Work

Releasing exhausted breaths, Cato trudged wearily toward the resting area where Ethan awaited him.

They settled side by side, their tired bodies seeking respite as they surveyed the fruits of their labor on the farm.

"Gonna finally take some rest now, Ethan," Cato muttered, his voice tinged with both relief and weariness.

Ethan nodded, his gaze fixed on the landscape before them.

"It's really nothing compared to the grueling training we endured, isn't it, Cato?"

Cato let out a soft chuckle, the sound a testament to the shared understanding between them.

"Yeah, that's true. Those training sessions pushed us to our limits and beyond."

Isaac, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, couldn't help but interject with a teasing grin.

"Didn't you try to convince the teacher that education was just as important as training, Cato? Hoping to dodge a few lessons, were you?"

Cato laughed heartily at Isaac's comment, their camaraderie evident.

"Oh, Isaac, the same guy who shed a few tears when the training got tough is now giving me advice? You've come a long way, haven't you?"

Isaac pouted playfully, attempting to defend himself.

"Hey, you know I'm the youngest among us. Cut me some slack."

Cato shook his head, an amused smile on his face.

"No, Isaac, you're not the youngest. Sun, our elder grandson, holds that title. And I bet he's stronger than all of us because he probably received some special training from the elder."

The playful banter continued as they engaged in a friendly argument over their relative strengths and ages.

However, the jovial atmosphere shifted when Ethan spoke up, his voice carrying a tinge of vulnerability.

"But still, the training we endured was incredibly challenging," Ethan confessed, causing the others to fall silent and listen attentively.

Cato and Isaac shared a knowing look, their own memories of the arduous training resurfacing.

They recognized the weight of Ethan's words, aware of the profound impact their teacher had on their self-perception.

"I don't know why, but that teacher made me hate myself," Isaac admitted, his voice laced with a mix of confusion and frustration.

"I couldn't understand what was wrong with him. Was he angry with us or something?"

Isaac rose from his seated position, his body tensing as he recalled a particular training session.

"Remember that flexibility training? He hurled those stones at us with such force and speed. If we hadn't managed to dodge, they could have inflicted life-altering injuries or even cost us our lives."

Cato's expression grew somber, his mind replaying the memories Isaac described.

"He was incredibly strict and even resorted to physical punishment. I couldn't think straight during those sessions. All I could focus on was enduring each grueling task, survival becoming the sole purpose of my existence. Even my father never pushed me that hard."

The weight of their collective experiences hung heavy in the air, their shared hardships forging an unspoken bond.

Though their teacher's methods may have been harsh, they couldn't deny the lasting impact it had on their growth.

As the sun began its descent, casting golden hues upon the land, they sat in a contemplative silence.

The trials they faced had shaped them, tested their resolve, and ultimately molded them into individuals capable of weathering adversity.

Their shared experiences spoke of a journey marked by struggle, perseverance, and the unyielding pursuit of strength.

And as the wind whispered through the fields, carrying with it the echoes of their past, they couldn't help but reflect on the profound transformation that awaited them.

Cato, upon hearing issac question about sun, fell into a pensive silence.

His gaze wandered over the expansive fields, his mind lost in contemplation.

The mention of Sun stirred mixed emotions within him—admiration for Sun's unwavering dedication to training, yet a hint of envy laced with a touch of resentment.

"He's probably immersed in his training as usual," Ethan replied, his voice tinged with a note of admiration for their elusive friend.

"Sun has always been relentless in his pursuit of strength."

A sigh escaped Cato's lips as he absorbed Ethan's words.

The contrast between their own toil in the fields and Sun's unwavering focus on training gnawed at his thoughts.

The resentment he harbored deep down was born from a sense of injustice—a feeling that Sun had somehow found a way to escape the burdens they bore.

As they sat side by side, immersed in their own contemplations, a distant voice called out, beckoning them to join.

The interruption shattered their reflective reverie, prompting them to rise from their seated positions.

"Well, it's been months since Sun left, and I have to say, this farming work is far more enjoyable than that grueling training we endured," Ethan remarked, a glimmer of contentment shining in his eyes as he stood up.

Isaac, quick to join in, nodded in agreement.

"Absolutely! Tending to the land, nurturing it with our own hands, it brings a sense of fulfillment that was sorely lacking during those training sessions."

As they prepared to respond to the beckoning voice, a sense of relief washed over them.

The physical exertion of farming, the connection to the earth, acted as a balm for their weary souls.

It offered a respite from the thoughts that had plagued them during their training days—a chance to recover from the mental and emotional strain they had endured.

With renewed spirits, Ethan and Isaac eagerly dashed toward the approaching figure, their footsteps carrying them away from the shadow of their past trials.

In the embrace of the present moment, they found solace and the promise of a future free from the weight of relentless training.

As they left behind the open expanse of the fields, a gentle breeze whispered through the surrounding trees, echoing their unspoken sentiment—the knowledge that they had found a newfound peace in the simplicity and serenity of their current endeavors.

meanwhile,

With beads of sweat glistening on his brow, Sun rose to his feet, his muscles quivering with exhaustion and exhilaration.

"Five thousand," he declared, his voice laced with a mixture of pride and determination.

He took a moment to catch his breath, drawing in deep, labored breaths as he squeezed his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white with the force.

The lake beckoned him, its shimmering surface a tranquil invitation.

Without hesitation, he strode toward the water, his body slicing through the cool depths as he propelled himself forward with fluid strokes.

Underneath the rippling waves, he opened his eyes, the world transforming into a surreal aquatic tableau.

Rays of sunlight danced through the water, casting ethereal patterns that seemed to mirror the burning intensity within Sun's heart.

Emerging from the water's embrace, he took in lungfuls of fresh air, feeling invigorated and reborn.

With newfound energy coursing through his veins, he ascended, higher and higher, his leaps becoming a testament to his unwavering determination.

Each jump propelled him skyward, a soaring testament to the strength and resilience he sought to embody.

Finally, as the twilight hues painted the sky, he found respite, his weary body aching for rest.

Donning his clothes, he savored the taste of the nourishing meal he had prepared, his gaze fixated on the horizon where the sun began its descent.

With each bite, he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to becoming the strongest.

Silent determination filled the air as he rose from his perch, leaving behind the serenity of the lake and the mesmerizing dance of colors on its surface.

As he journeyed homeward, a familiar sight caught his eye—a towering tree that held the memories of his teacher's presence.

A surge of raw strength coursed through him as he approached the tree, his fists connecting with its bark in a flurry of swift and forceful strikes.

The impact reverberated through the forest, causing neighboring trees to shudder and whisper in response.

Yet, the tree withstood his assault, its resilient trunk refusing to yield. Sun's gaze fixated on the mark he had left, a testament to his unwavering determination etched into the wood.

A gentle breeze swept through the clearing, rustling the leaves and carrying with it a subtle sense of approval, as if nature itself acknowledged the indomitable spirit that burned within him.

Turning his gaze to the tranquil blue lake, he slowly unclenched his fist, feeling a sense of calm wash over him.

The echoes of his efforts lingered in the air, mingling with the fading sunlight, a testament to the trials he had faced and the strength he had gained.

With a newfound sense of peace, he turned away from the tree and embarked on the journey back to his home, his steps guided by the unwavering belief that his destiny awaited, waiting to be claimed.