33 Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

The morning sun peeked through the gaps of the worn-out curtains, spilling warm golden rays onto the worn-out calendar hanging on the wall. Johan stood before it, his gaze fixed on the encircled date a few weeks away - the day of the Card Master assessment.

He ran his fingers over the scratched-off dates, his mind racing with the thoughts of the upcoming challenge. 'Few weeks,' he mumbled to himself, 'Not much time, but enough. It has to be.'

His mornings began early, way before dawn. A series of grueling physical exercises that pushed his limits. Sit-ups, push-ups, sprints - every exercise was an opportunity to strengthen his body, and he wasn't going to squander it. His muscles screamed in protest, his lungs gasped for breath, but he pressed on.

'Pain is temporary. The regret of giving up is forever. Don't quit when you're tired, quit when you're done. No pain, no gain... ' he'd repeat popular motivational quotes from Earth like a mantra, pushing through another set of push-ups, the mysterious card shining under the dull moonlight. His hands shook under the strain, beads of sweat trickling down his face, but he didn't stop.

His focus then shifted to the card, his Kagune in particular. It was an extension of his will, a representation of his fighting spirit, but mastering it was no easy feat. He'd hold the card, feeling its pulsating energy, trying to sync his breath with its rhythm. His eyes would grow heavy, his mind frazzled, but he'd persist.

The card was his ticket to a better life, a tool that could change their fate. It demanded sacrifice, endurance, and he was more than willing to give it all. 'You're a puzzle, but I'm patient. I'll decipher you, layer by layer,' he'd think, holding the card against his chest, his heart pounding with motivation. He knew that his system has more secrets than what it shows in the surface.

He'd often find himself sprawling on the floor, exhaustion seeping through his bones. His body begged for rest, but his spirit remained unbroken. He'd lie there, gazing at the cryptic card, his resolve as unwavering as the first day.

'Tomorrow, we go again,' he'd whisper to the silent night, a promise wrapped in fatigue and conviction. Despite the grueling routine, the relentless pursuit of strength, there was a glimmer of hope, a vision of a future they deserved. And he was willing to fight for it, every single day.

...

As the break of dawn gave way to the hustle and bustle of the day, Johan's training ground turned into a workplace. Every job was a battle against time, a test of his strength, his endurance, and his will. Guarding banks, malls, and vaults - all while nursing aching muscles and a fatigued body. Yet, he held on, clinging to each job with a determination that could move mountains.

'Must keep going. Miles is counting on me.' This thought, this silent pledge to his brother, fuelled him, pushing him through bouts of exhaustion and discomfort.

His guard duties often led him to corners of the city he hadn't explored before. It wasn't the sightseeing he was after, though. 'New places, new people, might help with the assessment,' he'd think, his eyes keenly scanning his surroundings, always on the lookout for anything that might give him an edge.

His workdays were long, arduous, often extending into the wee hours. But he never compromised on his time with Miles. It was a sacred routine, a haven of solace amidst their tumultuous lives.

"Sisyphean tasks these are, Miles, like rolling a boulder up a hill, only for it to come rolling back down," he'd laugh, helping Miles with his math homework. The smile on his younger brother's face, the spark in his eyes - these were moments worth more than any currency.

Their meals were humble, often just bread and water, but they were shared with love and laughter. Each bite was savored, each conversation cherished. 'These moments, they're precious. Wouldn't trade them for anything,' Johan would think, a soft smile gracing his lips as they shared stories of their day.

...

'Need to gather as much information as I can,' he thought, as he scribbled down notes, piecing together fragments of information from his fellow guards, clients, and even occasional passerby. 'What are the challenges? How have previous Card Masters overcome them?'

Every detail was invaluable, each tidbit a potential advantage. 'Knowledge is power. More so in the assessment, I bet.' His mind buzzed with the collected intel, the gears constantly turning, strategizing, planning.

Rest was a luxury he couldn't afford, even the darkness of the night was invaded by his relentless preparations. His dreams were filled with shadowy figures, ominous landscapes, and unpredictable challenges. Every morning he'd wake up with a jolt, the lingering remnants of the dream seeping into reality, further fueling his anticipation.

...

Sitting across from his younger brother, Johan tapped a rhythmic pattern on the worn-out tabletop. Miles, his eyes wide with curiosity, leaned forward in anticipation. "Alright, little bro," Johan began, his tone laced with the knowledge of countless days spent in rigorous training, "Today's lecture is about why you should exercise."

'Got to make sure he understands, so he will take it seriously.' Johan thought, arranging his words carefully in his mind.

"You see, Miles," Johan continued, adopting a lecturer's tone, "exercise isn't just about building muscles or looking good. It's about keeping your mind sharp, too. Exercise is like... like a tune-up for our brains, it makes everything run smoother."

Miles tilted his head, clearly intrigued. "How does moving my body help my brain, Johan?"

"Good question!" Johan exclaimed, glad to see his brother engaged. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. "Okay, so when you exercise, your body releases a protein called BDNF, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Think of it as a fertilizer for your brain cells. It helps them grow, function well, and survive longer."

'Explaining it simply without missing the importance. That's the challenge.' Johan internally noted.

"Then there's the increase in blood flow to your brain. More blood means more oxygen and nutrients for your brain cells, which helps them work better. Plus, exercise promotes neurogenesis and angiogenesis - fancy terms for the creation of new neurons and blood vessels in the brain."

As he spoke, Johan made sure to gauge Miles' reaction, adjusting his explanations as needed. "Think of your brain like a garden. Exercise is like the sun and the rain. It helps everything grow and flourish."

The conversation went on, Johan carefully detailing the interconnectedness of the body and the mind. He emphasized the point that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, and how the reverse was equally true. His words were simple, yet filled with a depth of knowledge and understanding beyond his years.

Miles, for his part, absorbed every word, his young mind blooming under Johan's guidance.

"As for the brain staying young," Johan concluded with a grin, "I guess you'll have to wait and see when you're my age. But the point is... Exercise is almost a panacea that every young man should exploit! Because when you become an old man, you won't be able to exercise vigorously if you want to!"