After an intense session, they moved into cool-down exercises. Stretching helped ease the tension in her overworked muscles, preventing stiffness and injury.
Every movement was deliberate, measured—Shin had drilled into her the importance of recovery as much as training itself. A well-tuned body was a warrior's greatest weapon, and she was beginning to understand that firsthand.
As she caught her breath, Shin reached for his orb, the mystical artifact humming softly as he willed it to shift. The swirling crystal glowed faintly before revealing a flask of water and a small pouch containing round, compact pills.
The seamless transition between forms was still something she marveled at, no matter how many times she had seen it. He pulled them free with ease, as if retrieving them from a hidden space within the orb itself.
He handed her the flask first. "Drink. Hydration is just as important as the training itself."
Laverna gratefully took it, gulping down the cool liquid, feeling it soothe her burning throat. As she lowered the flask, her eyes drifted to the small dark pills resting in his palm.
"What are those?" she asked, eyeing them with suspicion.
"Hyourougan," Shin replied, holding one up. "Ration pills. These are used by warriors and travelers to sustain energy when food is scarce or time is short. They provide enough nutrients to keep you going when you can't afford to sit down for a full meal."
Laverna frowned slightly but took one, rolling it between her fingers before popping it into her mouth. The taste was earthy, slightly bitter, but not unbearable.
She chewed thoughtfully, feeling the subtle surge of energy course through her body. It wasn't just the taste—something about them felt old, as if they carried a history within them, a legacy of warriors who had relied on them long before she ever existed.
"It's not meant to replace real food," Shin continued, "but in battle or in survival situations, these can mean the difference between life and death. Get used to them. You'll be relying on them more often than you think."
She swallowed the pill and exhaled, feeling her exhaustion ease slightly. "I'll admit, that's... useful. Still tastes like dirt, though."
Shin smirked. "Better than starving. Now, let's assess your progress."
He led her through a series of slow, controlled movements, testing her flexibility and range of motion. He explained how to measure her muscle growth, observe her body's fat-to-muscle ratio, and evaluate her overall physical condition.
These were not just exercises but tools to understand how her body was changing, how it was strengthening. She found herself paying close attention, mirroring his movements and following his instructions to the letter.
It was meticulous work, but it gave her a sense of control she had never had before.
Laverna listened carefully, her earlier irritation fading as she realized the depth of what he was teaching her. This wasn't just about fighting, it was about control, about knowing herself inside and out. It was about shaping herself into something stronger, something unbreakable.
As the lesson ended, she exhaled sharply and stretched her arms. "So, what's next?"
Shin chuckled. "Rest. You'll need it. But don't get too comfortable. Tonight, we have another lesson. Yuri will be teaching us Western etiquette for nobles."
Laverna groaned, rolling her eyes. "Great. Just what I need after being thrown around all day, sitting up straight and balancing teacups."
Shin smirked. "It's more than that. If you want to navigate noble society, you need to know how to act the part. Politics can be deadlier than a battlefield."
She crossed her arms, still unimpressed. "And if I refuse?"
"Then enjoy getting humiliated in front of the Guild Master and the nobility."
Laverna sighed in defeat. "Fine, but if I fall asleep in the middle of it, that's on you."
Shin chuckled, his red eyes lingering on her face a moment longer than necessary. "If you fall asleep, I'll be sure to wake you up in the most humiliating way possible."
Laverna narrowed her eyes at him. "You wouldn't dare."
His smirk deepened. "Wouldn't I?"
For a brief moment, the irritation in her expression wavered. There was something about the way he looked at her, the way his voice carried just the slightest warmth beneath his teasing tone, that made her heartbeat falter.
She quickly turned away, crossing her arms to hide the slight flush creeping onto her face.
"Tch. Whatever. Just don't expect me to enjoy it," she muttered, but even as she spoke, she felt something unfamiliar stir within her. For the first time in her life, the walls she had built so carefully were beginning to crack, ever so slowly. A part of her, buried deep beneath the years of survival and distrust, was starting to open up.
But as the warmth settled in her chest, a chilling thought crept into her mind—what if this was all temporary? What if, just like before, it was all ripped away?
She clenched her fists, shaking off the unease, but the question lingered, unspoken and heavy.
How long before she lost this too?
A part of her, buried deep beneath the years of survival and distrust, was starting to open up. It was a disconcerting feeling, this loosening of her defenses, but also strangely… liberating?
Shin watched her silently, reading the flickers of doubt crossing her face. He didn't press her, didn't force her to speak. Instead, he simply leaned back, allowing the moment to settle.
Trust wasn't something she could give easily. He knew that better than anyone.
"Come on," he finally said, standing. "We've got work to do before the lesson tonight."
Laverna sighed and stood beside him, rolling out her shoulders. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get this over with."
But as they walked, side by side, a quiet understanding settled between them. For all the teasing and training, for all the battles they had yet to fight—there was something here, something real.
Whether or not either of them was ready to admit it, that was another matter entirely.