Pain pulsed through every fibre of my being, a reminder of the intensity of my training.
One hour of relentlessly practising "Starry Deflection" had drained me almost to my limits. I was gasping for breath, sweat pouring down my forehead. How in the world did Adrian endure this kind of training?
"Good job, cadets. Now that you've nearly exhausted your mana, we can move on to stamina training," Instructor Ravi's voice echoed across the training ground.
Miss Lillian Ashbourne stood nearby, her presence commanding respect even in silence.
Stamina training? I could barely keep myself standing, let alone endure more exertion. Did they not have any compassion for us, especially after that gruelling practice?
A chorus of protests erupted from the students. "No more, please!"
"Come on, my arms are already in agony from practising that war hammer!"
"Who told you to choose the war hammer, you idiot?"
Despite our pleas, it was clear that our words fell on deaf ears.
My gaze shifted towards Adrian and his companions, observing their calm and ready demeanour. They were like monsters, completely prepared for anything that came their way.
"Quiet down, you idiots!" Instructor Ravi's sharp shout sliced through the air, bringing us all to a hushed silence.
As the atmosphere settled, he continued, "To start, run a hundred laps around the training field, followed by two hundred squats."
A wave of disbelief and panic sweeps through us.
-"Is he joking?"
-"Oh hell nah!"
-"I'm going to die! I'll seriously die."
Instructor Ravi's words have hit us hard. The training field is massive, and running a hundred laps around it would be an immense challenge on its own.
Add to that two hundred squats afterwards, and we're left in a state of collective despair.
The collective outcry was instantaneous.
"If you don't start running immediately, I'll double the laps and the squats!"
Instructor Ravi's threat of doubling the laps and tripling the squats hung heavy in the air, acting as a painful motivator.
Almost as one, the cadets began to move, their feet pounding the ground as they started the gruelling hundred laps around the vast training field.
Amidst the ongoing chaos of students struggling through their laps and squats, the top 10 students seemed to form a small pocket of calm.
Their efficiency and determination were remarkable, as they navigated the strenuous exercise with unwavering focus.
Adrian Blackthorn, ever the beacon of calm and precision, exchanged a knowing glance with his companions.
Elara, her fiery hair catching the sunlight, managed to maintain a serene smile.
Kael, whose towering presence held an air of quiet confidence, seemed to be in his element.
Isabella, with her analytical mind, appeared to strategize each movement, while Noah's disciplined posture exuded control.
Linnea's cool composure showcased her natural affinity for managing pressure, and Isla's grace allowed her to complete each squat with remarkable ease.
Amidst their synchronised efforts, a conversation unfolded.
"Adrian, do you ever get tired?" Isabella asked, her voice light but laced with curiosity.
Adrian chuckled softly. "Of course, but stamina is as much mental as it is physical. It's about pacing yourself and pushing through."
Kael nodded in agreement. "Discipline plays a significant role. It's not about being the strongest; it's about being consistent."
Linnea chimed in, "And the competition we face daily ensures we maintain our standards. We motivate each other to be better."
Evelyn smirked, sweat glistening on her forehead. "Well, it's always good to have a goal, right?"
Adrian's gaze shifted to Lucas and the other cadets, who were struggling but enduring. "They'll learn to push through. It's all part of growing stronger."
As the top 10 students showcased their determination, Miss Lillian Ashbourne's gaze landed on the struggling cadets. With a sigh, she shook her head in mild exasperation.
"Those top 10 students are a testament to the power of persistence and hard work," she mused aloud, her voice carrying a mixture of admiration and gentle reprimand. "You should all take note and learn from them. Talent can only take you so far; it's the effort you put in that truly defines your potential."
Her words hung in the air like a weighty reminder.
Despite the pain and exhaustion, the cadets continued their laps and squats, striving to embody the dedication that had brought the top 10 students to their esteemed positions.
1 hour and 30 minutes later.
"Heehaaaaa! Huuuuf! Haaaaf!"
The chorus of heavy breathing reverberated across the training field, a testament to the exhaustion that had taken hold of the cadets.
cadets strewn across the ground like lifeless forms. Except for a select few main characters like Adrian and Aric, everyone seemed on the brink of collapsing, even some of the top 10.
It was as if the intense workout had levelled the playing field, bringing everyone to their limits.
…I too was among the near-lifeless.
My lungs burned, and my legs ached as if rebelling against the abuse they'd endured.
The sky above seemed to be a spinning blur.
"Get up, maggots! It's time to do some Sparring!"
Oh no, this man was on a mission to break us!
I stubbornly remained on the ground. This cold, hard earth was my sanctuary, and I wasn't moving from it. No way.
"Or would you rather run another hundred laps?"
As tempting as the offer was, I knew if I succumbed now, I'd be stranded here for hours unable to rise.
From the looks on their faces, it was clear I wasn't alone in this sentiment. We were united in exhaustion.
"Pathetic," Instructor Ravi's disgusted tone echoed across the field.
"To think I've entrusted the future of this world is in a bunch of Hero likes of you," he sneered as we begrudgingly stood up, our protest drowned in fatigue.
Seeing our pitiful state, Ravi's demeanour softened. "I suppose it can't be helped."
A sigh, a shake of his head, and he spoke again. "Alright, I've taken pity on your miserable existence. You've got ten minutes to rest, and then we're moving into a sparring match."
Ten minutes… felt like a luxury after the intensity of our training.
Those precious minutes felt like seconds, but at least my breathing returned to normal.
The respite was much needed, yet as I looked around, it was clear we weren't the only ones in dire straits.
---
3rd POV
As the cadets lay scattered around the training field, feelings of exhaustion and accomplishment coursed through the air. The brutal training had taken its toll, but there was a certain camaraderie in suffering together.
In a shaded corner, Evelyn and Emma, both archers, exchanged weary glances.
"Emma, I thought our archery training was intense, but this is on another level," Evelyn mused, wiping sweat from her brow.
Emma let out a tired chuckle. "Yeah, I didn't expect to be completely drained like this. At least our accuracy has improved."
Evelyn nodded, a hint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes. "True, though I'd still prefer the bow over the push-ups."
Nearby, Noah and Kael, both bruised and battered, tried to sit up and catch their breath.
"You know, I always thought training was tough, but this is next-level insanity," Noah groaned.
Kael nodded, grinning weakly. "Yeah, it's like they're trying to weed out the weaklings."
Noah laughed, a mixture of pain and amusement in his voice. "Well, I'm just glad we survived. Now I'll be dreaming of those push-ups for weeks."
A little further, Isabella and Elara exchanged a knowing look.
"You've got to admit, this is a whole new level of hell," Isabella said, rubbing her sore arms.
Elara smirked a glint of mischief in her eyes. "You think they're trying to break us before they build us up?"
Isabella chuckled. "Maybe. But if this is their idea of teamwork, I'd hate to see what they consider torture."
Isla and Linnea Stoneheart, both covered in dirt and sweat, leaned against each other for support.
"Never thought I'd say this, but those book-cramming sessions look way more appealing right now," Isla muttered.
Linnea grinned, despite her exhaustion. "Well, if we survive this, nothing else will seem as daunting."
---
On the other side of the field, Lucas and Lyara lay close to each other, almost as if they'd gravitated towards one another unconsciously.
"Hey," I Lucas a breathy whisper, extending a small wave in her direction.
She met her gaze with him, her guard seemingly unyielding, but a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Hi," she replied, her voice barely louder than a sigh.
"So, what brings you to the 'passed out' club?" Lucas tried to keep it lighthearted.
A small chuckle escaped Lyra's lips. "The grandmaster of exhaustion decided to include me in his VIP club, I guess."
Lucas also couldn't help but laugh. "Ah, yes, the grandmaster knows how to throw a party."
They managed to exchange a few jokes, gentle teasing that seemed to melt away the fatigue for a brief moment. But there was something more guarded in her gaze.
"Hey, are you okay?" Lucas asked, genuine concern in his eyes as he saw Lyara's pale face.
Lyra just nodded weakly. "Yeah, just exhausted. This training is something else, isn't it?"
Lucas smiled, his eyes crinkling. "Definitely. But hey, at least we're all in this together."
Lyara gave him a small, appreciative smile, though her guard remained up. Something in her eyes hinted at a deeper struggle, a past she wasn't ready to share.
Lucas sensed her reticence but didn't push. He wanted to make a connection, especially with his favourite character, but he understood that some things took time.
Unbeknownst to Lucas, Evelyn was watching their interaction from a distance, her expression troubled. She was engaged in conversation with Emma, but her gaze was fixed on Lyara and Lucas. Seeing that Lucas smiled at Lyara, a pang of something crossed Evelyn's expression—a mixture of frustration, anger, and sadness.
She remembered a time when she, too, had trusted Lucas. But the memories were tainted now, and she couldn't let her guard down, no matter how friendly he tried to be.
"Alright, 10 minutes are over. Gather here," Ravi's voice cut through the air, snapping everyone back to reality.
Despite the exhaustion, there was a shared sense of accomplishment among the cadets.
They had survived the brutal training, and as they gathered for the next phase, they couldn't help but share knowing glances, grateful for the strength they found in each other.