The morning air felt heavier than usual.
Leo walked toward the training ground slowly.
His body still hadn't recovered from yesterday.
Every step reminded him of it.
His arms felt sore.
His legs felt weak.
Even breathing felt slightly uncomfortable.
But he still came.
When he reached the training ground—
something felt different.
All the trainees were gathered in one place.
No one was sparring.
No one was training.
They were standing in rows.
Waiting.
Leo stopped at the edge.
He looked around.
"…What's going on?"
No one answered.
Some glanced at him briefly—
then looked away.
Then—
Kael arrived.
The moment he stepped forward—
the entire ground went silent.
His eyes moved across everyone.
Slow.
Sharp.
Then he spoke.
"Today… there will be a test."
A slight shift in the air.
Some trainees straightened.
Some became more focused.
Leo stayed still.
"Basic evaluation."
Kael continued.
"To see where each of you stands."
Silence.
Then—
"Pair up."
The trainees immediately began moving.
Forming pairs quickly.
Leo stood there.
Not moving.
He didn't know what to do.
Then—
"Leo."
His name was called.
He looked up.
Kael was looking directly at him.
"For you… stand there."
He pointed toward an open space.
Leo walked there quietly.
Everyone's eyes followed him.
Whispers started.
"…He's the new one…"
"…That guy?"
"…This should be interesting…"
Leo stood still.
Trying to ignore it.
Then—
"Ryan."
Kael called.
Ryan stepped forward.
"…You will spar with him."
A faint smirk appeared on Ryan's face.
"…Understood."
He walked toward Leo.
Stopping a few steps away.
He picked up a wooden sword—
and tossed one toward Leo.
Leo caught it—
barely.
His grip felt weak.
The sword felt heavy.
He adjusted his hold.
Trying to steady himself.
Kael stepped back.
"Begin."
No countdown.
No signal.
Ryan moved first.
Fast.
Leo's eyes widened.
He tried to react—
but his body was too slow.
The strike landed.
"Ah—!"
Pain shot through his shoulder.
His grip loosened instantly.
The sword almost slipped.
Before he could recover—
another strike.
This time—
to his side.
Leo's body bent slightly.
His balance broke.
He stumbled—
and fell.
The ground hit him hard.
Silence for a second.
Then—
laughter.
"…That was fast…"
"…He didn't even last…"
"…Why is he even here…"
Leo's chest tightened.
His fingers pressed against the ground.
He tried to push himself up.
His body resisted.
"…Stand."
Kael's voice.
Leo forced himself up.
His legs shook.
His breathing uneven.
He picked up the sword again.
His hands trembled.
Ryan didn't wait.
Another attack.
Leo raised his sword—
too slow.
The impact pushed him back.
His arms shook violently.
Another strike.
Leo couldn't block.
It hit directly.
He fell again.
Harder this time.
The sword slipped from his hand.
More laughter.
"…This is boring…"
"…End it already…"
Leo stayed down.
His ears rang.
His vision blurred slightly.
His body didn't want to move.
"…Stand."
The same voice.
Leo slowly turned his head.
Kael was watching.
Expression unchanged.
No help.
No reaction.
Just watching.
Leo clenched his teeth.
Slowly—
he pushed himself up again.
His movements slower now.
He picked up the sword.
Barely holding it.
Ryan stepped closer.
"…You shouldn't have agreed to this."
His voice was calm.
Not mocking.
Just stating it.
Then—
another strike.
Leo tried to move.
But his body didn't respond properly.
The sword hit him again.
He fell.
Again.
This time—
he didn't get up immediately.
The ground felt cold.
Comfortable.
For a moment—
he didn't want to move.
The noise around him felt distant.
The laughter.
The whispers.
All fading.
"…Stand."
The voice came again.
Leo closed his eyes briefly.
His body hurt.
His chest felt heavy.
His hands weak.
I can't…
The thought came.
Soft.
Natural.
This is too much…
He stayed there.
For a second longer.
Then—
"…If you can't even stand…"
Kael's voice came again.
"…you already know your place."
Silence.
Leo's fingers tightened slightly.
His breathing slowed.
My place…
The words echoed.
He opened his eyes.
Slowly—
he pushed himself up again.
His body resisted.
Every part of him hurt.
But—
he stood.
Again.
This time—
he didn't rush.
He didn't try to react fast.
He just held the sword.
Trying to stay.
Ryan moved again.
Leo saw it.
His body reacted—
just slightly.
He lifted the sword.
The strike still landed.
But—
not fully.
A small difference.
Almost nothing.
But there.
Ryan noticed.
Leo fell again.
But his hand—
still held the sword.
He stayed down for a moment.
Breathing heavily.
Then—
he stood again.
Slowly.
The training ground had gone quiet.
No laughter now.
Just watching.
Leo stood there.
Barely.
His body shaking.
His vision unclear.
Ryan looked at him for a moment.
Then—
he lowered his sword slightly.
"…Enough."
Kael's voice.
The match ended.
Leo didn't move.
He just stood there.
Trying not to fall.
Kael stepped forward.
His eyes moved across all trainees.
Then—
he spoke.
"Results are clear."
Everyone straightened.
"You…"
He pointed at a few.
"Above average."
Another group.
"Average."
Then—
his eyes moved toward Leo.
A brief pause.
"…Below standard."
Silence.
Leo didn't react.
He just stood there.
Then—
Kael added,
"Lowest."
The word fell quietly.
But it stayed.
No laughter.
No reaction.
Just silence.
Leo's grip tightened slightly around the sword.
Not in anger.
Not in frustration.
Just—
holding.
Kael turned away.
"Training continues tomorrow."
The trainees began dispersing.
Some glanced at Leo.
Some didn't.
Ryan walked past him.
"…You really are the lowest."
A pause.
"…But you stood longer today."
Then he left.
Leo stayed where he was.
His body felt empty.
His arms heavy.
His legs unstable.
But he didn't fall.
Not yet.
Slowly—
he looked at the ground.
Then at the sword in his hand.
There were small marks on it.
From the impacts.
From the falls.
He stared at it.
Quietly.
No thoughts.
No words.
Just looking.
The training ground slowly emptied.
The sun moved higher.
But Leo didn't move.
He just stood there.
Holding the sword.
As if trying to understand something—
he couldn't put into words yet.