A Healthy Body for a Healthy Mind? (3)
"What were you up to?"
I asked as I saw Celestine scrambling out from inside. She shook her head vigorously.
"N-nothing...!"
"Really? Seems suspicious."
"I said nothing!"
"Alright, alright."
I taught Celestine the proper running posture and breathing techniques. She was amazed that it was exactly the same as what Captain Bibian had told her.
"Since it's the first day, let's just go as far as Carla's ranch. Heading straight to the Lumiere River would be too much."
"Got it, Guild Master!"
We ran side by side, leaving the alley where the guild was located. Even though it was a very early late-summer dawn before the sun had risen, there were already quite a few people in the city streets. People cleaning in front of shops, folks picking up goods to sell today, workers heading to workshops, border guards on patrol, and all sorts of others. Whether in my old life or here, everyone bustled from dawn just to make ends meet.
We kept running past the crowds. Celestine was still holding up fine, breathing alternately through her nose and mouth just as I'd taught her, sticking close behind me.
Once we left the city, the vineyards stretched out in earnest. Laborers were already out harvesting grapes from the endless low hills blanketed in vines. The grape harvest started in late summer but, because the vineyards were absurdly vast, didn't wrap up until early autumn. By the time the first grapes became wine and went into underground storage, they were just picking the last ones—the season dragged on that long. Still, the duchy’s mild climate meant they could harvest steadily for about a month without the grapes spoiling. The duchy's wine sold like hotcakes abroad, so everyone poured their hearts into grape farming.
Once I had some spare cash, maybe I should buy a vineyard. We could supply our own wine for the guild, gift the surplus to VIP clients, or sell it off. If I didn't want to farm myself, I could rent it out or hire workers—sounded like a solid plan.
"What do you think?"
But Celestine didn't answer. I glanced sideways—wait, where'd she go?
"Guild Master...?"
Her dying voice came from behind. I turned to see her staggering along slowly.
"This is too hard...!"
We still had a ways to go to Carla's ranch, but she was already wiped out? We'd climbed a slight incline after leaving the city, but still. At this rate, I wasn't sure she'd make it back.
No helping it. First day and all—let's call it here.
"Celestine. Let's head back to the guild. Time for strength training."
She promptly collapsed under the vineyard fence.
"Just a little break first... I'm really gonna die...!"
"Fine. Take a breather."
I sat next to her, and a wave of perfume hit me. Probably from the sweat and her rising body heat. A cool breeze swept over the hills, and Celestine stretched her arms high above her head.
"Ahh, feels so nice."
The perfume grew even stronger. It really did smell good only to me, huh.
"Smells nice."
"Eek!"
Celestine yelped and huddled her arms in.
"Anyway, if the guild does well, I'm thinking of buying a vineyard. What do you say?"
"A vineyard? Out of nowhere?"
"Grapes to eat, wine to make."
She immediately licked her lips, smacking them appreciatively.
"The wine here's so good. I'm all for it!"
"Then you'd be the one picking grapes and stomping them with your feet, right?"
"Huh? By myself?"
"Leana's busy, I'm out on requests—so it'd be all you."
"Umm... I see..."
She deflated in a panic at my joke.
"On second thought... maybe a guild-owned vineyard would be a hassle."
"Why's that?"
"Well... the guild members would just drink free wine all day and stay drunk...?"
"Your tune changed fast once I said you'd have to work."
Celestine clammed up and scratched her head, looking so cute I burst out laughing. Sitting there together, I noticed the eastern sky gradually brightening.
"Alright, time to head back."
"Yes, Guild Master!"
We jogged slowly back into the city and spotted Leana in the distance.
"Guild Master! Celestine!"
She'd just come out of the bakery and waved when she saw us. It was the bakery Clemence from city hall had raved about— you had to go super early or they'd sell out. Sure enough, a long line had already formed.
"Eek! It's the Guild Leader!"
Celestine's face lit up with an unstoppable grin at the sight of Leana. No surprise—she doted on her endlessly.
"See you at the guild later!"
Leana hugged her bread basket close and turned to buy more stuff, waving goodbye. No fridges in this world, so she shopped fresh every day. That's why she was out hustling at the crack of dawn. She'd make us breakfast, handle admin and clients while we were out on daytime requests, then shop again at dusk for dinner. On top of laundry, cleaning—the woman was swamped. We pitched in evenings, but there were limits. Hiring a maid would probably be best for everyone. Leana hated spending money, but we could just take more requests.
* * * * *
Back at the guild, we did strength training in the backyard. Celestine's physical condition was pitiful. Zero push-ups, and squats? She toppled right over. What a mess.
Eh, we'd been together long enough—no rush. Steady wins the race. Her body was super flexible, though; stretching was a breeze. I was shocked when she split her legs wide, bent at the waist, and laid flat on the ground.
"You're like a total jelly blob."
"Hehe, thanks!"
About thirty minutes in...
"Aigoo, I'm dying...!"
She hadn't even done much, but she was soaked in sweat, clutching her waist and groaning.
"Guild Master... is it really okay if I stay like this...?"
"It's day one. Exercise is about consistency. Just don't quit midway."
"I guess... How much training have you done, Guild Master?"
"Me?"
Even though I'd possessed this body, I didn't come in with god-mode stats. At first, I was total noob level—suffered like hell. But I wasn't a complete amateur. Back in my old life, I'd trained in boxing, kendo, judo, jiu-jitsu—whatever dojo was nearby. In college, I ran half-marathons regularly. So my base fitness was decent compared to most. Add the Demon Hunter's beastly senses and skills, and it synergized perfectly. Without that prior knowledge, I'd have been demon chow before touching a big toe. Like grabbing a race car wheel without a license—no matter the machine, you can't even start the engine without basics.
"Born doing it?"
"Nah."
"For real. They say I came out bear-crawling from between my legs at birth."
"What's a bear crawl?"
"Walking on all fours like a bear. It's exercise."
"Whaa? Crawling on hands and feet is exercise?"
She stared at me, eyes full of suspicion, like she thought I was pranking her.
"You keep messing with me 'cause you think I'm dumb."
"Wanna try? See if it's real exercise."
Under my guidance, Celestine bear-crawled three laps around the backyard. Predictably, she collapsed in exhaustion. Bear crawls are brutally tough—way too much for her yet.
"Sorry... for doubting you... sorry..."
She lay on her side, mumbling, drool or sweat pooling from her mouth. Sprawled like that, her chest spread out, she looked just like one of Carla's ranch cows lounging in the pasture.
"Everyone, come eat!!"
Leana called from inside the guild.
"Celestine. Up. Breakfast time."
"Can't eat...!"
"You have to. Builds muscle."
"You've been on about muscles since yesterday... What if I end up all bulky...?"
"Women don't bulk up without chugging potions. Muscle's denser than fat— you'll just get toned. Get up."
"Then gimme those potions too."
"You'd die."
I hooked my arms under hers to lift her, but she freaked, shoved me off, and bolted away. Embarrassed about her sweaty pits, probably. Smelled great to me, though.
She dashed to the outdoor bath in the corner, scooping water from the tub to splash her face and wipe down the sweat everywhere.
"Don't look!"
"Wasn't."
Lie—I was checking her butt line. Sniff. Wait, what's sticking out of her pocket?
"What's in your pocket?"
"Kyaaaaah! I said don't loooook!!"
Celestine shrieked for real and fled inside the guild.
What'd I do?