The training didn't end quickly.
It dragged on, stretching far longer than anyone had expected. What felt like minutes slowly turned into hours, each passing second weighed down by exhaustion and pressure.
Ogram didn't go easy on anyone.
Not once. Not even for a moment.
Every mistake was pointed out immediately, without hesitation. Every weakness was exposed, dissected, and corrected with brutal honesty. There was no room for excuses, no space to breathe.
By the third hour, most of the newer members had already begun to slow down. Their movements lost precision, their stances wavered, and their breathing grew uneven.
By the fifth hour, even the experienced members were starting to feel it.
Their swings weren't as sharp.
Their reactions dulled.
Fatigue had settled deep into their bodies.
Rio was no exception.
His arms felt heavy, each swing slower than the last. His grip had loosened more than once, only tightening again through sheer will. Sweat clung to his skin, his breathing rough and uneven, his body constantly reminding him of its limits.
But he didn't stop.
He couldn't.
Not when Ogram was watching.
"Again."
The word echoed through the hall over and over.
And every single time—
Rio moved.
Even when his arms protested.
Even when his legs felt unstable.
Even when his mind screamed at him to stop.
He moved.
By the time Ogram finally raised his hand, the entire hall felt drained.
"Enough."
The word fell like a release.
Six hours.
No one spoke.
Not out of discipline, but because they simply didn't have the energy left to do so.
Rio lowered the wooden sword, his fingers aching slightly as he loosened his grip. For a moment, he just stood there, breathing heavily, letting the exhaustion settle into his body.
"…Six hours…"
His voice was barely audible.
Ogram glanced over the group once more, his expression unchanged.
"Tch. You're all still garbage."
A brief pause followed.
"But slightly less than before."
No one responded.
No one could.
"Get out."
That was all the dismissal they needed.
Rio didn't waste time. He turned and walked toward the exit, his steps slower now, heavier with each movement. The moment he stepped out of the training hall, the quiet corridors felt almost surreal compared to the intensity inside.
"…Finally."
His body relaxed slightly.
But only slightly.
As he moved through the hallways, his thoughts began to drift.
The training.
The instability.
That moment when his control slipped.
"…I need control."
The realization came clearly now.
Strength didn't matter if he couldn't even handle it.
"Oi."
Rio blinked and looked up.
Lyra stood a short distance ahead, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed.
"…You look terrible."
Rio let out a tired breath.
"Thanks."
She pushed herself off the wall and walked toward him, stopping just close enough to hand him something.
A small device.
Sleek.
Compact.
"…What's this?"
"A personal device," she replied. "Think of it as your phone."
Rio took it, turning it slightly in his hand.
"It's synced to the guild's internal network, but you can access public systems too. Communication, information, maps. Basic stuff."
She paused for a second.
"Try not to break it."
Rio gave her a flat look.
"I'll do my best."
Lyra smirked faintly.
"Get some rest, pretty boy. Tomorrow won't be any easier."
With that, she turned and walked off, leaving him alone again.
Rio stared at the device for a moment before slipping it into his pocket.
"…Yeah."
Rest sounded good.
By the time he reached his room, his body was already starting to give in. The moment the door closed behind him, silence wrapped around him completely.
No pressure.
No eyes watching.
No expectations.
He dropped onto the bed without thinking, letting out a long breath.
"…Finally…"
For a few minutes, he didn't move.
Didn't think.
Just lay there, letting his body recover.
Then—
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the device.
"…Might as well."
The screen lit up instantly.
Clean interface.
Simple layout.
He scrolled through it briefly.
Messages.
Guild systems.
Public networks.
Then—
He opened the news.
At first, nothing stood out. Just the usual headlines—guild movements, regional updates, minor conflicts.
Until—
One caught his attention.
[Young Prodigy of the Abyss Guild Awakens SS+ Mana Core Alongside Triple Affinity]
Rio's eyes stopped.
Slowly—
He tapped it.
The article opened.
A name appeared.
Samuel.
Rio stared at the screen in silence.
"…I see."
So it had started.
The protagonist.
The one who was supposed to stand at the center of everything.
Even now—
He was moving forward.
Following the story.
Rio leaned back slightly, his gaze still fixed on the screen.
"…Then the timeline hasn't changed."
Not yet.
A quiet exhale left him.
"…Good."
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, inside a towering structure belonging to the Abyss Guild, a young man stood resting against a pillar.
His hair was a deep crimson, slightly messy yet naturally sharp, strands falling over his forehead without hiding his eyes. Those eyes were a striking red, calm yet intense, carrying a quiet confidence that didn't need to be shown off.
His build was lean but well-defined, the result of consistent training rather than raw strength. In his hand rested a long spear, its surface reflecting faint light as if it were alive. Yet the way he held it was effortless, as though it were simply a part of him.
Samuel.
He glanced down at the device in his hand, scrolling casually.
"Hm?"
His thumb paused.
A headline caught his attention.
[The Hidden Prodigy of the Saviant Guild Awakens an SS+ Rank Mana Core Alongside Two Affinities]
"…Huh?"
He read it again, his expression barely changing.
Slowly, he lowered the device slightly and glanced to his side.
Nearby stood a young woman.
Her brown hair was tied neatly behind her, with a few loose strands framing her face. Her green eyes were sharp and observant, constantly scanning her surroundings. A bow rested in her hand, her fingers lightly brushing against the string as if out of habit.
Selena.
Samuel tilted his head slightly.
"Selena, do you know who this 'hidden prodigy' is?"
She glanced at his screen briefly, then shrugged.
"Mhm? Nope."
Her tone was casual, almost dismissive.
"It doesn't matter anyway."
She looked back toward him, a faint, confident smile forming.
"You're definitely stronger than him, especially considering your hidden talents."
Samuel didn't respond immediately.
His gaze returned to the screen.
The words lingered.
Hidden prodigy.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"…Is that so."
He locked the screen.
But for the first time—
There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
Not concern.
Not rivalry.
Just—
Interest.
---