Within the confines of a particular hut in the Training Camp, a relaxed scene was playing out. A comfortable silence was present between the walls as a trio of trainees each did their own thing.
The first, a raven-haired boy with sparkling green eyes, a lean figure, and a weathered face that belied his age. Many callouses dotted his hands as he held a book in his hands, idly flipping through the pages.
The second trainee, had a muscular figure, with the black Camp Uniform hiding none of his bulky frame. Slightly pointed ears, hazel eyes, and spiky red flaming hair. The tips pointing upward gave him a more unkempt look.
One that resembled… a warrior in the making.
He was sitting on the lower levels of one bunk, diligently wiping the golden shield on his lap clean. Engraved on the centre of the aegis, was the sigil of a hammer striking an anvil.
The third and final trainee was a maroon-eyed boy with a curtain of chestnut brown hair diagonally covering half of his face. His gaze was placid as stray strands of his hair swayed lightly from an invisible draft of wind.
Found on the exposed part of his face, resting on the temple, a jagged patch of discoloured skin demanded attention.
The boy was currently stretching his body, one leg extended out in front of the other.
Nico's aim was to improve his flexibility so that he could have an easier time executing the Reaper of Shadows. Since this Spear Art's focal point involved adaptability, he thought it a good idea to become more flexible.
Who knew when he would require a flexible body to get out of tight situations, or… dodge a near-instantaneous attack?
Being more elastic suited Nico's needs.
'Ow! Ow! Ow! Why does everything related to strength have to hurt? Dammit!'
Nico gritted his teeth and breathed in some air to take his mind off the pain. He just had to last for a few more seconds…
… a few more seconds and salvation would be his!
Finally, Nico slumped to the ground and panted. The pain of his muscles being stretched slowly faded away. A bead of sweat slid down his chin and dripped down onto the wooden floor below.
"You really want to win, don't you?" A slightly amused voice made its way into the brown-haired boy's ears.
Lifting his head, Nico stared at the barely suppressed smirk that was creeping up on Henry's face. He sighed, "Of course I do. Ignoring the fact that I want to pay that numbskull back in full, I also want to show Instructor William that I can hold my own in a fight."
A pensive expression appeared on Henry's face. His eyes narrowed, "You want to Duel the heir of the Stanburg Family?"
Seeing his companion nod and offer no denial, the raven-haired trainee heaved an exasperated sigh, "Dunderhead…" he muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Nico strained to catch the last bit of Henry's words.
"Nothing, nothing ya ambitious son of a Descender…" The young farmer cleared his throat before a strained smile split his face. "I, uh… also want to do well. Although, I'm afraid of losing, and making a fool of myself. Ya see, Nico. People like me… people at the bottom rung of society aren't fit to become the ferocious and herculean fighters that oh, so many people dream to be. Not like others who were born more privileged, hailing from families that consistently produced remarkable Mages and Warriors."
Henry shifted his gaze to the window where the visage of the night sky was slowly making its presence known, a far-off look in his eyes.
He took a few moments to gather his thoughts, before speaking in a barely audible tone.
"Sometimes… I think what's the point of all this? Growing stronger, I mean. If it involves so much pain and suffering, then is it really worth it?" The raven-haired trainee tiredly rubbed his face, "But when I remember what my family had to sacrifice to get me where I am today, I find myself reminded of the cruel reality that I am the only one able to get us out of this hardship. The one… who bears the accumulated burden of generations of hope on his frail, lonely, and weak shoulders."
Nico squirmed, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. Henry turned and stared the brown-haired boy in the eye.
"See, that look right there? The one you just gave me… that's what most people react to when they hear someone talk about poverty. They find it uncomfortable to talk about. I don't need your goddamn sympathy! I need to win! I have to escape the shackles that bind me and my family to this blasted fate!" Henry clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
A wild look in his usually cheerful gaze.
A few moments later, he sighed, and his shoulders slumped down. "Sorry… I shouldn't have said that." An apologetic wince took hold of his features.
"It's okay." Nico softly smiled, trying to reassure his companion. "Although I cannot relate to you, and hopefully never will, I understand what you're getting at. The pressure you're under is enormous. It's normal to crack when you bottle it all in. We're human after all, aren't we?"
A poignant sigh escaped the boy's lips before his expression firmed. "However, you shouldn't keep it all in. You should confide in someone… anyone and let it all out. It'll help you organise your thoughts and hopefully relieve some of the pressure you're feeling. You can rely on us! Ain't that right, Leon?"
Nico turned in the half-blood's direction.
"That's right! You're not alone!" Leon's eyes were full of empathy and sadness. Oh, how he wished someone had told him this phrase earlier. Alas, it didn't happen.
That was why the half-blood was determined to make sure that Henry knew he didn't have to shoulder everything alone.
If his raven-haired friend found the burden too heavy to bear, then he would brave that burden with him!
Leon would give him his full support.
"You guys… I don't know what to say." Henry awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes brightened, the previous crazed and obsessed look gone.
"You can start by thanking us." Nico chuckled.
"Thank you, truly," Henry spoke in the most sincere and grateful tone he could muster.
A brilliant smile bloomed on his youthful face.