(Akito's Harsh Training)

*September 21st, 1918*

*9:00am*

The next day came as Bartok had risen up from his bed to see Maria kneeling down and sleeping by his side as he looked around for a few seconds before turning his direction back to Maria.

"How long was I out for? Did we manage to defeat Peter?" Bartok said quietly to himself.

"Not quite, but Akito managed to hold Peter off before John Claude made him retreat but now you and Kazumi must train for the next two years…" Olga answered back as Bartok looked over to see her standing with a smile on her face.

"W-What do you mean? What about Kaede?" Bartok asked in a confused tone of voice as he saw Olga walk over towards a chair to sit herself down.

"Kaede is gonna be undergoing the same thing as well since she notified us yesterday but I'm glad you're doing okay and thank you for treating my Mashka right as well" Olga answered back with a warm smile on her face as she stretched a little.

"You're welcome and Maria is such an amazing and wonderful person. I will always protect her even if it means my life! But thank YOU for being a good sister to her and the others as well. Your mother and father would be proud of you for being this strong" Bartok said with a smile as he fully got up from the bed while also being careful around his surroundings so he won't bump into Maria.

"You're welcome and you're right...they would be proud of me…" Olga said as she looked down with a smile on her face as she held back tears in the process.

"Two years won't be that bad right? We just gotta hold out faith just a little longer! If Crazy Peter wants a rematch with me than I happily take it because I'm not fighting not for myself but for Maria, you, everyone else and including Kaede as well. But you wanna know what's crazy Olga?" Bartok asked while doing stretches and push-ups as he was doing so.

"What is?" Olga simply replied back as she awaited her answer.

"The Bartok back on that train would NEVER agree to any of this since he would be too scared but ever since I've met Maria. She has taught me to always have confidence within myself and that everyone is created equal as well and those words really made me more confident in myself..." Bartok explained while doing more stretches in the process.

"That's Mashka for you. Maria will always greet people with open arms and give them a chance to fully become themselves" Olga thought to herself with a smile on her face as she turned over to look at Bartok.

"That's truly wonderful. It truly shows that you and Maria were destined in some way to meet" Olga spoke with a warm smile.

The morning hours quickly passed by as Bartok was ready to undergo training.

*2:00pm*

It was the afternoon as Bartok was ready to undergo the first sessions of his two year training as he sat on the floor awaiting for further instructions.

"It seems they aren't sparring so I wonder what type of training that Akito could place him under" Tatiana pondered to herself as she looked at the events that were transpiring.

"It's anyone's guess although I think Bartok should be fine and if he can last against Ermakov then he can manage whatever Akito has in store for him" Kazumi spoke as he slowly walked over to sit down next to her and everyone else.

"Is your foot okay? Is there still pain?" Alexei asked Kazumi with a look of slight worry on his face.

"I'm fine, The pain should be wearing off soon but nonetheless I am doing quite good but thanks for asking" Kazumi answered back as he checked his foot and gave Alexei a thumbs up in the process.

"What type of training do you plan on doing?" Alexei asked once more as he turned his entire body to face Kazumi.

"Probably some pushups, situps, and other stuff but I really want to polish my sword skills as well so that I can be more helpful," Kazumi answered back with a confident smile.

"That's quite good to hear.." Alexei said with a smile as the pair continued to watch the upcoming training session.

"So, you kinda get the basics of the Two-Fold Punch during your fight with Peter Ermakov so Now you must fully master the technique is that clear?" Akito explained to Bartok as he sat down across from him.

"I understand! Whatever type of training you want me to do then I will do it!" Bartok answered back in a motivated tone of voice.

"Very good, Your first training session is to pull this chariot from this point here all the way towards my house with me and maybe the others on it!" Akito commanded with a smile as he pointed at the chariot which was located at the far left and moved his finger towards his house.

"W-WHAT!? You mean I gotta use my bodyweight to carry that?!" Bartok said in shock and surprise as this seemed to shock everyone.

"I was wondering why everybody was building that thing yesterday" Yelena wrote in her notebook as she showed everyone.

"Akito's training seems quite harsh but It will all work out in the end" Kazumi thought to himself as he saw Olga stand up.

"This is inhumane! You can't make him do something like this?! You're gonna kill him at this rate!" Olga objected as Akito looked back to see the glare of a strong woman's eyes who is willing to stand up for anyone.

"She is truly fierce that I can tell" Akito thought to himself as he could do nothing but smile as he saw Bartok get up.

"It's okay, I know what I'm getting into and besides It's gonna help me in the long run as well!" Bartok said to Olga while giving her a smile and thumbs up in the process.

"A-Are you sure you're okay with this?" Olga asked. "I'm sure of it!" Bartok responded back with a smile as he gave a thumbs up as well.

"Good! We will rest for one hour and then we can fully start the session. Does that sound good?" Akito advised Bartok.

"That sounds fine to me!" Bartok answered back with a smile as for the next hour everyone rested before resuming their training.

*3:30pm*

One hour had passed as everyone was on the chariot including Akito while Bartok was prepared to pull the chariot.

"Please don't push yourself okay? If it's too much for you than stop asap okay?" Maria warned Bartok in a concerned voice.

"You got it Maria!" Bartok answered back as he gave a thumbs up.

"You got this Bartok!" Anastasia said in hopes of further Bartok's motivation.

"Don't push yourself okay? You can do this!" Yelena wrote in her notebook as she reached over to gently tap Bartok on the shoulder so he could see what she wrote.

"Thank you and I won't push myself so you don't have to worry that much," Bartok answered back with a warm smile on his face while Yelena smiled back.

"Remember, this is the basics of mastering the two-fold punch and that is the key to fully defeating Peter Ermakov" Akito said to Bartok with a smile on his face.

"I think I get the basics now. My body must be used to this type of training however Peter will be in for a rude awakening!" Bartok thought to himself with a smile as he was prepared to begin the basics of his training.

"Alright! Let's begin!" Akito cried out as he motioned his hand for Bartok to begin moving the chariot officially starting his training.