The morning sun crept over the modest training facility, casting its pale light into the dining hall where the fifteen students gathered, their expressions ranging from groggy to grim. Unlike the grand feast of the night before, today's breakfast was a stark reminder of their reality. Rows of steel trays filled with colourless, steamed vegetables, plain porridge, and boiled eggs sat waiting on the table. There was no hint of seasoning, no gleam of oil or garnish—just food that spoke of utility, not indulgence.
The students exchanged glances, some groaning audibly as they took their seats. The sight of this unappetizing fare was a punch to the gut, especially after having dined like kings just hours before. Tae-young's eyes narrowed in frustration, his ego bruised by the drastic shift. Joon-ho forced a weak smile, nudging Kang-dae, who just shook his head with a resigned sigh. Kyu, true to his nature, sat silently, expression unreadable as he studied the meal in front of him.
Across from them, at a separate table, the instructors sat eating their breakfast. Their plates were piled high with warm, buttered bread, omelettes stuffed with herbs and cheese, and freshly cut fruit that glistened with moisture. A faint aroma of spiced tea wafted over to the students' table, making the blandness of their food even more pronounced.
Min-jae clenched his jaw, irritation flaring as he watched Instructor Seung-hyun bite into a fluffy pastry. Baek-hyeon shot a glare that spoke volumes, muttering under his breath.
"Cruel doesn't even begin to describe this."
Soo-jin, sitting among the girls, tried to keep spirits up by nudging Hana with a playful elbow.
"Guess they meant it when they said 'hell starts now,' huh?" she joked, though the edge in her voice betrayed her unease.
Hana gave a small nod, eyes flicking toward the instructors' table where Instructor Min-ji caught her glance. The instructor smiled—not warmly, but with the cool assurance of someone who knew exactly how the day would unfold.
The aftermath of the morning test still lingered over the girls like a storm cloud. Hana sat at the breakfast table, eyes focused on the bowl of bland porridge in front of her, stirring it absently. Her face was a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. Among the girls, she was known for her unyielding strength and sharp mind—an undisputed leader.
To have failed the sneak test, especially in such an undignified way, gnawed at her pride. The memory of waking up to the unexpected weight and the terrifying mimicry of being held down made her stomach twist. Despite knowing it was just Instructor Min-ji and Instructor Hye-won in their suits, her initial instinct to scream rather than fight back had left her feeling vulnerable.
Hyun-ae noticed Hana's silence and reached out with a soft touch on her arm.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up. None of us expected that. They knew exactly how to catch us off guard," she said, her voice gentle yet reassuring.
Jin-kyong leaned in, adding with a small grin.
"Honestly, if they tried that again, you'd probably be the first to knock them out, suit or not."
A weak smile crossed Hana's lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. She knew her friends meant well, but the sting of her reaction lingered. Deep down, despite her superior skills and resilience, she was just like any other girl who could be shaken by the sudden, vulnerable moment. The realization of that truth was as humbling as it was disheartening.
Soo-jin, always the peacemaker, spoke up with a determined nod.
"What matters is that we learn from this. It's not a test of just skill, but mindset. And if anything, we'll be ready next time."
Hana took a deep breath, straightening her posture. Her friends were right. The drill may have shaken her today, but next time, she vowed silently, she would be prepared.
At the boys' table, the atmosphere was tense, punctuated by mutters and heavy sighs. While some of them dug into their bland breakfast without a word, others exchanged sideways glances filled with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. Tae-young sat confidently, a faint smirk pulling at the corners of his lips. Unlike some of the others, he had managed to avoid the icy ambush entirely and remained dry. His self-assured posture and subtle head tilts only amplified the frustration of those who had been less fortunate.
Joon-ho stared at his plate, picking at the unappetizing meal with a frown. He could still feel the cold water clinging to his skin from the early morning shock. His irritation wasn't just from the discomfort but from the fact that he had let his guard down. Next to him, Min-jae, who had also been drenched, clenched his jaw. He glanced over at Tae-young's smug expression and felt a sharp pang of annoyance.
Kyung-mi broke the silence with a low, bitter laugh.
"Bet you're feeling good about yourself, huh, Tae-young?" His voice was laced with sarcasm.
Tae-young leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Not my fault you all sleep like rocks," he said, his tone dripping with superiority. "Maybe next time, try listening for more than just your snores."
A few of the boys bristled at the comment. Kang-dae, who had also managed to dodge most of the water, shrugged and said.
"It's just a drill. Next time, we'll all be ready," his voice was calm, meant to defuse the tension, but it did little to soften the competitive edge in the room.
Kyu, as usual, remained silent, his expression unreadable. He had been one of the lucky few who stirred just in time to avoid a full soaking. His quiet confidence contrasted sharply with the boisterous attitude of Tae-young, who continued to bask in his small victory.
In-su and Chin-hwa exchanged knowing glances, each reflecting on their shortcomings during the surprise test. Chin-hwa broke the silence, saying.
"It's not just about being fast; it's about being aware. They hit us where we least expected it."
Tae-young rolled his eyes slightly but didn't respond. His ego thrived on being seen as the best, and today's outcome had only cemented that belief. Yet, beneath the veneer of confidence, even he knew that one test didn't prove anything. Today's success was tomorrow's forgotten moment if he didn't stay sharp.
Joon-ho's expression hardened. He knew that he'd need to shake off the embarrassment and train himself to stay vigilant. This wasn't just a wake-up call—it was a reminder that in this place, ego could be both a weapon and a weakness. And with Tae-young's attitude fueling the silent competition among them, the real battle was only just beginning.
As the boys resumed their half-hearted breakfast, the reality of their situation began to sink in. Each of them was grappling with the fact that this training was no ordinary regimen. It wasn't simply about honing their skills or building camaraderie; it was about survival in a crucible designed to test their limits and break down their defences.
Instructor Seung-hyun's words from the previous evening echoed in their minds: "Today, hell shall befall you." That ominous statement loomed over them, turning the morning into a heavy reminder of what lay ahead. While they sat together, each boy contemplated the implications of those words. They were no longer just students—they were the chosen few, the representatives of their teams, and their nation. The weight of that responsibility felt like a palpable force pressing down on their shoulders.
"Remember, this isn't just about training. It's about testing your mettle," Instructor Ji-woo had emphasized earlier. "You'll be pushed to your limits, and if you think this is tough, just wait. Every day will bring new challenges." The instructors had promised that they would be tested and bested, and now that notion felt more real than ever. The competition wasn't merely with each other; it was with themselves, their fears, and their weaknesses.
Kang-dae glanced at his teammates, his expression serious.
"We need to stick together," he said, his voice low but steady. "If we don't have each other's backs, we'll fall apart." The others nodded in agreement, the weight of unity settling in among them.
Tae-young, still brimming with self-assurance, leaned forward and interjected.
"I say we push ourselves to the max. No holding back! If they want to challenge us, then let's show them what we're made of." His eyes sparkled with determination, igniting a flicker of competitive spirit among the boys.
Chin-hwa, who had initially felt defeated, found his resolve hardening at Tae-young's words.
"Yeah! We can't let one slip-up define us. We learn, we adapt, and we come back stronger."
"Exactly," Joon-ho chimed in, feeling a surge of camaraderie building among them. "We've trained hard to be here, and we can't let ourselves get bogged down by a single failure."
As they finished their breakfast, a newfound energy coursed through the group. The fear of the unknown transformed into a palpable excitement. They were not just preparing for a training session; they were on the cusp of an adventure that would test every ounce of their skills, resilience, and mental fortitude.
Just as they began to rise from the table, the instructors stood up, signalling that it was time to move on.
"Let's get to work," Instructor Dong-soo said, his voice steady and authoritative. "Your second real test is waiting."
With that, the boys stood, a mix of nervousness and eagerness in their eyes. They would face whatever came next together, bonded by the shared experience of struggle and growth. This training would not break them; instead, it would forge them into the elite warriors they aspired to be. And as they stepped out of the dining hall, they felt the first real stirrings of confidence igniting within, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.