Morning sun has begun to rise, the squad been running in an endurance exercise, running around the area of their military base.
One hundred trainee lead solely a squad captain in front. Hundreds of footsteps were stomping the ground try to stay in rhythm, some of them slowly start to lag a little bit yet they keep it up so as not to fall too far behind.
As for Ruth, he was so far behind, left out, running breathless, as he was the slowest out of this whole squad.
The squad has twice ran past him.
Ruth's body is so tired, exhausted, he keep running even though he's far behind them, every time his feet land and push against the ground at each friction a hoarse sound could be heard.
When the squad once again move past him, some looks at him in pity, some sneer, other is simply didn't care as they more worried about themselves, since this training is quite hard for them as the new trainee.
Zaya was also part of the one who sneered at him, her face seemed to be mockingly says pathetic.
The captain glance at Ruth's army badge, it has outer redline surrounding it, indicating Ruth's roles within the whole squad.
"Support, move your legs faster!" The captain shout at him while he lead the squad continuing their run for the sets.
I am slow. Ruth look at the squad from behind, with their distance continues to widen. Looking down at his own body. This body is too weak.
He is slow with knees that ached, yet he feet continue to push against the ground, unwavering. Not yet, I need more.
Within this morning exercise, something weird also happen.
Every time the whole squad ran past him, Ruth notices that Jaimy been fixated his eyes at him, far longer than the other trainee, make him think. Why is Jaimy keep staring at me?
But he can't finds any answer to that question. Maybe I'm just imagining things out.
Then once again it happens.
When the squad finish another lap, went through him, he sees Jaimy stare at him with lips that form some unknown smile.
There, he stare at me again. Did I make enemy out of him? I Hope not. Ruth looking down at the ground try to not gather too much attention from that man. Better not stare back at him.
_____
After some time the squad finally finish their whole sets of training, the captain then stop near the field, gave his order to his squad.
"You can all rest now."
Which with relief, the trainees began to rest around the meadow, releasing all the physical fatigue they felt.
The captain move next to the path waiting for the support trainee who was behind of everyone. Then seen from a distance, Ruth is still running as he was far behind from finishing the whole sets.
While the squad took a rest, the captain walk toward breathless and slow runner Ruth.
"Trainee stop yourself."
At the order Ruth stop right in front of the captain.
Ruth tried to stand up straight but couldn't his small leg is shaking, his chest moved irregularly as his lung struggled sucking all the oxygen in surrounding air.
The captain observe Ruth's whole appearance.
He has small body for his age, with arms and legs that resemble skeleton lack of any muscle, his face is one of the average guy with nothing to point out, in addition of plain expression. This kid is a pebble. His eye and hair were the same color of dirt brown, yet his gaze ran deep with a sliver thin of defiance.
Or is it?
"How many you already finish?" the captain asked.
"Three, sir." Ruth answered as he breathed in between the words.
"You are too slow, in battlefield you will only drag the whole team down."
Ruth couldn't argue with that, head looking down.
"The real battle requires strong stamina and you are lacking that, so you need more. I want you to keep running, you need to build more endurance."
"How many?" Ruth asks.
"Till I tell you to stop, so go!"
"Yes sir."
Following the order, he's back running.
Since earlier, from the sides Jaimy watched them both with his eyes clearly fixed on Ruth, different with the other trainees that feel exhausted from the training, for him it was easy.
Looking at Ruth's back that began to look out of sight, his lips form an unknown smile that perfectly mirroring his thought.
Back toward the squad, the captain lead them back into the base, for a different training.
___
Time goes on until now the sun has reached down, almost dark.
Near the entrance of the military base, the captain squad stood there.
From a far Ruth figure seen keep running or more fitting to says that left was small leap with a slight speed.
"Trainee stop, comes here."
Ruth come closer with a small running, his leg wobbly with knees that felt like they were about to fall off. His skin and leather armor is drenched with sweat.
He kept trying to stand firm, but as soon as he stopped to stand in front of the captain, his wobbly leg can no longer support his body, soon then he fell.
Before his body had time to touch the ground, the captain catch Ruth's arm, put it through his shoulder help supporting him.
The captain took Ruth into the military infirmary to get heal.
"You still running, kid?" he asks.
"Yes sir."
"Why?"
"It's an order."
But the answers was not the one the captain wants to know, "Not that. Why?"
In between his breath, Ruth now knows where the question pointing out.
"I.. I want to be stronger."
"I see, so how lap many you finished?"
Shake his head, Ruth answer, "I don't know, I didn't count it, sir."
The captain have a smile listened to that replied.
Inside the infirmary, Ruth was put to lie down on the patient bed, then a female officer comes out ready to heal him.
Before went out of the building, the captain says, "To grow stronger your key is lies at the edge of what you can bear."
Then he left, leaving Ruth there to be healed by the officer.
____
Two hour been passed, out of the military infirmary.
Ruth went out of the building as his body already feels a bit better than before.
On the outside stand against the hall wall, someone already wait for him, a man in his armor and sheathed sword by his side, flowing air move past his hair, show his serious pretty face.
It was Jaimy.
Seeing that man stood there, Ruth walk ahead while look away, busying himself as not to come face to face with him.
As he went past him, Jaimy began to says something unclear.
"You got something valuable there. Didn't expect that."
Suddenly Ruth's steps stopped, "Huh, are you talk to me Jaimy?"
Which Jaimy answer in a single nod.
"What you mean?"
Sensing Ruth confusion, Jaimy drop another bomb truth, "Inside that hidden cave of yours." He then add a strong smiles, "Well, you don't need to worry since I already take care that for you."
Hearing that, Ruth's eyes forcefully wide open.