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Chapter -56.
"First, remember: you can't go to school on an empty stomach!"
"Second, make sure to dry your clothes on a sunny day!"
"Third, watch out for cars when you're crossing the street!"
"Fourth, trust in your own strength!"
"Fifth, don't run around barefoot!"
Malfoy shouted these five phrases as he dashed along, his voice echoing with enthusiasm.
At first, these might sound a bit silly, but they actually carry some pretty important lessons.
Not going to school on an empty stomach reminds us to be prepared before tackling any task; if we don't get ready, we might end up struggling and wasting our efforts.
Drying your bedding on a sunny day is all about taking advantage of good opportunities to show off what you can do and not letting chances slip away.
Being cautious of cars when crossing the road highlights the need to pay attention to the little things; those details can really make a difference between success and failure.
Not relying on others' strength encourages us to believe in ourselves and our abilities; there's a special kind of pride that comes from achieving things on our own.
And not playing barefoot on the ground is a reminder to always have a backup plan and take care of ourselves; safety should always come first in whatever we do.
These five phrases are known as the Five Great Oaths of the Ultra.
As Malfoy ran, he was shouting these words almost on autopilot; his mind was starting to feel a bit fuzzy by the time he finished his second lap.
Sweat dripped down his forehead, his cheeks were flushed, and his throat felt like it was on fire. It felt like he was running in a furnace, and his feet felt as heavy as lead.
By the end of the second lap, every step and even every breath felt like a huge effort, as if he was about to burst from exhaustion.
But just when he thought he couldn't go on, a spoon would fall from the sky and hit him right on the head. At first, it hurt, but then it brought a strange mix of comfort and warmth that somehow kept him going.
Every now and then, when he glanced back, he thought he saw something shining in Dudley's hands.
Magic?
Malfoy wasn't sure what it was; all he could think about was finishing his training.
When he completed the third lap, Dudley stopped him just as he was about to keep going.
"You've done enough for today, even though it took longer than I thought."
From seven to ten, it took a full three hours to finish.
That was with Dudley's help; without him, it would have taken at least three times longer.
Malfoy's mind snapped back to reality, and he started to feel more awake.
'Completed? Me?'
His eyes widened, and a look of disbelief crossed his flushed face.
"Great job sticking with it! You were more persistent than I expected," Dudley said with a smile.
Hearing Dudley's praise made Malfoy realize he had really done it; warmth spread through him, and he felt a sense of achievement.
'I did it! All by myself!'
As the only son of the Malfoy family, he had always been pampered at home; his parents, relatives, and their friends all doted on him, and his peers revolved around him.
"You're born noble, you're pureblood, you're naturally better than other wizards," his father, Lucius, had drilled into him since he was little.
Growing up in such an environment, Malfoy had developed a rather spoiled attitude.
He had never set goals for himself or worked hard for anything; often, he just had to ask, and his family would make it happen.
So, he had never experienced the thrill of pushing through and conquering his own limits.
Only those who enjoy pushing themselves know how rewarding it can be.
Sure, it was tiring, but it felt pretty good too.
"This potion will help with your muscle soreness; drink it," Dudley said, pulling a bottle from his pocket and handing it to Malfoy.
Feeling good about his accomplishment, Malfoy instinctively obeyed Dudley, took the potion, and drank it without a second thought.
Afterward, his sore limbs felt so much better, and a warm, comforting sensation spread through his body.
'Wow!'
Malfoy felt so great that he almost shouted, suddenly realizing that working out with Dudley was actually pretty enjoyable.
Now, it wasn't just admiration for Dudley; there was a hint of something deeper going on.
"Go back in and rest up. Come a bit earlier tomorrow; we'll start at six o'clock, and don't be late. Oh, and there might be one more person joining us tomorrow, but he won't be working out."
The person Dudley mentioned was Harry. Harry had sent a letter with Hedwig to Dudley the night before, saying he had something to do and would be sleeping in, so he wouldn't be there to watch Dudley work out that morning.
This guy was usually pretty punctual, except for a few times.
Dudley had invited him to join the workouts, but he had declined. Still, he enjoyed watching Dudley exercise.
Is watching others work out really more fun than doing it yourself?
Dudley didn't get it.
He waved goodbye to Malfoy, who promised to be on time tomorrow, feeling energized as he limped back to the Slytherin common room.
Dudley watched Malfoy leave with a knowing look.
It seemed like Malfoy was always causing trouble in Slytherin, but in reality, he was one of the easiest to handle.
That's part of why Dudley chose him.
After the morning workout, Dudley didn't take a break; he showered, grabbed a notebook, and headed out again.
In the surprised gaze of Madam Pince, the librarian, and a group of young wizards, Dudley settled down next to a girl with fluffy hair in a cozy corner.
After all, with Dudley's size, he didn't exactly look like a studious type.
"Why are you so late today?" Hermione asked casually.
Dudley pulled out a book on spell analysis and started flipping through it. "I spent a little extra time working out with a friend."
"A girl?"
"A boy."
"I too willl join you tomorrow."
'What's with the sudden change?'
Dudley raised an eyebrow at Hermione in surprise. He had previously suggested she join him for workouts, but like Harry, she had turned him down. The difference was that Hermione had said she didn't want to get muscles as big as Dudley's.
For that reason, Dudley had even given her a little science lesson.
Generally, girls don't build muscle as easily as boys due to physiological differences; their testosterone levels are different. Without focusing specifically on muscle training, Hermione wouldn't be able to bulk up like Dudley.
To be honest, Dudley actually liked sporty girls with their fit figures and toned bodies.
"What are you looking at? Am i not allowed?" Hermione teased, showing her teeth in a mock threat.
But her prominent rabbit teeth didn't really come off as threatening; they were actually quite adorable.
"Ahem, quiet!"
Madam Pince's voice rang out. She had been keeping an eye on Dudley, after all; he was quite the imposing figure.