Ancestral Lineage-Chapter 81: Training Starts(2).

Eight people surrounded Ethan in the middle of the training grounds with sheets in their hands: five boys and three girls. Ethan glanced quickly through the second years assembled and spoke out.

"Group yourselves according to your classes. For now, I want you to spar among yourselves. Each person should choose an opponent but from the same class group. Space out and begin your spars. I will evaluate you from here. And remember this, no use of affinity." Right now, Ethan’s authority was undeniable. He had proven his strength and power to all of them and his command was taken as absolute. With disorganized haste, they did as they were told and got into groups. Very soon, the sound of grunts and huffs rang out as they all partook in the exercise. Ethan then turned his attention to the eight people around him. He towered over all of them that they looked like dwarves although they weren’t as short as that. He adjusted his spectacles as he glanced through the names the class monitors had submitted to him with a contemplative expression.

In his mind though, he was making plans with the system on how he should start the training program until he got the subordinates. He already made plans to include Clara, Trevor and Emily but that would have to wait. They needed to prove themselves and besides, they already advised him against adding them of his own accord. They wanted to be accepted as strong not because Ethan says so. The spar was just a way to beat time. He wanted his methods to remain a secret, something that no one could replicate. Why? He was aware of the hidden enemies in the second-year group working for other Tyrants and the possibility of other Tyrants also spying on him. None of them was favorable for him.

"What is wrong with him?"

"I don’t know. He seems to be in deep thought."

"He’s handsome!"

"Dude get a grip on yourself."

"Stop!" Ethan suddenly shouted, causing everyone to stop and give him curious looks.

"I just checked everyone’s basic details and came up with a training method which should help. It is an easy version of the training method I go through, at least the first levels. We have only two months to prepare ourselves accurately (he will never tell them it was two and a half months). Within these months, we will go through a lot of trainings and exercises but let me warn you, the training program I’m giving you is highly confidential and if anyone exposes even a bit of it to any who isn’t part of this group, there will be severe consequences." Ethan said, emphasizing the "will" to let everyone know he was serious. He even released a bit of his aura causing chills and intense goosebumps on everyone except his subordinates. In fact, Clara saw him as more handsome while others were seeing a beast.

Ethan let his words hang in the air, letting the weight of his statement sink in. He could see the ripple of unease in the eyes of the second-years. Many of them exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what was coming next. He didn’t mind their hesitation; in fact, he relished it. He knew that fear, when managed properly, was a powerful motivator. He paced slowly in front of them, his sharp gaze never missing a single movement, every flicker of uncertainty, every shift in their stance.

"Now listen up," he began, his voice cold and commanding. "The first part of our training program is what I call the **Foundation Strengthening Stage**. This is the bedrock of everything you will learn and master from here on out. If you fail this, you have no hope of progressing further, not just in this training but in your journey as a combatant."

He paused to let that sink in, and the tension in the air grew thicker. His emerald eyes, now glowing faintly with a shade of blue—a hint of his Psychic powers—swept over the students, ensuring he had their undivided attention.

"During this phase, we will focus on three core components: Physical Conditioning, Combat Techniques, and Mental Fortitude. Each of these components is crucial in its own right, and together, they will forge you into warriors capable of holding your own in any battle, against any foe. Now, let me break it down for you."

"First, we start with Physical Conditioning," Ethan said, holding up a single finger. "Most of you have decent physical capabilities, but I will push you beyond your limits. Your bodies need to be stronger, faster, and more resilient. Every morning, we will begin with a rigorous routine of endurance training. That includes running a 10-kilometer circuit around the academy grounds. And no, you won’t be using your affinity to make it easier—no Wind affinity to lighten your steps, no Earth affinity to steady your footing. This is all raw physical power."

A murmur spread through the crowd, but Ethan’s glare silenced it immediately.

"Following that," he continued, "we’ll focus on strength training. Expect to lift weights that are far beyond your current capacity. Each of you will be required to lift double your body weight within the next month. If you can’t, then don’t bother showing up for the rest of the training. We will also incorporate combat drills—push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and the like—but with added weight resistance, tailored to each individual’s level. I’ll personally ensure that none of you cheat your way through this."

He saw some of the students gulping at the intensity of his words, but he moved on, not giving them a moment to dwell on it.

"Next," he said, raising a second finger, "we will move into Combat Techniques. This is where things get interesting. Each of you has been trained in basic hand-to-hand combat, but let’s be honest—it’s sloppy at best. You rely too much on your affinities, neglecting the fundamentals. We will be correcting that. Every afternoon, you will pair up for sparring sessions, focusing solely on martial techniques. No affinities allowed. This will teach you to rely on your instincts, your muscle memory, and your reflexes."

Ethan began to pace again, his eyes narrowing. "I want to see proper stances, efficient strikes, and well-timed counters. You will practice until your knuckles bleed, until your legs give out. Every misstep will be corrected with immediate consequences. Fail to defend yourself, and you’ll be struck down hard. Fail to attack properly, and you’ll be punished with double the practice. I want warriors who can fight, not children who can barely hold their ground."

The intensity in Ethan’s voice sent a shiver down the spines of the students. Clara, couldn’t help but admire his ruthless efficiency. He was pushing them hard, but she knew it was necessary. No! He is necessary, whatever that meant. Things love and lust could do...

"Finally," Ethan continued, raising a third finger, "we will build your Mental Fortitude. Many of you have strong bodies, but your minds are weak. You lack the resolve to push through real pain, real fear. This is why so many of you hesitate in battle, why you falter when the odds are against you. To rectify that, we will include meditation sessions to enhance your focus, as well as simulated battle scenarios designed to push your mental limits. Each of you will be placed in scenarios where your greatest fears are made real, where the pressure is so intense that only the strongest minds will survive intact."

His voice lowered, taking on a deadly seriousness. "You will be locked in darkness for hours, isolated with only your thoughts, facing your deepest fears, while I create psychic illusions to test your sanity. Break down, and you will repeat the exercise until you learn to control your mind. This is not for the faint-hearted."

A hush fell over the group, the gravity of Ethan’s words weighing down on them like a physical force. Some looked pale, others looked determined, but all knew that this training was unlike anything they had ever experienced.

...

Ethan clapped his hands, the sharp sound breaking the silence. "Now, enough talk. Let’s see what you’re made of. Those of you sparring, show me your skills! I want to see your best, even without your affinities. Push yourselves or be prepared for my wrath later."

The training grounds erupted into a flurry of movement as the second-years began their sparring matches with renewed vigor, the fear of disappointing the Tyrant, Ethan driving them to give their all. Grunts, shouts, and the sound of bodies hitting the ground filled the air.

Ethan, meanwhile, turned his attention back to the eight students before him. These were the ones who would undergo more specialized training under his direct supervision. "The rest of you," he said to them, "will join me for an additional drill. Consider yourselves lucky—I’ll be paying extra attention to you."

There was a mix of nervousness and anticipation in the eyes of the eight. Ethan smirked slightly, his gaze steely. "We start with a hundred push-ups, then a hundred squats, all within five minutes. Fail, and you’ll repeat it until you succeed."

"But aren’t we supposed to train just like the rest?" One girl, Lisa, a dark-skinned girl asked in nervousness and slight fear.

"That was the plan, but I changed my mind. You are all class monitors for a reason, at least the subordinate position should come from you. How would you feel if a mere student becomes my subordinate when you were the ones I started working with?"

"But..."

"But?"

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"N-nothing..."

...

As the training ground became a chaotic scene of sparring and drills, Ethan decided to add a touch of his Psychic powers. With a subtle wave of his hand, a barely noticeable force washed over the students, increasing the gravity around them by just a fraction. It was a test, one that only a few would even notice but would greatly amplify their struggle.

Some stumbled, their bodies buckling under the sudden increased weight. A few managed to adjust quickly, pushing through with sheer determination. Ethan nodded approvingly. "Good. Adaptation is key. If you want to survive in real combat, you must learn to adjust to any circumstance thrown at you."

The way he talked made a lot wonder if he had ever been in real combat before. They all awakened recently right? If only they knew the kind of beasts he’d met and fought...

This was only the beginning. Over the next two months, they would be pushed, broken, and rebuilt. Ethan’s methods were harsh, but he was determined to forge these second-years into a force that no Tyrant could easily sway or manipulate.

As he continued to observe, his mind was already racing ahead, formulating the next phase of their training. The true tests were yet to come, and only the strongest would survive the grueling regimen he had in store. The hidden enemies within their ranks, the spies, the plants by rival Tyrants—Ethan would flush them out through sheer, unforgiving rigor. He was going to turn their own pets against them.

What lay ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: under his command, these students would either break their limits or be broken entirely.