gave you blood to feed on, you fly away cuz you dont need us anymore? Mosquito." Sensei #2
"What do you mean Senseis is not like that at all." Zeno said while looking down.
"At least appreciate us one last time that way you won't forget us." Sensai #2 said as he punched Zeno on the face and then got behind him and wrapped one arm around his neck while taking off Zenos pants with the other. Zeno closed his eyes and started smiling and let it happen for the last time while blood dripped down from his mouth and nose...
"Yes that's right, you will remember us forever because you love us and we love you. Forever. Haha." Sensai #1 said as he punched him in the stomach and made him get on his knees. Then they raped him…
For the last time...
He made his way to the car and stood at the gate and looked back and stared at Sensei Shin and everyone else, not with disgust, no no, but with this look that not everyone understood. Only those in his shoes comprehend that last stare back before you take a step towards an unknown life that cannot get worse than what's been.
He got in the car and right before they took off, Bruce asked Zeno a question. "Zeno, do you have a dream?"
Zeno just stares back at him with his beaten up face.
"I wanted to be free, however thanks to your kindness that became possible sir. I am forever in your debt." he replies.
They all giggled a little and Bruce told him,
"Kid, your dream is not yet accomplished. You see, there's a gigantic beast deep deep deep within you that has been wanting out of that cage for a long time, we're going to help you use that beast to complete your dream of being free. If you follow through with our training you will be even stronger than Shin by the time the trial starts. However, no one is really completely free, you gotta find your own definition of freedom and make it your reason to live."
Zeno's eyes opened bigger than ever and with the biggest smile he replied. "Yes sir!"
.
{here starts the training of Zeno, a true beast}
.
After just 10 days Hermes completed the first part of the training Robin had planned.
"Congrats Hermes on completing the first half, I didn't expect you to catch up this quickly to some of these guys in terms of physical. However, don't get comfortable we still got 3 weeks left."~ Robin
With a smirk he replies, "I wasn't planning to." then he thinks to himself *fuck im dead inside*
"Good." Robin says with a smile. "For the rest of the training is just going to be you and me in a different location, we'll leave in 15 minutes. There I'll answer most of the questions you have. Y prepárate bien porque vas a ver como es el infierno." (you better prepare yourself because now you will truly see what hell is like) Robin says with an evil expression on her face.
Hermes just nods.
He gathers his things and says bye to Loba and then tells her to give Ashley a message for him.
The second part of the training is going to start, what type of hell awaits Hermes and what answers is it he's so desparitly looking for.