Equivalent Exchange!

Morning.

Merlin was woken by the annoying chirping of birds outside his window.

His eyes slowly opened.

He got out of bed and glanced at the pocket watch on his nightstand. It was 6:10 AM.

A week's time had been enough for Merlin to develop an accurate biological clock.

With a swish, he pulled open the curtains, and the fresh, cold morning air immediately hit him.

Standing by the window, Merlin couldn't help but shiver.

"It's getting cold. But since I have the Lynx equipment, I'm fine. However, Lami and Yol should also get some warmer clothes!"

A short while later.

Merlin arrived in the small courtyard outside and began his basic physical conditioning training shirtless.

Push-ups, squats, and sit-ups – one hundred of each for a warm-up, then he continued to hone his body's flexibility with the Lynx Body Tempering Technique.

Twenty minutes later, he switched back to the set of one hundred exercises, repeating the cycle.

At 7:30 AM, when Lami emerged, still groggy, the first thing she saw was Merlin, drenched in sweat and emitting a faint mist, exercising.

Lami greeted him with a cheerful smile:

"Good morning, Brother Merlin. You're up so early again today! Unlike me, who's just waking up now."

"Children need plenty of sleep to ensure proper physical development. Right now, you just need to eat on time, sleep on time, and moderate your cultivation."

While doing push-ups, Merlin spoke to Lami.

Lami listened, a hint of helplessness appearing in her eyes. She walked to within three meters of Merlin, her feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly outward. She extended her arms with palms facing each other, straightened her back, tightened her core, and as she squatted up and down, she complained with a rhythmic tone, matching her breathing:

"If you just absorbed the negative things that are bad for my body, I could train intensely too. Why don't you?

You only give Sister Yol special treatment. You're so stingy."

She puffed out her cheeks at Merlin.

Merlin, now doing squats, exhaled the turbid air from his lungs, inhaled as he squatted down, and exhaled as he stood up, his voice equally rhythmic:

"How are you getting along with the other kids your age at the dojo? Have you made any new friends? I remember there are girls in your class too."

Lami gave Merlin a helpless eye-roll. He was changing the subject again.

She wasn't unaware that Merlin was doing this for her own good. Sister Yol had also said that Brother wanted her to have a normal childhood.

However, having experienced such terrible things, she couldn't muster any interest in her peers who lived in relative peace.

They discussed when to eat, when they could finally slack off, and when they would get new clothes. Lami, however, asked herself if all she wanted was to become stronger to help Merlin and Yol.

She didn't want to be a burden to them. Brother Merlin was one thing, but Sister Yol's talent for swordsmanship was extraordinary; she improved daily.

In just a week, she had completely mastered the basic framework of swordsmanship.

She could already wield a sword and spar with Brother Merlin sometimes.

Though she was young, she knew gratitude.

She didn't want to be like a useless parasite.

Seeing the dejection and deep stubbornness in her eyes, Merlin couldn't help but sigh. Children who had experienced war had completely different values and outlooks on life than those who hadn't.

Instead of continuing to block her, it was better to let her experience it herself. If she couldn't endure the hardship, she would give up on her own.

So.

Merlin chuckled and said, "If you're truly determined to train intensely.

Then I won't stop you anymore. But, it will be extremely painful. Are you sure you'll truly like that kind of life?

Other little girls dress up beautifully and talk about various games, while you can only grip a cold bamboo sword, exhausted mentally and physically every day. Sometimes, your hands and feet will be worn down until the skin breaks.

Are you sure this is the life you want for yourself? You have a choice.

Lami, you're only a little over seven years old. You can completely start practicing swordsmanship and physical training when you're eight or nine. There's no need to push yourself so hard."

Lami lowered her head, but quickly raised it again, a bright smile on her face:

"So, does that mean you agree, Brother Merlin? That's great! I finally won't have to waste time every day!"

"I'm going to tell Sister Yol this good news."

Lami stopped squatting and happily ran back, laughing.

Merlin shook his head helplessly at the sight.

8:30 AM.

After dropping Lami off at her training grounds, Merlin and Yol finally arrived at the VIP training area.

They ran laps around the training ground to warm up, maintaining their steady breathing rhythm. Yol chuckled and said, "I didn't expect you to agree."

"Lami was especially happy when she came to find me earlier!"

"Is this really okay?"

Merlin breathed evenly. The two ran at high speed, feeling the cold wind whistling past their faces. Merlin said calmly, "I gave her a choice, but I can't impose my will on her. Although Lami is still young, girls tend to mature earlier. Especially after experiencing war.

We just need to ensure that she grows up healthy, both physically and mentally, with food and clothing secure. As for how she chooses to live her life in the future, we can offer suggestions, but we can't choose for her.

Because everyone is a unique Existence."

Yol's eyes sparkled, and a smile appeared on her lips. "Mm, that's fine. By the way, the dojo only teaches children basic literacy for their introductory classes.

Isn't that a bit too little?

I was wondering if I should buy some interesting books and read them to Lami?"

"That's a great idea! We happen to have a study at home, and it's quite empty! Let's go to the bookstore and buy some interesting books then!

When we have free time, we can also read books and relax our minds!"

Yol smiled and nodded. "Mm, I also want to buy some cooking books. It's bound to be inconvenient to always eat at outside restaurants.

Oh, I heard there's a mountain path behind the dojo, and many fierce beasts live on Sea Swallow Mountain, along with several hot springs! Why don't we go for a trip one day?"

"Sure! We can hunt some fierce beasts to improve our meals. I'm in a growth spurt right now! I need to eat more meat."

"Pfft! Hahaha!"

Yol was immediately amused, choked, and stopped, clutching her abdomen.

Merlin, however, didn't stop. Instead, he increased his speed, swinging his arms, leaning forward, lifting his head slightly, and alternating his legs rapidly.

He sprinted forward at full speed.

A moment later, it was nine in the morning.

Fiore arrived precisely on time. When he saw the two figures whose heads were emitting white steam, a look of admiration flashed in his eyes:

"Good, it seems you've finished your warm-up."

A week passed.

Under his observation, both of them possessed endurance far beyond ordinary people, and they lacked the common restlessness of young people.

They could diligently complete even the basics. He personally witnessed the foundation of their Kendo skills being built from scratch.

And both were very intelligent.

They had already learned about seventy to eighty percent of the basic stances in Kendo, and their unstandardized movements were corrected under his guidance.

In terms of the "foundation" of Kendo, it could be said that it had been "built."

Satisfaction flickered in his eyes. For an educator, being able to teach intelligent disciples was a cause for great joy.

Not to mention having two this time.

"Teacher Fiore, what do you plan to teach us today?"

Merlin asked curiously.

Yol also looked forward to it.

Through Kendo, through systematic learning, she was gradually mastering her own physical strength. This feeling of gradually becoming stronger filled her with joy.

Fiore stroked the short beard on his chin and smiled.

"In a week, thanks to your intelligence, the basic framework of Kendo has been built for you.

What you need to do now is to hone this foundation day after day, persistently.

Until it becomes instinct.

I believe this simple principle is something you, being intelligent and diligent, won't need me to elaborate on.

Regarding the basics, I won't say more. If you have any questions during your future Cultivation, you can always come to me.

What I will teach you today is the very foundation of our Rockheart Kendo Dojo."

"The foundation?" A look of surprise flashed in Merlin's eyes. "You're teaching us so soon? Without further assessment?"

Fiore's lips curved into a smile:

"Soon? Not at all.

Human lifespans are generally only a brief hundred years. As a teacher, I naturally cannot hold back your learning progress.

You are both talented individuals, and you are not young anymore, especially Yol, who has missed the golden period of childhood.

Therefore, we can only compensate through other means."

Speaking of which, Fiore suddenly winked at the two of them. "Besides, you are my VIP students. I can't let you spend money for nothing, can I?

Basics are something any Kendo dojo can teach. Since you chose my Rockheart Kendo Dojo, I must teach you my signature skills.

This is an equivalent exchange!"

Although these words, spoken with a humorous and playful tone, seemed a bit harsh, they also contained a teacher's care for his disciples.

It seems he really is someone who gets things done once he's paid.

Regardless of how the relationship began, this feeling of being cared for...

Must be acknowledged.

"And the true skill I will teach you in this dojo is a method for calming the mind, a Rockheart philosophy."

"You could also call it a form of self-hypnosis cultivation.

By using it in conjunction with the breathing techniques I taught you earlier, which are meant to be used alongside swordsmanship, you will gradually calm yourselves.

Then, imagine yourselves as a mountain or rock, to perceive the breathing of the earth and stone, to align your body and mind with nature, thereby tempering your spirit and will.

The final stage of Rockheart is to perceive the breath of all things.

Of course, at this stage, only my eldest son is close to achieving it."

Fiore looked at Yol, who was completely bewildered, then at Merlin, who had a thoughtful look in his eyes, and a smile curved his lips:

"Now then, begin learning from me!"