For the whole week, the endurance running was what they were always tasked to train.
Early in the morning before the sun even came up, the four of them arrived at the training grounds.
"Huuaaahhh!!! Captain! Why are we here this early?!"
Marco asked as he yawned.
Eiji and Akai also looked at Gautam with a questioning look.
"Well... Since all three of you are so diligent and hardworking, I initially thought that it would take up to two weeks before you three can be up to par with the standards for a new recruit!"
The three looked at him once again with a tick in their heads!
Clearly they felt they were being tortured this past week!
"Hahah! Don't look at me like that! You three, despite being told to be geniuses or whatnot, you all did the task without giving up or even thinking of quitting, so in my own opinion, you three are even stronger than me when I first started!"
"Ooohhhh!!!!!!"
Marco who was lazily listening finally lit up his expression!
A genuine praise by Gautam!
"Yeah!"
Marco smiled happily, so did Akai and Eiji.
"Haha! Well for this week, we will still be doing the endurance running!"
"""Eehhh?!!!!"""
The three looked at him dumbfounded!
He just said that they have met up to standard yet he still wants them to continue doing it!
"Hahahahah! Don't worry! You will only be doing it in the morning!
Now! In this whole morning until we have lunch we will do the endurance running!
Did you guys brought your lunch like I told you yesterday?!"
"Yeah!""
Gautam had already told them to bring their lunch and some snacks yesterday, and they also already took the initiative to take lots and lots of water!
"Hmmm! Good! Now, what we will be doing after lunch is that we will practice Calligraphy!"
"Calligraphy??"
Only Eiji asked.
The other two looked at him, then Marco said.
"Eiji, calligraphy helps us practice our wrist, arm control and patience! So most of the time, a swordsman's hobby is calligraphy!"
"Oh!"
Eiji nodded his head.
Gautam also nooded his head as he smiled while looking at them!
"That's right! But before that! GO RUN YOU THREEE!!!!!!!"
"""YESSIR!!"""
*SWOOSH!!!
With his shout, The three started their long long run once again!
-----
Afternoon.
After eating their lunch and resting for a bit, the four of them once again sat on a shade of a tree.
"Here!"
Gautam then put his hand on the small pouch in his waist.
*Swoosh!
Then a bundle of scrolls, papers, brushes and inks suddenly fell out of the pouch after he slap it.
"Oh! A Treasure Pouch!"
Eiji's eyes lit up.
His master Muri also had one. He was even sometimes the one using his master's treasure pouch, but because it is a rare treasure and is very expensive, and also very sought after, his Master Muri couldn't get him one, although his master had told him that he would have one in the future!
Gautam just smiled at Eiji as he understood his circumstances, the other two also didn't say anything.
"Don't worry Eiji! After you three are ready in the next half a year, you three will be given one too!"
"Really?!"
"Yup! Although, it would be a low grade Treasure Pouch, it still has a space of three cubic meter, which I dare say, should be enough for now!"
Eiji nodded his head.
It doesn't matter that it was a low grade, the three cubic meter space was good enough especially when traveling! And since you cant feel the weight, it is very convenient!
"Okay! For now start with the calligraphy, there are some scrolls here with timeless quotes and sayings by the great kings and swordsmen of the past.
You can use their words to practice!"
The three nodded their head and went to pick some brush, paper and ink.
They read the contents of the scroll and looked for quotes that resonates with them and try to write.
Gautam looked at them and then, he also took a brush and paper and started practicing.
----
Time passed and it was already nearly night.
"Hmm.. It's already a bit late, everyone! Let's stop here for now and continue tomorrow!
Still, bring your lunch and snacks tomorrow, we will also be still doing the endurance running okay?!"
"""YES! Captain!!"""
The three acknowledged Gautam then tidied up the place to go back to their respective homes.
*End Of Chapter.