The sun peeked through the curtains, bathing Ji-hoon's room in a warm glow. He awoke, still feeling the aches from yesterday's training. As he swung his legs over the side of the bed, a wave of dizziness washed over him. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he noticed the hollowness in his cheeks and the faint shadows beneath his eyes.
It had been a week since he started training with the weight bands and resistance, and he could feel the physical toll it was taking on his body. He stepped on the scale and winced. He had lost weight—more than he had anticipated.
With a heavy heart, he made his way to the studio, his mind swirling with concerns about his health. As he entered, he found Lucien waiting, a glint of determination in his eyes.
"Today, we will push further," Lucien announced, as if sensing Ji-hoon's hesitance. "You're beginning to gain strength, but there's much more to achieve. We'll start with a warm-up and then move on to Grand Jeté."
Ji-hoon nodded, but the anxiety knotted in his stomach. "Lucien, I've been feeling—"
"Feeling what?" Lucien interrupted, his tone sharp. "Weakness? Doubt? Those are luxuries we cannot afford. You're shedding weight, which is good; it means you're working hard. The body must adapt through strain."
"But I don't think—" Ji-hoon began, but Lucien cut him off again.
"Your body is a tool, Ji-hoon. It is meant to be honed and refined, not coddled. This is all part of the process of becoming an elite dancer. If you wish to embody the D'Arcy name, you must endure."
Ji-hoon clenched his fists, the pressure of Lucien's words bearing down on him like the weight bands he had become accustomed to. He wanted to voice his concerns, to express how exhausted he felt, but he could see the unyielding determination in Lucien's eyes—a determination that allowed no room for weakness.
"Let's begin," Lucien ordered, his voice echoing through the studio.
With a heavy heart, Ji-hoon stepped into position, trying to shake off his worries. They moved through the warm-up, and as they transitioned into the more strenuous routines, Ji-hoon felt every muscle in his body protesting. The resistance bands pulled at him, each leap and turn becoming increasingly strenuous.
"Focus, Ji-hoon!" Lucien barked as Ji-hoon faltered on a Grand Jeté. "You cannot allow fatigue to distract you. Dance through the pain!"
Ji-hoon gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder, but the reality of his weight loss and exhaustion weighed heavily on his mind. With each leap, he felt a mixture of exhilaration and fear, wondering if he was sacrificing too much in pursuit of perfection.
"Again!" Lucien commanded, his voice unwavering.
Ji-hoon leaped into the air, his body struggling against the bands that seemed to drain the last remnants of his strength. He landed awkwardly, the impact jolting through his legs.
"Is that the best you can do?" Lucien's words sliced through the air. "You must fight against your limits! Show me you have the heart of a D'Arcy!"
Frustration bubbled within Ji-hoon. "I'm trying, but it's just—"
"Enough!" Lucien shouted, his patience waning. "No more excuses. We will not leave this studio until you have mastered your Grand Jeté with the weight bands."
Ji-hoon felt a wave of despair wash over him. It was hard enough to keep his balance under normal circumstances, but the added resistance made it feel like an insurmountable task. He pushed himself into the routine again, each leap sending tremors through his limbs.
Hours passed, the sun inching higher in the sky. Ji-hoon's body screamed in protest, sweat drenching his clothes. He stumbled more than he leaped, each attempt becoming increasingly difficult.
"Do not show weakness! Dance like your life depends on it!" Lucien's voice echoed in his ears.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ji-hoon collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily. "I can't… I can't do it anymore," he gasped, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Lucien approached, his expression hardening. "You can, and you will. This is the price of greatness. You must learn to push through the pain. If you wish to carry the D'Arcy name, you must be willing to sacrifice for it."
"But at what cost?" Ji-hoon murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm losing myself."
Lucien paused, his gaze piercing. "You are not losing yourself; you are discovering a stronger version of who you can become. Pain is temporary; greatness is eternal. Now, get up. We will try again."
Ji-hoon pushed himself to his feet, the weight of Lucien's words hanging heavily in the air. He looked in the mirror, seeing a reflection of someone determined yet fragile, someone who felt as if they were teetering on the edge of their limits.
With a deep breath, he moved back to the center of the studio, steeling himself for the next attempt. He could feel the weight of Lucien's expectations and the legacy of the D'Arcy name bearing down on him, but there was a flicker of defiance growing within him—a determination to find a balance between the discipline he needed and the passion that drove him.
As the music began again, Ji-hoon leaped into the air, feeling the resistance of the bands pulling at him. This time, he focused not just on the technique but on the emotion behind it. He poured every ounce of frustration, hope, and determination into that leap, letting it carry him higher than before.
When he landed, though shaky, he felt a spark of something more—a glimmer of joy amidst the struggle. Perhaps it was possible to dance for himself and still strive for the heights that Lucien demanded.
"Better," Lucien remarked, his voice holding a hint of approval. "But there's still room for improvement. Let's go again."
As Ji-hoon prepared for another leap, he knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. But in that moment, amidst the physical strain and the relentless demands, he felt a small flicker of hope igniting within him.
Maybe he could forge his own path in this new world—a path where he could be both a D'Arcy and his own person.