"That concludes the training," Adrian announced, his voice steady as he looked over the group of students before him—faces flushed, clothes damp with sweat, chests rising and falling after a long day.
The sun had already dipped low, its light stretching across the field. They had been at it since morning, and now, at last, it was time to rest.
Eight hours, Adrian thought, was enough for their bodies to recover. The evening belonged to them—to ease their minds and steel themselves for what awaited tomorrow.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he swept his gaze across them, his tone turning firm.
"Tomorrow will be no different from a battlefield," he began. "You will need to strategize. You will need courage. Sometimes, you might have to hide… or run. And remember—your safety comes first. Not your pride, and not your school's name."
His eyes settled on Elana. "Until you are safe, I will be fine."
The girl flinched—those were the same word...her cheeks turned faintly red.
