Hours after the grueling training session with Elena, Sophie's body still throbbed with exhaustion. Every step reminded her of the relentless weight of the vest, the icy track, and Elena's barking commands. Yet, she followed the young guard down a series of narrow hallways, her curiosity piqued despite her fatigue. When they reached the door to a brightly lit room, the guard gestured for her to enter.
Stepping inside, Sophie blinked against the stark white light bouncing off sterile walls. The hum of fluorescent bulbs filled the air, underscoring the clinical atmosphere. At the center of the room was a simple metal table and two chairs. Leo sat in one, leaning casually with an air of unshakable composure. His sharp gaze settled on Sophie as she entered.
"Another test?" Sophie asked, her voice laced with weariness as she sank into the opposite chair.
"Good evening to you too," Leo replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Sophie folded her arms, her eyes narrowing. "If this is another version of Elena's 'run until you die' routine, you can forget it. I'm done being your punching bag for the day."
"This one's different," Leo assured her, gesturing to the table. Three items lay neatly in front of him: a brightly colored puzzle cube, a deck of playing cards, and a small digital timer. "Today, we're shifting the focus—literally."
Her brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"
"It means we're going to test your mind, not your body," he said, picking up the puzzle cube. He turned it slowly in his hands, the vivid colors a stark contrast to the dull room. "Your endurance is more than physical. If you can't stay sharp mentally under pressure, no amount of strength will save you."
Sophie eyed the items warily. "Okay, but what exactly am I supposed to do? Solve the cube while reciting Shakespeare?"
"Close," Leo replied with a chuckle, though his eyes stayed serious. "You're going to solve the cube while tracking cards I draw from the deck. Two tasks at once—one for your hands, one for your mind."
"That's… insane," Sophie muttered, leaning back in her chair.
Leo shrugged, setting the cube down in front of her. "So is life. This is about focus, Sophie. You need to learn how to compartmentalize distractions and stay sharp in chaotic situations. This exercise will help."
Sophie stared at him, her skepticism evident. "Let me guess—if I fail, I get a lecture about how I'm not ready for the big, bad world?"
"More like a reminder to try again." His tone was calm but firm. "This isn't about perfection. It's about progress. Now, are you ready?"
She sighed heavily, picking up the cube and turning it over in her hands. The colors swirled into an overwhelming array of mismatched patterns. "Fine," she said. "Let's get this over with."
Leo shuffled the deck of cards with practiced ease. "Here's how it works: I'll call out the cards as I draw them. You keep track in your head while working on the cube. After a few cards, I'll stop and ask you to recall them in order. Got it?"
"Sure," Sophie said, though her tone betrayed her doubt.
Leo flipped the first card with a flourish. "Seven of diamonds."
Sophie's hands moved awkwardly on the cube, twisting it in random directions. She wasn't sure if she was solving or scrambling it further, but her attention faltered as Leo flipped the second card.
"Ace of spades," he said, glancing up at her.
Her fingers froze mid-turn. The two tasks immediately clashed in her brain, tangling like wires in a broken circuit.
"What was the first card?" Leo asked suddenly, his voice sharp.
Sophie blinked, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Uh… seven of… something?"
Leo reset the timer with an audible beep. "Wrong. Start over."
Her shoulders sagged as she reset the cube, muttering under her breath. "This is impossible."
"Not impossible," Leo countered, his calm demeanor unwavering. "You're overthinking it. Let your hands work on the cube instinctively. Focus your mind on the cards. Separate the two."
Easy for you to say, Sophie thought bitterly, but she didn't argue. Instead, she picked up the cube again, her fingers hesitating as the timer beeped.
"King of clubs," Leo began, flipping the first card.
Her hands moved mechanically this time, the cube's colors shifting chaotically under her grasp.
"Two of hearts."
Her brow furrowed in concentration as she struggled to keep track of the sequence.
"Jack of diamonds," Leo continued, watching her closely.
"What were the last two cards?" he asked abruptly, snapping her focus to him.
"Two of hearts and… uh… jack of diamonds?" she guessed, her voice uncertain.
"Correct," he said, surprising her.
A flicker of triumph crossed her face, but Leo's next words quickly doused it.
"Now, keep going. You're not done yet."
The exercise continued, each round testing Sophie's patience and resolve. Every time she thought she had the hang of it, Leo would speed up the card calls or interrupt with a question. The tension in the room was palpable as her frustration mounted.
By the fifth attempt, Sophie slammed the cube down on the table, her voice rising. "This is ridiculous! No one can do this. It's like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach while juggling knives!"
Leo leaned forward, his tone steady but firm. "This isn't about doing it perfectly. It's about training your mind to adapt. The more you resist, the harder it gets."
Sophie scowled but picked up the cube again, her determination flaring. This time, she allowed her hands to move instinctively, focusing fully on Leo's voice.
"Queen of hearts," he said, flipping the card.
"King of spades."
"Five of clubs."
The timer beeped, signaling the end of the round. Sophie froze, her breath shallow. "Queen of hearts, king of spades, five of clubs," she said, her voice low but steady.
Leo smiled faintly. "Correct. Good."
Sophie let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Now," Leo said, leaning back in his chair, "do it again. Faster."
Her jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Not kidding," he said with a smirk. "Welcome to focus training, Sophie. The only way out is through."
As the timer beeped again, Sophie felt the weight of her frustration lifting, replaced by a stubborn resolve. She tightened her grip on the cube, ready to try again.
This time, she thought, I'll beat him at his own game.