Ready, $et, $tart!
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A few days had passed since Nixon's departure. Cord and the kids descended in an elevator to level -7. The children were wearing brown/cream-colored tracksuits, eagerly discussing their enthusiasm for finally having physical training.
Ahr [excited]: "We're finally going to play some football."
Neveah: "I want to play tennis!"
Cord: "Not today, Ahr. The first day is reserved for introducing your trainers and familiarizing themselves with the facility."
Ahr: "Come on, Mayer, can we at least play a game or two after that?"
Cord: "Well, you'll need to ask your trainer." [The elevator doors opened]
Ahr: "Why do we even need trainers?" [Ahr peered outside the elevator]
When Ahr looked outside the elevator, he saw five people standing in the middle of a vast room. In the center, there was both a football field and a basketball court. The room was so expansive that they had to walk a meter to reach the trainers in the center. As the children and Cord approached the trainers, they began speaking.
Cord [smiling]: "Hello, everyone."
The kids beheld four muscular men who appeared intense and intimidating, along with one younger, ordinary-looking person who was also a trainer. The trainers then started speaking to Cord.
Gary Oakman [smiling]: "Are these the kids?"
Cord: "Yes! Kids, I'd like to introduce you to your new trainers. Their names are...
Gary Oakman [Gary flexed his arm muscles, accidentally dropping his cowboy hat]
(Gary Oakman, 38 years old, specializes in bodybuilding, the best personal trainer in the state of Texas)
Napping Jerry [Jerry, who had been almost falling asleep, suddenly woke up]
(Napping Jerry, 42 years old, specializes in nutrition and efficient rest methods and is the best personal trainer in the state of Ohio)
Gremit Ogren [Gremit gave an awkward smile]
(Gremit Ogren, 35 years old, specializes in sports and is one of the most famous athletes' trainers in the state of Florida)
Kaizo Ouli Fuke [Made a peculiar Kung-fu pose]
(Kaizo Ouli Fuke, 53 years old, specializes in martial arts and is one of the most respected monks in the country, with the physique of a 20-year-old)
And finally,
David Jason" [David gave a thumbs-up]
(David Jason, 24 years old, specializes in body psychology, one of the best personal trainers and psychologists in the state of Alabama)
Sirius then looked to the side and saw five women seated on the football benches, taking notes and observing them and the trainers. The cord then began addressing the kids.
Cord: "Alright, kids, I will leave you now so you can introduce yourselves to your trainers. When your name is called, please go to them."
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Cord then repeated the same in Japanese for Sirius, and the kids understood. He then went on his way and joined the ladies, taking notes while David reintroduced himself and his team to the children.
David [using a translator]: "Hello, kids! My name is David, and these are my colleagues. We will provide you with personal training from now on. Let's work together! My colleagues will now call you, so please go to them when they say your name."
The trainers then called the kids one by one.
Gary Oakman: "Ahr!" [Ahr walked up to Gary Oakman]
Jerry: "Isabella." [Isabella walked up to Jerry]
Gremit: "Neveah." [Neveah walked up to Gremit]
Kaizo: "Sirius" [Sirius walked up to Kaizo]
Now, every kid was with one of the trainers, leaving David without anyone to teach. He and Cord left to sit beside the ladies taking notes on the audience seat. David sat next to Cord, and they started talking.
Cord: "How much time do you think you will need?"
David [Looking at the kids]: "Give us a few days, and we will eventually get your desired results."
Cord: "Let's hope so. Will the kids be alright?"
David: "Probably, from what you've told us, their awakening is based on their talent or mental state. We need to discover which aspect is more effective for each. We won't just be training their minds or bodies; we will teach them self-control."
[Cord looked at David with a severe expression]
While they continued talking, Kaizo introduced himself to Sirius while the other kids talked to their trainers.
Kaizo (in Japanese): "Hey, kid, I heard you've got some skills."
Sirius (in Japanese): "Skills?"
Kaizo (in Japanese): "Yeah, skills; it means you're talented."
Sirius (in Japanese) [Admiringly]: "Ohhhh."
They both gazed at each other in silence.
Sirius (in Japanese): "You don't know what you're doing, right?"
Kaizo was surprised by Sirius's response and fell to the side [Comicly].
Kaizo (in Japanese): "You're right; I'm doing something I've never done before."
Sirius (in Japanese): "What is this? A trainer who has never trained people?"
Kaizo [Laughs]: "No, I've trained many people. But talented people are different. Hey, Sirius, answer me one thing. If you get it right, I'll give you this candy here. [Takes a candy from his pocket] Where do you think your soul is?"
Sirius (in Japanese): "Soul? Is that something I ate?"
Kaizo [Laughs]: "No, a human body is divided into the body, mind, and soul. If someone strikes you [Pokes Sirius suddenly in his forehead], the pain is physical. But if someone insults you, your feelings toward it depend on the perspective of your mind and soul. And sometimes that perspective hurts you without even touching you; that's cause it hurts your soul. Now that you know the difference, young Sirius, where do you think your soul is?"
Sirius began trying to evoke feelings inside him to locate his soul. He thought of his father, and after a few seconds, he responded.
Sirius (in Japanese)[Touching in Between the neck and the head]: "Here, and then goes down here" [Sirius pointed to his stomach]
Kaizo (in Japanese) [Surprised]: "Oh, why?"
Sirius (in Japanese): "When I feel sad, this part gets heavier. Sometimes, it's so heavy that it goes down to the belly, and it hurts."
Kaizo [Thinking to himself]: "What has this child seen to realize something like this on his own at such a young age?"
Kaizo (in Japanese) [Puts his hand on Sirius's shoulder]: "You're correct. The soul expands from the brain to the spine." [He hands him the candy]
Cord and David then approached the trainers with the kids and waited for everyone to finish their discussions.
Then Cord began speaking.
Cord Mayer: "Alright, kids, that's everything for today. Did you like your trainers?"
Neveah and Isabella: "Yes!"
Ahr: "Hey Cord, can we at least play a football match?"
Cord looked at the trainers, and they signaled that it was okay. He retrieved a football for them, and the kids started playing a match. He and the trainer went to sit with the ladies who were taking notes.
When everyone was seated, Cord began talking to David, who was beside him.
Cord: "So, what do we do now?"
David: "We watch how they play together and evaluate their teamwork capacity. This will help with the training tomorrow."
Cord: "And what will they do tomorrow?"
David: "A physical resistance test."
Ahr scored a goal against Sirius, the goalkeeper, and started celebrating, earning applause from the trainers.
David: "Don't worry, Cord, the kids will be OK. They all adapt in the end... Oh yeah, I forgot. Could you tell me what you'll do about the baby? He was supposed to be my student, but I wonder if that will happen anytime soon."
Cord: "Maybe when he reaches Sirius's age, but for now, we need to wait. We've placed him in a particular room away from our soldiers, so his abilities won't trigger side effects. The kids can generate chaos with his mere presence."
David [Gives a small laugh]: "Chaos, you say? What a unique... individual."