At five in the morning, the bell of the training camp rang as usual, but today, the atmosphere was unusually tense. It was the second week since entering the camp and the first physical assessment day.
As per the ironclad rule, regardless of background, age, or physique, every recruit had to complete three standard exercises alone: the obstacle endurance race, strength trial, and reaction and reasoning test. This was not only a basic evaluation of physical fitness but also a crucial threshold for determining eligibility for group training.
The sky was particularly dark that day, with thick clouds covering it.
Cain stood at the front of the line, his gaze passing through the forest mist, looking far ahead at the starting line surrounded by vines and rocks. He couldn't hear the murmurs of others, only the sound of his heartbeat and the permeation of the morning's humidity. He knew that today was not just a simple training session but another battlefield where fate was decided.
The obstacle endurance race was a unique wilderness test of Eramia, combining natural obstacles planned by the elves with mechanisms set by humans. It spanned eight kilometers through forests, streams, vines, rocky areas, and misty hills.
At the starting point, a few recruits were whispering complaints.
"Last time, someone fell off the slope and was unconscious for two days," Tario said, biting into a dried meat pie.
"I heard there are roots on this path that move on their own," Rodi added, a hint of fear in his voice.
Cain turned his head to look at the distant finish line, saying nothing. His shoulders were tense, his eyes sharp like a leopard ready to pounce. He wasn't afraid; he was focused. He knew these trainings were not just for survival but the first step toward revenge and rescue.
Ze was stretching slowly nearby, his gaze always calm. Cain glanced at him, noting his expressionless face that seemed to see through everything yet care about nothing. This composure put pressure on Cain; he had seen many people feign calmness, but Ze's innate tranquility was unusual.
"Don't forget, you still have laundry duties by the river after you return," Aina reminded.
"This race isn't about speed; it's about survival," Tario laughed, though his steps were clearly nervous.
—The whistle blew.
The recruits charged into the forest, the first challenge being the vine net area. They had to cross thirty meters of hanging roots within five minutes, with "electric branches" equipped with sensors releasing mild shocks.
Cain alternated between "ground rolling" and "leveraging jumps," passing through quickly. He felt a slight tingle as his back brushed against the electrified vines but dared not pause for a moment.
Ze moved almost silently through the area, seemingly blending with the environment. Cain was startled when he glimpsed Ze's movements.
Having grown up in Eramia, Cain considered himself familiar with the terrain, but Ze's physical reactions and decision-making speed were akin to a seasoned soldier.
'Is he really just a recruit?' Cain wondered.
Next was the "mud hill slope," where they had to climb a slippery slope to a cliff and avoid sliding into the creek below.
Most were forced to climb twice, with Rodi even slipping several meters and injuring his ankle.
Cain clung tightly to natural tree roots, climbing step by step, his palms bleeding but without a sound of complaint.
Ze, once again, effortlessly found the best path, as if he knew the route well, his footsteps so light they were almost inaudible.
'This isn't normal... Did he see the route map? No, this isn't something that can be achieved with just information. This is experience,' Cain frowned.
The final challenge was "misty hill," where the ground hid multiple trap holes and mechanisms, with visibility limited to five meters.
Aina lost her footing on a trap, getting her ankle caught by vines, and Cain carried her out of the mist.
Ze arrived at the finish line first, quietly recording his time. Seeing the mud-covered Cain and Aina, he silently handed them two bottles of water.
Cain, panting, accepted one, looking at Ze: "You seem like... you've been here many times?"
Ze didn't answer, only saying, "The next round is the strength trial, save your energy."
Cain's gaze lingered on Ze, deep and probing. 'He's not just calm; his familiarity with all the training processes is almost as if this isn't his first time... Who exactly is he?'
The subsequent strength trial included carrying sandbags, climbing stairs with varying heights and weights, and endurance hanging exercises.
In front of the "Black Camphor Training Tower," a long row of sandbags and stone balls was ready. The task was to carry six 30-kilogram sandbags up the three-story tower alone and then complete 30 rope hangs.
Rodi, though quiet in demeanor, lifted the sandbags with ease, finishing in under seven minutes. Tario chuckled, "I'd rather clean all the camp's toilets than climb that tower again."
Cain gritted his teeth to complete the task, his hands swollen and red, but his determination unwavering. His rhythm was steady, his movements somewhat clumsy yet solid, each step taken with conviction.
Ze, on the other hand, observed others while working. His actions were nearly flawless, with perfect rhythm, balance, and breathing, showcasing not only strength but also remarkable technique.
After finishing, he descended the tower, passing by Cain and murmuring, "You were too hasty; you lost your rhythm with the second bag."
Cain glanced back at him, saying nothing, but his eyes seemed to register a kind of dissatisfaction.
The reaction and reasoning test was set in the "Rune Rotunda," a simulated challenge arena designed by elven technicians. Inside, like a maze, each recruit had to solve three rune puzzles and mechanism traps within ten minutes and avoid being tracked by virtual beasts.
Aina excelled in this, completing it in the fastest time almost effortlessly. Mika relied on calmness and book knowledge to persevere.
Though unfamiliar with runes, Cain used agility and observation to evade two traps, drawing the attention of the instructors. He was tense, sweating from his forehead, but persisted to the end.
Ze entered the rotunda silently and emerged two minutes ahead of the allotted time, not even out of breath.
"How did he do it?" Aina murmured. "I suspect he's undergone similar training before," Tario said. "No—he's probably the one who designed this game," Mika frowned.
Cain remained silent, his gaze cold and intense. He felt the competition and anxiety within him slowly rising.
—
After training, the sun slowly set. The recruits lay on the grass, some rubbing their legs, some gazing at the sky, others silent.
Ze, as usual, sat alone in a corner, cleaning his equipment.
Cain walked over and sat down, handing him a bottle of water. "You'll expose yourself sooner or later."
"What?"
"You're not an ordinary person. I can sense it."
Ze accepted the water, saying nothing.
"When we enter group training, you'd better not stand out too much." Cain got up and left, leaving behind a single sentence: "I don't want everyone to focus solely on one person."
He didn't trust Ze, yet he couldn't deny that this mysterious companion was incredibly strong.
'What exactly is he planning... Does he want to keep a low profile? Or does he have another mission?' Cain pondered as he walked.
"He's strange but reliable," Tario commented on him.
And in Cain's heart, a sense of competition and suspicion quietly took root.
That night, the camp was as quiet as usual, but Cain couldn't fall asleep for a long time. He tossed and turned, his mind replaying Ze's nearly perfect moves during training.
He stepped out of the tent, the moonlight illuminating the entire grassy field. His gaze swept over the soldiers on night watch, finally stopping at a corner—Ze was sitting alone under an old tree, holding a metal plate not belonging to Eramia, which glinted faintly in the moonlight.
Cain quietly approached, observing from a distance.
Ze stared at the metal plate for a while, then carefully wrapped it in a cloth from his waist and looked up at the distant stars. His expression was not one of reminiscence but as if he was waiting for something.
"Who are you really... Why are you so strong, yet always seem to avoid drawing attention?" Cain felt an indescribable unease rising within him.
That night, he didn't get any closer, only resolved in his heart—whoever Ze was, he must surpass him. Because he wanted to become a true warrior capable of saving his family and reclaiming his home planet.