The following morning, Ji-hoon awoke to the harsh light of day piercing through the curtains, each ray a reminder of the demanding training that awaited him. He could feel the stiffness in his legs from yesterday's grueling session, a dull ache that echoed Lucien's relentless pursuit of perfection. As he dressed, the weight of impending challenges settled heavily on his shoulders.
When he arrived at the studio, he found Lucien already waiting, the atmosphere thick with tension. Today, Ji-hoon sensed that they were going beyond mere flexibility training. Lucien's expression hinted at something far more intense.
"Today, we will explore Dégagé," Lucien announced, his voice calm yet commanding. "This technique is crucial for your footwork, but it's also a precursor to much more complex maneuvers. However, there's a twist."
Ji-hoon swallowed hard, instinctively bracing himself. "What kind of twist?"
"We will be incorporating Saut de Chat—a jump that requires both strength and agility," Lucien explained, his tone suggesting that failure was not an option. "But first, we need to improve your control during Dégagé. I will push you to your limits."
"I thought we were supposed to focus on flexibility," Ji-hoon protested, a spark of defiance igniting within him. "Isn't this too dangerous?"
"Dangerous?" Lucien echoed, a slight smile forming. "If you want to be the best, you must learn to embrace danger. Now, let's begin."
As Ji-hoon followed Lucien to the center of the studio, he felt a knot form in his stomach. The mere thought of attempting such a demanding technique made him anxious, but he pushed his fear aside.
"Start with your right foot, and perform Dégagé," Lucien instructed, demonstrating the movement with fluid grace. "I want you to feel the power behind it. Your foot should snap back with intention."
Ji-hoon took a deep breath and attempted the movement, but it felt clumsy compared to Lucien's elegant execution. "Like this?" he asked, trying to mimic the motion.
"Not quite," Lucien said, observing him critically. "You're losing control. Again!"
With every repetition, Ji-hoon felt the pressure mounting. His muscles ached as he forced his body to adapt to the precise movements. "One more time," Lucien commanded, his voice growing impatient.
After what felt like hours of attempts, Ji-hoon finally felt some semblance of improvement. But Lucien was far from satisfied. "Now, we'll combine it with the Saut de Chat. You need to leap gracefully and land with poise. It's a dangerous technique if you lack control."
Ji-hoon's heart raced. "What makes it dangerous?"
"Improper form can lead to severe injuries. If you jump without control, you could sprain an ankle or worse," Lucien replied coldly. "But that's part of the process. Are you ready?"
Ji-hoon nodded, his resolve hardening. "Yes."
"Good. I want you to jump, landing softly on your feet as if you were floating. Ready?"
Ji-hoon took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He ran through the space, channeling all his energy into the leap, aiming for the precision Lucien demanded. He pushed off the ground, feeling a rush of adrenaline as he soared through the air, attempting to land gracefully.
But as he came down, he miscalculated, and his foot landed awkwardly on the wooden floor. The impact jarred through his leg, sending a sharp pain shooting up his ankle. "Ah!" Ji-hoon cried out, stumbling to regain his balance.
Lucien's eyes widened slightly, but then narrowed with irritation. "You need to focus! That was sloppy!"
"I— I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—" Ji-hoon stammered, pain coursing through him.
"Get up!" Lucien barked, stepping closer. "You have to learn to push through the pain. If you allow it to control you, you'll never succeed."
Gritting his teeth, Ji-hoon forced himself back to his feet, his body shaking from exertion. "I'll try again," he said, determination rising in him despite the pain.
"Try harder," Lucien snapped, crossing his arms. "You have to make the jump perfect. Otherwise, you'll always be a step behind."
Once more, Ji-hoon prepared for the leap, his heart racing. He counted down in his head, focusing on the movement. This time, he pushed off with more strength, letting the momentum carry him higher.
But as he landed, he felt the familiar jolt of pain ripple through his ankle, and he stumbled again, barely catching himself. The frustration bubbled up inside him, threatening to spill over. "I can't keep doing this! It's too much!"
Lucien's expression turned cold. "You think greatness is easy? It takes sacrifice, dedication, and pain. You will learn to accept that, or you will fail. Is that what you want?"
"No, I—" Ji-hoon started, but the words felt hollow. The truth was, he didn't know what he wanted. He only knew he felt trapped by expectations that didn't feel like his own.
"Then get back into position and try again," Lucien commanded, a flicker of impatience dancing in his eyes.
With a reluctant sigh, Ji-hoon pushed through the pain and stepped back into place. He prepared himself for yet another attempt, his determination mingling with the fear of failure. But deep inside, he felt something shifting—a growing resolve to take control of his own destiny, to find a way to express himself through dance rather than through Lucien's rigid demands.
As he prepared to leap once more, he remembered Yuna's words from yesterday. You can dance for yourself. It was a mantra he would cling to, a reminder that he could find joy in his movements if he allowed himself to break free from Lucien's oppressive shadow.
Ji-hoon ran forward, launching himself into the air, this time focusing not just on landing but on the joy of flying. For a brief moment, as he soared through the air, he felt free.
When he landed, it wasn't perfect—his feet still trembled slightly, and he could feel the strain in his muscles—but it was better. He smiled despite the lingering pain. "That was better, wasn't it?" he asked, looking hopefully at Lucien.
Lucien's expression remained neutral. "It was an improvement. But you will need to do better."
Ji-hoon nodded, though he felt a flicker of triumph. He had fought back, if only a little, against the tide of Lucien's harsh expectations. And as they continued to train, Ji-hoon realized that while the path ahead was fraught with challenges, he wouldn't walk it blindly. He would learn, adapt, and above all, find his own way to dance.