Finding a Rhythm

Over the next two weeks, Joe began to develop a new daily schedule. As he had been doing the past few years, he would start his day before everyone else on campus. Before the Sun even touched the sky, he was making his way off campus where he would spend an hour training in seclusion. His control over his growing strength became nearly flawless as each day passed. His speed rapidly increased and he found it easier and easier to move for longer periods of time. Following his training, he would stop by a rather famous pastry shop that him, Sarah, and Lainey would occasionally stop at before heading home from class.

Once he finished changing after his morning, Joe would make his way to his combat lessons where he had a squad of classmates under his command. Most days, the training followed a set syllabus. Other days, the individual Squad Leaders were instructed to train the physicality of those under them. Joe used those opportunities to work on the lacking endurance of his squad. From running to swimming, every training moment under his control was used to ensure they would not tire first in a prolonged battle.

The joined training days ranged from sparring to technical method exercises. Slowly, every student was being taught a range of different combative styles. All were expected to have master hand to hand combat as well as one form of armed combat by their graduation. Nearly every student began devoting all their free time to practice.

There were a few students that seemed to put in far less effort. They were the four who were put in the lowest of their class rankings on the second day. With one dedicated to each squad, Joe was naturally in charge of one himself. After two weeks of seeing little improvement in this one member, he decided something needed to be done. After the lessons for the day were done, he acted on this decision.

"Jonathon, hang back for a minute."

Watching all the other classmates leaving the courtyard, two men were left in silence.

"Just call me John already. It's been two weeks since the semester started, and we're stuck together the whole lesson period."

"I'm going to be blunt with you. Do you want to be dropped from enrollment or are you going to put in the effort to make it through the midterms?"

Joe's usually indifferent face reeked of disappointment. Of all the members of his squad, John showed the least progress. If it had been a lack in ability, they wouldn't be having this conversation. Repeatedly, Joe witnessed John half-assing the training. If he wasn't going to try, then Joe was going to push for his dismissal.

"You know, I barely even made it into the Academy. Despite working my ass off for months, I still barely made the cut and now I'm known as one of the weakest in our grade."

Sorrow began to flood his expression. That wasn't everything though. Joe could see the restrained rage that he was trying to hide. After all the effort put in, to watch something you worked for explode in your face, any stable person would be enraged.

"Starting tomorrow, you will be training with me before lessons start. If you worked so hard to get here, then pull your head out your ass and get stronger. Be at the front gate by five hundred hours. If you're late, then it'll be four hundred hours the following day."

With that, Joe made his way out of the courtyard. He made the pointed he wanted to and got an understanding of John's mental state. Now, it was time for his 'personal lesson'.

Every day, Joe would head straight to the campus' cafeteria from the lesson fields. He'd get something nutritious yet simple. By the time he made his way into the dorms, the food was already settling in his stomach. He would then shower and change before making his way to Shianne's office. The two had grown rather accustomed to the presence of the other so he developed the habit of simply walking inside after about a week.

Although most days didn't reach the intensity of their first 'training session', the two had grown closer. Physically and mentally, they held no secrets from the other. Had their relationship been normal, they likely would have been long labeled as a couple by their friends. Still, they had to maintain the student and teacher façade. Should their interactions become public knowledge, Shianne would be removed from her teaching position and Joe would have had his enrollment pulled from beneath him.

Seeing him walking in, Shianne began to steel her resolve. Over the last week, something has been itching at the back of her mind. Today, she was determined to talk about it. Taking the seat beside him, Shianne took a sip of the coffee he had already poured for her. "Can we talk about something before we get lost this time?" Her usual strong persona had devolved into a meek, lovestruck girl the moment she planted herself next to him.

Joe had long since gotten used to this side of her and he personally found it to be adorable. From time to time, he would tell her that just to tease her a bit but not today. Behind her now normal composure, he sensed a serious intent. "You know you don't have to ask me. what's on your mind?" With a hand placed gently on her cheek, Joe turned her head so their eyes would meet.

After finding her resolve once again after the simple action had shattered it and nearly sent her into their usual mood, a smile bloomed across her face like never before. "I don't think it's just you that's been getting stronger. Being with me definitely benefits you but I think it also helps me."