ONE DAY LATER:~
"Master, I'm exhausted," Rifana whined, her small shoulders slumping. "I can't do it anymore."
A constant stream of complaints had been emanating from them all day. Natural, I supposed, given it was their first real training session.
"Alright," I said, shifting my attention to Raphtalia. "Your turn."
"Please," Raphtalia pleaded, her eyes wide with a mixture of fatigue and apprehension, "do it slowly this time, Master."
"You don't get to dictate the pace, Raphtalia," I said, my voice firm. "Rifana, watch closely. Observe how it's done."
"Okay," Rifana replied, her gaze fixed on Raphtalia, a mix of curiosity and trepidation in her eyes.
AFTER SOME TIME
"Master, my body aches all over," Raphtalia complained, her voice strained.
"Don't fret, Raphtalia," I reassured her, though my tone remained firm. "The discomfort will lessen with daily practice.
Embrace the pain; it forges resilience. Your endurance is currently… lacking."
"Master," Raphtalia whined, her voice laced with exhaustion, "we've been at this since last night! You haven't allowed us a moment's rest! And it's our first time, of course it's painful!"
"Rifana," I said, shifting my attention. "Your turn."
"Yes, Master," Rifana replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "No matter how much we do, it's never enough, is it?"
"I am not easily satisfied," I replied, my tone flat. "Especially when it's the first attempt."
"Master," Rifana asked, her voice laced with a hint of skepticism, "it's understandable that you're training Raphtalia in hand-to-hand combat. But do you truly believe it will be beneficial for me?"
"Absolutely," I replied, my voice firm.
"Enemies often exploit perceived weaknesses, assuming an archer is vulnerable in close quarters. You must be prepared for any eventuality."
"But really," Rifana continued, a touch of exasperation in her tone, "push-ups, sit-ups, squats, running, meditation, twenty different types of exercises, and then hand-to-hand combat all night? I expected archery training, not this."
"I'm aware that during your rest periods, you practice archery diligently," I explained. "Therefore, separate instruction is unnecessary. Besides, I've provided potions to alleviate pain and heal injuries, and nourishing beverages to combat fatigue. Sleep is a luxury you can ill afford."
The potions accelerated muscle repair, ensuring they grew stronger with each grueling session.
I needed to train them swiftly; then, I had to meet Sadeena.
"What's wrong, Master?" Raphtalia asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Nothing," I replied, dismissing her worries.
I just noticed that Alna has left my party, means she's not coming anymore. Everything's fine, I hope Alna will at least complete the task I have given her.
ONE HOUR LATER
"Perhaps this level of exertion will suffice for now," I muttered, observing their exhausted forms.
I then instructed them on the art of balloon slaying, a seemingly trivial task that honed precision and reaction time. "Eliminate as many as possible," I commanded.
The relentless training, coupled with the constant use of potions and nourishing beverages, had depleted my supplies so I'll just let them sleep.