"Welcome, everyone. If you're here for our first class today, I hope you're prepared."
After enrolling in the dojo, it didn't take long for them to call me for the classes.
While our instructor was introducing himself and giving that initial boring speech, I took a moment to look at the other students in my class.
There are 14 other people besides me, and the gender ratio seems almost equal. Most of them appear to be complete beginners like myself, and some have the same aura, humor, and appearance I had when working for that company.
Not that I've completely shed that image, but I want to believe I'm doing better.
"All right, as I explained, we'll start the physical tests. A warning: run, run as if your lives depend on it."
Lost in thought, I realized the explanation seemed to have ended, and now I regret not paying attention.
"CRAP!"
Chasing me is a panther wanting to devour me. What did I get myself into?
"All right, I can see you're putting effort into this. I like to see that."
After running non-stop for 5 minutes, my strength began to wane, and my body started to disobey me. The desire to stop running only increased.
Strange. I don't think I can run faster than a panther. When I looked back to see if it was still behind me... It was there, noticing that I slowed down, looking at it. It seemed motivated, and it started running faster after me.
Despite the initial impression of ferocity, now it seems to be laughing and having fun.
"Hahaha, no way."
My body, which didn't want to obey me, returned to normal. The fatigue I felt vanished like magic, and my mind could only think one thing: run.
After running for another five minutes, I collapsed. My body truly stopped, breathing is difficult, and I feel fatigue and the urge to close my eyes and rest.
When I was ready to accept my fate, I heard a voice behind me, the instructor's voice.
"All right, despite your time not being the best, you showed tremendous willpower."
"Refresh, Heal."
When he finished speaking, I felt like I was enveloped in something warm.
Once that sensation passed, my fatigue disappeared like magic, and in its place, my body feels light, without any strange sensations.
"I know you're enjoying the moment, but we're not done for today; this was just the beginning."
When we returned to where the introductions were made, some people were already there; it seems I wasn't the first to stop.
Afterward, we did various other tests to assess everyone's capabilities. These tests involved reflexes, strength, flexibility, response time, and, finally, a courage test where we stood still, and the instructors simulated various attacks, and we couldn't move.
"Now that the tests are over, we'll move on to instructions. For this, each of you will do exercises focused on your weaknesses. Once you reach an acceptable level, we'll advance with the training."
Each of us received different instructions on what to do and train, and it seems it's going to be more challenging than I thought. However, I think this training will be perfect for me since I want to change.
"Now, you three, I can see that you've trained before. So, I'll teach you our style and some moves. Besides that, I'll suggest a training plan for you based on your results."
And so was our routine for a week. Thanks to the use of magic, we could train for more extended periods, and when we left, no one was tired, but everyone felt better than when they entered.
I think this feeling was addictive. Despite this crazy training, no one gave up.
In the meantime, I got the job in the dungeon. Because of this, I received a discount on what the dungeon has to offer. It seems that after working with them for a while, the benefits are greater and better.
"No more slacking, now that you've gotten used to the routine, we'll start training seriously."
That's when we encountered the real hell and discovered that not dying and magical healing are not relief but a form of torture. Our training involved dodging and defending against attacks, counterattacking monsters, fleeing from monsters while carrying weights, and deciding the best path to take. And every time we were tired or hurt, they used magic to heal us, and the more mistakes we made, the tougher the rest became.
On the other hand, we're seeing quick results. In about a month, my body was starting to take shape, and I feel stronger and more energetic. I can handle low-level monsters without difficulty, not to mention my confidence. After going through that ordeal, my mental strength seems to have increased.
The next step will be to learn the basics of the area we want to pursue. Since the classes focus on facing the dungeon, we have to decide which roles we want to take on and which weapons we want to use.
But before continuing the training, there's something I have to do.
It's been over a month since I quit my old job and decided to change. During the training, I realized that there's no use running away from it. Today was the day we scheduled to meet after much struggle and promising to give my answer, she agreed to meet.
Before meeting her, I prepared myself to get all dressed up. With the employee discount, I took advantage and went to the spa. There, I cut my hair, shaved, and even participated in an experience where they used magic along with relaxation and beauty treatments.
By myself, I would have gone through all this preparation, but of course, I would try to present myself well to meet her. However, during a conversation with others, one of our instructors overheard and decided to intervene. Well, it turned into a mini-event with the female employees of the dungeon, from my haircut to my clothes, even what I will bring.
We arranged to meet at the park where our proposal was made.
-0-
I arrived half an hour early at the location we set, my anxiety is so great that until I was here, I wouldn't be able to calm down.
To try to calm down, I looked around, a feeling of nostalgia hit me.
And this feeling made me feel regret, how did I let things get to this point, besides the feeling of her absence.
"Ro...berto?"
While lost in thought, someone seems to have called me, but it sounds a bit hesitant.
When I returned to pay attention to things, there she was, with an expression of uncertainty and tiredness.
"Yes, Letícia."
Because of our training, the way I perceive things around me has changed, because of this, I started to pay more attention to things, like the expression she is making.
Besides that, something I couldn't help but notice was the clothes she is wearing, the makeup she is using, this shows that it wasn't just me who prepared for today.
"Take this."
Before saying anything, I handed her the bouquet I had prepared.
"How are you?"
It was the only thing that came out of my mouth.
That's how we started talking, we talked about the old times, we talked about everything a little, except for the time we spent apart.
During our conversation, we began to calm down, the nervousness almost completely disappeared.
"Hey, I realized that you mean everything to me. I want to apologize for what I made you go through. I promise to change, I've already left the old job and found another job."
The more I talked, the more I wanted to hug her, the more I wished all this hadn't happened, but it served as a lesson.
"I want to be with you again. I don't know if that's your wish, but if you agree, I promise to do everything to make you happy."
"I..."
"Wait."
Before letting her answer me, I took advantage of the moment to kneel down, as proof to show how serious I was, there's one more thing I prepared.
Taking a small box from my pocket and moving the box in her direction, gathering all my courage and my feelings for her.
"I promise to do everything to make you happy, promise not to make the same mistakes I once made."
"Leticia, will you marry me?"
For a long time, I had no answer, when I looked up, what I saw served to give me the answer I was waiting for.