The days that followed were tense and filled with whispers. Kai felt the eyes of the academy upon him, and he knew that he couldn't slip up again. He had to control his powers and keep his secret hidden. During training sessions, he pushed himself harder than ever before, determined to get a handle on the fire that raged within him.
Rerna, the recruit with the mysterious earth-based abilities, became a silent beacon of hope for Kai. Her quiet confidence in the face of the academy's elitism and her willingness to train alongside them despite their lower rank inspired him. They began to train together, her patience and guidance helping him to harness the fiery beast within.
One evening, as they practiced in the abandoned wing, Rerna spoke of her past. Her eyes grew distant as she described the desolate wasteland that was Ground Zero. "We had to fight for everything," she said, her voice filled with a resilience that made Kai's heartache. "But it made me strong."
