Chapter 47: Morning drill
Checking the time on his phone, Nero realized it was almost 1 in the morning, and he needed to get to sleep as soon as possible. He hurried to the bathroom for a quick shower, the warm water washing away the fatigue of the day. After drying off, he slipped into fresh clothes, feeling revitalized. Finally, he crawled into bed, and soon, sleep whisked him away to Dreamland. That night, he dreamt of his mother—a rare occurrence in recent times. In the dream, her warm smile and soothing presence enveloped him, filling him with a sense of comfort and nostalgia.
However, his slumber was short-lived, as he only managed to sleep for four and a half hours before the blaring sound of the alarm shattered the quiet of the morning, rousing all the cadets from their sleep. They groaned and cursed under their breath but reluctantly rose to their feet, knowing it was time for the morning drill their teacher had previously announced.
Nero quickly changed into the training gear provided by the academy and left his room, meeting up with the other cadets in the corridor.
"Morning, little Nero," Adam greeted his friend, stifling a yawn.
"Good morning, Adam," Nero replied, a subtle smile gracing his lips. Adam sensed something different about him but didn’t have time to dwell on it, as Balrog soon arrived.
"Not bad, let’s start. This will be fun," he said, a mysterious smile spreading across his face that sent chills down their spines. This is going to be hell every single of them thought.
The morning drill began promptly as the cadets gathered in the training yard, still bleary-eyed but buzzing with the anticipation of the day ahead. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the academy grounds, illuminating the dewy grass beneath their feet. The air was crisp, filled with the earthy scent of morning, and the distant sounds of birds chirping added a touch of liveliness to the atmosphere.
As they lined up, Balrog took his position at the front, his commanding presence instantly demanding attention. The pressure emanating from him was no joke, like a commander. He was a figure of discipline, clad in his own training gear, his arms crossed and a serious expression etched on his face. "Today, we will focus on both physical conditioning and tactical drills," he announced, his voice firm and clear. "I expect full effort from each of you. No slacking off!"
With that, the drill commenced. The first hour was dedicated to physical conditioning. The cadets began with a series of warm-up exercises—stretching their limbs and jogging in place to get their blood flowing. Nero felt the early morning chill fade away as his body warmed up, adrenaline coursing through him. He joined in, performing high knees, jumping jacks, and lunges, the rhythmic movement shaking off any remnants of sleep.
Following the warm-up, Balrog led them through a rigorous circuit of exercises. They sprinted laps around the yard, the sound of their feet pounding against the ground echoing in the still morning air. Balrog shouted encouragement and corrections, pushing them to exceed their limits. Nero felt invigorated, his heart racing, muscles working in perfect harmony as he kept pace with his peers.
After the sprints, they moved to strength training, alternating between push-ups, sit-ups, and squat jumps. Each exercise was executed with precision, the cadets grunting and breathing heavily as they pushed through the burn. Nero could feel his muscles protesting, but he kept his focus, recalling the determination he had harnessed during his recent training sessions. The scars on his body served as reminders of his journey, fueling his resolve.