The next day dawned with an ominous sky, heavy with dark clouds that threatened rain. Ji-hoon awoke with a sense of dread coiling in his stomach, knowing that Lucien's training would only grow more intense. The idea of mastering advanced techniques made him uneasy, especially after the previous day's grueling session.
Dressing quickly, he resolved to face whatever challenge lay ahead. As he made his way to the grand studio, the echoes of his footsteps were the only sound accompanying him. The air felt charged with anticipation, a palpable tension that mirrored his own growing anxiety.
Upon entering the studio, he found Lucien already waiting, a determined expression etched on his face. "Today, we will be moving on to more advanced techniques. It's time you learned what it takes to be a true D'Arcy."
Ji-hoon felt his heart race. "What kind of techniques?"
Lucien smirked, his eyes glinting with a mixture of excitement and ruthlessness. "We will begin with the Grand Écart—the full split. It is essential for flexibility and balance, two key components of ballet. But this is not just about doing it; it's about how you do it."
Ji-hoon gulped, recalling the intense stretching he had endured in previous lessons. "But I'm not ready for that yet!"
"Ready or not, it's time," Lucien replied, moving to the center of the room and demonstrating the technique with an elegance that took Ji-hoon's breath away. "Observe the way the body aligns, the precision in the placement. This is not merely about stretching; it's about mastering your form. You will push yourself until you can achieve this."
Ji-hoon swallowed hard. The thought of attempting a split was daunting, and he felt the pressure mounting. "What if I hurt myself?"
Lucien stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "Pain is part of the process, Étienne. Without pain, there is no gain. Now, get into position."
Reluctantly, Ji-hoon positioned himself on the floor, feeling the cold surface against his body. He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind, but the thought of potential injury loomed over him like a dark cloud.
"Now, slowly ease into the split," Lucien commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "You have to feel the stretch; it's where the magic happens."
Ji-hoon began to lower himself, feeling the strain in his legs. He winced as the tension increased, his body protesting against the unnatural position. "Lucien, I don't think I can—"
"Keep going! You will not stop until you reach your limit. Focus on your breathing!" Lucien snapped, his impatience rising.
Ji-hoon gritted his teeth, pushing against the pain that shot through him. The muscles in his legs burned, but he refused to relent. "One… two… three…" he counted, each number laced with determination.
"Louder!" Lucien barked, and Ji-hoon could hear the mockery in his tone.
"Four… five… six…" He felt his body trembling, the strain almost unbearable.
Just when he thought he might break, he felt a snap in his right leg, sending a sharp pain radiating through his thigh. "Ah!" he gasped, dropping back onto the floor. "I can't do it!"
Lucien's expression darkened. "You're weak, Étienne. This is unacceptable! If you cannot master the split, you will not advance. Do you understand?"
Ji-hoon's frustration boiled over. "But I'm only ten! This is too much!"
Lucien stepped closer, his demeanor shifting from mentor to tyrant. "You need to understand that this is not just about you. This is about your legacy. You will train harder than anyone else, or you will not succeed."
Feeling tears prick at the corners of his eyes, Ji-hoon fought them back. He didn't want to show weakness. But inside, he felt like he was drowning in expectations he hadn't asked for. "What if I can't live up to it?"
Lucien raised an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Then you will fail. Is that what you want?"
"No," Ji-hoon whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Good. Now, let's try again," Lucien commanded, pushing him back into position. "This time, go deeper."
With a heavy heart, Ji-hoon complied, forcing his body down into the split again. The pain was sharp, but he concentrated on his breathing, pushing through it as Lucien's voice cut through the air, demanding more.
"Focus, Étienne! Feel the tension; embrace it. It is a part of you. Now, straighten your back and extend your arms."
As the minutes ticked by, Ji-hoon felt himself on the edge of tears. The relentless push and pull of expectations, coupled with the fear of failure, were crushing him.
Suddenly, the sound of a door creaking open startled him, breaking the intensity of the moment. Yuna entered the studio, her eyes widening in shock at the sight before her. "Lucien! What are you doing to him?"
Lucien's expression hardened. "This is none of your concern, Yuna. Étienne needs to learn discipline."
"Discipline? This is torture!" Yuna exclaimed, stepping closer to Ji-hoon, her voice rising in frustration. "He's just a child, Lucien. You're pushing him too hard!"
"Silence!" Lucien barked, his patience clearly worn thin. "You don't understand what it takes to succeed in this world."
"But you're going to break him!" Yuna pleaded, concern etched in her features. "He deserves a chance to grow, to enjoy dancing without this pressure!"
Ji-hoon felt a flicker of hope at her words, but Lucien's anger loomed larger. "He will thank me later. This is how greatness is forged. You should support him instead of coddling him."
Yuna turned to Ji-hoon, her eyes pleading. "Étienne, you don't have to do this. You can speak up; you can tell him how you feel!"
But Ji-hoon felt trapped, caught between Lucien's expectations and his mother's plea for his well-being. "I… I don't know," he stammered, fear creeping back in.
Lucien narrowed his eyes at him. "Enough! Get back into position, Étienne. We will not have this discussion again. You will finish this split."
As he dropped back down, Ji-hoon felt the walls closing in around him. The pain was excruciating, but the emotional turmoil was worse. Yuna's voice lingered in his mind—could he really speak up? Could he really confront Lucien?
With every count, he felt his spirit waning, each second a reminder of how trapped he felt in this life. But deep down, he knew he had to stand up for himself, for his own happiness. He couldn't let Lucien dictate his future.
As he forced himself to hold the position, he made a silent promise to himself. Today would not be the end. This was just the beginning of a much longer battle for his identity, a battle he would fight with every ounce of strength he had left.