[13]

The rigorous physical training began in earnest.

Learning skills could come after building a strong physical foundation. No matter how excellent a technique was, it was meaningless without the physical strength to support it.

In this sense, Ethan's standards for physical endurance were high, and the intensity of the training was no joke. However, it wasn't about pushing the body to the point of abuse.

'It's pointless.'

He wouldn't resort to blindly following brutal methods driven by an insatiable thirst for progress.

'We'll start with cardiovascular endurance.'

HIT (High-Intensity Training). In Ethan's experience, it was the training method that yielded the highest results in the shortest time. However, it was also a hellish training regimen. Even professional athletes, who had dedicated their lives to physical fitness, struggled with HIT programs.

The reason was simple.

'Because it pushes you to your limits.'

It didn't matter how good one's initial physical condition was. The essence of HIT was in maintaining a heart rate at 90% of the maximum. The HIT program tested one's inherent limits, regardless of whether they had good or poor endurance.

It was different from merely running 100 meters or lifting heavy weights; it was a training method that made one confront pain head-on.

'But...'

Hugo was enduring better than expected.

Ethan watched him with renewed interest.

Hugo, despite having the agility of a beast, grew steadily like a plant.

Given sufficient nutrition and training, he was improving day by day.

'I knew he wasn't ordinary...'

Even though Ethan, with the talent inherited from the renowned swordsman family Blante, was no slouch, Hugo's pure physical resilience was on another level.

'He has a definite advantage.'

It wasn't for nothing that Hugo had been a companion of the protagonist.

'But I can't let him get too comfortable.'

Hugo was subtly conserving his energy. He knew that if he exhausted himself now, the subsequent training would be incredibly tough.

'You're trying to be crafty.'

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

Others might not notice, but Ethan wouldn't be fooled.

'Maybe it's time I join him.'

Ethan lightly stretched his body.

Not long ago, he boasted a heavy body to the point he couldn't even support himself, but now Ethan's body was quite lean.

With all the body fat gone, leaving only muscle, Ethan's body resembled a well-honed sword.

After warming up, Ethan sprang into action.

Thud!

Ethan quickly caught up to Hugo, who was running.

"Hey, Hugo."

"Huff, huff, wha—?!"

Hugo screamed in surprise as Ethan suddenly appeared beside him.

"Master?"

"Oh, you can answer, huh? Didn't I tell you to run until your heart felt like it would burst? And you're answering me now?"

Ethan's menacing eyes swept over Hugo.

Hugo felt a chill climb up his legs.

'If I make excuses now, I'm dead.'

He felt it instinctively.

Hugo increased his speed, quickly widening the distance between them.

"See? You can do it while you're pretending you can't," Ethan chuckled and matched Hugo's pace.

He held a crude whip in his hand.

The best time to test a person's limits was when they felt a threat to their life.

"If I catch up to you, it'll hurt quite a bit."

As Ethan's ominous voice reached Hugo's ears, his face filled with fear.

Hugo's speed increased even more.

He was now running so fast that even Ethan struggled to keep up.

But Ethan gritted his teeth.

'I can't show any weakness.'

He couldn't show any sign of strain.

This was just training. Falling behind here would undermine his authority over Hugo.

A life-or-death regular subjugation was scheduled soon. Though he hadn't experienced it, subjugation was hardly different from a war.

'Hugo is fragile.'

Hugo was naturally weak-hearted and gentle.

To control and help him grow, he needed a psychological anchor, the most effective of which was authority.

A hierarchical relationship based on lineage alone was insufficient. Therefore, Ethan never showed fatigue in front of Hugo.

Thud, thud.

The sound of his heartbeat echoed as if it would burst his eardrums.

Hugo, too, was now panting heavily, unlike before.

"Slow down!"

At Ethan's command, Hugo's pace noticeably decreased.

"Keep this pace for 30 seconds."

Hugo was too busy catching his breath to respond.

"No answer?"

Ethan's eerie voice made Hugo shout in panic.

"Understood!"

"Alright, 30 seconds are up!"

"Ah, it doesn't seem like—"

"Are you talking back to me?"

"N-no!"

Hugo shut his mouth and started running again.

Swish!

At that moment, the sharp sound of air being sliced echoed.

As Hugo instinctively increased his speed, the sound of something striking the ground behind him raised dust clouds.

Ethan had swung his whip.

'He's insane.'

That was a serious strike. If he got hit directly, it wouldn't just end with some pain.

Hugo's face turned pale with fear. Seeing this, Ethan grinned wickedly.

"Run faster!"

Hugo's pace quickened again.

'Damn it… I thought I was in heaven, but it's hell.'

The delicious food, the comfortable bed, and the absence of bullying servants had felt like a dream to Hugo.

The training had been tough but bearable, and his body had felt lighter each day, motivating him.

However, as the intensity of the training increased, those thoughts began to fade.

This particular training was truly hellish.

Every time he tried to conserve some energy for the next part of the training, Ethan would catch on and push him to his limits.

His breath came in short gasps, and his throat burned.

'I feel like I'm going to die.'

But the reaper-like Ethan was chasing him, swinging his whip wildly.

Hugo did not want to get caught by that demon.

"Arrgh!"

Hugo screamed and sprinted with all his might.

***

'Such remarkable growth.'

Naid, who had been silently observing their training, couldn't help but be impressed.

Initially, he had his doubts.

The Blante family, renowned for their swordsmanship, had their own unique training methods.

They maintained their prestige through systematic and rigorous traditional training.

However, Ethan had deviated from tradition, implementing his unique training regime.

Though skeptical at first, Naid could not deny its effectiveness as he witnessed the results.

'It might be a natural display of talent, but...'

Even accounting for that, the growth was astonishing.

As a master himself, Naid recognized how systematic and meticulous Ethan's training methods were.

There was no single correct way to train; ultimately, growth was a product of talent. True strength emerged from countless real battles. While these statements held truth, they were often theoretical.

Many apprentice knights ruined their bodies with improper training, and numerous warriors gave up before facing the barrier of their own talents.

Soldiers who lost their lives in a single real battle, never seeing a second, were countless.

Proper preparation was essential for actual combat.

In that sense, Ethan's training methods were truly astounding.

'I'd like to invite him as an instructor for the family.'

But that was unlikely to happen.

Naid sighed.

Ethan had an abundance of talent as an instructor, but his abilities as a warrior and leader were also exceptional.

'This upcoming subjugation, something is bound to happen.'

He had a strong premonition.

***

Rumors spread that Ethan had recruited a servant for the subjugation team.

And, of all the servants he could have chosen, he picked a scrawny, unimpressive fellow.

The family's internal gossip was incessant.

'Could it be that defeating Young Master Karon was just a fluke?'

'That can't be right. There were so many witnesses.'

'Then does he lack judgment? Of all people, why choose such a useless one?'

'It does seem odd, but...'

Ethan, however, paid no heed to public opinion. More accurately, he had no leisure to concern himself with others' views.

'I feel like I'm going to die.'

The high-intensity training was torturous even for Ethan himself.

'Normally, it would take several days to recover, but now I recover in a single day.'

Ethan's body possessed endless potential. No matter how hard he pushed himself, he only grew stronger. Aware of this, Ethan never stopped.

And it wasn't just Ethan who was growing.

'He's keeping up well.'

Hugo was also growing at a tremendous pace, not falling behind Ethan.

After training, Hugo's appetite was immense. He could easily consume enough food for ten grown men.

Ethan and Hugo's daily routine was repetitive.

They exercised, ate, relieved themselves, slept, and exercised again. That was all there was.

'It's time to prepare for actual combat... but first.'

He needed to gather people.

Just Ethan and Hugo alone wouldn't be enough to achieve significant results.

'We don't need a lot of people.'

Ethan's goal was clear. 'I don't need minor things. One big target is enough.'

"Hugo, from now on, we're stopping physical training."

"Really?"

Hugo looked at Ethan with a mixture of disbelief and hope.

Seeing Hugo's incredulous eyes, Ethan smirked.

"Why? Do you want to continue?"

"No, sir!"

Hugo shook his head vigorously.

'He's met the standards.'

Hugo's once skinny body had regained its health. No, it was more than just healthy; his body was now covered in tightly-knit muscles. There was no excess fat, making him lean and agile.

"Now we need to prepare for actual combat."

Hugo looked at Ethan with eyes that said he knew this moment would come.

He understood why Ethan had brought him along.

The periodic subjugation was a regular event and a display of the Blante family's power, a time when the crouching lion could rightfully showcase its strength and heirs could prove their worth and solidify their positions. Everything was tied to this subjugation.

Ethan had chosen Hugo for his first endeavor.

'I don't understand.'

Hugo couldn't fathom why he, a mere servant, had been chosen to participate in the subjugation. Even thinking about it, he couldn't grasp the reasoning. But he didn't question it.

'I am growing.'

Even a fool could see that. Ethan's training was painful but effective.

Hugo had always been confident in his physical abilities, but now he felt like a different person.

All these changes had occurred in a short time.

'I've seen Young Master Morun.'

A man with a robust physique, who at a glance seemed fit to be a knight. He appeared capable of fulfilling his duties if he inherited the family.

'But he's no match for Young Master Ethan.'

Ethan had a commanding presence that Morun lacked.

Despite his limited education, Hugo sensed Ethan's superiority.

'But no matter how exceptional, it means nothing if he can't prove it.'

This is why Hugo couldn't understand why Ethan had chosen him.

Wouldn't it have been better to select already proficient knights or soldiers to form the subjugation team?

"Why the strange face?"

Ethan addressed Hugo, who was lost in thought.

"Don't waste your time worrying."

"...Yes, sir."

Feeling as though Ethan had read his thoughts, Hugo lowered his head.

"Just do as you're told. I'll show you something interesting."

Ethan's face radiated confidence.