"A new recruit eh? General Corvus must've brought you here. My name is Zreal. I am your instructor."
He shifted his gaze, staring ahead.
"Today, you peasants will be undergoing endurance training."
Murmurs of displeasure quickly spread throughout the cadets. Zreal's expression quickly morphed into one of anger, gold aura erupting from his frame.
"Whoever doesn't enjoy my methods may have a duel with me, but if you lose… I'll make your life here a living hell. A courtesy, if I may add."
The field was silent.
"That's what I thought -"
"I'll do it!"
A hand raised, it was the redhead that stood in front of me.
"You sure?"
I gave a curious glance toward him, slight concern riddled in my expression.
"Ill be fine, there's something I'd like to try."
His gaze was sharp, resolute in his decision.
"Oh a brave soul, let's see how you do."
The red haired man walked up to Zreal, confidence oozing off his frame.
The cadets backed up, giving the two space.
'How interesting, this boy, he's just like me.'
"You ready child?"
The man nodded, entering into a combat stance.
Zreal smirked as he entered into a stance himself.
"Let's begin!"
The fight ended as soon as it began, a flash of gold appeared, then a small crater, and it was over.
'What?! I didn't see him move!'
My eyes were the size of dinner plates, as were those around me. The redhead was unconscious, his mouth was slowly leaking blood as his eyes were rolled back.
Zreal fixed his hair, slicking it back a bit. He dusted off his hands, revealing a small smirk.
"That's what happens when an over confident, ordinary person, tries to fight an awakened. My job is to turn you peasants into awakened. And to bestow upon you all, the tools to be of use in this war. So, with that being said, let's begin!"
His smile was uncanny, far too joyous.
Calling training difficult is quite the understatement. I'd describe it as hellish.
"You see that mountain range?" He pointed towards the mountains. "All of you will run from here to that mountain range five times, once finished, water will be granted."
No one complained, too scared after the display earlier.
"From here to that range is about five miles on foot, stopping will have consequences."
The trek to the mountains began, the air burned, drying out my throat. The heat from the dirt scorched my soles, making this a far harder task. From the barracks, Zreal watched, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping through our jogging forms.
'They all have promising futures, I wonder how far they'll go.' His gaze shifted toward the sky. 'They'll need to be prepared for this upcoming war, the unexpected is always a variable.'
I looked around, watching some cadets fall behind. The weather was torrid, far too hot if you ask me. I shifted my attention ahead, watching as a row of cadets cheerfully conversated.
'Seems like some people are enjoying themselves.'
I listened in, trying to drown out the pain.
"That instructor… Who does he think he is?!"
"I know right, calling us peasants. Once I become an awakened I'll make sure to put that arrogant fool in his place."
"Haha, you'll end up like the redhead, flattened with ease."
"No I won't!"
They laughed and bantered, I tuned out the conversation bored of what was being discussed.
A man at the very front picked up the pace, speeding ahead. Those who were winded, sighed in defeat slowly gaining speed. The rest of us who weren't' begrudgingly began catching up.
I groaned internally, wincing at the intense burn of the sun.
'I'm never going to get used to this.'
"Keep going! We can do this my fellow cadets!"
The man at front started running backwards, shouting motivation. The effect however, didn't go as planned. Instead of motivating anyone, it pissed them off. The annoyed expressions were apparent, multiple glares were sent his way. Instead of shying away he smiled, persisting.
"We can do it!"
To top it off he gave a double thumps up and turned around, fixing his attention on the road ahead.
I deadpanned, sighing audibly.
"He's the reason most of us are exhausted…"
"You're telling me."
The redhead from before ran next to me, bandage wrapped around his nose. His hair was wild, shoulder width in length. His eyes were peculiar, being violet in color. Also, his skin was pale.
My eyes widened slightly, surprised he's here.
"You're back, that was quick."
He scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.
"The healers here work fast, instructor Zreal threw water on me and forced me to run after being healed. He's a massive lame."
"What's your name?"
"Oh, It's Xern. Just Xern."
His gaze turned deadly serious for a brief instant, returning to normal afterwards.
"I'm Roy, I come from Versol city."
Xern's eyebrows rose slightly, concern etched on his features.
"How… are you alive?"
There was a pause, his words hung in the air.
"I don't know."
I replied honestly, none of this made any sense. In actuality I should've died. The sky cracked and I ended up here. General Corvus stated with confidence that I only survived due to their healers, without them, I would've been a pile of shattered bones.
"Versol was eradicated by a strange phenomenon a week and some days ago, yet you're here, and you arrived when the calamity occurred."
He stared at me, eyes holding a hint of skepticism.
Noticing this, I scoffed.
"How could I be responsible for this? I'm not even an awakened, I'm just ordainary…"
After that, silence returned. We made it to the mountain range, exhausted. Cadets sat on the ground, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily.
"When will this torture be over…"
A bald man muttered aloud, he was sweating profusely, groveling.
A humorless laugh echoed from the motivational speaker, his gaze serious.
"What's wrong? You guys can't be that tired, right?"
His tone was condescending a stark contrast from before. This obviously angered the others, resulting in some biting back.
"Not everyone's a stamina freak like you, Enzo!"
"Just you wait, I'll teach you a lesson…"
Enzo snickered, enjoying the spectacle.
"It's ok, I'm better than you all. But we can do it, as a squad."
He smiled arrogantly, walking towards the field.
"Well, see you soon!"
He raced off again, pained groans echoed around me. Clear displeasure ống off their frames.
"I'll teach that bastard… Let's go, everyone!"
We slowly got up and continued the run, the tension was palpable. Rage geared towards Enzo. Ahead, he turned around, running backwards.
"Hurry up! Wouldn't want me to up the pace now would ya!"
The bald man from before became enraged, rushed forward, pushing the cadets out of the way. He sent a death glare Enzo way, making a silent promise of revenge. Noticing this, Enzo only smirked and continued running.
After running for hours we made it back exhausted.
"It took you lot three hours to complete one lap, peasants indeed."
He gazed up at the sky, watching dusk slowly settle.
"That ends your training for today." His expression morphed into one of anger as his state swept through us. "Do not fail again."
He walked off, entering the barracks.
The cadets slowly funneled out as well, retreating back to their respective homes.
"Enzo!"
The bald man glared at Enzo, stopping his retreat. He gave a dismissive glance, asking in an impatient tone, "what?"
"You're gonna pay for what you did earlier!"
He ran towards Enzo, fists balled.
Enzo smirked, hands lazily rested in his pockets.
"Alright, then, take this!"
He leaped into the air, landing an axe kick on the man's head.
'Is everyone a monster here?'
Enzo had black wavy hair, his eyes were dark brown, resembling a bottomless pit, his skin was peached, as he wore the standard combat uniform.
He stood over the downed frame of the unconscious bald man. He glanced around, watching as the on-lookers avoided his gaze.
'Tch, weak.'
He walked off, kicking rocks as he headed inside the barracks.
"Roy."
I turned around, noticing Xern.
"Oh, Xern. What is it?"
"I think… I can change fate…"
…
Three days before…
In the mages association, Leonard and Odin stood in Razu's study.
"The target has been eliminated."
Leonard reported, gaze as serious as ever.
Odin lazily leaned against the wall, listening.
"Good work, my faithful hangedmen. However, something intrigues me."
He paused, gathering his words.
"A week ago, the city of Versol was destroyed by a strange phenomenon. Though the city is hailed as: The City of disasters, this doesn't make sense. A worm-hole opened in the sky, leaving the city in ruins. Also the inhabitants vanished without a trace. All of this occurred quickly after that mystics defeat. So I ask you, who is at play here?"