Run five miles every morning. A hundred push-ups. A hundred squats. A hundred pull-ups. Fifty jumping jacks… it went on.
"Y-you want me to do all this? In one week?"
Eden didn't flinch.
"You have to build your stamina now. You've seen the stats. You're the weakest person in this build. If you want to catch up with the other Initiates, you have to start now."
Kiah winced internally. She didn't have to be so blunt.
"As for companions. I think you made a decent amount during the test. They can keep you entertained."
Kiah almost facepalmed herself. Eden spoke of people like they were pawns in a game.
"Those aren't my friends. I just happened to be stuck with them temporarily."
Eden blinked, then shrugged. "I still have to leave. My mission isn't optional. I'll be back soon. You will survive."
Kiah clenched her jaw. She wanted to protest, but what would that accomplish? It wasn't like she could make Eden stay.
Hell, they weren't even that close. The fact that Eden cared at all was already more than Kiah expected from anyone in this cold world.
She had to stop whining like a child.
She sighed and stood up straighter.
"You're right. I'll survive. Thanks for everything. Come back safely."
"Of course I will," Eden replied before giving her a curt wave. "Take care."
She turned and walked off down the hallway, sword tapping lightly against her thigh.
Kiah stood there a moment longer, watching her go.
Eden had an icy exterior, but was a good person inside. Maybe a little awkward, too. Too bad she was leaving.
'I'm on my own now.'
Kiah gave herself a reassuring pat before going to the cafeteria.
It was loud and busy, filled with clusters of Initiates eating, laughing, and talking. It looked nothing like the first time she came. Back then, everything was quiet and less rowdy.
She grabbed a tray and got in line for food, but she could feel eyes sliding over her, making her uncomfortable.
"Is that also an initiate? This one is pretty."
"She's from Rustpoint. Didn't you see her on the scoreboard? She was dead last."
"That's the one that went flying when a Thrasher punched her."
"Didn't she almost die? They said she was unconscious for days."
"They probably only accepted her because of 'moral conduct'."
"Yeah, but who needs morals? We need fighters."
"She's useless."
Kiah's grip on her tray tightened, her jaw clenching.
Barely a full day as an Initiate, and she was already earning disdain from her peers. Kiah wouldn't be surprised if she ended up bullied or targeted. People were the same regardless of the universe.
Still, she couldn't completely blame them. She was the weakest in her group… for now. And she would make them eat their words soon enough. She had something they didn't. A burning motivation to get the hell out of this place.
Her ambition ran deeper than wanting to kill some degenerates. It was something none of them could ever have in this lifetime.
But for now, she would direct all her resentment toward General Denvil. He had thrown her into that test knowing she wasn't prepared, and then broadcast her humiliation to everyone.
Damn him.
She would make him pay for that.
She took her tray of food — an apple, the blob of grey mess, and some greens — it was nothing appetizing at all.
'I guess I'll just have to walk hard for that Senior card,' she thought bitterly.
Standing in the middle of the cafeteria, a new problem surfaced. Where the hell was she going to sit?
From the dirty looks being tossed her way, it was obvious no one would invite her to join them. Not that she wanted their company. But there were no free tables either.
Suddenly, it felt like the first day of freshman year all over again.
She was just about to retreat to her room to eat when a voice rang out across the hall.
"Kiki! Over here, Kiahhhh!"
Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as the entire room fell silent and turned toward her.
And it was all because of the pink-haired girl yelling like a banshee and waving her down like she was high on something.
Suppressing a groan, Kiah made her way to the table tucked away in the back.
As she got closer, she noticed Yellow and Blackie were already seated with Naya.
"Hey," she muttered, slipping into the seat beside Naya and across from the dark-haired guy.
Naya smiled and grabbed her shoulder lightly. "We were just getting to know each other before you showed up. This is Kira," she gestured to the yellow-haired girl. "And that is Wayne. Guys, this is Kiah."
Kira gave a lazy salute, eyes already back on her plate.
Wayne smiled kindly.
Kiah noticed that the bandage across his face was gone, and no scar was in sight.
"Thanks again for coming back for me. That meant a lot. I owe you."
Kiah shrugged, biting into her apple. She savored the familiar taste.
"It's what comrades do."
"Still," he added quietly. "Thank you."
She gave a small nod, and he went back to his plate.
A group of initiates walked past, tossing sneering looks in their direction.
"What's their problem?" Kiah asked.
Wayne shrugged. "Haven't you noticed? We are outcasts."
"Yeah," Kira chimed in. "We are the weakest of the bunch. Fresh meat."
Naya sighed and leaned in. "You see, most of the Wardens and Vanguards are out on missions, so only Initiates are left around. And we're ranked the lowest of them all. So… yeah. We are not exactly popular."
Kiah scoffed. That was dumb. They were all Initiates. They were all ranked at the very bottom of this broken society. Acting like they were superior just because they scored high on a stupid test was pathetic.
She rolled her eyes, stabbing the sad-looking green vegetables on her tray. She brought it to her mouth and immediately winced at the soggy, flavorless taste.
She had never liked vegetables, but this was something else. It was unseasoned, boiled to death, and just depressing.
Was this what Initiates were fed? Did they serve crap on purpose to push you to work harder?
She sighed. It was barely any hour since Eden left and she already missed her.
Exhaling, she slowly took a bite and quickly washed it down with water.
'I need to become a Vanguard fast.'