Kael looked down at his young son with a stern expression, arms crossed as the sun dipped low behind the hills. "If you want to dominate at school and become the top student," he said, his voice calm but firm, "then you must be ready to endure hardship. Your training won't be easy."
Aiden, barely two and a half years old but with a spirit far beyond his age, nodded resolutely. "I'm ready, Father."
Kael began with the basics—cardio. Short sprints, simple endurance drills, and mobility work designed to prepare Aiden's young body. Despite his initial enthusiasm, the boy quickly found himself drained after each session, sweat lining his brow, tiny muscles trembling from exertion. Still, he never gave up.
After every workout, Aiden would sit cross-legged on the mat, close his eyes, and meditate. For thirty minutes each day, he trained not just his body but also his mind, focusing on his breath, his thoughts, and his resolve. He did this without fail, every single day, for six straight months.
In that time, visible changes began to emerge. His posture straightened. His movements became sharper, more precise. The once-timid boy who struggled to keep up with his father's pace was now stronger, both inside and out.
Kael and Elira, watching closely every day, were proud. Never once had Aiden complained. Not once had he refused an exercise or shirked meditation. His commitment was unwavering.
Now came the most demanding stage—weight training. It would be the final and longest phase of his early development, spanning the next year and a half. Kael started him slowly, handing him small 1-kilogram weights, guiding him through controlled repetitions to build foundational strength. But it was clear to his parents: Aiden was not yet fully comfortable with the load.
The boy, sensing their concern, looked up at them one evening, his voice tinged with worry. "Father, Mother... did I disappoint you? Am I not strong enough?"
Elira knelt beside him, her gentle hands cupping his face. Kael placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"No, Aiden," Kael said, his voice softening. "You've done more than we ever expected. Strength doesn't come overnight. It's a journey. You're still growing—and growth means learning when to push and when to rest."
"It's okay not to be able to do everything at once," Elira added. "That's what training is for. What matters is your heart—and yours is stronger than most."
They pulled Aiden into a warm embrace, holding him close so he would feel not the pressure to perform, but the comfort of their unwavering support.
A year and a half passed.
By the age of four, Aiden had transformed. He had grown taller, his frame lean and defined with the grace of disciplined effort. His presence, once small and uncertain, now radiated quiet strength. The first phase of his training was complete.
Kael clapped his hands together, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Look at you," he said. "You've made it through the foundation. I'm proud of you, son."
Moved by his dedication and perseverance, Kael and Elira decided to host a small celebration. Friends and family gathered, joy filling the house as they honored the boy who had worked tirelessly for nearly two years. Aiden, surrounded by laughter and love, smiled brighter than he ever had before.
His journey was far from over, but this milestone marked the beginning of something great. And in that moment, the world felt a little lighter, a little fuller—with the promise of all that was still to come.