The Generation of Luminaries (3)

The resonant, repetitive echoes of steel slicing the air reverberated through every corner of the training chamber. A single young man stood silently in the centre, his arm trembling while heavy beads of sweat dripped down his perfectly outlined face. Pushing through the pain, the handsome man continued his repeated movement until his arms finally gave way, and he dropped the heavy training blade.

The clang of metal broke the chamber's chilling silence, not that anyone was present to hear it. 

Dropping to his knees, the young man hastily wiped the sweat that impaired his vision. His heart was pounding rapidly as he steadied himself, breaking his killer focus on his training. His palms and fingers were now covered in calluses and blisters, while his entire body was drenched in grime and sweat. His muscles were burning from the repeated swings, and they were shaking violently from pain.

Yet, the young man didn't feel the desire to quit.