Doggone Academy - Chapter 17

Chapter 17. Training (1)

The two were on the shore of a lake in the early morning hours when the mist had not yet dissipated. Right next to the lake was a white sandy beach that stretched to the horizon.

Sylverine handed him an axe. He stared at the axe, dumbfounded.

“What are you doing? Take it.”

“Ah.”

He held the axe firmly in both hands. It was quite heavy.

“Chop down a big tree. You can’t use that shiny sword.”

He had definitely heard that he was going to practice swordsmanship today, but she didn’t even bring a sword he could practice with. He headed into a nearby forest full of large trees, unable to understand her intentions.

He began to cut down a tree of the right size with his axe.

The sound echoed through the forest. It was so thick that an adult could hug it with both armsand so sturdy that it was very difficult to cut it down.

His arms already started to ache.. After twenty minutes of axing, the tree finally leaned to one side. The tree caused a loud noise when it fell to the ground.

He calmed his racing breath.

“Hoo!”

He could only enjoy his small accomplishment briefly.

Sylverine nonchalantly gave the next instruction behind him.

“You haven’t even started. One more tree.”

And so once again, he began to cut down another tree. His upper body was sore. His arms were shaking as if all his muscles were at their limit.

Sylverine nonchalantly ordered,

“You’re not finished yet. Cut the branches of the fallen trees.”

Actually, Sylverine’s magic would have done it in an instant. The fact that she asked him to do it meant that this was part of the training.

After cutting the branches of the fallen trees, only two long logs remained.

Sylverine, who stood next to one log, made a mark on it.

“Now cut them into pieces this size.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. He wondered if he still had the strength for that.

“There’ll be no dinner if you can’t do it all today.”

“…Are you kidding me?”

She quietly smiled without answering. The expression on her face was creepy.

He approached the first mark on the log andswung the axe a dozen times.

Finally, he cut off a piece. He was exhausted even though he had only cut one. His back muscles were also at their limit, and his thighs were tired.

As he walked to the next mark, he swung the axe again. His body was weakened, so he twisted his body in the motion to try to increase efficiency.

He learned to naturally swing the axe after a dozen attempts. He realized that strength alone was not enough. If he used inertia with the movement of his body, he could cut deeper than if he used force alone.

The work became easier and easier. He even cut the tree into pieces unconsciously.

He looked up. The sun was in the center of the sky.

Sylverine clapped her hands once.

“Stop!”

There were two maids next to her, each with a bamboo basket in her hand.

“Let’s eat first.”

Sylverine led them to the sandy beach by the lake. He walked slowly because his legs were overloaded. The others were twenty paces ahead.

He sat on the mat as if he were going to die.

The maids took out of the basket, pork jerky, sandwiches, cheese and even milk. Everything was placed on two plates. The daily meals here were more plentiful than the special meals he had at Harman.

A breeze blew and cooled his sweaty body as he ate. Sylverine also received the breeze with satisfaction as she lightly arranged her hair with her hand.

“Beautiful day, right?”

“Yes, now I understand why you are so proud of Wiesel.”

He wondered if a family outing would feel the same. His worries vanished like melting snow, and his body became relaxed.

He thought he could face any training as long as he had a sweet break.

***

After lunch, he went back to work.

It was in the evening when he managed to cut all the pieces.

“At last, at last.”

He lay down on the ground. Fortunately, there would be dinner.

Sylverine had returned to the mansion with the maids after lunch.

It was so quiet that he thought he could fall asleep here. He quickly raised his head because he felt movement near him. There was a maid there.

“Lady Sylverine asked me to check if you had done the work.”

“Look. I’m done.”

The maid looked at the pieces of wood.

“It will soon be dinner time. You need to get back before it’s too late.”

He stood up, all his limbs shaking. The maid looked at him with pity.

He was concerned about whether he would be able to recover for tomorrow.

Will I be able to move tomorrow? How will I bear the enormous muscle pain?