The first week of training passed like a storm.Every sunrise found Aria in the training courtyard before anyone else.
Every sunset saw her leaving only after everyone else had gone.
The elegant hands that had once served coffee...were now covered with bruises.
Her muscles ached.Her shoulders burned.
Every part of her body screamed for rest.
Yet...She never complained.
5:00 A.M.
The training courtyard echoed with the sound of wooden swords colliding.
"Again."
Victor's voice was as cold as stone.Aria tightened her grip on the practice sword.
Sweat dripped from her forehead.
She attacked.Victor effortlessly knocked the weapon from her hand.
The sword slid across the stone floor.
"Again."
Aria bent down, picked it up, and attacked once more.
Again...She lost.
Again.
And again.
By the twentieth attempt...Her breathing had become ragged.Her arms trembled violently.
Victor looked at her expressionlessly.
"What did you learn?"
Aria lowered her head.
