Dread Mage

The next six months would be filled with training her body.

Roused by the soft murmur of nature, Sonder awoke in her straw-stuffed bed, comforted by woolen pillows.

That day, after breakfast, where Sonder had to chop new firewood, she was lead by Hrygo before a giant rock.

The rock towered over the simerian woman, standing twice her height.

She had carried it here before the girl woke.

Hrygo instructed, “This is a traditional task for simerian children. You have a rock, and the goal is to reduce it to the size of a pebble.”

“What tools can I use?” Sonder asked.

She already decided not to question Hrygo’s methods. She didn’t know anything about the simerians but their lifestyle must be part of the reason of their strength.

Hrygo chuckled at her question, "Tools? You have naught but your bare hands. You do not shatter it with an instrument or weapon nor let it shatter by throwing it from height. You either chisel it with your fists until it fractures or erode it with the palms of your hands."

"With my palms? It would takes months if I were to use a file; or even a dozen files. How long would it take if I use just my palm?"

The task seemed impossible, even absurd. How could she possibly turn this massive boulder into a tiny pebble using just her hands?

Hrygo responded, "You have half a year in the interludes of our training. Try to derive some enjoyment from it."

Sonder was taken aback by the seemingly insurmountable challenge presented before her.

The rock loomed large and imposing, a solid mass that seemed to mock her with its sheer size.

But she was not one to shy away from a challenge. With determination set in her heart, she stepped closer to the rock and tentatively reached out a hand to touch its rough surface. The stone felt cool and unyielding beneath her fingertips.

Inhaling courage, Sonder started caressing the rock's surface, exploring for flaws or vulnerabilities she could leverage. She lodged her fingers into fissures, experimenting with various strategies to discover the most efficient way to whittle down the stone.

From a distance, Hrygo observed in silence as Sonder waged her relentless battle against the rock.

Hrygo knew that it wouldn't be long before the girl surrendered. Every young simerian did initially, and since Sonder wasn't one, her capitulation would come even faster.

As expected, she withdrew from the rock before an hour had passed.

Her hands were inflamed, but unbroken.

Hrygo decided to grant her another hour of respite before they resumed training.

She intended to deliver a series of lectures on the conventional methods of strength training followed by individuals worldwide, which differed from the physical tasks and labor required for their everyday existence that she had already subjected Sonder to, such as chopping wood.