Your Training Starts Now

[A Few Hours Later]

Elijah was lying on his bed, scrolling through his phone when, all of a sudden, there was a notification. It was a message from Zidane.

"Here's your customized schedule. Stick to it to the letter. No exceptions."

Elijah opened the file, eyes widening as he read through it.

Diet Plan. Sleeping Schedule. Training Regimen.

It was all detailed there what to eat, how much sleep to take, and the arduous training sessions he would have to endure.

"Wow… Is this too much?" Elijah complained, rubbing his temples. He had only just started playing football. Wasn't this kind of intensity for professionals?

The sun had barely risen above the horizon as a group of boys ran back and forth on the field, already dripping sweat. Zidane's bellow cut through the morning stillness.

"Faster! Nobody's taking it easy on my field!"

Warm-up turned into sheer hell:

- Sprint drills (40m x 5 reps)

- Agility ladder drills (high knees, lateral quick steps)

- Cone drills (zig-zag & 5-10-5 shuttle)

- Box jumps (3x10)

Their legs burned. Their lungs screamed. But Zidane didn't care.

When they'd finished the speed and agility exercise, the group stumbled into the equipment room, their muscles complaining.

"You think you're tired? This is only the beginning!" Zidane yelled.

Then there was strength training:

- Push-ups (4x15)

- Squats (4x20)

- Lunges (3x10 per leg)

- Plank holds (3x1 min)

- Burpees (3x12)

Elijah groaned, his trembling muscles landing on the floor after the final burpee.

[Lunchtime]

The boys walked into the cafeteria and were greeted by the just-cooked aroma. However, when the boys reached the serving counter, the boys were let down by a truckload.

The lunch lady gave them bananas, pineapples, and water bottles.

Fruits? Seriously? After all that hell? King growled, holding the banana in the air like a personal insult.

Let it go, bro,Dallas replied, already peeling his banana.

Yeah, it's not that bad,Davis chimed in, but even he didn't sound very convinced.

Others sat together, and others sat by themselves Elijah was one of them. He gazed at the fruit, not knowing whether to eat it or leave it behind.

And then, from across the room, he saw Zidane and Zalika make their way to the counter.

The lunch lady gave them steaks with rice, juice, and bottled water.

The boys watched in amazement as Zidane brushed them aside with a sweep of his hand, paying no attention to them, and Zalika stopped to sit with her brother.

Why does it appear that Coach Zidane is messing with us? one of the players complained.

"He's the coach, fool. He can do whatever he pleases," another complained bitterly.

Elijah bit into his banana but before long, something churned inside his belly. The exhaustion, the intense training, the lack of decent food it was all taking its toll. His stomach churned angrily.

He dropped the banana, clutched his mouth, and ran out.

Zalika saw him dash out and chased after.

Elijah slumped to the ground, heaving on the lawn. Zalika went down beside him, patting his back and holding out a bottle of water.

"Breathe. Drink slowly,"she whispered.

Kyren stood off to the side, arms folded.

"It was only a matter of time," he muttered.

Another of the players nodded. "The bloke's working himself too hard. And he's only just started doing it. We've been playing football for years, and even we're struggling to keep up."

"Mr. Zidane's training is relentless."

"It'll be easier… won't it?"

Nobody answered.

[Evening – Strength Training in the Gym]

By night, they were at the gym again. The atmosphere was thick with sweat and metal. Zidane had them perform another killer strength training.

Elijah walked over to the barbell, sighting the deadlift station.He wanted to try it needed to prove he could.

Kyren, having watched, fell in line beside him.

"You're new at this, right?"

Elijah nodded.

"Deadlifts aren't to be taken lightly. You'll ruin your back if you're not careful. First, start with push-ups, pull-ups, and planks start a base. Then when you're stronger, then we speak."

Elijah paused but nodded.

"Thanks. I'm Elijah, by the way."

"Kyren," he replied with a slight nod before he walked away.

Elijah breathed and headed to the pull-up bar instead.

Day one had almost killed him.

And somehow, he sensed tomorrow would be worse still.

[Cool Down – Post Training Recovery]

As the last set of exercises concluded, Zidane rubbed his hands together, marking the session's conclusion.

"Alright, that's it! You survived another day. Now, we cool down properly no skipping."

The boys grumbled but followed Zidane's lead. Muscles aflame, bodies crying out in protest from the relentless training.

Cooldown Routine:

1. Deep Breathing & Stretching Slow deep breathing in and slow breathing out to regulate their heart rate.

2. Hamstring & Quad Stretch They still stood, bringing one leg up behind them, holding for a second before switching sides.

3. Hip & Groin Stretch Wide stances, weight shift side to side, freeing tight hips.

4. Arm & Shoulder Stretch Cross-body holds, burn disappearing.

5. Lower Back & Core Stretch Lying on their backs, pulling their knees to chest, releasing the tension.

Elijah collapsed onto the mat, arms out wide.

"I don't think I can move,"

he snarled.

Zalika handed him a chilled bottle of water. Drink slowly. It'll help.

Kyren sat beside him, rubbing his shoulders. You'll get used to it. Eventually.

Zidane smiled around at the slick faces, grinning. Good work today. But don't think for a second tomorrow will be any easier. You're football players now. Learn to love the pain.

As the boys slowly got up and headed for the showers, Elijah exhaled and looked at the ceiling.

"Love the pain, huh? I'll try… but no promises."