Mr. John's voice rang sharply across the clearing after dividing the enormous rock into six smaller chunks. "Now," he said, his deep voice commanding every ear, "I want you all to carry on with your punishment. And when you are finished, do not think for a second that you'll have time to rest. You will immediately proceed to your training. I hope this time you'll do better than you did yesterday. If not, I promise you, this exercise will be the only thing you learn the entire semester. Now, pick up your rocks."
The order felt final, heavy, and absolute.
