Chapter 7 - The first clash

Chapter 7 – First Clash

7th of Verentis, Year 1247 PGD

Trainee Dormitory, IBE HQ

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the dormitory window, gently lighting the simple room where Rein, Revin, and Dante stayed. The scent of old wood and fresh linen mingled with a faint tension in the air—the kind that comes before something important.

Rein stood near the door, fully dressed in the standard IBE trainee uniform. His sharp eyes scanned the hallway beyond the half-open door. Beside him, Revin adjusted his belt, looking ready and alert. Dante, however, sat on his bed, lazily tying his boots with a half-awake expression.

"Hurry up, man," Revin groaned, arms crossed. "We have to reach the training hall before 7 AM."

"I know, I know," Dante muttered, yawning. "Don't worry. We'll get there in time."

"How can you sleep in like that on the first day?" Rein's voice carried a stern edge. "If we show up late, we might get punished."

"Alright, alright," Dante replied, rolling his eyes. "You two sound like my parents. If it bothers you so much, go without me."

"We could," Revin smirked, "but then you'd be the one getting punished on day one—after calling others unworthy last night."

"And we agreed to move together," Rein added. "Teamwork, remember?"

Dante clicked his tongue, grabbing his jacket. "Fine. Let's go. But where's that arrogant woman… Elena?"

"She left early," Revin said with a chuckle. "Said she wasn't waiting for lazy people."

"Figures," Dante muttered, shaking his head. "She's got a mouth on her."

"Less talking, more walking," Revin said, pushing the door open.

---

IBE Training Hall 3 – Morning

Rows of trainees stood neatly in the training hall, tension and anticipation hanging thick in the air. Rein, Revin, Dante, and several dozen others stood straight, trying to look composed. The hall was large, metallic, and cold—designed to break down comfort and build discipline.

Footsteps echoed as a tall man approached, his presence sharp and commanding. A scar ran across his cheek, and his eyes were as cold as the hall itself.

"My name is Carlos Nor," he announced, voice like iron. "I'm your training instructor."

Silence.

"From now on, you'll undergo physical drills, hand-to-hand combat, strategic classes, and constant testing."

He turned to the assistant beside him—a woman with a clipboard and sharp expression.

"This training spans two months," she said. "Weeks one to four: physical endurance, combat technique, and mental evaluation. Weeks five to seven: weapon proficiency. Week eight: a special exam and final ranking assessment. Your performance will determine your future in the IBE."

Whispers rustled through the crowd.

There was no time for questions. The first task began immediately: a ten-kilometer run.

Sweat dripped and hearts pounded. Rein kept pace with Revin. Dante trailed, still shaking off sleep. Elena, on the other hand, was ahead of everyone, her breathing calm, her stride perfect.

---

After the run, Carlos barked, "Rest up. Next, sparring evaluations. We want to see what you can do."

Pairs were quickly formed.

Rein found himself standing across from Dante. A grin spread across Dante's face.

"Ready to dance?" he asked.

"Let's see what you've got," Rein replied, lowering into a stance.

Meanwhile, Elena stepped in front of her opponent—a tall, bulky trainee who cracked his knuckles with a smirk.

She said nothing, simply took a relaxed back-foot stance.

"What? Not going to attack?" the man sneered.

"The winner is already decided," she replied coolly.

Angered, he charged—but she didn't even flinch.

One smooth motion. A spin. A snap. Her foot landed clean across his jaw, sending him sprawling.

Gasps filled the hall. Rein blinked.

"She… she's strong," Dante said, sounding almost impressed.

"That's why she ranked first," Rein muttered.

Revin's match followed—clean, calculated, and victorious.

And then, all eyes turned to Rein and Dante.

Rein smiled slightly, trying to hide the pressure building in his chest. He had the edge—his enhanced speed, stamina, and reflexes. But he couldn't use his ability here. He had to rely on raw skill.

Dante moved first. A blur. A punch.

Rein barely saw it. He stepped aside just in time, flipping back to create distance.

He's faster than I thought.

Dante came again. A roundhouse kick. Rein blocked—but the impact rattled his bones, sending him sliding back.

They clashed again. Punches. Kicks. Dodges.

Then, an opening. Rein slipped past a high kick, spun, and landed a back-kick to Dante's ribs. Dante grunted, blocked it, and grabbed Rein's leg. Rein twisted, flipping backward, landing a kick to Dante's chin mid-air.

Dante hit the ground, coughing.

Rein landed smoothly and extended a hand.

Dante smirked as he grabbed it. "You were lucky this time."

Rein nodded. "Yeah. I was."

---

Evening – Dorm Room

As the sun set, the four cadets reconvened in their dorm room, exhausted but proud of what they had accomplished. The day's challenges had tested their endurance, but they had pushed through together.

"I didn't think it would be this intense," Revin admitted, stretching his arms. "But we made it through."

"Yeah," Rein said, looking out the window. "This is just the beginning. Tomorrow will be even harder."

Elena, who had been unusually quiet, nodded. "We've got a long road ahead of us. 

Dante cracked a smile. "Well said. Let's keep pushing forward, then."

As they sat together in the quiet dorm room, their bond as a team had already begun to form. 

And for Rein, that was enough to give him the strength to keep moving forward.

---

End of Chapter 7