The morning sun blazed mercilessly overhead, casting long shadows over the training grounds. Seraphina's breath was labored as she pushed through the final few laps of her grueling punishment. Her legs burned with every step, and her lungs felt as though they might give out at any moment. Sweat dripped down her face, and her stomach growled in angry protest.
"Damn… I should really learn to control my tongue," she thought bitterly, her stride faltering slightly. "This is why I hate the army."
Her vision blurred, and her body screamed at her to stop. But Seraphina refused to give in. She gritted her teeth, eyes locked on the finish line as she willed herself to keep going.
Finally, with the last ounce of energy she could muster, she crossed the finish line for her 40th lap. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the dirt, staring up at the cloudless sky. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, every muscle in her body protesting. Her stomach let out another loud growl, as if mocking her.
She let out a weak groan. "I swear this old man is trying to kill me…"
The sound of footsteps echoed as recruits returned from breakfast, their 30 minutes nearly up.
Mia, who had just arrived back from the mess hall, scanned the area frantically. When her eyes landed on Seraphina lying motionless on the ground, her heart nearly stopped.
"SERA!" she screamed, bolting toward her like her life depended on it. "ARE YOU OKAY? DON'T DIE! I JUST MET MY IDOL, I DON'T WANT TO ATTEND YOUR FUNERAL YET!"
Seraphina groaned, cracking open one eye. Before Mia could say anything else, Seraphina lazily raised a hand and clamped it over Mia's mouth.
"Can you let my ears rest for just a little while?" Seraphina muttered, her voice tinged with both amusement and exhaustion. "Honestly, I'd rather run another forty laps than listen to you rant about my funeral. Aren't you worried about the wrong thing?"
Mia, still muffled, nodded rapidly, her eyes wide with concern.
Before Seraphina could say more, a shadow loomed over them.
It was William.
"Looks like you still have the energy to talk nonsense," he said, unimpressed. "Both of you, back to the line."
Mia puffed up her cheeks indignantly. "But Sir, Sera hasn't had breakfast! Plus, she just did forty laps! She'll collapse at this point!"
William arched a brow, his smirk returning. "Oh? And how is that my problem? I wasn't the one who needed their beauty sleep."
Seraphina pushed herself up, her emerald eyes locking onto William's with a glare. "Heh. Did I ask for your pity? No."
The two stared each other down, tension crackling in the air like static.
Mia quickly grabbed Seraphina's arm, dragging her away. "Okay, okay, let's not start World War Three. Let's go!"
As they rejoined the group, Seraphina was immediately bombarded with questions.
"Are you okay?"
"How did you do it?"
"That was insane!"
Seraphina shrugged, brushing off the comments as though it were nothing. "I'm fine," she said curtly, still catching her breath.
Kiana Wren, who had been lingering at the edge of the group, crossed her arms with a scoff. "Tch. Not like it was that impressive. She's just putting on a show. Probably trying to get attention."
Seraphina turned slowly, her emerald eyes gleaming with icy amusement. "Oh? That's interesting. You sure talk a lot for someone who couldn't even finish 20 laps."
A ripple of laughter spread through the recruits, and Kiana's face turned crimson.
Before she could muster a reply, William's commanding voice rang out once more.
"Enough. Let's move."
The recruits followed him to a new training area—a sprawling field lined with hurdles, towering rope climbs, and narrow platforms. At first glance, it seemed simple.
For a moment, the group dared to hope.
"That's it? It doesn't look so bad," many thought.
Their relief was short-lived.
"Of course," William said, his smirk widening, "you'll be carrying 80kg bags again. Oh, and an additional 20kg tied to your calves."
A collective groan erupted from the recruits.
"And one more thing," he added nonchalantly, "the last ten people to finish? Forget about lunch."
Panic spread like wildfire.
Mia's face fell as she clutched Seraphina's sleeve dramatically. "Sera, if I don't make it, tell my family I love them! And make sure they spell my name right on the gravestone!"
Seraphina smirked, adjusting the straps on her bag. "For once, Mia, you might actually be right. After this, I might have to hold your funeral."
Mia's eyes widened. "Don't say that!"
The recruits were divided into six groups of ten. Seraphina and Mia found themselves in the first group, standing at the starting line with their bags strapped and the weights secured to their legs.
Mia glanced nervously at the daunting course ahead. "Sera, if I trip and fall, just go on without me. Save yourself."
Seraphina chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll come back for your gravestone later."
The whistle blew.
The race had begun.