"Although I feel weak, I'm sure of it ,I have made some improvements, however small," Fai said, stretching his body with a groan. He could feel the profound weariness in his muscles, every fiber screaming with soreness.
"So, I guess it's alright if I call it a day." This daily ritual of self-pushing past pain had become ingrained in his very being.
He had been training like this for an incredibly long time, five hours every single day, without fail, for an entire year already. His dedication was fueled by the burning desire to give himself the best possible chance for a successful result in the upcoming assessment next week.
After all, making it through that assessment was not just a goal; it was the entire foundation of his future.
Every single day, with a commitment and obsession, he would come to this very forest to train. His routine was a relentless cycle of powerful push-ups that built raw strength, runs that tested his endurance, sharp punches that honed his striking power, and then a dedicated period of training with his wooden sword.
He tirelessly strived to be good, to be fit, and to be capable in every single aspect of combat and physical prowess. it was not merely exercise; it was a desperate, personal crusade for survival and purpose.
Fai then moved to the back of one of the giant trees, a spot he knew well, and retrieved his bag.
With practiced efficiency, he quickly changed out of his sweaty clothes into something dry. The new clothes, a simple shirt and short trousers, were also worn and faded in color, and the only difference was their dryness, offering a small comfort after his intense workout.
When he was done changing, his hand reached into the bag and pulled out a necklace. It was silver in color, gleaming dully in the forest light. The chain of the necklace was attached to what looked like a small, intricately crafted warrior statue.
He slowly and carefully put on the necklace.
This necklace was more than just jewelry; for it was a cherished family treasure to him, a tangible link to a past that was shrouded in his earliest memories.
It had been with him for the longest time he could remember, to the point that he strongly suspected it was something precious left behind by his parents, a final gift . It was like a source of comfort and a silent honor their memory.
After securing the necklace around his neck, he carefully placed his wooden sword back into his bag and began to make his way out of the forest.
Although his energy reserves were running critically low, he decided to run, pushing through the fatigue to save some precious time.
He could see the sun, beginning its slow descent behind him, casting long, fading shadows through the trees. "I guess I can still consider it as part of my training," Fai thought, a small, weary smile touching his lips as he sprinted across the forest floor as quickly as his tired legs would carry him.
On his journey towards the forest exit, he noticed other kids who had also come for training, now making their own way out. However, Fai had no desire to go anywhere near any of them. He carefully tried, to the best of his ability, to take paths that would lead him close to the exit but in no way bring him near the other teenagers. This wasn't merely about personal preference; it was a complete avoidance.
The forest today was particularly crowded, filled with aspiring Muted Hunters. The assessment day was rapidly approaching, just next week ,and everyone was desperate to ace it, pushing themselves to their limits.
This density of people made it quite challenging for Fai to maneuver his way around without being spotted. But if there was one thing Fai knew, it was these forest lands. He knew them more intimately than anyone else, having trained here every single day for an entire year. Although it was hard to remain unseen, it certainly wasn't an impossible task for him.
His knowledge of every hidden path was his greatest asset.
But Fai wasn't actually running away from just anyone. In reality, he was specifically trying to evade a particular group of individuals who had been causing him a lot of trouble for quite some time now.
Their presence always meant trouble, and he had no time for distractions, especially with the assessment so close.
"I can't see them anywhere," Fai whispered to himself, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings as he made his deliberate detours. He was careful, almost paranoid, looking behind every tree and through every bush. "With the assessment next week, I was sure they would be training every day. Was I wrong? Did something happen to them?" Fai kept whispering to himself, a mix of relief and lingering suspicion in his voice.
With no sign of them anywhere, a cautious sense of ease settled over him, but still, out of an ingrained habit of extreme caution, he continued to take circuitous routes. Fai kept moving, steadily making his way towards the forest exit.
He could see the imposing gates now, not far from his position, perhaps about 200 meters away. Just as a true feeling of relief began to wash over him, suddenly, out of nowhere, Fai's heart leaped into his throat.
Standing directly in front of him were four young teenagers, blocking his path. Each of them had a distinct build, but their collective presence was undeniably threatening.
Among this menacing group, the teenager on Fai's right was noticeably the tallest. He was so tall, in fact, that in many situations, he might even be considered an adult.
He possessed grey hair, perfectly combed into two distinct directions, creating an obvious, sharp line through the top middle part of his head.
From head to toe, he wore formidable shoulder pads and a sturdy chest piece for protection, suggesting a high level of preparedness and power.
Standing next to him was someone obviously shorter, with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He had a fine, unblemished face, notably free of the scars that marked so many in this harsh world.
The other two in the group seemed to be twins, a boy and a girl.
The two looked eerily identical, from their facial features to their coordinated dressing, and like the others, they had parts of armor strategically placed all over their bodies, hinting at their combat readiness .
"I told you guys this place reeked of orphan smell. Guess what? I wasn't wrong, and it seems to be one we know quite well," the one with the blonde hair said .
Fai looked at each of them, his instincts screaming. Every fiber of his being urged him to run, to escape this looming threat. Yet, at the same agonizing moment, his legs felt like lead, refusing to respond to the frantic pleas of his mind. He was trapped, caught in a confrontation he desperately wished to avoid.