First Assignment

Johan stood before the mirror, tracing the contours of his hardened physique. His mind swarmed with thoughts as he considered his next move. 'I am stronger now, more than ever. I have the strength, the stamina, the determination. I am not the same man who applied before,' he thought.

His reflection, ripped and shredded, was the testament to his relentless efforts, a testament to the man he'd become. 'I can protect. I have the strength to be a shield. I am worthy of the job,' he affirmed to himself.

The next step was clear. 'I will reapply for the bodyguard position.' The decision felt right, aligning perfectly with the journey he'd undertaken so far. The doubts that clouded his mind previously were nowhere to be found now. In their place, there was a renewed sense of confidence and an unshakable resolve.

Preparing himself mentally, he closed his eyes, focusing on the tasks ahead. 'This is not about proving them wrong, this is about proving myself right,' he reminded himself. As his thoughts drifted towards the upcoming application process, he mentally rehearsed his answers, his posture, and his self-presentation.

Physically, he rigorously practiced his movements. His trained body, now an ally, moved with a fluid grace and strength that astounded even him. His punches were swift and powerful, his agility unmatched.

Engulfed in preparation, he hardly noticed the passing time. His brother, Miles, and Fatty observed him from the sidelines. They could see the change in him - not just the physical transformation, but a newfound self-assurance that radiated from his being.

"You've got this, brother," Miles encouraged, his admiration clear in his gaze. Fatty, too, nodded in approval, adding, "You're a whole new man, Johan."

...

With his resolution firm, Johan found himself standing in front of the very same establishments that had once turned him away. 'This time, it's different,' he assured himself, as he straightened his attire and stepped forward.

As he entered, familiar faces met his gaze, their expressions indifferent as they prepared to dismiss another feeble application. But their nonchalance faltered as their eyes landed on his transformed figure.

"Is this a joke?" the first employer, a burly man with a bushy beard, squinted at Johan, clearly taken aback. "Aren't you the same fellow we turned away a few months ago?"

Johan merely smiled, his confidence unfazed by the surprise evident in the man's tone. "Yes, I am the same person," he affirmed, holding the man's gaze and said in inwardly. 'But I am not the same man.

His response left a profound silence in the room. The people who had once laughed at his weak frame now stared in disbelief at his well-sculpted physique. "He's like a whole new person..." one of them muttered under his breath.

"Your transformation... it's remarkable," the second employer, a stern woman with sharp eyes, finally broke the silence. Her gaze, which once held dismissal, now held a glimmer of respect. "You seem to have worked hard on your physique... and strength."

Johan could only nod, his heart brimming with a sense of accomplishment. "Yes, ma'am. I trained hard, so I could protect better," he answered, his voice steady.

This admission seemed to spark a ripple of murmurs, whispers of approval, and shared glances. They had seen many applicants, but Johan's determination and transformation were unique.

"Indeed, you seem well-prepared now..." one of them conceded, scribbling something on his application.

Johan could only watch, his inner thoughts a whirl of anticipation. 'It's going better than I expected,' he couldn't help but think. 'They're finally seeing me, the real me, not just a weakling but a potential protector.' And with this hope, Johan knew he was one step closer to his dream and could finally ease their financial problem! Although Fatty was there to help them, Johan didn't want to abuse Fatty's goodwill.

...

The moment lingered in suspense until the stern woman finally spoke, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife, "You are qualified for the position."

The room seemed to spin as relief washed over Johan. 'I did it... I actually did it,' his thoughts raced. His hard work, his perseverance, his endless hours of training had finally paid off.

He left the establishment with his head held high, the sense of accomplishment radiating off him. The moment he was out of sight, he punched the air, "Yes!"

'Can't wait to tell Miles and Fatty about this!' With that thought, he practically sprinted back home, the thrill of success fueling his steps.

As he burst into their small apartment, he was met with the worried eyes of Miles and Fatty. "You're back," Miles said, rushing to his side. "How did it go?"

Johan couldn't suppress the grin that spread across his face. "I did it, Miles," he declared, his voice filled with triumph. "I got the job!"

The apartment erupted into cheers. Miles hugged him tightly, his eyes glistening with pride. "I knew you could do it, bro!"

Fatty, meanwhile, was clapping his hands and laughing, "I knew my training master wasn't a waste of investment!"

They spent the rest of the evening celebrating, their small apartment filled with laughter and shared joy. Despite their circumstances, they found happiness in their small victories, strengthening their bond and reinforcing their shared resolve to strive for a better future. It was a moment of triumph that Johan would remember for the rest of his life, a testament to his journey of transformation.

...

In the quiet stillness of the night, Johan sat alone, gazing at the worn, concrete wall of their apartment. His mind was awash with memories of the grueling journey that had brought him here. 'From a weak, rejected applicant to a qualified bodyguard... I've come a long way,' he thought to himself.

The scars on his hands, the ache in his muscles, were constant reminders of the endless hours of training, the excruciating push to his physical limits. But all that pain seemed insignificant in comparison to the joy he felt now. 'And this is just the beginning,' he mused.

There were no illusions. He knew the job would be challenging, even dangerous. But he also knew he had the strength and the will to face whatever lay ahead. 'I have to excel, for Miles and me. I have to create a better future for us,' his resolve hardened.

The night passed in quiet reflection until the first light of dawn seeped in through the cracks in the window, heralding the start of a new day, a new life for Johan. As he prepared to leave for his first day at work, his mind was filled with anticipation, curiosity, and a twinge of nervousness.

Just as he was about to step out, Fatty handed him an envelope. "Your first assignment," Fatty said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "And it's a big one!"

Johan opened the envelope, his eyes widening as he read the details. His first job was to guard a merchant's caravan transporting valuable goods. The payment... seven silver coins! That was an entire half-year's worth of his and Miles' salary at their old job.

'Is this a dream?' Johan wondered, clutching the assignment paper. But the look on Fatty's face told him it was very real. He was stepping into a new world, one filled with unimaginable opportunities and threats. But he was ready. More than ready.

He gripped the paper tightly, his determination set in stone. 'This is it. My first step towards a better future.' As he stepped out into the breaking dawn, he knew nothing was going to be the same anymore.