Lesson one: Don’t panic

LEO/RYN

"I shouldn't have agreed to this," Ryn thought as he sat with his legs crossed on the scorching rock, his back stiff and sweat soaking through his clothes. His thighs burned, his neck ached, and his patience was wearing thin under the heat.

He shifted, then stilled again when Sylas's voice broke the silence.

"Don't move."

Ryn groaned. "I've been sitting here for three hours," he complained.

"Three hours and sixteen minutes," Sylas corrected without opening his eyes.

"And this is the training you promised me?" Ryn snapped. "Sitting in the sun until I pass out? I came here to learn how to survive the trial, not how to roast like a chicken."

When he had joined Sylas for training that morning, he had expected weapons and maybe some flashy combat techniques—just like in games. But what he hadn't expected was… this.