While Joseph and the others were being punished, Ivan took the remaining wizards on a long-distance run.
However, Ivan was disappointed by the wizards' performance.
Perhaps it was because they were used to the convenience of magic, but all of them were very weak. A long run for more than an hour was enough to tire them out.
Throughout the journey, all but Walker and the other werewolves were too tired to stand up.
"My God, why do we have to run and take sides? We're wizards!"
"I only need to Disapparate to reach the end, and even the fastest Muggle can't catch me!"
…
The wizards in training were very unhappy, but due to Ivan's intimidation, they only dared to whisper to each other in private. When Ivan looked over, they all shut up.
"Keep running, you stragglers! Stand at attention for an hour when you're done!" Ivan yelled at them.
Hearing this, everyone hurriedly quickened their pace.
Although most people didn't think it was a big deal to stand for an hour, they had been running for a long time and were exhausted. They all wanted to go back and have a good rest.
Some people were even envious of the three wizards who had been punished previously. They had gone through such a difficult journey, but all they had to do was stand where they were.
Joseph, in particular, was only a minute late. By the time they got back, he'd probably be hiding in the shade.
However, when they ran back to where they came from, they were all stunned.
Because the situation was different from what they had imagined, Joseph and the others were still standing there, drenched in sweat and looking terrible.
Ivan was not at all surprised. It was the middle of summer for the first time, and it was almost impossible not to move at all. As long as Fran's standards were high enough, they could stand all day as punishment.
"Fran, how long are they going to stand there?" Ivan asked.
"Joseph has another two hours or so, and the other two have to stand for four or five hours!" Flan replied with a shrug.
Upon hearing this, the wizards present felt a chill in their hearts. They remembered that Joseph was only punished to stand for an hour before he left.
How come they're back after running for over an hour, and not only did they not lose any time, but they've grown so much…
Everyone looked at each other and quickly realized that standing still for an hour was not as easy as they thought. Otherwise, Joseph and the others would not have deliberately broken the rules despite knowing that they would be punished.
Seeing Joseph and the others grit their teeth and endure, they finally understood the horror of this punishment.
This is terrible!
Ivan noticed the change in attitude, and was pleased. Punishments must be meted out with respect, and this one should impress them.
With that thought in mind, Ivan looked away from Joseph and the others, but then his sharp eyes caught sight of some wizards sneaking around, sitting down as if they were going to take a break.
"Don't sit down. Who gave you permission to rest? Stand up!" Ivan immediately shouted at them to stop.
Several of the sneaky wizards immediately sprang up from the ground under Ivan's reprimand, afraid of being punished for it, but secretly complaining about Ivan's inhumanity in not letting them rest for a while…
Ivan could read their minds, so he shook his head and explained.
"Remember, it's best not to sit down and rest immediately after strenuous exercise! When a person is engaged in strenuous activity, their cardiovascular activity will increase and their blood flow will speed up. If they relax instantly, not only will it not be beneficial, but it might also have some adverse effects on their body…"
Ivan rambled on about the lessons he had learnt in his past life in P.E.
After learning Occlumency and Legilimency, his memory had undoubtedly improved, and even the events of several years ago were still fresh in his mind.
Unfortunately, the wizards were too uneducated to understand what was being said about the creatures.
Although they had a vague feeling that Ivan had a point, they wanted to lie down on the grass and rest.
Ivan was very frustrated with these underachievers and forced them to do some relaxing exercises despite their exhaustion.
Ivan would have liked to get along with them kindly if he could, but it turns out that sometimes you have to play hardball…
He had no choice. He was forced to do this!
Ivan grumbled to himself, but kept a straight face. After relaxing and resting for half an hour, he asked them to continue practicing standing postures…
This went on until noon, when Ivan announced the end of the day's training when he saw that the wizards in front of him were finally acting like soldiers.
The assembled wizards breathed a sigh of relief. If this had gone on much longer, they would not have made it.
Joseph and the others, who were still standing, were finally freed, but they were not happy at all, because Ivan only allowed them to postpone their punishment until tomorrow.
Ivan watched as the wizards used Apparition to disappear, then stopped Flun, reminding him to relax his "moving" standards and not make things too difficult for Joseph and the others.
It took Fran a moment to understand Ivan's plan.
The purpose of the punishment measure was to serve as a deterrent, not to torture. If they were to follow this standard, the three wizards might have to stand for the rest of their lives…
Flan nodded, indicating that she would keep this in mind. She also asked for advice on how to enforce the law.
"Mom… what do you think?" Ivan asked, turning to Alicia, who was standing nearby.
"Not bad, this training seems to be working!" said Alicia, closing the book.
After watching them all morning, Alicia had a good idea of how the training worked, and the results were remarkable, as the witches and wizards left in small groups.
Ivan smiled. Modern military training was the culmination of thousands of years of research by every country. Of course it was useful!
Ivan was about to give Alicia a lesson when he noticed a book in her hand.
Glancing at the cover of the book, Ivan's face suddenly twitched as he saw the words "Training Manual for the Royal British Special Forces" on it…
"This book is?!" Ivan couldn't help but ask.
"Weren't you the one who suggested that I find some Muggle books to read? That's why I went to the London bookshop this morning…" Alicia laughed.
She then took out some other books from her robes and showed them to Ivan, all about training Marines and Special Forces.
"Muggles may not be magical, but they can be very insightful in certain matters. For example, the techniques taught in this book are very useful in tracking and assassination, and with the help of Polyjuice Potion and the Disillusionment Charm, I'm afraid few people can see through them…"
Asia explained animatedly, giving other examples of her interest.
Ivan looked at Alicia's eager face and wondered if he had done the right thing by sending her to buy Muggle books.
From the looks of it, Alicia intended to apply some of her training methods to the training of the Special Forces.
His original intention was to get information on military training from Isiah, but Ivan did not expect Isiah to buy such books.
"Well, wizards aren't Muggles, so there's no need for such harsh training!" Ivan suggested cautiously, coughing lightly.
He just wanted those wizards to be obedient and stay in Knockturn Alley to improve their strength, instead of creating some special forces wizards who were proficient in assassination, survival, and combat. That would be too scary!
"I know, it's used to train Muggle soldiers, and some methods are not suitable for wizards!" Alicia nodded.
Ivan was instantly reassured, but then he heard Alicia add, "So I'll find a more suitable way to train them!"
'No, I think… forget it!'
Ivan opened his mouth to try to talk some sense into her, but when he saw how excited she was, he decided it would be best if he kept his mouth shut.
Don't mess with him… don't mess with him!
Ivan observed a moment of silence for those wizards. He was going to leave Knockturn Alley tomorrow and couldn't care less about them!
Only good luck to them…
In the afternoon, after lunch, Ivan retired to his small room to pack.
There wasn't much, and he only intended to pack a few clothes and some alchemical items, but Alicia disagreed.
"You'll have to bring more clothes, blankets and pillows… Do you want a magic tent? I don't know if you're used to living there…"
As she questioned him, she packed all the "possible" items into a small suitcase.
Ivan, who had used an Extension Charm on a suitcase that could be used as a small storage compartment, was now stuffed full by Alicia.
"By the way, there's no address on that letter. How are you going to find the Master Alchemist?" asked Alicia.
"Well… just go to the Leaky Cauldron and wait. Someone will come and get me!" Ivan said vaguely.
"That close? I'll see you out, then!" said Isiah, her eyes lighting up. Even though Ivan said he was going to see a master alchemist like Nick Flamel, she was always worried.
"No… I can go myself!" Ivan hurriedly shook his head.
Alicia looked at Ivan suspiciously for a moment, and then her expression turned ugly. She had a vague idea what was going on, and she knocked Ivan on the head unhappily…
(PS: It's been a little slow lately, if you'll excuse me… you know, the author always has a few difficult days…)