Rising early was pure torture for me as I had a habit of sleeping late, but I managed, I had many flaws, but a lack of self-discipline was not one of them. We were all troubled with muscle soreness.

After long training sessions, it was hard to do extra training, but we somehow managed it.

Which impressed uncle Uuk. Twins whined about additional workouts for a while, but Darg and I reminded them of our promise to push ourselves. Uncle Uuk used to monitor us while doing his own practice.

He just gave instructions, and we did everything by ourselves. Distress reminded me of my early gym days.

A day will come when we are going to miss this sweet pain in our muscles. We didn't face any challenge because of it apart from the pit in the morning.

This went on for days. In the initial days, we were too tired for the rest of the day, but after a few days, we added another small session of light exercise in the evening. I also added more sets to pullup, push up and squats.

After that, Uncle Uuk told us to add horse stance and a few more balancing exercises like one leg balancing while holding a heavy sword, etc.

We used to deplete our core whenever we trained. We were so exhausted that even a dog could kill us at that point. We felt like we were floating on our back with a blurred vision of the sky above every time, but we continued training even further.

Initially, I had to motivate them to give in extra sets, and they did the same to me. We were surpassing our body's limit every single day. We could notice our limit increasing day by day. And at one point, I thought I felt a little control over my core energy. I talked with my uncle, but he said it was too early for that to happen.

Darg was the most motivated one among the siblings. I saw twins having an internal competition among themselves. Still, Darg was the most resilient. He kept even me on my toes. There was a hidden competition among siblings. Rest wanted to beat me as I am the oldest and most powerful among them, but there was an old man's pride inside me, which refused to lose to kids who hadn't completed their first year in the world.

We noticed our body becoming more powerful and our movements becoming faster, and we also confirmed that our core size was increasing.

Just like that, three months went by. Today is the last day of our light training. Uncle Uuk had been training us for the past three months. It wasn't light training.... for us at least. What started with fifty laps went on to become two-fifty laps, and push-ups went up to seven hundred. That too with those weighted jackets on our body. At first, we trained till noon, but by the last day, we were training till evening. So they shifted our lunch to evening.

No one among the siblings was laid back during this training phase. Twins showed tantrums in the beginning because of sore muscles, but after a few days, they were the ones enjoying it to the fullest. For them, our training was like another game. In the end, training also helped us tremendously. I checked a few times in between, and I feel my core getting bigger every time. The same was the case with other siblings, which further motivated us. Overall, I'm delighted with our growth. Our current regimen also thrilled uncle Uuk.

To build up our stamina and resilience, he used to feed us magical beast meat siblings every day. Eating magical beast meat in younger days will help the body grow and increase natural aptitude for every technique.

Magic beast meat also helps in body recovery; without that, it would have been hard to surpass our body limit every day. There is no strict rule stating that we must eat magic beast meat, but after watching our extra effort, uncle Uuk hunted a few small ones frequently. His one hunt could feed us for two to three days easily. There were few jealous eyes in the tribe, but no one dared make a point in front of uncle Uuk. Today was the last day of our light training.

After this, we will have combat training for six months. After completing our training, I took a nice bath in the chilling water of the stream. Washing out workout sweat with cold water always makes you feel lighter. Nowadays, the water is unusually chilled in the evening. Sun has already set. Days are getting shorter.

I returned to the training grounds for some alone time. The night view from our training ground is magnificent. If someone had seen how chaotic this training ground is while we siblings train here all day, he would be shocked by the tranquillity of this place. Ice is now visible on the summit of gigantic mountains in the distance. On full moon night, it gives a view of silver silhouette because of moonlight on them. Soon it was dark. It was a calm night. Moon's bright light can be seen illuminating the forest glade. It's literally like silver has covered the entire world right now. Moons are acting as a night light, guiding every creature to pristine. Admiring nature like this is the thing I could not do in my previous life. After some time, it was time to go home.

As I entered my house, I heard twins' voices while playing outside with other orcs. They really are full of energy. Then, I entered my mother's room. She was one of the calm orcs. It looks like she doesn't enjoy fighting as much as other orcs. She smiled as she noticed me entering the room.

"Twins are not back yet?" She asked as she didn't hear their voice.

'They are still playing. I doubt if I could be as energetic as the twins.' I said.

"Your uncle has told me you are training very hard. You can take a break sometimes and play with other kids." She said. She knew I never played with anyone. I used to play with my siblings a few months back as well because I wanted to be in their company. She must be worried about me. I bet she thinks I am burdening myself with my father's expectations.

"It's not much. Tell me, ma, what are you doing?" I divert the topic. It was not going in the correct way.

"I am making fur clothes for you. Winter will be here in 3 months. So we need to prepare in advance." Mother said, still busy stitching reindeer fur. It was grey. I wonder how I will look in that. The fur and skin of the beast are used to make clothes and armour for warriors. I casually chatted with my mother for some time. Finally, after a long time, I had a chance to chat with her. We talked about everything from the mischiefs of twins to the growth of our tribe.

Our tribe has also grown. Few new orcs had arrived in this period and were assimilated into the tribe. The majority of them are those whose tribes are destroyed. Either by some strong magic beast or by another tribe. High-level magic beasts are found towards the east near Dragon glade, where there is an abundance of mana stones, so in this area majority of them come after losing a tribe war. Hunting has also improved with an increased number of orcs, so there is no food shortage. And because of increased hunting now, I have drapes on both of my room's doors.

Our tribe is relatively safe. We live in a valley which starts with the entrance and ends with mountains behind our training grounds. So there is the only entry point. We first settled here to hide from pursuers, but now we have made this our base. In the past few months, even the entrance has been reinforced further. They erected a few tree houses in the entrance to guard it. They stationed newly evolved hobs in those.

'Ma, do you know any fighting technique?' I suddenly inquired, testing my luck.

"You made me remember my childhood days. I was also worried about getting stronger and never played with anyone in my childhood." My mother smiled and shook her head. Then she kept fur and needle to the side and looked at me. When she is serious, her eyes appear cold. It seems like she can look through me. I wonder what others feel when even I feel such pressure from her look.

"I know how to fight, but I don't know any specific technique. Only a few people in orcs have fighting techniques. Some tribe's chief may have them. Still, many don't have them, but still, they are good fighters. The tribe chief or his relative teaches these techniques to chiefs and his brother's children. They don't want it to get leaked to others, so only a few have training manuals." She paused for a little before speaking again. I bet she thinks this is too much information for me to process.

"Training manual is essential if you want to learn any technique. Without it, even if you know the technique, you won't be able to learn or teach it to others. You need to train specifically to learn that technique. That is why many orcs follow orcs who have manuals, and in that way, tribes form." Mother explained to me everything I wanted to know. It turned out to be one of her knowledge classes which she gives us siblings from time to time. My mother is very intelligent. Even during tribe meetings, her words contain heavy weightage.

"Do you know about our family's technique?"

Mother again shook her head.

"It is a secret for every tribe, but I know it's potent. Your grandfather fought with Guzan's red orc for over fifty rounds in a friendly spar. It amazed even their red orcs." mother said smilingly. She knows I am excited to learn our family technique.

"Is king Guzan and his orcs powerful?" I asked. I know how powerful he is. He is one of the most powerful and influential beings on this continent. But I still asked to prolong our conversation.

"He is mighty. Some orcs say king Guzan can defeat the human emperor. But humans also have a powerful army and good tactics. That's why we still can't defeat them." Mother said.

"Ma, do you know something about human techniques?" I asked my mother. I was excited about it. Human techniques are powerful, but I wanted to know more about them.

"I know little about them." Her eyes became even colder talking about humans. It's not that I blame her. Right now, our every problem is directly or indirectly related to them.

" Humans are not that powerful, but like elves, they have powerful techniques. Elves are less in number, so they are content with what they have, but humans have regularly invaded our forest. We lost because every soldier knew some sort of skill, and they had brilliant tactics. But I know one day us orcs will reclaim our land."

I want to tell her it will be impossible to conquer even one human nation, let alone all humanity. Their resilience and will to protect their loved ones is something unparalleled. And when they unite to save all humankind, haah, I hope it doesn't happen. I don't know why, but my heart is unsettled. I must get my hand on a few skills as soon as possible.

Soon it was time for dinner. We have our dinner together in the garden.

Today even father was present. Father rarely comes for dinner. He is busy with shamans and other commanders all day and then trains alone till late at night. Father is already a dark green orc and is now doing his best to become a red orc. I heard from my mother that he increased his intensity after hearing about us working hard in training.

We were roasting meat on two parallel bonfires. Adults were sitting around the bigger bonfire. We had a magic beast for dinner while adults indulged in standard meat. We have a lot of chits chat during dinner. It's one of the most enjoyable time of the night. But not on the day when father is eating with us. Even twins are quietly eating their food today.

"Uric." father suddenly called my name. This caught me by surprise as this had never happened before.

"You and Darg meet me after the dinner in my room." He said as I contemplated if I should reply or wait for him to speak more.

"Okay, father." I simply obliged. My father's age is thirteen years. But I never once thought of taking his words lightly because of his age or dropping my guard down around him. Such is his aura.

After dinner, I went to my father's room with Darg. We have very minimal interaction with our father. He is always busy with shamans and other commanders. However, when I reached there, uncle Uuk was standing near father and was talking about something with my father. Even two orc commanders were present there.

"Uric, Darg, come here." Father said in a heavy voice. Father calling out like that really scares the shit out of me.

"Yes, father." I kept my head down while speaking. Orcs can't look in the leader's eyes until they permit us. Not doing this is a direct challenge against his authority. Of course, it's different when father calls us personally, but one must follow protocol when you are in front of the officials'.

"Hmm, you can look up. You have grown well. I can't wait to see you in two years when you become a warrior." Father said with a proud face.

"On your uncle's recommendation, you both will attend the meeting tomorrow with me." What the hell, uncle? Isn't it too early for me to do this stuff? But it is also good. I wanted to check our position. I must do my preparation according to that.

"Yes, thank you, father. We will do so." I said.

"Thank you, uncle." Darg said

"You both can go now. I have something to discuss with your uncle and commanders." He said.

"Father. I wanted to ask for something." I said as he ordered us to leave.

"Hmm? You have never asked for anything till now. Tell me what it is?"

"I wanted to enter the heritage room once again. I wish to check if I get somewhere with human books." I said. Actually, I had this thought in my mind for a while now. Human books are kept there as trophies from war. What if there is some powerful technique?

"Human books? are you sure you want those?" He asked me. I simply nodded in affirmation.

"Darg, you also want something?" father said

"No, uncle, I will ask you if I need something."

"Okay, Uuk, ask the shaman to open the heritage room tomorrow. Let him pick up whatever he wants." Father said to uncle and started moving towards the commander. Darg and I quietly left and went to our rooms.

Tomorrow I have two tasks. First, I need to check on the heritage room and check if there is any decent human fighting technique. Compatibility is also a problem. I don't know if orcs can use human techniques. Then there is this meeting. Inviting children to the meeting, I don't understand what uncle is thinking. I don't know if other elders will be okay with it.