The Beginning of Strength
Leaning against the wall, a girl spoke without even changing her expression.
— Mirel.
Silence.
— I don’t expect anything from anyone here.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
And then—
— I’m Toma!
A smile broke the tension.
The youngest member of the group raised his hand.
— I’m not very good yet… but I’ll try not to die!
Some let out a soft chuckle.
Others remained serious.
Erza looked at everyone.
Slowly.
Assessing.
Then her gaze settled on Daichi.
— This one here…
She pointed at him.
— He’s already taken a beating.
He paused briefly.
— And he’s still standing.
Kaito let out a soft chuckle.
— So he’s not completely useless.
Daichi stared at him.
Without saying a word.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Erza slammed her hand on the counter.
The sound cut through the room.
— Enough.
Everyone fell silent.
She took a step forward.
— Starting today…
Her expression turned serious.
Colder.
— You are no longer just villagers.
A pause.
— You are survivors.
The silence deepened.
— And I’ll make sure…
She looked each one in the eye.
— That only the strong will remain.
The sun was still low.
But no one there was at ease.
The group of newcomers was already gathered outside the village.
The ground was still damp.
The air was cold.
And the silence… heavy.
Erza stood at the front.
Arms crossed.
Watching.
— Let’s start simple.
No one liked her tone.
— Run.
Silence.
— …How far?
Toma asked, hesitantly.
Erza pointed toward the forest.
— Until I tell you to stop.
— What if I stop before then…
She gave a slight smile.
— I’ll knock you down.
They started.
Running.
At first… it seemed easy.
But it didn’t take long.
My breathing got heavy.
My legs started to give out.
My pace slowed.
— Faster!
Erza’s voice came from behind.
And she didn’t even seem tired.
Kaito sped up.
Pushing his body to the limit.
— I won’t fall behind…
Dagan kept up the pace.
Steady.
Consistent.
Liora ran in a controlled manner.
Conserving energy.
Mirel… showed no emotion.
And Daichi—
Was already falling behind.
— Damn…!
His body still ached.
Every step felt heavier.
— I can’t stop…
But his legs were shaking.
THUD.
He fell.
The air vanished.
My body wouldn't respond.
— Get up.
Erza’s voice was cold.
Daichi tried.
He failed.
— Get up. Be stronger.
He clenched his teeth.
He forced his body.
And he did it.
Standing again.
Shaking.
But standing.
— That’s enough.
Erza spoke.
Everyone stopped.
Panting.
Tired.
Some were about to collapse.
— That was just the warm-up.
— WHAT?! — Toma almost shouted.
Erza ignored him.
— Now…
She threw pieces of wood on the floor.
— Combat.
Silence returned.
— In pairs.
Kaito pointed.
— I’ll go with him.
Looking at Daichi.
A defiant smile.
— Perfect,” said Erza.
The two stood face to face.
Daichi held the wood.
Unsure.
Kaito moved first.
Quickly.
— Way too slow!
THWACK.
The blow hit Daichi’s shoulder.
He barely had time to react.
Another blow.
Faster.
— Agh—!
Daichi tried to block it.
Too late.
Kaito wouldn’t give him any room.
— Is that all?!
Another attack.
Daichi retreated.
Disorganized.
Out of rhythm.
No technique.
— Stop.
Erza’s voice cut in.
Kaito stopped.
Breathing heavily.
But smiling.
— Weak.
Erza approached.
— Again.
Daichi looked at her.
— I can't—
— You can.
Her voice left no room for doubt.
— Or you’ll die.
Silence.
Daichi took a deep breath.
He gripped the wood.
This time…
He didn’t attack.
He waited.
Kaito advanced.
Just like before.
But—
Daichi stepped to the side.
The blow missed.
By a hair.
— Hm.
Erza watched.
Kaito spun around quickly.
He tried another strike.
Daichi swung the bat.
He blocked it.
Clumsy.
But he blocked it.
The impact made his arm shake.
But he didn’t fall.
— “Again!” Erza shouted.
The training continued.
Strike.
Miss.
Fall.
Get up.
Strike.
Miss.
Get up.
Hours passed.
The sun rose.
Exhaustion turned to pain.
But no one stopped.
In the end…
Everyone was on the ground.
Exhausted.
Breathing heavily.
Without strength.
Erza walked among them.
Watching.
— Ruined.
Silence.
— All of you.
She stopped.
She looked at Daichi.
— But…
A brief pause.
— They’re not the same as they were yesterday.
Daichi was looking up at the sky.
His body was shattered.
But his chest…
Weighed down by something different.
He managed to raise his arm.
Slowly.
Trembling.
But he did it.
— …I’m still standing.
She muttered.
Erza turned her back.
— Tomorrow…
Her voice was calm.
— It’s going to be worse.
The group gathered in front of a small wooden shed.
The village armory.
Simple.
But organized.
Rub was standing at the entrance.
Still wearing bandages.
But steady.
— One at a time.
His voice was calm.
— Come in.
— Pick a weapon.
— And leave.
He held up a small notebook.
— Everything will be recorded.
The newcomers exchanged glances.
— That means more than you realize.
Rub added.
Kaito was the first.
He walked in without hesitation.
The door closed.
A few seconds of silence.
Then—
He came out.
With a sword.
Holding it firmly.
Smiling.
— Obviously.
Rub took note.
Liora came in next.
It took longer.
When she came out…
She was carrying a simple bow.
And some arrows.
Rub just nodded.
Dagan entered.
The sound of metal echoed inside.
When he came out…
He was carrying a heavy shield.
And a spear.
— Protection first.
He said.
Rub took note.
Mirel entered.
Total silence.
When he left…
A dagger.
Small.
Discreet.
Rub looked for a second longer.
But he didn’t say anything.
Toma came in.
It took a while.
A long time.
When he came out…
He was carrying a light spear.
— I thought it would be easier to keep my distance…
