I'm scrubbing the floor with a worn brush, while the others clean the other areas. The chatter around us was lighthearted, filled with complaints about cleaning and jokes about how "cleanliness is holiness"
Suddenly, the doors creak open, and a priest enters. The room falls silent, everyone instinctively straightening up.
"Low-tiers – I mean trainees, prepare yourselves. The divine priest has decided that your training will no longer consist of cleaning tasks alone. Starting tomorrow, you will undergo proper training under his command."
Gasps spreads across the room.
"Under the divine priest?!" someone whispers.
"Proper training?"
"Does that mean no more scrubbing floors?" I murmured in excitement. "But under his command?" I whispered softly.
"Yes, proper training. You have been deemed worthy of receiving guidance to push your potential. Report to the training hall at sunrise. That is all"
The priest's gaze passes through us. "Dismissed. Ensure you're prepared." He exits without another word.
****
The next day, we gathered in the training hall.
"Do you think it's true?" one trainee whispers. "Equal treatment?"
I shift uneasily.
[Why are you nervous?]
I'm not. It's just – so sudden.
Exian steps in along with several high-tier trainees, their confident stances making the low-tiers shrink back slightly.
"From this day forward, there will be no separation between low-tier and high-tier trainees in terms of training and learning." He announces.
"You will train together" he continues, "Learn together. And rise together. Skill and determination will determine your place – not arbitrary rankings."
A murmur of surprise and disbelief runs through the low-tiers.
Exian raises a hand to silence them. "However, this will not be easy. Equal treatment also means equal expectations. If you slack-off, there will be no excuses. Do not mistake this as grace – it is fairness."
I can't help but glance at the high-tier trainees behind him. Most of them look indifferent, but a few seem almost annoyed at the new rule.
"This gotta be joke" one trainee murmured.
Then followed by gossips.
"What's the point of tiers if they're going to do…this?"
"Heard he forced the head priest to agree"
"Forced? I thought he said it was from the Moon God?"
Exian steps forward. "For those who believe that this change is useless, you're free to leave now. But know that true strength is not measured by tier but your skills."
No one moves. The tension is too much as Exian's gaze meet everyone, daring anyone to challenge his words.
"Good. Now, let's begin."
"Pair up – one high-tier with one low-tier. You will train as partners from this moment on."
Trainees murmurs and hesitates but starts finding their partners.
Could this be my partner?
The high-tier walked pass me. Then the next – Until I saw Koichi and Yzette heading straight to me.
OMG WILL THEY FIGHT OVER ME?
Before the two could even speak, Exian's voice cuts through the noise. "Iris"
I freeze, every eye turning to me. He steps forward, making Kochi and Yzette step back to make way for him.
I looked at him and smiled awkwardly. "Heyy Divine Priest! What's up?"
Exian smiled faintly, tilting his head a bit. "You're with me."
-----
"Hah… hah…ah…
THIS IS TORTURE!!" I wheezed. "I thought priest were supposed to be merciful!"
Exian raises an eyebrow. "I am merciful. You're still alive, aren't you?"
"I – "I stumble slightly but manage to keep running, panting heavily. "don't think…this qualifies as mercy!"
"Don't talk then. Save your energy." He replied.
"I AM saving my energy! By…complaining!" I snap between breaths. "If I die here, I want it to be on history and they should know that the divine priest wanted to see me suffer!"
"Noted" he says dryly. "But you're not dying. Just dramatically out of shape."
I glare at him as I stumble again. "Are you trying to help me with those words?"
"Maybe. Now go finish your lap" he replied
"Finish the lap" I mock. "Why don't you finish a lap? You've been standing there like a statue!"
"I don't need to run" Exian says with a shrug. "I've mastered this already. You, however, look like you're fighting gravity and losing"
I let out a loud groan.
My legs are crying
"Move your arms properly. You're flapping like a bird trying to swim"
I adjusted my form. "This is the worst day of my life!"
"No" Exian counters. "The worst day of your life will be when I actually push you to your limit. This is just a warm-up."
I nearly trip over my own feet. "I didn't create you to be this mean to me!" I blurt out, glaring at him.
"Then why create me?"
I stumble over my words, trying to think of a response while still running. "I…uh…well...that's complicated!"
"Complicated?" he repeats, crossing his arms as he watches me struggle through another lap. "You created an entire world and couldn't figure out my purpose?"
I huff, panting. "Can we…not do this existential crisis…while I'm dying over here? You're impossible!"
"Yes" Exian says smoothly, brushing a stray strand of hair, "and I'm beautiful"
[This is your doing]
I nearly trip over my own feet again, "Who even says that about themselves?"
He tilts his head slightly. "You do. All the time"
My eyes widen. "Excuse me?"
"You're always saying it." He replied, clearing his throat. "Exian, you're beautiful – mean this garden is beautiful"
"What the heck? -"
"Language – "
"SHH I'm pretty sure I never mentioned your name" I replied.
He chuckles softly, a rare sound that made me flustered. "You're right. Just wanted to add it because I'm 'pretty sure' you'd include it either way"
I stop running.
Exian's gaze softens as he sees me struggling. "Okay, that's enough laps for you. You can rest now."
I collapse on the floor, relieve at his sudden mercy. "Finally…"
"I'll check on the others. Don't get too comfortable." He said before walking away.
"That damn…"
"Psst!"
That sound interrupts the silence. I look around, confused, until I spot a familiar figure leaning on the wall.
"Koichi"
He smiled mischievously. "You look like you're about to collapse"
I roll my eyes. "What are you doing here?"
He shrugs. "Just wanted to see how my favorite low-tier is holding up." His grin widens. "Not bad, not bad. I think you'll survive Exian's training after all."