In the early dawn, before the sun had risen into the sky. Lukas was awoken by Bene and led to the southern side of the pond. There, a waterfall fed the pond into a river.
When they arrived at the base of the waterfall, Lukas saw that the area had been made into a training area.
There was a set of four stones, ordered from smallest to largest. A sheathed sword and a box nestled in the wall of a short cliff. There was even a training dummy with a hefty, solid base and several cuts across it.
"Here is where you will be training for the next three weeks. The first and last week are the only times you will train by the cabin. Here, you will train your strength, your proficiency, and your combative skill. Any questions before we begin?"
Lukas tried to think of anything, but his still groggy mind drew blanks. So he shook his head instead.
"Okay, in that case, we will begin. Here is what your training will consist of for this week. You will do three things, rotating in three-hour intervals. Of course, there will be a half-hour break between each of them. First, you will move those stones over there. Starting with the lightest of them, you will push, pull, lift, or whatever you need to. Whatever it is, those stones will be moved. Secondly, you will bear the weight of that waterfall. In fifteen-minute cycles, ten minutes under it, five minutes of rest. Lastly, you will train your entire body. By stretches, by repetitive movements. Your core, your arms, your legs. You will train everything you can."
Lukas was a little dizzy at the prospect of such a routine, let alone a daily one.
"Are you sure I can even do all of this? This is madness!"
Bene did not shift his gaze away from Lukas. Nor did his face express any form of pity or empathy. He silently stared at Lukas for what must have been an eternity.
"Do what you can. It won't kill you. Now, begin by moving the smallest of the stones."
Lukas stood there, stunned.
At first, he thought Bene was a caring, kind individual. But he now saw a new side to him. A cold, calculating person who sought to do things as efficiently as possible. Bene truly was as cold as his Frequency.
How could his only concern not be for Lukas' suffering? But the fact that he won't die. Did he have no care? No remorse? Did he only care about results?
'Whatever... let's just get this over with.'
Lukas begrudgingly made his way over to the stones. After warming up, he attempted to move the smallest of the stones. Which weighed about 20-25 kilograms.
Lukas wasn't particularly strong and had trouble pushing it. But, after several minutes of failure, he found a position where he could push the stone a good 20 centimetres before his shoulders gave out.
"Good, now try lifting it."
Lukas took a moment to catch his breath before attempting to do so.
He's had to carry heavy things on his shoulders for extended periods before. Such as carrying everything he bought from the markets of Shorstone back home.
But this was heavier than that, and it was only the smallest of the stones. He tried to grip it in every way he could think. But the most he could lift it was a few centimetres before it either slipped from his hands or his body gave out.
"No, don't arch your back like that. Use your legs."
Lukas didn't fully understand what Bene meant by that. But he attempted to shift his posture anyway. He also tried to use his body as leverage, and after 10 to 20 minutes he managed to lift it about 25 centimetres off the ground. He also managed to keep it there for several seconds.
Bene told him to repeat the exercise. So he did, for three hours.
By the end of which, he was thoroughly exhausted. Yet he had more to do, and so after his short respite, he stood under the waterfall.
It wasn't very large, but the weight of the water was only one-half of it. The second half was having to bear it on your shoulders for an extended period.
His head and shoulders were on fire from the water hitting him. Not to mention his strain from lifting the stones. While his lower half was straining under the weight and pressure.
Time slowed to a crawl, and every second dragged on ten times as long. His legs were on the verge of crumbling. Then, finally, Bene told him to rest. He made the ten minutes.
But five minutes was all the rest he was given before he had to do it again.
And again...
And again...
Each time, his muscles would ache, and his body would burn. But he could do it. He didn't want to give up, he wanted to - No, he needed to do this. If doing this would allow him a chance to kill the monster that killed his family, he would do it.
So he pushed himself through everything, over, and over, and over again. Until he had to move on to the last part of his rotation. Which, to him, was a relief. All he had to do were simple exercises.
Sure, they were still painful. Partially from everything he had been through today already. But also from the fact that he had never had to train his body in this way. But this at least, was bearable, and something he could endure.
But when he was done, he had to do it all over again. Two more times that day. Then again the next day.
And again.
And again.
This week would be the most hellish, by far. Lukas' only hope was that from here on out, it would get easier...