Lucas got to know Alexander a little more after that. Not only was he the MVP of middle school baseball, but he was also the MVP of American football.
'Is this what a mother's child looks like?'
Anyway, Lucas, who had obtained the Thousand Horses, was able to build his body with a much more comfortable mind. At that moment, the director called Lucas over and handed him a piece of paper.
"This is your training program."
Monday through Friday, the list detailed the things Lucas had to do on baseball practice days, and at first glance, most of it was strength training.
"Is there really nothing but strength training?"
"Until your body is fit enough to throw the ball, no pitching will be allowed except for catch."
Catch ball is a great game to keep your senses sharp. Just by passing the ball back and forth, Lucas was able to become familiar with the ball and his teammates. So it seemed like catch ball was an exception.
"But, coach, there's no equipment for strength training in this indoor training center, right?"
The director nodded. "Yes."
"So it sounds like you're saying I don't need to come out here for a while…"
"I get it. I think it would be best to go to the school fitness center for the time being."
Lucas felt it was a sad story to tell the baseball club members not to come to the baseball training ground.
'But what can I do? I have to trust and follow.'
"All right."
"Focus on strength training for at least a month. Of course, if your body is ready before then, you can immediately start regular training and competition."
It was hopeful talk, but it was impossible to build a perfect body in one month.
'But they're saying they'll put me in as soon as my body is complete.'
No matter how much Lucas built his body, he still needed to work on regaining his sense of reality. However, Director Donald said that he would skip that process and just put him in as soon as he built his body. Lucas felt that the director was considerate of him in his words.
"Now that we're on the subject, there's less than a month left in the league, right?"
"Yes?"
"Then, what about the opening game?"
Lucas swallowed his sigh as he heard no answer.
'Whew. The opening match was a piece of cake.'
Lucas licked his dry lower lip with his tongue. Of course, it was a shame for him as a player not to be able to participate in the opening match, but even that was all for his own good.
If he went up to the mound in poor health and got injured, he might have to rest for a year, not just a month.
'Yeah. I guess I should think positively. Now is the time to look to the future rather than the present.'
Lucas's eyes lit up as he made up his mind. "I will come back to you in perfect physical condition."
The director clenched his fist and held it out to Lucas. Lucas also tapped his fist.
* * *
Lucas had never properly learned strength training. No matter how much the rumor spread that Korean sports teams are tight, they didn't do muscle training for young children. That's why Lucas, who knew nothing about strength training, invited his trained assistant Mike this time too.
'Mike has a good frame, but his body is also muscular like a monster, so he is suitable as a PT trainer.'
"Shouldn't we be paying for a personal trainer at this point?"
Of course, Mike started complaining first. "Just one week. No, just five days. After that, I'll take care of everything. I'll release you as a free agent only after you properly learn the exercises listed here."
"Because of you, I can't even go on dates with my girlfriend. If we break up like this, are you going to take responsibility?"
Damn it. You can't take responsibility for that?
Mike looked at Lucas, who looked like he had lost his country, then chuckled and pointed to the bench press machine. "Let's start with that. Do you know how to do it?"
"I saw it on video."
"But why did you call me?"
"Isn't that the case with all exercise? Even if I feel like I'm doing it right, someone else might think it's wrong?"
Mike nodded. "Exactly. By the way, what we're exchanging should be done properly, right?"
Oh, right. Mike wasn't a giving tree. A businessman who strictly follows give and take. It could be because he's American, but he couldn't just waste someone else's precious time like this.
"What do you want?"
"Is everything okay?"
"Am I a beggar?"
"I'm not asking for money. I don't want to get expelled either."
Are you getting ripped off in America? Expulsion is just a ridiculous punishment.
"Then I'll do you a favor later."
"Receipt."
"But I can't ask you anything related to baseball right now."
"Are you crazy? That's because you didn't do any after-school activities back then. Now, are you going to ask a member of the baseball club to play in a baseball game for regular people?"
Lucas scratched the back of his head. 'That's true too.'
Anyway, since time was of the essence, Lucas sat down on the bench press machine right away. Mike pressed every nook and cranny of Lucas's body and sighed.
"Hey, how can you throw away such restraints with a body like this?"
"Why?"
"No. This isn't an athlete's body."
"Even when I was playing baseball, I didn't do any strength training?"
Of course, Lucas hadn't been doing strength training at the time, but he had been exercising regularly. But the one and a half year hiatus, as expected, had changed his body's muscle mass into fat.
"That's what's so strange. I knew there were monsters in the world, but it's my friend."
Lucas's current physical condition was just like that of an ordinary person. Even without professional measurements, it was clear how little muscle mass he had.
"Oh, right. Get up. Stretching is a basic thing before exercising."
"I did that in advance."
"Oh? You're so well-prepared? When did you do it?"
"Because I always did stretching as a habit."
"Like a habit?"
Lucas got up from the apparatus for a moment, bent forward at the waist, and stretched his arms toward the floor. Mike's eyes widened at the sight of his palms easily touching the floor.
"I would believe you if you said you were a gymnast. Why are you so flexible?"
"Flexibility is also important for baseball players, right? I've been stretching nonstop since I was 6 years old, whenever I had the chance."
As with any sport, flexibility is important because it reduces injuries. It was fortunate that Lucas was able to continuously develop his flexibility since he was young.
'You look so well-prepared. It was just a normal person's cosplay, right?'
Mike licked his lips and then opened his mouth. "What kind of intensity do you want?"
"I strongly urge you. I heard that you won't be able to participate in the opening match due to your poor physical condition."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I can't compete until I get in shape."
"So it depends on how much effort you put in?"
"Right? The director has been watching for at least a month."
Mike stroked his chin, lost in thought. "No matter how much you increase the intensity, it won't be possible to achieve it within a month."
"I know. But I ask you to do your best."
Mike quickly smiled wickedly.
'I'll show you hell.'
That's how the program started. Mike didn't stop talking.
"I told you to breathe in and out properly?"
"One more time! One more time!"
"No! A 6ft 154lb (183cm 70kg) person can't even lift 88lb (40kg) properly?"
The world isn't all that easy just because you have a lot of determination, Lucas thought.
'No. This is the first set. My arms are shaking so much I think I'm going to die!'