Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The Breaking Point
The sun rose the next morning, casting a soft glow through Ji-hoon's bedroom window. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the resolve he had felt the night before slowly fading as doubts crept in. The thought of confronting Lucien filled him with dread, but he knew he had to try. He couldn't keep sacrificing his sleep and happiness at the altar of perfection.
After a quick breakfast, Ji-hoon steeled himself, his heart pounding as he made his way to the studio where Lucien often trained. The familiar scent of polished wood and the sound of students practicing filled the air. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door to Lucien's office.
"Come in," Lucien's voice called from inside.
Ji-hoon pushed the door open, stepping into the room. Lucien was reviewing notes, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Ah, Etienne. You're early. What's on your mind?"
"Lucien, I wanted to talk to you about my training schedule," Ji-hoon began, his voice trembling slightly. "I think I need to reduce my practice hours. With school and everything else, I'm really struggling to keep up."
Lucien looked up, his expression shifting to one of surprise, then concern. "Struggling? What do you mean? Your performance at the showcase was excellent. You should be feeling motivated, not overwhelmed."
"I know, but…" Ji-hoon hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm exhausted. I've been sacrificing sleep to fit everything in, and I feel like I'm burning out. I just need a little more time to breathe."
Lucien's demeanor changed instantly. His eyes narrowed, and a frown creased his brow. "Etienne, you need to understand that excellence doesn't come easily. It requires sacrifice, dedication, and hard work. You can't simply back off because it's becoming difficult."
"But—" Ji-hoon started, but Lucien cut him off.
"Listen," Lucien said, his voice firm. "You are training to be the heir of my legacy, and that comes with expectations. You think I had it easy? I sacrificed everything to get to where I am. You need to learn that if you want to achieve greatness, you must push through the pain and fatigue."
Ji-hoon felt a surge of frustration. "But I'm only ten years old! I can't handle this level of intensity every day!"
Lucien stepped closer, his expression unyielding. "Age doesn't matter in this world, Etienne. The best dancers are those who don't complain, who don't whine about being tired. They train harder, longer. You will do the same, or you will never rise to the top."
Ji-hoon's heart sank. The words struck him like a blow, leaving him breathless. "I just wanted to be honest with you," he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper.
Lucien's gaze softened for a moment, but the resolve returned quickly. "I appreciate your honesty, but you need to understand that this is a crucial time for you. We'll increase your sessions to compensate for your concerns. Starting tonight, you will train an additional hour. And I expect you to be ready to give it your all."
As Lucien turned away to resume his work, Ji-hoon felt the walls closing in around him. He wanted to protest, to fight back against this relentless pressure, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he turned and left the room, feeling defeated.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. At school, he struggled to concentrate, his mind racing with thoughts of Lucien's scolding and the added weight of his new training schedule. Every time he glanced at the clock, the realization that he would soon have to face another grueling session made his stomach churn.
When he arrived home later that evening, Ji-hoon felt hollow. Yuna noticed the change in him instantly, her brow furrowing with concern. "Etienne, are you okay? You seem off today."
"I'm fine," he replied, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Just a long day."
But Yuna wasn't convinced. "You can talk to me, you know. I want you to be happy, not just successful."
"I know," he said, feeling the weight of her concern press down on him. "It's just… Lucien wants me to train even harder. I don't think he understands how tired I am."
"Have you talked to him about it?" she asked gently.
Ji-hoon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I tried, but he just dismissed me. He thinks I'm weak for wanting to take a break."
Yuna frowned, her eyes softening with empathy. "It's not weak to want to take care of yourself, Etienne. You're doing so much at such a young age. Just remember, it's okay to prioritize your well-being."
He nodded, but doubt lingered in his mind. Would Lucien ever understand that balance was crucial? Would he ever see that pushing too hard could be just as damaging as not trying at all?
After dinner, Ji-hoon forced himself to start his homework, but every word felt like a mountain to climb. Exhaustion washed over him, pulling at his eyelids as he struggled to focus. The clock ticked on, each second reminding him of the impending training session.
When the time finally came, Ji-hoon changed into his dance attire, the familiar weight of his shoes grounding him, but it felt heavier than before. As he made his way to the studio, he could feel the strain in his muscles already.
The studio was dimly lit, and Lucien was waiting for him, an expectant look on his face. "You're late," he said sharply.
"I'm sorry," Ji-hoon replied, trying to catch his breath.
"Let's not waste any time. We have a lot of work to do," Lucien snapped, pushing him to the barre.
As the hours wore on, Ji-hoon found himself pushed to the brink. Lucien's rigorous training demanded every ounce of energy he had left. He practiced techniques that left him gasping for breath, struggling to maintain balance and form.
"Focus, Etienne! You're not just here to go through the motions," Lucien barked, his voice cutting through Ji-hoon's exhaustion. "You need to embody the art!"
Ji-hoon felt his frustration bubble over, but he swallowed it down, forcing himself to comply. Every stretch, every leap, every turn felt like a test of his willpower. The pain became almost unbearable, and the exhaustion loomed like a shadow, whispering that he was unworthy of this life.
Finally, when Lucien finally called a break, Ji-hoon sank to the floor, his body trembling with fatigue. "You need to push through these limits, Etienne. There's greatness in you, but you must fight for it," Lucien said, looking down at him with a mixture of encouragement and sternness.
"I know," Ji-hoon gasped, trying to catch his breath. "But I can't do this without sleep. I need to recover."
Lucien shook his head. "Sleep is a luxury you cannot afford. Greatness requires sacrifice. And right now, you must sacrifice more than just sleep."
With those words echoing in his mind, Ji-hoon felt the weight of the world pressing down on him once more. As he struggled to regain his strength, he realized that he stood at a fork in the road—between chasing excellence and preserving his spirit.
For now, he could only push forward, though the path ahead felt increasingly uncertain.
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