ShareThe scorching sun hung high in the sky, blazing down on the quiet, isolated island.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of clashing metal echoed across the sea, vibrating through the humid air. Two figures clashed over the shimmering water, their swords slashing and sparking in violent bursts of energy. One of them, a young man named Sanjid, flew backward through the air like a missile after taking a direct hit.
His body skidded across the sea's surface for nearly a kilometer, tearing a long, white trail of foamy water in his wake. He finally came to a stop, drenched and battered, gasping for air.
A faint blue glow surrounded his feet as he stood shakily on the water, using a sliver of magic to stay above the waves. His sword hand trembled from the sheer force of the strike, his arm nearly numb.
Over the past month, Sanjid had trained harder than ever before. His strength had grown rapidly, to the point where he could now lift boulders weighing several tons with a single hand. But even so, his power was nothing compared to the woman before him—Bella, the Goddess of Judgment.
In raw strength, technique, and combat experience, she outclassed him in every way.
Just then, a cold, commanding voice rang in his ears.
> "I warned you—getting distracted in battle is the fastest way to die."
Sanjid's eyes widened as he realized too late—she was behind him.
Boom!
A shockwave erupted as Bella's blade struck him from behind. The blow sent him flying again, blood spraying from his mouth. This time, his body crashed violently into the rocky cliffs of the island.
Rubble exploded. Dust filled the air.
He slammed into the rock face and became embedded in the cliff, limbs spread out in the shape of a cross. His body slid free seconds later, and he dropped into the sea with a heavy splash.
Everything hurt. His bones screamed, his skin burned, and his head throbbed. But Sanjid refused to black out. Clenching his teeth, he fought to stay awake. Inch by inch, he dragged himself through the waves toward the beach.
No one helped him. This was part of the trial.
After what felt like hours, he collapsed on the hot sand, chest heaving, clothes soaked and torn. He still gripped his silver-white knight's sword tightly, refusing to let it go.
> "Hah… hah… I only lasted five minutes?"
He blinked at the sun, face covered in sweat and seawater. Five minutes—just five minutes against her—and yet he'd hoped to last longer. He was angry at himself. Angry for letting his guard down. Angry for being weak.
He clenched his fist in the sand.
> "Why… why do I keep making the same mistake?"
Suddenly, soft footsteps approached. Through his blurred vision, Sanjid saw a tall, graceful silhouette approach—Bella, standing against the sunlight, her expression unreadable and her sword planted calmly in the sand.
> "Get up. Heal your wounds with magic."
Her voice was still cool, but it wasn't harsh.
Sanjid didn't argue. He sat up slowly, crossed his legs on the beach, and began circulating magic through his body. Pale blue light swirled around him, soothing his injuries. His breathing steadied. His aching muscles slowly relaxed.
Watching him silently, Bella's lips curled into a faint smile.
She didn't speak, but inside, she was pleased.
In just one month, under her strict and relentless training, the boy had grown stronger at a rate that defied reason. From a normal high school student to a warrior whose strength was beginning to touch the realm of superhumans—it was extraordinary.
Physically, he still had a way to go. But his magic? It had already reached a level comparable to mid-tier enhanced humans—maybe even better than Captain America.
And this progress didn't come from talent alone.
It came from pain. From persistence. From refusal to quit.
Bella admired that about him. She herself had supernatural help—her powers and systems gave her a clear advantage. But Sanjid had none of that. He was still standing, still training, still trying to catch up.
She respected him for it.
And he had just held his own against her for five full minutes.
That might not sound like much to others. But to Bella? It was a milestone worth acknowledging.
As Sanjid's injuries finished healing, he stood back up, eyes burning with determination. He gritted his teeth.
> "One more round. I'll last even longer this time."
This had become their ritual: fight, fall, recover, repeat.
Every day, every hour, every minute, he'd trained like this—pushing past the limits of his body and mind, finding a strange kind of joy in the progress, in the pain.
But today, something was different.
Bella turned away.
> "Your trial is over," she said softly. "Congratulations… boy."
Sanjid froze.
He stared at her in disbelief.
> "W… what?"
He almost thought he misheard.
Joy, relief, and confusion all rushed through him at once. His knees nearly buckled.
> "I made it?"
His voice trembled, tears welling in his eyes. He had to ask again.
> "Really?"
Bella didn't answer right away. She looked at the sea, at the horizon, then finally turned to him.
> "Remember this moment," she said. "Remember these two months—every second of pain, fear, frustration… and growth. This time shaped you. It gave you your foundation. Don't ever forget that."
Her voice, usually cold, softened just a little.
Sanjid couldn't hold back anymore.
Tears streamed down his face. He choked on his words and just nodded over and over again.
> "I won't forget," he whispered.
Bella took a deep breath.
> "I've removed your wanted status. Your life is your own now. You can go back to society. I won't be training you anymore."
She thought he'd be overjoyed.
He should've been.
But Sanjid just stood there, staring at her. Frozen.
The freedom he'd been longing for… suddenly felt empty.
Because he didn't want to leave.
Memories came flooding back—the endless swims with a boulder strapped to his back, the painful sword drills, the late-night conversations around a fire, the stars above them, the way she taught him to channel his magic.
She said she didn't know how to mentor people.
But to Sanjid, she was the best teacher he ever had.
She didn't just train his body—she rescued his soul.
And now that it was over, he wasn't ready to say goodbye.
> He realized, in that moment, that he didn't just admire her. He looked up to her. He cared.
And deep inside, he knew he'd miss her more than anything.
A part of him had fallen for her.
Who wouldn't? She was beautiful, powerful, mysterious… and she believed in him when no one else did.
Even if he never said it out loud, he owed everything to her.
Now, standing in the sand with the ocean behind them and the sun slowly sinking, Sanjid wiped his tears and smiled through the pain.
> "Thank you… for everything."
Bella didn't respond right away. She just looked at him, her expression unreadable.
But deep inside, she was proud.
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