The morning came far too quickly, dragging me out of the little sleep I managed to get. My body ached from yesterday's events, and all I wanted was to stay buried under the blankets, away from the world.
But, of course, reality had other plans.
With a groan, I forced myself upright, blinking the sleep from my eyes. A quick glance around the room told me that I was alone—finally, some peace. The others had already left, meaning I could change without the usual tension of having four pairs of judging eyes on me.
Stretching lazily, I turned my gaze to the wall where our daily schedule was posted. My stomach sank the moment I read today's agenda.
Martial training.
Great. Just what I needed—another opportunity to get humiliated in front of the entire academy. Would it kill fate to give me a break just once?
Still, there was no escaping it. I changed into the academy's standard martial training uniform, the fabric snug yet flexible enough for combat. Tying the sash around my waist, I took a deep breath before heading downstairs.
The training grounds were already bustling with activity. Students moved in precise, disciplined motions, executing strikes, dodges, and counters with an intensity that made my stomach churn. Some were paired off in sparring matches, while others trained solo, repeating their forms with unwavering focus.
As I stepped onto the field, a familiar voice echoed in my head.
"New quest unlocked for Elias Astiars." Liaine announced in her usual, emotionless tone.
I sighed. "Yeah, yeah. I was waiting for you."
I had a bad feeling about this.
Quest: Prove Your Strength
Objective: Win a sparring match against one of the ELITES.
Failure Condition: Losing the match will result in the loss of your power.
Rewards: Enhanced Combat Proficiency.
I froze.
Lose my power? As if I had any real power to begin with.
Still, a wave of unease settled deep in my chest. This wasn't just another sparring match—it was a damn test with actual consequences. And to make matters worse, I had to fight one of the Elites? The top-tier fighters of the academy?
I clenched my fists, my mind racing with a dozen different ways this could go horribly wrong.
This day was only getting worse.
Kael, our instructor, stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group as he began pairing students for sparring. I stood rigid, silently praying that, by some miracle, I'd be matched against Nantos. He was strong, sure, but weaker than the others. If I got him, maybe—maybe—I had a sliver of a chance.
"Zaden and Elias, you're up next."
My blood ran cold.
No. Way.
A few students around us chuckled, clearly anticipating a one-sided massacre.
Zaden, already standing with his arms crossed, cocked his head at me, silver eyes gleaming with amusement. "What, scared already?"
I swallowed hard, but forced myself to keep my expression blank. No weakness. No hesitation. Act cocky. That's the only way to get through this.
"Are you asking about me or yourself?" I shot back, arching a brow.
A flicker of irritation crossed his face before he scoffed.
Kael stepped between us, nodding for us to take our positions. "Both of you, get ready. Standard rules. No excessive damage, no targeting lethal points."
Zaden rolled his shoulders, loosening up. He didn't even look tense—meanwhile, my entire body felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap.
I can do this. Maybe.
"Begin!"
I didn't even see him move.
One second, he was in front of me—the next, something slammed into my stomach with enough force to steal every ounce of air from my lungs.
Pain exploded through my core.
My feet left the ground.
The world tilted as my body flew backward, crashing into the dirt with a sickening thud.
I gasped—tried to suck in air—but nothing came. My lungs refused to work. The pain spread, radiating through my ribs like fire.
Laughter echoed around the training ground.
I barely had time to process what happened before Zaden was already on me.
I rolled to the side just as his foot came down where my ribs had been a second ago. Dust exploded from the impact. If that had landed, I might've actually broken something.
I scrambled to my feet, desperate to put some distance between us, but Zaden didn't give me the chance.
He moved fast—too fast.
His elbow slammed into my shoulder.
A sharp crack.
I staggered back, teeth gritted against the pain, but then—a fist to my jaw.
My vision blurred. Stars burst behind my eyes.
I barely registered the sensation of falling until the dirt rushed up to meet me.
I could hear the whispers and quiet laughs from the others, feel their stares boring into me like daggers.
I lost. Completely.
Zaden crouched beside me, gripping my chin roughly and tilting my face up. His silver eyes burned with something unreadable.
"You really thought you could win?" His voice was soft—mocking.
I tried to shove his hand away, but my limbs felt sluggish, drained of all their strength.
"Pathetic." he repeated, before shoving my face back into the dirt and walking off.
I lay there, jaw throbbing, ribs aching, pride shattered into a million pieces.
And just like that, I had not only failed the quest but also failed to save the last shred of dignity I had left.
I lay there in the dirt, every muscle screaming in pain, my ribs throbbing with each shallow breath. Laughter still echoed around me, sharp and cruel, cutting deeper than any wound Zaden had inflicted.
A shadow fell over me.
"Are you okay, Elias? Do you think you can get up?" Kael's voice was firm but laced with concern.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and gave a stiff nod. My pride was already in tatters—I refused to let them see me as weak.
I pushed myself up, every motion sending bolts of pain through my ribs. Damn it. My body barely cooperated, my arms trembling as I forced myself into a sitting position.
Kael bent down, reaching out. "Let me help—"
"I said I can do it!" My voice came out harsher than I intended, raw with frustration.
Kael hesitated, his eyes searching mine, but he stepped back. The whispers around us grew louder.
I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand. Every part of me screamed in protest, but I locked my knees and stood my ground, refusing to collapse in front of them.
I scanned the faces around me.
No one looked concerned.
No one cared.
Their gazes were filled with amusement, some of them barely holding back laughter, as if this was nothing more than their daily entertainment.
They enjoyed it. Watching me get beaten down, humiliated, crushed—they loved it.
I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.
Kael sighed. "I think you should go to the medical room and rest. Or you can return to your dorm if you'd prefer." His tone was neutral, but I could tell he knew. He knew staying here meant more humiliation.
I exhaled sharply and gave a stiff nod.
There was no point in staying.
What else would I do? Stand here and watch them mock me?
I turned around, lowering my head to hide the storm raging in my expression. Every step I took away from that training ground felt like defeat clawing at my back. I could feel their eyes on me, burning into my skin.
Whispers followed me. Some chuckles. Someone muttered. "He is so pathetic."
I bit my tongue until I tasted blood.
Just keep walking.
By the time I reached my room, the sun had started setting, casting an eerie glow through the window. Shadows stretched across the walls, swallowing most of the space in darkness. The silence pressed down on me, thick and suffocating.
I sat on the edge of my bed, my body slumping forward as I let out a deep, shaking sigh. My ribs ached. My jaw throbbed.
And then—
"Quest failed."
Liaine's voice rang out in my mind, cold and indifferent.
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing her voice away.
I didn't want to hear her. I didn't want to hear anyone.
I felt something boiling beneath my skin.
Anger.
It churned inside me, thick and suffocating. My hands clenched into fists, my nails biting into my palms again, hard enough to hurt.
My eyes stung—but not from pain.
From rage.
Tears blurred my vision, and I hated it. I hated that I felt this way. Weak. Alone. Powerless.
I didn't ask for this.
I didn't want to be here.
Why am I here? Why?
The question echoed in my mind like a cruel joke.
But there was no answer.