"C'mon, don't cry! You actually did well for your first try." One receptionist who looked more mature than the rest ran to me and held my shoulders, her voice warm and motherly, her hands gentle as she helped me to my feet. "That was a very good attempt. Most beginners don't even get that close. You have potential, young man—you just need a bit more training."
I nodded and asked for the next attractio—I mean, contest of strength and endurance, my voice lilting with feigned enthusiasm as I wiped the fake tears from my eyes and straightened my posture.
One of them pointed toward the next station, gesturing at a massive stone block that sat in the corner of the training hall.
The next challenge was for me to pull a heavy stone that had a chain attached to it. The block was enormous—easily the size of a small car, its surface rough and gray, covered in the dust of ages.
