The following day brought a wave of determination that washed over Caius, Elian, and Rivan. As they gathered at the school's courtyard after classes, the adrenaline from the competition still pulsed through their veins, fueling their excitement for training. Caius arrived first, stretching out his limbs and envisioning the parkour moves they would practice today. The bright afternoon sun cast long shadows across the pavement, and the air was filled with the distant laughter of students and the faint sounds of music from nearby speakers. He felt a surge of purpose—this was their time to transform passion into skill.
Elian was next, his face beaming as he jogged towards them. "I've been thinking about some of the moves we saw yesterday. We should definitely start with precision jumps and vaults. Those are fundamental!"
Rivan joined shortly after, slightly out of breath. "I found a couple of videos online demonstrating some techniques. If we can break down those moves, we might just get the hang of them quicker!" His enthusiasm was infectious, and Caius could see the glint of determination in both of their eyes.
As they warmed up, Caius's mind drifted back to the competition. The feats he had witnessed were extraordinary, but they also represented a new standard they now aspired to reach. "We have to push ourselves," Caius said, looking at his friends. "Let's not hold back. We need to train like we're preparing for the next competition!"
With their training plan in place, they began with precision jumps. Caius set up two small markers spaced five feet apart, an exercise designed to improve their accuracy. "Watch this," Caius said as he launched himself forward, focusing all his energy on landing precisely on the first marker. He leaped with both feet, landing perfectly balanced, his knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. "Nailed it!" he grinned, basking in the small victory.
"Nice job, Caius! Now let me show you how it's done!" Rivan replied, attempting a jump but slightly miscalculating, landing awkwardly. The fall was soft, and he rolled to dissipate the impact. "That was just practice, right?" he joked, getting back on his feet.
Elian chuckled, offering encouragement. "It's all part of the process. Each jump makes us better!"
After several rounds of precision jumps, they took turns refining their technique. Caius focused on his takeoff, ensuring he pushed off the ground with explosive strength while keeping his body upright for better control in the air. Each jump was a test of his focus and technique, as he aimed for the markers with greater precision.
Elian, inspired by Caius's example, decided to try a variation called the "cat leap," where he would jump and land on an elevated surface, grabbing the edge with his hands. He placed a small ledge about six feet away, his heart racing with excitement. "Here goes!" he exclaimed, taking off with a powerful leap. He reached out, fingers grasping the ledge. He swung his legs up, landing safely atop the surface. "Yes! I did it!"
"Nice one, Elian!" Rivan cheered. "I'll give that a shot!"
Rivan approached the ledge, his focus evident. He sprinted forward, jumping off with determination. However, his landing was less controlled than Elian's. He grabbed the ledge but swung too hard, his feet slipping off the edge. He landed on the ground below with a thud, rolling to absorb the impact. "Oof! That was a bit too much power!" he laughed, brushing himself off.
Next, they moved on to vaults, finding a low wall about three feet high, ideal for practicing speed vaults. Caius demonstrated first, sprinting towards the wall with determination. He planted his hands firmly on the edge, propelling himself over with a clean technique, his feet clearing the top and landing gracefully on the other side. "See how my arms help with momentum?" he explained, showcasing his foot placement and the push-off technique.
"Great form, Caius!" Elian applauded, eager to give it a shot. He followed suit, timing his stride perfectly but slightly miscalculating his hand placement. Instead of landing smoothly, he stumbled but quickly recovered with a roll, showcasing the importance of resilience.
Rivan couldn't help but laugh. "That's one way to do it! Let's keep practicing until we get it right!"
They took turns, each refining their technique. Caius emphasized the importance of arm movement and body posture. "When you vault, lean forward slightly. It helps with balance and control," he instructed.
As they practiced, Rivan decided to try a more advanced technique: the Kong vault. He approached the wall with confidence, sprinting harder than before. He executed the move, thrusting his hands down and tucking his knees toward his chest. While he cleared the wall, his landing was less graceful, resulting in him toppling over slightly.
"Almost! Just a little more control on landing!" Caius encouraged.
Elian watched closely. "I think we can make it smoother. Let's try using a softer landing technique next."
After several rounds of vaulting, the trio decided to tackle the wall run next. They found a vertical surface at the far end of the courtyard, a wall standing about eight feet high.
Caius felt a mix of nerves and excitement as he approached the wall. "Alright, this one's tougher, but if we can master it, we'll be one step closer to our goals."
He sprinted toward the wall, focusing on his foot placement and the momentum he needed to carry him upward. Caius visualized the wall run in his mind, timing his approach with precision. He pushed off the wall with all his might, managing to reach the top but not without a minor slip. "Almost! Just a little more push next time!" Rivan encouraged.
Elian took a deep breath, watching Caius with keen eyes. "I think we can do it together. Let's count to three and go for it!"
On the count of three, the three friends sprinted toward the wall simultaneously. With a collective roar, they launched themselves, each making an impressive attempt. Rivan reached the top but stumbled on landing, while Elian executed a perfect roll to cushion his fall. Caius managed to grab the ledge but slipped back down, laughing as they helped one another up.
"Let's try that again, but this time, focus on your foot placement. You need to kick off with your strongest foot," Caius advised, his brows furrowed in concentration.
Rivan nodded, determined to improve. He approached the wall again, this time visualizing each step. He took off, feeling the rhythm of his movements. He pushed off the wall, his feet finding purchase as he climbed. He landed successfully on top, grinning ear to ear. "I did it!"
Elian followed, channeling the same energy. "This time, I'll stick the landing!" He sprinted toward the wall, executing the wall run with confidence. However, in his excitement, he leaned too far forward, and while he made it to the top, he lost his balance and tumbled forward. Elian rolled smoothly, a skill they had practiced, absorbing the impact.
"Not bad, Elian! But remember, keep your core tight during the landing!" Caius reminded him.
As they caught their breath, Caius thought about the risks associated with their training. "You know, every time we practice these moves, we're pushing our limits. It's important to stay aware of our surroundings and avoid taking unnecessary risks."
"Exactly," Elian nodded. "We have to know our limits and gradually push them. Injuries can happen if we're not careful. Like, last week I sprained my ankle trying that new trick."
"Let's focus on gradual progression," Rivan suggested. "We should master the basics before attempting anything more advanced. This way, we minimize the risk."
They all agreed, understanding that safety was paramount in their journey. Caius felt a surge of responsibility. "We can challenge ourselves without pushing too hard. If someone feels uncomfortable, just speak up. No one wants to end up injured because of pride."
Elian grinned. "And that's why we have each other! We can keep pushing forward while looking out for one another."
As they wrapped up their training session, Caius looked at his friends with newfound determination. "We're making progress. But I think we need to set a bigger goal—something that keeps us pushing our limits."
"Like what?" Elian asked, curious.
Caius's mind raced back to the competition. "What if we enter a competition ourselves? I mean, we're not ready yet, but what if we train hard and aim for the next one? We could team up and challenge ourselves!"
Rivan's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's a fantastic idea! We'll train every day after school, and with enough practice, we can build our own routine. Think about how incredible it would be to perform in front of a crowd!"
"I love it!" Elian exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "But we also need to refine our techniques and learn from those who've been in the game longer. Maybe we can connect with some of the competitors from yesterday."
With a shared sense of purpose, they all agreed, and their hearts swelled with excitement for the journey ahead. As they discussed their plans, they felt an overwhelming sense of unity, an understanding that this was just the beginning