Hiro had prepared himself thoroughly for today. It was the first day of his training, and he was determined to make a strong start. He rose early, filled with anticipation.
Outside, Zenith was already waiting for him, her presence steady and imposing as always. Hiro stepped out of the cabin, the crisp morning air brushing against his skin.
His nerves were buzzing, but they didn't bother him. If anything, they fueled his excitement.
'This is it, It's finally time to start training.'
"Good morning,"
"Hey, Roro. You're up early,"
Zenith replied with a small smile.
"Yeah, I'm super excited to start!"
"I'm glad to hear that, but it's strange most kids your age would dread waking up early for physical training."
Hiro glanced up at her, considering her words. It was true—he wasn't like most kids. Still, was it really so unusual? Having spent most of his life in isolation, he had no frame of reference to compare himself with others. Perhaps she was right.
"Anyway, I'll be heading out for a bit. But first, go put on the clothes I left for you in the cabin and start your training. You can practice outside or inside—it doesn't matter."
"Okay!"
Hiro nodded eagerly.
He stepped back into the cabin, taking a moment to truly take in its layout fully for the first time. It was modest but cozy, divided into three sections: a bedroom, a bathroom, and a living room that also doubled as his sleeping area.
Zenith had mentioned she would expand the cabin soon to create a proper room for him, and the thought filled him with a sense of gratitude.
Hiro glanced around the cabin until his eyes landed on a fur-lined coat and what he assumed to be leather clothes neatly folded on the table in the corner of the room.
'How did I not notice this?'
In his excitement for the day, he had completely overlooked everything else around him. A wave of embarrassment washed over him, and he felt ashamed for being so absentminded.
But he quickly shook those thoughts away, focusing on the task at hand. Grabbing the clothes, he made his way to the restroom area. It would be his first proper bath in about a week.
The realization hit him like a brick. Heiro probably smelled awful,suddenly self-conscious. He couldn't help but wonder.
'Could Zenith smell me?'
The thought made his cheeks flush with embarrassment. I'll make sure that's fixed today.
- - -
After a long, refreshing bath, Hiro stepped out of the shower, feeling clean and rejuvenated for the first time in days. He dried himself off with a piece of cloth, savoring the warmth on his skin. Once he was done, his attention turned to the clothes Zenith had prepared for him.
To his surprise, it wasn't just simple clothing—what lay before him was a full set of black leather armor.
The armor was composed of two layers. The first layer included baggy pants made of a surprisingly durable material and a black turtleneck shirt made of a soft, comfortable fabric that felt gentle against his skin.
The upper layer, however, was far more impressive. A sleek leather vest reinforced with sturdy straps fit snugly over the shirt, its design both practical and stylish. Attached to the vest were a pair of rugged leather shoulder pads, and further down, matching knee pads completed the ensemble. Hiro also noticed knee-high socks that offered additional protection.
Finally, the fur-lined coat caught his attention. It was black like the rest of the armor, but its design was lighter than he expected. The coat felt incredibly soft to the touch and promised warmth, while its hood added an extra layer of comfort and protection.
Hiro ran his hand over the materials in admiration. It wasn't just armor; it was something crafted with care and consideration. Zenith had clearly gone out of her way to make sure he was well-prepared.
Donned in his new clothes, Hiro stepped outside, the chill of the morning air biting at his skin but quickly softened by the warmth of his fur-lined coat. He had decided to train outdoors, believing that the added layer of discomfort would make him stronger in the long run.
Zenith's instructions echoed in his mind.
"Ten sit-ups, ten push-ups, and a one-kilometer run."
"Right. Sit-ups first,"
Hiro muttered to himself, assuming they would be the easiest to start with.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
On his first attempt, he barely managed to lift himself off the ground, his body trembling with effort. Frustrated but determined, he tried again—and again—until he finally completed his first proper sit-up. It was exhausting, but he didn't stop. Slowly, painfully, Hiro pushed through the discomfort and finished all ten. By the time he lay back on the cold ground, his chest burned, and he was gasping for air.
"This… this is torture,"
he mumbled to himself between ragged breaths.
After a short break, Hiro moved on to the push-ups. Predictably, his first few attempts ended with him collapsing face-first into the snow-dusted ground. Still, he grit his teeth and pushed through. Slowly but surely, he completed all ten, his arms shaking uncontrollably as he struggled to hold himself up.
Just as Hiro pushed himself upright, Zenith returned from her brief absence.
"Welcome back,"
Hiro greeted her, wiping sweat from his forehead and forcing himself to stand.
"Thank you, Roro, did you finish the exercises?"
"Almost, I just have the run left, and then I'll be done."
Zenith chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
"You're out of breath already. Were the exercises too much for you?"
"No!"
Hiro shot back quickly, though his haggard voice betrayed him.
"They're fine. I'm just… weak right now. You know, after being sick for so long."
"I see."
Zenith's expression softened for a moment, but then her playful smirk returned.
"Well, let's hope you build up your strength quickly, because this is just the beginning."
She studied him briefly before changing the subject.
"Do the clothes I made for you fit alright?"
"Yeah, they fit perfectly, I didn't know you could sew."
"I did it in secret to surprise you,"
Zenith said, crossing her arms and smiling proudly.
"I'm glad you like them."
"I do, what's it made of?"
Zenith grinned, clearly proud of her work.
"The leather comes from a Black Lumber Wolf. Big bastards with sturdy hides and thick coats. Had to stab it in the eye to bring it down, but it was worth it."
Hiro's eyes widened.
"It was really that strong?"
"Strong, yes, but not that strong. Give it time, and I'm sure you'll be able to take one down yourself."
Her words lit a spark in Hiro. Exhausted as he was, the idea of growing strong enough to face such creatures fueled his determination. For now, though, he had one more task to complete.
"I'll hold you to that,"
Hiro said with a small smile before stretching his aching limbs.
"Good,"
Zenith replied, turning her attention back to the snowy landscape.
"Now, finish up that run, Roro. You've still got a long way to go."
"Okay, so… how far is a kilometer?"
Zenith paused for a moment, glancing across the snowy landscape.
"Hmm… see that big tree over there?" she said, pointing to a distant, towering pine.
"Run to that tree, then come back. That should be about right."
Hiro squinted at the tree—it looked really far—but he nodded.
"Got it."
Still exhausted from the earlier exercises, Hiro forced his legs to move. His first steps were clumsy and heavy, but he didn't stop.
He ran.
He ran to become strong, to push past the weakness he had felt for so long. He ran for revenge—for the family and life that had been stolen from him. But most of all, Hiro ran for her.
He wanted to stand beside Zenith one day—not as someone to be saved, but as her equal. He didn't want to be a helpless child forever.
The cold air stung his lungs, and his legs burned with each step, but he pushed on, one foot after another.
Hiro ran—and he would keep running, no matter how much it hurt.
Because this was just the beginning.