Morning came swiftly.
The sun rose over Silverhaven, golden light spilling through the windows of their modest home. Inside, the new recruits stirred one by one. The energy in the air was different today. It was the beginning of something real.
Red stood in the center of the common room, already dressed in black training garb, blades strapped to his back. One by one, the others trickled in.
Yuzu looked half-asleep, rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of her oversized tunic. Lio carried Lia and Lana into their room and promised them they could come watch "if they behaved." Rika looked alert and already ready to fight something. Selena yawned dramatically. Hina smiled, already tying her hair back neatly.
Red didn't waste time.
Red: "Out back. Now."
The backyard of their home wasn't much, a patch of dirt, some overgrown grass, and a couple of old crates stacked beside the fence. But it was enough.
Red drew a line in the dirt with his foot.
Red: "Stand here."
They lined up, stiff and curious.
"This is the first day of training," he said.
Red: "You want to be adventurers? It starts now. No titles. No special treatment. You're all rookies. You don't earn names until you earn scars."
Rika smirked. "Sounds romantic."
Red: "We'll see if you're still smiling after drills."
He pointed to the perimeter of the yard. "Three laps. Full speed. Go."
Yuzu blinked. "Run? Already?"
Red: "Go."
They ran.
Selena took the lead, her steps light but measured. Lio trailed close behind, already breathing hard. Rika paced herself, conserving energy. Hina, trying to keep up, stumbled halfway through. Yuzu wheezed and tripped by the second lap.
By the time they finished, all were panting.
"That was just the warm-up," Red said calmly.
Red: "Strength comes from repetition. Survival from endurance. You want to fight monsters? First, fight your body."
He took them through basic drills: stances, dodging, lifting crates to build core strength. Rika adapted quickly. Selena was focused. Lio struggled but didn't quit. Hina was slower but followed every instruction with care. Yuzu, trembling, tried again each time she fell.
Then Red stepped into the shed and pulled out a stack of wooden training swords.
"New drill," he said. "Take one. Five laps. Swing every step. Hard. If it doesn't sting your arms, you aren't doing it right."
They hesitated. Rika raised an eyebrow. "You serious?"
Red looked at her. "Do I look like I joke?"
The group groaned but obeyed. The run began again, this time heavier, slower, more painful. Each step was paired with a wooden slash, and every swing chipped away at their stamina.
From the window, Lia and Lana leaned out, eyes wide.
"Wow," Lia whispered. "They're all swinging like soldiers."
Lana nodded. "But Uncle Red's not even tired. He just watches like a hero from a story."
They pressed their faces to the glass.
Lia: "He's so cool..."
Lana: "The coolest!"
Red didn't react, but he heard them.
And for the faintest moment, he allowed himself the smallest of smiles.
By midday, Red called a break.
The group collapsed onto the grass.
Yuzu lay on her back, gasping. "I... can't... move."
Rika sat beside her, smirking. "You will tomorrow. If you don't die in your sleep."
Selena passed her a water skin. "You're doing better than I expected."
Lio flopped beside a crate. "I didn't know my ribs could sweat."
From the window, Lia and Lana watched with wide eyes.
Lia: "Is Brother dying?"
"No," said Lana. "He's just melting."
Red stood over them. "This is day one. You'll do this every morning. And if you quit, you stay behind."
They all looked up at him. No one spoke.
But no one quit.
As the sun began to fall, they returned inside, exhausted but exhilarated. Hina began prepping herbs for soreness. Selena helped Yuzu sit. Rika sharpened a practice blade while Lio collapsed face-first into a cushion.
Red said nothing else. But as he walked past them all, he paused briefly at the door.
Red: "Rest well. You've earned it."
Evening draped the sky in soft orange as the sun dipped behind the rooftops of Silverhaven. Inside the small rental house, the air was thick with groans and sweat as the rookies stumbled back in from another punishing day of training.
Lio collapsed on the floor with a thud. "I'm dead. Just bury me in the yard."
"No," Selena said, already unstrapping her boots.
Selena: "You still owe us dish duty."
Lio's eyes opened halfway. "...This is abuse."
Hina gently placed a cloth over his forehead. "We all have chores. Red said so."
"He also said not to die," Lio muttered. "This feels like dying."
Yuzu was trying to stir a pot in the kitchen, her arms trembling slightly.
Yuzu: "I-I think the stew is burning… or maybe I'm hallucinating the smoke…"
Selena yawned and stood. "Alright. Rika, with me on sweeping. Hina, check the laundry line. Lio-"
Lio: "Let me die in peace!"
Selena: "-Set the table."
Lio dragged himself across the floor like a defeated soldier.
Rika raised an eyebrow, broom in hand. "You know, we train like soldiers but live like exhausted farmers."
"Welcome to the adventurer's life," Selena said with a smirk.
Out back, Hina carefully collected the laundry, folding their mismatched training shirts and worn tunics.
Inside, Lio had managed to set two spoons and then got distracted watching the Lana bounce on a pillow like a trampoline. He blinked. "...Wait, where was I?"
Yuzu, blushing slightly, stepped beside him and gently took over the plates. "I'll help."
Lio: "Thanks. You're the best."
Selena, passing by with a stack of bowls, gave them a knowing smirk. "Should we set two extra seats for your future wedding?"
"STOP," Lio begged, face burning.
Dinner was chaotic but warm.
Burnt stew, slightly undercooked vegetables, and toast that was definitely toast only in concept, but they ate every bite like it was a royal banquet.
Rika raised her bowl. "To pain, and poorly cooked potatoes."
Selena clinked her spoon against it. "And to not dying."
Red passed by the dining room silently, heading toward his usual post at the window.
"Hey Red," Lio called, mouth full. "Why don't you ever help with dishes?"
Red paused. "I trained a Slime to handle monsters. You couldn't train it to set a table."
The room erupted with laughter.