Hazen and Fatty did push-ups, anticipating the end.
"One forty-five, one forty-six... one fifty," Nathan said, looking sad.
"So soon," he thought, pouting his lips.
Hazen and Fatty collapsed on the ground.
"I did it, I'm not lazy," Hazen muttered, breathing heavily.
"Hazen, we did it!" Fatty said, looking like he wanted to cry, lying on the cold ground in a pool of sweat.
Commander Kyle's gaze lingered on Hazen, his face emotionless, as he stood and walked up to the recruits.
"Everyone, choose a partner to practice combat with," he stated.
All the recruits quickly chose their partners. Fatty walked up to Hazen.
"Hazen, let's be—"
"He's my partner," Commander Kyle's cold voice resounded in the room as he stared at Fatty with a gaze that said, [Keep off from what belongs to me.]
Hazen's pulse quickened.
"When did I become his partner?" Hazen thought, feeling as if a heavy stone had just landed on her.
Fatty froze as he met Commander Kyle's stare.
"Um... I can't see my partner," Fatty muttered, looking confused as he quickly hurried away from Commander Kyle's sight.
Hazen turned to meet the cold gaze of Commander Kyle.
"You think you're important because I chose you?" Commander Kyle asked, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
"Me? Never!" Hazen said, shaking her head vigorously as she quickly took a step backward to create space between them.
"Why did he step back? So he wants to stay with the fat boy?" Commander Kyle thought, feeling a surge of annoyance. His furrowed eyebrows deepened as he turned away from Hazen.
"Did you see the way the Commander claimed Hazen?" someone among the recruits muttered.
"Exactly. We need to be careful not to anger Hazen in the future," another replied.
Nathan heard their words, and annoyance flashed in his mind.
"Is there really something going on between the Commander and Hazen?" he thought, as his gaze lingered on Commander Kyle and Hazen, who stood beside each other.
...
"Number yourselves in five minutes," Commander Kyle ordered.
All the recruits immediately numbered themselves. In less than five minutes, they were ready.
Commander Kyle walked up to the ring. "Now, we're going to practice combat. Feel free to use your strength to defend yourself against your opponent. The combat will continue until one of you decides to opt out," he said, scanning the serious faces of his recruits.
"Let the battle begin. Number 1," he announced, stepping down from the ring. His gaze met Hazen's, who quickly looked away.
"Damn, why did I have to meet his gaze!" Hazen thought, averting her head in another direction.
…
Two men immediately walked into the ring, staring at each other like their worst enemies.
"I never thought we'd fight so soon, brother," Abel commented.
"Yes, and I hope you give it your best. Don't consider our relationship—fight me with all your power and might!" Andrew replied, smiling mischievously.
Hazen watched as the two brothers turned against each other. "Do they have to sound like they hate each other?" Hazen thought as she composed herself, careful not to move too much in the Commander's presence.
Their eyes immediately flashed crimson as their claws elongated, letting out low growls. In the blink of an eye, the fight began. Andrew lunged at Abel with force, but Abel defended himself, avoiding Andrew's sharp claws. Abel quickly pushed Andrew, standing and breathing heavily.
"Brother, I was holding back, but it seems you really want to surpass me," Abel said, as the atmosphere seemed to shift. All the onlookers watched, mouths agape, as the seemingly weaker one grew stronger.
"Wow," Hazen muttered, intrigued by the battle before her.
Hearing the light voice beside him, Commander Kyle turned to see Hazen staring at the fight between the two brothers with interest. His gaze lingered on Hazen's naturally puckered lips.
"Distracting," he muttered, staring at Hazen's lips.
Realization struck him.
"Argh, what the hell! How could I find a man?" he thought, immediately turning back to the combat, his expression darkening as he watched the unfolding bloody battle between the brothers.
...
Abel picked Andrew up, twisted him, and threw him against the wall.
"Bro...ther," Andrew said, bruised and reaching forward, trying to catch his breath.
"This fight will continue until one of us gives up. I'm not tired—I'm still enjoying myself," Abel said, smiling viciously.
Hearing Abel's words, Andrew struggled to his feet, refusing to admit defeat.
"I can't be defeated by my twin! Never!" Andrew declared, standing up weakly.
"Good, I never asked you to give up!" Abel replied, jumping in place, eagerly waiting for his brother's next attack, a mischievous smile on his face.
Andrew stared at his brother's vicious grin. "When did he become this strong? Can I defeat him? He's my twin—I can defeat him!" Andrew thought, lunging toward Abel, his claws extending as he approached. But as he neared, Abel intercepted him, lifting Andrew up with his claws. Andrew spat out a mouthful of blood.
Seeing the situation, Commander Kyle's voice echoed across the room. "Stop!" he commanded, causing all the recruits to turn to him. Abel released Andrew, who fell to the ground, lying there weakly. His wounds slowly began to heal as the blood flow from his stomach lessened.
"I said fight, not kill. I don't want to lose anyone, especially not during training combat. The next competitors should be mindful of this," Commander Kyle stated, his gaze piercing each of them in turn.
"True, but could I even face this man when it's our turn?" Hazen wondered, staring at Commander Kyle as he addressed the recruits.
"No, you can't," Amoris replied in Hazen's mind.
"I know I can't; you didn't have to say it! And I wasn't even talking to you," Hazen retorted to Amoris internally.
...
"Hazen and I will go next. I'd advise you all to pay attention," Commander Kyle said to the recruits, interrupting Hazen's conversation with Amoris.
"What? It's my turn already?" Hazen thought in shock.
"Amoris," Hazen called in her mind.
"I'm not helping you, Hazen. This battle is between you and your Commander. I'm not interested in participating," Amoris replied, his tone dripping with indifference.
"No, please, don't leave me!" Hazen replied internally, her tone urgent. She felt Amoris's unique aura fade.
"No, no, Amoris, don't go!" Hazen thought desperately as she stared at Commander Kyle in horror.
"Let's go," Commander Kyle said as he walked to the ring without meeting Hazen's gaze.
Hazen reluctantly followed him from behind.
"Now I'm going to go from great to pathetic,"she thought as they climbed into the ring.
Nathan's eyes glinted as he watched Hazen.
"We'll see if he can stand a chance against the Commander," he thought smugly, inwardly hoping for Hazen to be humiliated.
Nathan thought back to the Crimson Gorgoroth Hazen slayed. "It should have been me in the spotlight," he thought, his gaze cold as he watched Hazen in the ring.