33: Pseudo Students

"Andre, when squatting, you should hit your depth and you have to retract your shoulder blades to prevent the log on your back from rolling to your back."

"Luna, you're doing it wrong... When lifting the weight, you don't use excessive momentum. Though, it's okay to use a little when lifting something really heavy. However, cheating is still cheating. Remember, don't let the weights control you. You should control them."

"Fatty, what's up with that plank!? Are you stupid? Raise your damn ass more and straighten your back!"

"Good job, Clifford! Your pull-ups are impeccable! Damn, you can already do muscle-ups!? It seems you are an athletic son of a bitch!"

Caleb paced back and forth as he gave a barrage of criticism. He was currently supervising the four teenagers... Correcting their form and their control of positives and negatives. In lifting, to build muscle, time under tension was a very important one.

How does that fucking work? you ask?

Think of your muscles like a spring. When you stretch a spring and hold it, you're putting tension on it. Similarly, when you lift a weight and keep your muscles working (not letting them relax completely) during the exercise, you're putting "time under tension."

Imagine doing a push-up: When you push your body up from the ground, your muscles work hard. If you go up quickly and come down quickly, your muscles don't spend much time working. But if you go up slowly and come down slowly, your muscles are under tension for a longer time.

When you put your muscles under tension for a longer time (by doing exercises slowly), it creates tiny damage in your muscles. Your body then repairs this damage by making your muscles bigger and stronger. So, more time under tension means more muscle growth.

Time Under Tension helps you get stronger too. When your muscles work harder, they adapt to handle heavier weights or do more reps, making you stronger.

Slow and controlled movements help you control your body better. It's like learning to drive slowly before going fast; it gives you better control.

Going slow reduces the risk of injury because you're in control, and your muscles can support your joints better. Caleb doesn't want his ahmm pseudo students to get injured under his supervision.

'Now, I have taught them all I know. I hope they will follow it. If they dare to slack, fuck them! Huh, they're lucky they have me as their teacher! Didn't expect my knowledge from Earth would help me look like an awesome instructor.'

Johan, no, Caleb took a deep breath as he took in the fresh air around him. They are currently beside the well and they made it their personal training ground. The sun was already about to descend and the looming dark clouds had begun to invite darkness. Caleb scanned his eyes around.

Besides the wall, there are thick grasses all around, but there are fewer trees than compared to the forest of death. Training in a grassy area was ideal, as it can provide a softer surface compared to concrete or asphalt. It isn't hard for the knees and even if you fall, you will not get injured as long as you fall in a good position.

There Andre was carrying a small wooden log on his back weighing two hundred fifty pounds while squatting. Among the four, Andre has the strongest physique. He was jacked and shredded... He only needed a little push to reach the lowest prerequisite and attempt the test of the hunting party.

Still, he has a long way to go. After all, although he can pass the first test. How about the second and third?

...

"Welcome back, sirs! We hope that you have a successful hunt!" One of the women responsible for household chores greeted the hunting party, who had just returned from their hunt. Her long brown hair swayed in the air and she had a wide smile on her face.

In front of the dilapidated wooden house, Caleb, the four teenagers, and the four old seniors welcome the hunting party with awe and respect. Except for Caleb, who has a bored expression.

He looked at the sky, and all he can see was the vast dark clouds as the sun had already disappeared. Every evening at the end of the month, they would greet the successful return of the hunting party. When the time comes that they didn't return, it just means that they have died.

As it turned out, the original hunting party had fifteen members and Fushigiro wasn't the captain at that time, only a vice-captain. It was said that they returned one time with severe injuries. Eight died, including the former captain. The seven members weren't willing to describe what they faced and only said that it was a unique Apokalips.

As he thought of this, Caleb glanced at the mossy wall of the wooden house and at the weeds that were fighting for nutrients amidst the plants.

'It seems we lack a gardener here.'

"Thank you, as usual. Just as I've said, there's no need to greet us like this. Still, we appreciate the goodwill." Fushigiro smiled. He could easily grace the cover of a fashion magazine. His hair, a vibrant shade of sunflower yellow, adds a dash of boldness to his striking appearance.

He's dressed in attire that seems to have been plucked from the wardrobe of a legendary ninja. A flowing, deep blue cloak billows around him, reminiscent of the heroics you might find in epic tales. A metallic headband, with a symbol that holds significance, flutters gently against his forehead.

As he stands there, an air of confidence so palpable it's almost blinding radiates from him. His sunny smile exudes not just charm, but also an unshakable belief in his abilities. His posture, perfectly upright, tells of someone who commands attention effortlessly, much like a powerhouse in full control.

'Fushigiro really looks something else.' Caleb sighed with emotion. In his opinion, their captain looks like a damned protagonist with his sunny smile and radiant temperament.

"Welcome back, captain!!" Andre, Luna, Fatty, and Clifford bowed, but their eyes containing invisible sparks had never left the seven members.

Dunn walked towards the four and patted each of them on their heads. Then a toothy grin emerged on his face. He glared at the two old men for a while who visibly paled then asked the four:

"How are you, kids? Do you guys train properly? I hope these two goons aren't making life hard for you..."

This time, it was Caleb who responded.

"What do you mean? Of course, their training is doing great because I'm personally supervising them."

What, you don't believe me?"

Seeing Dunn's doubtful eyes, Caleb scoffed.