Chapter 3 Training and weakness

(Mael's POV)

After the light of the new day struck France, we woke up early for work after breakfast.

First comes cutting woods before selling them to the village merchant. Thanks to my knowledge and wisdom from the previous life, it was not hard for the merchant to thug us. I was also hired by some other residents for making the price of their goods for sale.

Then after another light meal, I finally got the time to examine my body.

"Mael, where are you going?" Jeanne came from behind and asked.

She was like my assistant always tailing me wherever I go. Although she can't read or write, she liked to follow me wherever I go with Jacques for work.

"Training," I answered and started stretching my muscles.

She also began making poses copying my moves almost like certain jacked men of certain cultered show.

"Training? Is this called training?" She asked while stretching her arm so high that she tripped and fell to the ground.

"It is called stretching. Training is for men to make some muscles to protect their women." I smiled and gave her a hand to stand her up.

Did I tell you that she also likes to ask a lot of questions? But I didn't mind answering her every query.

"Hehe, then I will also train. I also want to protect you~" She cutely said and I nodded.

Then I told her about various exercises from stretching and jogging to some pushups and pull-ups however, I warned her not to overwork herself as I didn't want her to become a gorilla.

Then after another set of stretching, I began to run.

However, my every expectation went under the dirt as not even closing 30 meters, I began to pant and after few more meters, I was again running out of stamina.

Disappointment.

"What happened, Mael? Are you hurt?" Jeanne came near me and asked.

Unlike me, she didn't even sweat. Instead, she could run few kilometers easily.

"Huff*…nothing… huff*" I was ashamed to even face her eyes.

Although I was somewhat expecting this situation since I nearly died because of low stamina, I didn't expect that my stamina sucks that much after living and working hard for a month.

It felt like something very heavy was standing on me and preventing me from releasing my full potential.

'What is wrong with me?'

I asked myself again.

I wouldn't even notice if I didn't have the maturity of an adult but I knew that something was wrong with me.

However, when I saw the worried look on Jeanne's face, I immediately wore a mask of a person without any worries.

"Don't fret mademoiselle, I am fine. I just have a little stamina… hehe."

She didn't buy first but then nodded with a smile and offering her hand. "Let's get stronger together."

I smiled and accepted her offer and just as that 13 days had passed.

But…

Huff* Huff*

Again I lost my stamina right after running 30 meters. Although there was nothing wrong with the recovery, my short stamina was a problem.

It didn't take even 15 days before sorting out my permanent problem that something was wrong with my stamina.

No matter what I eat or how much I train, my stamina was just bad. What is worst that it runs out instantly, meaning that I wouldn't even know when my stamina was going to run out.

'Why…'

Covering my eyes, I asked as to hide my tears. Only I could assess that with this major weakness, it would be tough to even survive let alone protect Jeanne.

Low stamina was simply a shortcoming that would be a huge disaster at some point in my life and I knew it.

It would ultimately be a hindrance to my main goal which was to flee from the country. And even then problems wouldn't simply end there.

"Mael…" I then heard Jeanne looking from above. She then caressed my hair before speaking, "H-how about we go to church? Lord Priest can look for your problem."

There was a local church where the priest often looked after ill people and prescribed them some medicines. We often used to go to church to pray and listen to the teachings of the bible.

"Okay…" I wiped my tear and nodded.

Even though I was an adult from the brain, I was still a 12 years old child from the heart that could lead emotions to overtake my mind.

Jeanne nodded and acting in the capacity of a big sister she held my hand before we make our way towards the church.

Soon we reached the gate and entered.

Unlike modern times, churches were not as deserted. People often came to pray or take advice from the priest as most of the people were illiterate.

"Ho? What brings you here?" We were looking for the priest when we heard a silly voice from behind.

Turning ourselves, we found a young man wearing a typical Roman Catholic priest uniform. Even though he was a priest, you could never take him seriously because of his face.

(AN: Imagine Jim Carrey's face….)

"Lord Father, Mael has a big problem with his lower body!" Before I could speak, Jeanne came in front and stated that bizarre request.

"Pff!" And the priest snickered when Jeanne said that. He was clearly enjoying the misstatement.

I sighed and then began to address my problem. We then went to his chamber where he only listened to my story without examining my legs or heartbeats.

"Boy, I think this is indeed a shortcoming." The priest spoke earnestly.

Jeanne and I turned our heads down from disappointment. Even though I expected this, hearing from the priest was heartbreaking.

But then he started patting our head with a smile on his face which either of us didn't take seriously. "But listen, boy, if there is one shortcoming for a person, god grants equally bigger talent to humans. It is only a matter of time before you figure that out. And I am sure that you will find your own quirk and make it into your strength."

Even though his face could never be taken seriously, there was certain warmth in his ensuring voice. I also nodded.

It was indeed true since all I did was test my stamina. Strength simply can't be assessed with simple stamina. I have to see if I got talent in other things before sharpening my skills in that area.

It would be more beneficial to train smartly rather than crying over weak stamina.

Then the priest stood from his seat, opened the closed and took out two books along with a quill and ink.

He then gave all those things to me.

"Men should show what he is capable of. You should take things patiently, okay my boy?" The priest whispered.

I then looked at the two books. One was a bible while the other was an empty book. I soon get his point and looked at Jeanne looking at me with an adorable face.

"Thanks, Lord Father." I smiled and bowed my head.

I could teach Jeanne how to read and write as now I had a book to practice. Paper is still expensive especially in France so the fact that I got an empty book and quill, was still a blessing.

We then offered our farewell to the priest before departing from the church.

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(3rd person's POV)

The priest had a smile on his face looking at the running figure of two children.

"My boy Mael, it will be hard life… very hard life for you. A problem such as low stamina will be your least worry."

The priest shook his head with a smile before sighing.

"Looks like your boy is having a hard time impressing that girl. Are you sure to guide them?" He didn't take his eyes off from the direction of Mael and Jeanne but his question was directed towards a female standing behind him.

"Yes, father. I am ready for it." The female in the shadows spoke.

"Then it is farewell then. It is your own choice." The priest spoke before vanishing from church like he never existed.

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Please pray for my recovery.