The heavy wooden gates of the Guardian Tower groaned as they creaked open, revealing the vast training grounds beyond. Roy stood frozen for a moment, the reality of the Tower setting in. His chest tightened, and his heart raced—this was it. He was about to face the trials that would determine if he was worthy of becoming a Guardian. All those years of preparation, the endless nights studying and training, led to this moment. But as Roy looked around at the other recruits—bigger, stronger, and more confident—doubt crept in. He wasn't sure if he belonged here.
Without warning, Commander Felix, a towering figure with hard eyes, stepped forward. His sharp gaze swept over the group of recruits, assessing each one with cold precision.
"Line up," he barked.
Roy stumbled into position, standing as tall as he could manage, but his legs felt like jelly. Every muscle in his body ached from the journey here. The air was thick with tension as the others did the same. Some of the recruits already stood with an air of quiet confidence, while others were visibly nervous. But none seemed more out of place than Roy. He hadn't trained for physical combat; he had trained for intellect, for understanding.
"Today, you will show us what you're made of," Felix continued, his voice booming. "There are no easy roads here. You will face challenges that test your body, your mind, and your will. The first of these is a series of physical trials. Your endurance, strength, and reaction will be tested. The weak will fall. The strong will rise."
The recruits stiffened at his words. No one spoke, but the fear was palpable. Felix was right. They were about to face something brutal, and not everyone would make it through.
With a flick of his hand, Felix gestured to the field ahead. "Get ready."
The first trial was grueling—five laps around the field, a simple enough task. But the field was far from flat; the ground was uneven, muddy, and littered with obstacles. It was clear that this wasn't just about speed—it was about endurance.
Roy started at a slow pace, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The recruits around him surged ahead, their legs long and their bodies built for this kind of exertion. Roy's muscles burned, his body screaming for relief, but he kept pushing. He couldn't afford to slow down. He remembered the faces of his friends—especially Josef—and thought of the promise he made to himself. He couldn't let his body fail him.
As he approached the third lap, he noticed Cha Seok ahead of him, laughing as he breezed through the course, barely breaking a sweat. He cast Roy a playful grin as they passed.
"You're not gonna let me win, are you?" Seok called over his shoulder.
Roy gritted his teeth and pushed harder. He was nowhere near Seok's speed, but he couldn't stop. His legs felt like lead, but he had to finish. He had to prove to himself that he was capable. By the time Roy crossed the finish line, his vision blurred, and his breath was ragged. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this exhausted.
The other recruits had long finished, but Roy had made it. His legs buckled beneath him as he staggered to the side, collapsing on his knees. He hadn't given up.
The second challenge was just as brutal: carrying massive sandbags that weighed more than half of their body weight. The recruits had to carry the bags across the field, with no break and no assistance. The bags felt like stone, and the rough ground made each step an agonizing ordeal. Roy hoisted the sandbag onto his shoulder, his muscles screaming in protest as he stumbled forward. He could hear the others moving past him, their bags barely seeming to slow them down. Cha Seok's laugh echoed from the distance as he sprinted with his sandbag, making it look effortless.
Roy's arms trembled as he took each step, the bag digging into his shoulder. His legs buckled under the strain, but he refused to stop. Every time he felt like he couldn't go any further, he thought about Josef, about the promise he made to himself. He was here for a reason. He couldn't fail now.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Roy dropped the sandbag at the finish line. His entire body felt as though it was on fire. His arms were raw, his legs barely holding him up, but he had done it. He had completed the challenge.
Then came the reaction test. The recruits were placed in front of a series of dummies, which were designed to spring to life at random intervals and strike with blunt force. The recruits had to dodge or react fast enough to avoid being hit. The dummies were unpredictable, moving with a speed and ferocity that kept the recruits on edge.
Roy was the last to step up. He stood there, his heart pounding, staring at the first dummy as it silently lurched toward him. His body screamed for rest, but he couldn't afford to let his fatigue slow him down.
The first dummy swung its wooden sword. Roy barely ducked in time, feeling the whoosh of the blade pass inches from his head. His breath was heavy as he quickly righted himself, just in time to block another attack. His arms ached from the strain, but he fought back the pain.
One by one, the dummies attacked—each time faster, more unpredictable. Roy dodged and blocked, barely keeping up. His body was shaking with exhaustion, but he focused, blocking and dodging with every ounce of willpower he had left. The last dummy came at him with blinding speed, but Roy managed to sidestep it just in time, feeling the air swirl around him as the blade whooshed past his ear.
When the final bell rang, Roy was gasping for air, his legs shaking beneath him. He felt a wave of dizziness but managed to keep his feet under him. He had made it through all three tests, though barely.
Felix's voice rang out over the field as the recruits stood in formation, breathing heavily. "Well done, all of you. But this is only the beginning. You've passed the first trial, but the real work begins now."
Roy's heart thudded in his chest, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. He had done it. But the Tower was not going to get easier.
As the recruits shuffled back into line, Roy caught sight of Alina, the woman who had barely reacted during the challenges. Her face was as cold and unreadable as ever, but there was something almost unsettling about her presence. She didn't even seem out of breath. Beside her stood Cha Seok, who looked like he hadn't even broken a sweat.
Commander Felix gave another sharp command. "Gather your things. The next trial is waiting."
Roy was about to move when a strange, familiar sensation washed over him. He turned, just as the gates to the next trial began to creak open.
Inside, the dark corridor loomed, its shadow stretching out toward them. Something felt off—this wasn't the usual training area. There was an edge to the air, something that made Roy's stomach churn.
Then, as if in response to his unease, the gates slammed shut with a resounding clang.
Roy stood frozen, staring at the door, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. Alina stepped forward, her eyes locked on the gate with an unreadable expression.