The night slowly faded inside the cave.
The fire had burned out, leaving behind nothing but silence. In the far corner, Eileen slept deeply, her breathing steady and unaware, while Ryan sat alone against the cold stone wall.
His eyes were half-closed—
but his mind was wide awake.
Rain tapped faintly against the cave's mouth, yet the noise inside his thoughts was louder.
"Time is slipping… I can't stay here any longer.
Every minute without power is a loss."
He lifted his staff, brushing his fingers along its surface as if addressing a living thing.
"Power means nothing if I have no one to wield it through," he murmured.
"A legion… no. A team. Clever. Strong.
And controllable."
A faint spark flickered in his eyes—
a promise… or a warning.
His gaze shifted to Eileen.
She slept peacefully, unaware of the thoughts weighing her fate. A faint, cold smile touched his lips.
"The first one… this girl," he whispered.
"She has healing magic. That makes her essential."
His eyes hardened.
"But she's weak.
I'll make her stronger… in my own way."
A soft violet glow pulsed along his staff. Thin magical circles traced the air, silent and precise. A low incantation followed—controlled, deliberate.
Cold crept through the cave, brushing the stone… the air… even her sleeping breath.
"I'll test her tomorrow.
If she fails… she has no place beside me."
Ryan closed his eyes—not to rest, but to quiet the hunger twisting inside him.
Outside, the forest stirred again. Leaves whispered. Shadows shifted.
And somewhere in the distance, a sound rose—soft, almost like laughter.
Not friendly.
Not human.
Listening.
Morning came quietly.
Ryan woke first. One glance toward the forest was enough before he turned to Eileen as she stirred.
"Get up," he said flatly.
"We have work to do."
She followed him into a small clearing ringed by towering trees. Ryan planted his staff into the ground. The earth trembled as thin threads of violet energy spread beneath their feet.
"From now on," he said, eyes steady on her,
"you won't just watch.
I'll make you stronger. You'll be part of my plan."
Her breath caught, but she nodded.
"First test," Ryan continued.
"The extent of your power."
Eileen lifted her palm. A faint green aura flickered to life.
Ryan observed it without expression.
"This might close a scratch," he said.
"Not save a battlefield."
The words cut deep.
"This… is all I can do right now," she whispered.
"I don't want emotion," he replied.
"I want results."
Her cheeks flushed with anger and shame, but she didn't break.
Efficiency Trial — Turning Healing into Defense
"Healing is life energy," Ryan instructed as he circled her.
"Redirect it. Form a shield. Don't repair damage—prevent it."
"I can… just give me time," she said quietly.
A thin barrier formed—and shattered instantly under a tap from his staff.
"Thinner than water," he remarked.
She closed her eyes, gathered herself, and tried again.
This time the shield wavered… but held.
"Usable," Ryan said.
"For now."
"I'll get stronger," Eileen replied, eyes burning.
"Even if you don't believe it yet."
Break and Rise
Her next pulse failed completely.
"Why isn't it enough…?" she whispered.
"You're afraid of yourself."
The word struck harder than any blow.
"I'm not weak," she hissed.
"Then show me."
A sharper pulse burst forth, cracking bark and scattering splinters.
Ryan paused.
"Improvement."
She met his gaze, breath shaking but resolve steady.
"I'll prove myself. Every day."
Alone — A Quiet Forging
"Ten more," Ryan said.
"Alone."
He walked away.
Eileen pressed a hand to her chest.
"I'll get stronger," she whispered.
"Not just for him… but for me."
Endurance Trial
Ryan returned, tracing a circle of glowing lines across the ground.
"Hold your shield until the final line fades.
If it breaks… you're out."
Strike after strike battered her barrier.
Her arms trembled. Her breath burned.
But she held.
When the last line vanished, Ryan nodded once.
"Acceptable survival."
Roles Assigned
Ryan gestured to the sky.
"Three bird calls: danger ahead.
Two: behind us.
One long cry—hide behind me."
"You are the pulse of recovery," he said.
"The shield when things collapse."
"Why me?" she asked quietly.
"Because you were within reach."
Silence followed.
"If you stay," he continued,
"you train as I command.
If not—leave."
"I'll stay."
"Then stop questioning me during work."
She nodded.
Not broken.
Not dismissed.
Just beginning.
As they moved through the forest, unseen eyes watched from above.
A leader is being born…
and a puppet learning her strings.
Good.
This isn't just training.
This is the beginning of rule.