Chapter 50: Training Begins at Dawn
The sun had barely risen when Rei Kurogane arrived at the training grounds.
The air was cold. The sky still had traces of night.
But Rei wasn't alone.
The other students assigned to Rehabilitation & Strength Development were already gathered—about fifteen in total.
And as expected…
Most of them were failures.
🔹 Students who barely survived the entrance exam.🔹 Students who lacked endurance, stamina, or combat ability.🔹 And Rei Kurogane—the one who had been publicly humiliated.
The whispers had already begun.
Student 1 (grinning): "Hah! So even that so-called 'genius' got dumped here?"Student 2 (mocking): "Guess dodging isn't enough, huh?"Student 3 (laughing): "Hope he doesn't break a bone just from running."
Rei ignored them.
His focus was on who would be leading their training.
Then—heavy footsteps echoed through the field.
A towering figure stepped forward.
🔹 Instructor Garreth Kane.
One of the academy's toughest combat instructors.
A former military champion.
And a man who hated weaklings.
Instructor Garreth Kane – No Mercy for the Weak
Garreth stood in front of the group, his massive arms crossed. His scarred face and intense glare silenced the students instantly.
Garreth (gruff voice): "Alright, listen up, you bunch of rejects."
His words hit like a hammer.
Garreth: "You were put in this program because you're too damn weak to keep up with the real fighters."
Some students tensed. Others looked down in shame.
But Garreth wasn't done.
Garreth: "You've got one month. If you can't show results by then, the academy will throw you out."
The tension spiked.
Some students gasped.
Student 1 (shocked): "T-They're serious about expelling us…?"Student 2 (panicked): "We have to improve in a month or we're gone?!"
Rei remained still.
He already knew.
This academy had no place for the weak.
Garreth smirked as he saw the fear settle in.
Garreth: "Good. You're scared. You should be."
Then—his expression darkened.
Garreth: "Now—let's see how weak you really are."
The First Trial – 100 Laps Before Breakfast
Garreth gestured toward the massive dirt track surrounding the training field.
Garreth: "100 laps."
The students froze.
Student 1 (blinking): "Did he say… 100?!"Student 2 (panicked): "That's insane!"
Garreth smirked.
Garreth: "If you collapse before you finish, pack your bags. You're done."
The students stared in horror.
But Garreth's whistle blew.
🔊 BEEP!
Garreth: "RUN."
Rei's Struggle – His Body's Weakness
The students took off.
Some sprinted. Others paced themselves.
Rei… was already struggling.
His legs burned after just ten laps. His breathing was rough.
Rei (thinking, gritting teeth): Damn it… My body is still too weak…!
Around him, others were starting to fall.
💀 By Lap 20, some had slowed to a walk.💀 By Lap 40, students began dropping to the ground, exhausted.💀 By Lap 60, more than half had collapsed, unable to move.
Rei kept going.
His vision blurred. His lungs screamed.
But he kept running.
Garreth's voice boomed from the sidelines.
Garreth: "You wanna survive in this academy?! THEN STOP LOOKING WEAK!"
Rei gritted his teeth.
He was weak. He knew that.
But this was his only chance to get stronger.
Rei (thinking, determined): I won't fail.
Even if his entire body begged him to stop—
💥 He would not collapse. 💥
The End of the Trial – Who Remains?
By the time the sun had fully risen…
💀 Only five students were left standing. 💀
Rei was one of them.
His legs felt like lead. His chest burned.
But he had done it.
The other students?
Collapsed.
Unconscious.
Or too weak to even stand.
Garreth grinned.
Garreth: "Well. Looks like we have at least five students worth training."
Then—his eyes locked onto Rei.
Garreth (grinning): "And you… You're a damn mess, Kurogane."
Rei looked up, exhausted.
Garreth's smirk widened.
Garreth: "But at least you're not dead yet."
Rei didn't respond.
Because in that moment—
🔥 He realized something. 🔥
For the first time in his life…
His body was truly being pushed to its limits.
And if he survived this training—
💀 He would no longer be prey. 💀