Chapter 14 – Trial by Fire

--Xyphora , Volaris System, Sector 7-42D--

-Scavenger Clan Training Grounds – Underground Base-

Rei exhaled sharply, sweat trickling down his back.

It had been four days since he arrived on Xyphora—and three days since he joined the Scavenger Clan.

In that time, he had been through constant training, pushing himself past exhaustion, trying to catch up to everyone else.

But today…

Today was different.

Instead of the usual sparring matches or weapon drills, Keven had gathered a small group of scavengers in the training yard. Seyra was there, standing near the edge, arms crossed as she watched with an unreadable expression.

Rei tightened his grip on his baton, uncertain about what was coming next.

Keven finally spoke.

"Alright, kid," he said, stepping forward. "Time to see if you've learned anything."

Rei blinked. "Wait—what?"

Garek smirked from the sidelines. "Surprise, Stray. You're getting your first real test."

Rei felt a sinking sensation in his gut.

Keven gestured to the open sparring ring, a cleared-out section of the training grounds.

"You've been training hard. That's good," Keven said. "But training doesn't mean anything unless you can use it when it counts."

Rei frowned. "So… this is another sparring match?"

Keven smirked. "Not exactly."

He pointed toward the scavengers standing nearby.

"You'll be fighting three different opponents, one after the other."

Rei's breath caught. Three?

His body was already sore from training.

Garek chuckled. "No time limit. No 'points' system. The fight ends when you're either knocked out, forced to yield, or can't stand up anymore."

Rei swallowed. "Great."

Seyra, standing nearby, let out a quiet laugh. "Try not to embarrass yourself, Stray."

Rei shot her a glare. "Not helping."

Keven crossed his arms. "You've got a choice, kid. You can walk away now, and we won't hold it against you."

Rei clenched his fists.

Walk away? After all this?

Not a chance.

He stepped forward into the ring. "Let's do this."

Keven nodded. "Good. First opponent—Tarek."

The burly scavenger from before stepped into the ring, rolling his shoulders.

He grinned. "Hope you stretched, kid."

Rei exhaled. This was it.

 First Fight – Rei vs. Tarek

Tarek moved first.

Rei barely had time to react before the larger man rushed forward, swinging his baton.

Fast!

Rei barely dodged to the side, but he wasn't fast enough—Tarek's baton clipped his shoulder.

Pain shot through his arm.

He staggered back but didn't fall.

Tarek smirked. "Not bad. But you still hesitate."

Rei gritted his teeth. He had to think, not just react.

Tarek charged again.

I can't block head-on… but I can redirect.

Instead of blocking, Rei sidestepped at the last second, twisting his body—

Tarek's attack missed.

Rei used the opening. He swung low, aiming for Tarek's ribs.

Hit!

Tarek grunted as the baton struck his side, but instead of stepping back—

He grabbed Rei's arm.

Oh, crap.

Before Rei could react, Tarek yanked him forward and slammed him into the ground.

Hard.

The breath rushed out of Rei's lungs as he hit the floor.

Keven watched from the sidelines. "That's match one."

Rei groaned. "Ow."

Tarek chuckled, stepping back. "You landed a hit this time. That's progress."

Seyra smirked. "Barely."

Rei glared at her. "I'm starting to hate you."

She shrugged. "That's fair."

Keven clapped his hands. "Next."

Rei gritted his teeth and stood up.

One down. Two to go.

Second Fight – Rei vs. Mina

His next opponent was Mina—a lean, fast-moving scavenger who specialized in dual short blades.

Rei was already tired from the first match. His body ached.

But he refused to give up.

Mina didn't rush in like Tarek.

She circled him, her twin blades spinning in her hands.

Rei watched her movements carefully.

She's testing me.

He made the first move.

Rei swung his baton, aiming for her side—but Mina was faster.

She ducked under his attack, pivoting smoothly, and landed a strike to his ribs.

Damn—!

Rei stumbled back, coughing.

Mina didn't stop. She was relentless, attacking from different angles, moving too fast for him to counter.

I can't keep up!

Wait—what did Seyra say? Watch. Learn. React.

Rei took a deep breath.

Instead of trying to match her speed, he focused on predicting her movements.

She moved in again—this time, he was ready.

As she swung at his side, Rei ducked low and kicked out—

His foot caught her leg, throwing off her balance.

For a split second, she was open.

Rei swung his baton upward—

CRACK!

His baton hit Mina's forearm, knocking one of her blades loose.

She hissed in pain, stepping back.

Keven raised a hand. "Match two—draw."

Mina scowled but gave Rei a nod. "Didn't expect that."

Rei was breathing heavily, exhausted.

But… he wasn't losing outright anymore.

One more to go.

 Third Fight – Rei vs. Seyra

Rei blinked.

Wait. What?

Seyra stepped forward into the ring, grinning.

"Alright, Stray. Let's see what you've really learned."

Rei's stomach dropped.

This was going to hurt.

Keven smirked. "Final match—begin."

Seyra vanished.

Wait, what?!

Before Rei could react, a sharp impact slammed into his back.

He staggered forward, gasping.

Seyra's speed was insane.

How am I supposed to fight her?!

She didn't stop.

Another strike to his ribs—then another.

Rei couldn't even see her coming.

Think, think!

He had to do something.

Then—an idea.

He stopped moving.

Seyra paused, frowning. "Giving up already?"

Rei smirked. "No."

The moment she moved—

He spun around, swinging his baton wildly.

She dodged—but just barely.

For the first time, she looked surprised.

Rei grinned. "Got you."

She tilted her head. Then—she kicked him in the chest.

Rei went flying.

Hard.

Keven sighed. "And that's match three."

Rei groaned. "Ow."

Seyra smirked, offering him a hand. "Better than I expected."

Rei reluctantly took it.

He hadn't won.

But he hadn't completely lost, either.

And that?

That was enough for now.