As the countdown to the Prix de Lausanne continued, Etienne found himself engulfed in a whirlwind of training. Every day was a grueling test of strength and stamina, as Lucien pushed him to his limits. He spent hours perfecting his technique, focusing on every detail—from the pointed tips of his toes to the grace of his arms.
"Your performance must be flawless!" Lucien barked during practice, his sharp gaze never leaving Etienne as he executed his combinations. "Every movement should tell a story; it must captivate the audience!"
Despite the relentless pressure, Etienne thrived under Lucien's demanding regime. Each session was more intense than the last, and he found himself willingly surrendering to the process. The thought of his mother, Yuna, returning home after her years in South Korea fueled his determination. He envisioned her watching him perform, the pride in her eyes illuminating the stage.
Yet, the training took a toll. Etienne's muscles burned, and fatigue crept in, but he refused to show weakness. During breaks, he watched his fellow dancers, their elegance inspiring him to push harder. He longed for the approval of his mentor, but more than that, he wanted to prove to himself that he could conquer anything.
With each passing day, the pressure mounted. The Prix was not just about dancing; it was a test of character, resilience, and willpower. He spent hours practicing his variations, often late into the night, driven by the promise of freedom and the yearning to reconnect with his past.
Finally, as the final days of training approached, Lucien gathered the dancers for a meeting. "Tomorrow marks the last practice before the competition," he announced, his voice steady. "Leave everything on the stage. Make it count!"
Etienne felt a mix of anxiety and excitement as he realized how close he was to his goal. The hours spent training, the sweat and tears—they all led to this moment. He could almost taste the victory, feel the potential for his life to change forever.