---
Ryan Caldwell felt an energy surging through him as he walked into school that morning. For the first time in a long while, he had a sense of purpose.
Lucien Falkner had agreed to train him.
To others, it might not mean much. But to Ryan, this was everything.
Spotting Lucien near the lockers, Ryan approached him. "Hey—"
Lucien walked past him without even a glance.
Ryan blinked. "Oi, seriously?"
Lucien didn't respond. It was as if last night never happened.
Lena Davenport, who had been nearby, leaned against the locker with an amused smirk.
"Aww, look at you," she teased. "Rejected before you even had a chance."
Ryan rolled his eyes. "Not in the mood, Lena."
Lena giggled. "Oh, come on. You're acting way too eager. What's up with you?"
Ryan hesitated, debating whether to tell her. Instead, he shrugged. "Nothing. Just feeling pumped today."
Lena squinted at him suspiciously but let it go.
Meanwhile, Evelyn Mercer sat a few rows away in the classroom, her fingers lightly tapping against the table.
Ethan had been acting strangely cheerful this morning. It didn't make sense.
Last night, he was terrified. Today, it was as if nothing happened.
"Something's not right," she thought, glancing at her phone before sighing.
She didn't have time to dwell on it.
---
Ryan arrived at the designated location—a secluded spot behind an old, unused gym building. The place was quiet, the only sound being the rustling of leaves as the evening breeze set in.
He checked his watch.
Lucien was nowhere in sight.
"Tch. Is he messing with me?"
Before he could think further—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Lucien appeared from the shadows, walking with his usual calm, unreadable expression.
Ryan straightened. "Finally. Thought you weren't coming."
Lucien stopped a few feet away. "You want to be strong?" His tone was emotionless. "Show me what you've got."
Ryan smirked. "Alright. Let's do this."
He lunged.
---
The moment Ryan attacked, he realized his mistake.
Lucien didn't even try.
With a slight shift of his body, Lucien avoided the punch effortlessly.
Ryan threw another strike. Lucien parried it with barely any effort.
A second later—
BAM!
Ryan hit the ground hard.
He gasped, his back aching from the impact.
"What the hell?!" Ryan groaned, trying to get up.
Lucien stood over him, expression blank. "You're weak."
Ryan gritted his teeth. "You didn't even let me—"
Lucien cut him off. "Your movements are sloppy. Your attacks are obvious. You lack control."
Ryan clenched his fists. He refused to let this get to him.
He pushed himself up again. "One more time."
Lucien arched an eyebrow. "Hmph."
Again, Ryan attacked.
Again, Lucien deflected.
And again, Ryan ended up on the ground.
It happened over and over. No matter how many times Ryan got up, Lucien knocked him down just as easily.
Minutes passed. Ryan was exhausted, bruised, and panting heavily.
Lucien stood, watching him struggle.
"If you break this easily, you're not worth my time."
Ryan heard those words and felt something snap inside him.
He wasn't going to quit.
He forced himself to his feet, legs shaking but determined.
Lucien observed him for a moment. Then, for the first time, he spoke without the cold detachment.
"Alright." He adjusted his stance. "Then let's begin."
---
Instead of attacking again, Lucien walked past Ryan.
"Follow me," he instructed.
Ryan frowned but obeyed.
Lucien stopped near a clearing and turned. "Before you throw another punch, learn how to move."
Ryan blinked. "Move?"
Lucien demonstrated a simple step—shifting weight, adjusting footwork. It looked easy.
"Control your center of gravity," Lucien explained. "Anticipate movement. A fight isn't just about hitting. It's about positioning."
Ryan tried mimicking the stance.
Lucien watched, then swept Ryan's legs out from under him.
THUD!
Ryan groaned. "Dude, seriously—"
Lucien ignored him. "Your balance is trash. Fix it."
Ryan exhaled sharply, pushing himself back up. He adjusted his stance again.
Lucien nodded slightly. "Again."
The training continued—slow, exhausting, but progress was being made.
Ryan could barely stand by the end, but a grin formed on his face.
Lucien glanced at the sky, noticing the time. "That's enough for today."
Ryan wiped sweat from his forehead. "What's next?"
Lucien turned to leave. "Be here tomorrow."
Ryan smirked. "Bet."
---
As Lucien walked away, he felt it.
A presence.
He didn't react, but his instincts were sharp.
Someone was observing them.
From a distance, hidden in the shadows, a figure watched the two of them.
Their face was unreadable, but their eyes never left Lucien.
A slow smirk formed on their lips.
End of Chapter 14.