62. Training Day

Jayden and Emric exchanged glances, both shrugging in confusion. Jayden muttered under his breath, turning the small pouch in his hands. “What the hell is she going to do with this hair?” But there wasn’t time to dwell on it. His training began that evening. Emric didn’t ease him in—he threw Jayden straight into a grueling warm-up. "Before you learn to fight, you learn to endure," Emric said, tossing a heavy sandbag onto Jayden’s shoulders. "Run." Jayden didn’t hesitate. He wasn’t new to working out, but this was different. The added weight pressed down on him, making his usual strides feel sluggish. He pushed through, sprinting back and forth across the training ground. By the time Emric called him back, his shirt clung to him, his breath came hard, but his legs still had power. "Not bad. Now, crawl." Jayden blinked. "Crawl?" Emric kicked at the dirt. "Low to the ground. Forward and backward. No knees touching." Jayden dropped into position, balancing on his hands and toes as he moved