The morning sun had barely crested the horizon, casting a pale golden glow over the Academy's training grounds, when Adrian found himself running again with the rest of the Knights.
His legs burned, each step a grueling effort as sweat dripped down his brow. The air did little to ease the weariness that clung to him like a heavy cloak.
He had just pushed past his seventh lap around the expansive field, a feat that shocked him given how drained he felt the last time.
'My resilience is holding up better than I thought,' Adrian mused, though the thought brought little comfort. Ahead of him, the other Knights were faring better — many had already hit their fifteenth lap.
But even they were faltering, their breaths ragged, their feet dragging through the dirt with visible exhaustion. Adrian's own condition was still worse though; his muscles screamed for rest and his chest heaved as he fought to keep pace.
