Strength in Struggles - Image training

2 months later~

I gazed down at my own reflection in the serene mountain lake, the ripples distorting the image of my battered and weakened body. The lessons in mental fortitude had helped me find some semblance of inner peace, but the journey toward physical strength was a different beast altogether.

In our humble mountain abode, our days were filled with rigorous training, both in mind and body. However, the lessons on strengthening my battered body proved to be quite a challenge. Since I was so much behind the other eight junior disciples alongside me my trainings were often held solo with only the guru. It was the same routine every day in terms of physical strengthening. However, to have me catch up to others I did have to take some questionable potions that reduced my sense of pain and induced some sort of doping to raise my physical parameters. This was followed by an intense healing session which lasted around two to three minutes. So all was well. I was steadily growing back to my previous strength and some more.

The sun had barely crested the mountain peaks when the guru gathered us for our next lesson. I could feel the anticipation crackling in the air. Our lesson today was all about strengthening our bodies via image training.

The guru stood before us, his serene presence in stark contrast to the challenge that lay ahead. I stole a glance at Ren and Arya, my fellow disciples, and couldn't help but admire their expressions of determination.

The guru's voice interrupted my thoughts, drawing our attention. "Today, we shall focus on the strength gained outside of mundane means, the strength that is more just a byproduct of our physical body."

"Remember, the will is your greatest ally. With unwavering determination, you can overcome any obstacle."

With those words, the guru led us to a clearing surrounded by towering trees. Patches of soft grass cushioned our feet as we gathered in a circle.

Our first task was simple yet deceptively challenging – lifting heavy logs. I approached the nearest log, its rough surface and sheer weight making me second-guess my abilities. Lifting these logs would be outside of my capabilities. Perhaps Ren could. Lifting these was obviously beyond conventional methods. Those earlier words of the guru about strength outside mundane means make me think of a couple different ways to achieve it.

'Perhaps the guru intends to light a fire under our asses to get that adrenaline pumping.. a timed challenge before the floor turns lava or something or could he be hanging a sword atop our heads to get that intense fear for survival...hmmm....even that might not be enough.'

"Do not get your mind twisted in knots. Believe and it shall be so."

'Basically image training then.'

As I attempted to lift a heavy log, struggling with every ounce of my being, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my limitations. The log seemed to mock me, refusing to budge an inch.

Ren, the ever-optimistic jokester, grinned as he effortlessly hoisted his log into the air. "Come on, buddy! It's just a little chunk of wood. You're making it look like a mountain!"

I shot Ren a mock glare, the effort leaving me breathless. "Easy for you to say, Mr. Muscles."

Even Arya, the responsible and diligent one, couldn't help but turn her eyes away from her task to look at us and smile as Ren's laughter reverberated over the practice field.

But when she got back to her usual self, Arya was a force to be reckoned with, I could feel the silent determination radiating from her. She approached the logs with resolute steps, she bent down and put her arms around the log, her muscles flexing as she heaved the log into the air. "Strength comes from within," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "It's not about the size of the log but the will to lift it."

I watched in awe as Arya effortlessly demonstrated the exercise, her strength and grace a testament to her years of training.

'Right, these guys had been practically raised here, they had years of conditioning. As such image training came quite easy to them.'

'No, I'm being negative again. I need to stop doing this every damn time.' Pushing away the useless thoughts, I continued to wrestle with my own log, feeling like a fish out of water.

The guru approached us. "Strength is not solely a product of physical prowess," the guru began, his eyes filled with understanding. "True strength is born from the resilience of the spirit, the unyielding will to overcome challenges."

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I wiped the sweat from my brow and sighed, my frustration evident. "But what if your body feels like it's made of lead? How do you find strength then?"

The guru's smile was gentle, his words felt like a soothing balm for my broken confidence. "Even a heavy body can carry a light spirit."

Ren clapped me on the back. "You heard the guru, buddy. We're in this together, and we won't let you give up!"

Arya nodded in agreement. "You have our support. Strength isn't just about lifting logs. It's about the determination to keep going, even when it feels impossible."

'I am not sure corny and flowery words would benefit me that much right now. Sure support is appreciated and makes my heart flutter a little. Argh, I shall try this trope as well.'

With their encouragement, I decided to let the power of friendship flow through me and I faced the stubborn log once more with renewed determination. It did not budge a single inch.

'It's as if the log is doing its own image training to resist me and stay on the forest floor like some sort of lazy cat.'

'What if my mentality is the one at fault here? Perhaps I should set my cynicism apart and truly try to believe that I in fact could raise this log. Will is the key. Right now I am just acting like a self-fulfilling prophecy.'

I let go of my apprehension and doubts. Clearly, they weren’t going to help me move this log.

'This is a world of magic, my preconceptions and notions that had been living with previously would not help me in this world.'

I decided to wholly accept the guru’s teachings and not just pretend. I recalled his words: "Strength is not solely a product of physical prowess, it is also the resilience of the spirit, the unyielding will to overcome challenges."

'I don't need to be a hulking beast like Ren, what I need to do is not to doubt myself. Believe with my whole being that I could raise this log.'

As I grappled with the uncooperative log, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. After a few more tries exhaustion soon took over me as I slumped back to the ground, panting and sweating heavily. My clothes wet with sweat clung to the grass and the soil below. I shot a glare at the log with whom I had been wrestling for the better part of the day. The log, which had refused to budge till now, rolled away a few inches the minute I let my hands off as if to mock me.

----

I was getting stronger physically and mentally every day. I was more than prepared to struggle with obstinate logs along the route to strength, knowing that it was the only way.

Rewriting my brain was challenging, but I felt like I was making progress.

In a few days’ time, I tackled the log again. Both Arya and Ren had already moved on to the next stage of training. I couldn’t afford to be the one left behind. Though they were still here today encouraging me and giving me their support.

'I’m lucky to find such people in this foreign realm', I thought. 'If for nothing else then I will move this damn log for them, for their belief in me.'

I took a deep breath, my muscles protesting before I even made an attempt. "Here goes nothing," I muttered to myself.

With a surge of willpower, I bent down and wrapped my arms around the log. It was heavier than I could have imagined, and I felt like I was trying to lift a small car.

Ren called out, "Come on, you've got this!"

Arya added, "Don't give up! Remember what the guru said and gather your willpower. Believe with your whole being."

With their words echoing in my mind, I gritted my teeth and poured every ounce of determination into lifting the log. Slowly but steadily, it began to rise from the ground.

'I am lifting it. I am really lifti-, crap it feels heavier again. The log went down a few millimeters. 'Empty your mind Kaito, be the lake, believe with your whole being.'

I could feel the strain in my muscles, and the burning in my arms, but I refused to let go. With one final push, I lifted the log off the ground, a triumphant shout escaping my lips. Panting I turned to look at Ren, Arya, and the guru, careful not to tilt the balance of the log.

Kaito's efforts finally paying off, Kaito lifting the log [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1151356427802263637/1151425578428268574/Kaito_lifting_the_log.jpg]

Ren whooped, and Arya clapped me on the back. "Well done!"

The guru nodded in approval; his eyes filled with pride. "Remember this lesson, my students. The strength of your body is a reflection of the strength of your will."

As we moved on to the next part of our training, I couldn't help but smile, the euphoria of my success enveloping me. The challenges we faced were daunting, but with the support of my fellow disciples and the wisdom of the guru, I felt like I could overcome anything. As we continued our training, the sun dipped below the mountain peaks, casting long shadows across the training ground.

Ren, still brimming with energy, turned to me with a grin. "Who would've thought lifting logs could be so empowering huh?"

'It sure feels nice. Both this feeling of support and this feeling of success.'

The guru was still there when we departed. The guru walked up to the log with a pleased smile on his face, "I'm glad that he stepped up to the challenge."

"I was worried that I had gone a little too far, although this amount was necessary for his development, perhaps three times was a little excessive. Still, I'm relieved he refused to give in."

"I knew he had potential..... but his compatibility with using Ruh is immense."

The guru waves his wands as he says this, and both the logs and himself vanish into the earth.