[Day 3]
Salin's body ached. More than when he took his first punch from his boxing coach at fifteen. More than the first time he got beaten up in a street fight.
But he didn't complain. Just clenched his teeth and endured.
That's when Ravi showed up. One of the senior recruits. Cold eyes, stubble on his face, a sneer like Salin was a rat in the middle of the unit.
— Nice effort. — Ravi said, crossing the courtyard, drenched in sweat. — Shame it's worthless. You're only here because you slept with someone powerful. Not because you earned it.
Salin blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness. The silence around them was heavy, like everyone knew this was about to blow up.
— And how long have you been here again? — Salin shot back, voice low, trying to stay calm.
Ravi chuckled.
— Long enough to know your type never lasts. Not physically, not mentally. You might survive a few weeks. But you'll never be one of us.
