The training area was alive with the sounds of combat-grunts, the clang of metal, the dull thud of fists meeting flesh. The air was thick with sweat and tension as new recruits like me were pushed to our limits. Every day was a new test, a new challenge designed to break us down and rebuild us into something harder, stronger.

But today was different.

I could feel the eyes on me, the whispers following me as I moved through the compound. The others had started to notice me, to wonder why I was here. I could feel the weight of their judgments, the suspicion in their stares. But one gaze in particular burned hotter than the rest.

Her name was Sera, one of the longest-serving members of the organization. Tall, with an athletic build and the kind of confident swagger that came from years of survival, she was a force to be reckoned with. She was also, by all accounts, a nightmare to anyone who crossed her.

I caught sight of her as I entered the training yard, her icy blue eyes narrowing as they locked onto me. I could almost feel the disdain radiating off her as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Hey, new girl," she called out, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You actually think you can keep up with us?"

I ignored her at first, focusing on my warm-up. But she wasn't about to let it go.

"You hear me, little girl? Or are you too scared to answer?" Her voice was laced with mockery, her tone a deliberate challenge.

I straightened, turning to face her. The entire yard had gone quiet, all eyes on us. "I'm not here to play games," I said evenly.

Sera pushed off the wall, striding toward me with deliberate menace. "Oh, I'm not playing either. I just don't see how someone like you could possibly survive out there. You don't look like much."

She circled me, her eyes raking over my body with calculated contempt. "What's the matter? Daddy's little soldier can't handle a real fight? Maybe you should stick to playing dress-up."

The words were a knife to my pride, but I kept my expression neutral. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know enough," she shot back. "I've seen a lot of people come through here, and most of them don't last. They get weeded out— only the strong survive. And you don't look anything strong to me."

I could feel the anger bubbling up, the urge to shut her up once and for all. But I forced myself to stay calm. I didn't need to prove anything to her-my training would speak for itself.

But Sera wasn't done. "I bet you wouldn't last five minutes in the ring with me," she sneered. "You're just all talk."

That was it. The last straw.

"Guess there's only a one way to find out," I said, my voice cold.

Her smirk widened, and I knew I had taken the bait. She wanted this-a chance to humiliate me in front of everyone. And now, there was no backing down.

The crowd parted as we moved to the center of the yard, forming a rough circle around us. The tension was electric, the air thick with anticipation. Sera was already stretching, loosening up her muscles, while I kept my focus on her, assessing her movements, her stance. She was bigger, stronger, but I had speed and technique on my side. I just needed to be smart.

One of the senior members stepped forward, acting as an impromptu referee. "No killing blows. Keep it clean. Ready?"

Sera nodded, a wicked grin on her face. I gave a curt nod, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Fight!"

Sera came at me fast, her fists swinging in a blur of motion. I ducked, sidestepped, feeling the rush of air as her fist narrowly missed my face. She was aggressive, relentless, throwing punch after punch with brutal precision.

But I was ready.

I dodged and weaved, using my smaller size to slip under her strikes, waiting for the right moment. I could see the frustration growing in her eyes as her blows failed to land, her movements becoming sloppier with each miss.

She aimed a wild hook at my head, and I saw my opening. I ducked low, driving a hard punch into her ribs, feeling the satisfying impact as the breath whooshed out of her. She staggered back, surprised, but quickly recovered, coming at me again with renewed fury.

This time, I didn't wait. I closed the distance, landing a series of quick jabs to her midsection, forcing her on the defensive. Her speed was impressive, but she was too used to overpowering her opponents. She wasn't prepared for someone who could match her skill for skill.

Sera roared in anger, launching a savage kick at my head. I barely managed to block it, the force of the blow sending me stumbling back. But I didn't let it faze me. I spun with the momentum, delivering a roundhouse kick to her side that sent her crashing to the ground.

The crowd erupted in cheers and shouts, but I kept my focus. Sera wasn't done yet.

She pushed herself up, her eyes blazing with fury. "You're going to regret that," she snarled, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"Prove it," I shot back, my voice steady.

She charged at me again, this time with a level of ferocity that bordered on reckless. Her fists were like hammers, pounding at my defenses, but I held my ground, blocking, countering, using every ounce of skill I had learned during my training.

But then she changed tactics. Feinting a punch, she suddenly swept my legs out from under me. I hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of me, and before I could recover, she was on top of me, pinning me down with her weight.

For a moment, I saw the glint of victory in her eyes, the smug satisfaction of having me at her mercy.

But I wasn't done yet.

Using her momentum against her, I twisted my body, managing to free one arm and drive my elbow into her side. She gasped in pain, her grip loosening just enough for me to break free. I rolled away, springing to my feet, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Sera was up too, but slower this time, her movements less fluid. I could see the fatigue setting in, the realization that this fight wasn't going the way she had expected.

I didn't give her a chance to recover. I launched myself at her, throwing everything I had into a relentless barrage of punches and kicks. She tried to block, to fight back, but I was faster, sharper. My training had pushed me to the edge, and now I was using every bit of that strength, every skill I had honed.

Finally, I saw the opening I needed. With a swift, powerful kick, I sent her sprawling to the ground, her breath coming in painful gasps. I moved in quickly, pinning her down, my knee pressed firmly into her chest.

The crowd was silent, the tension palpable. Sera glared up at me, her pride and anger warring with the reality of her defeat.

"Yield," I said, my voice cold, steady.

For a moment, I thought she might refuse, might force the fight to continue until one of us couldn't stand anymore. But then, with a reluctant nod, she muttered, "I yield."

I released her, stepping back as she slowly got to her feet. The crowd erupted in applause and shouts, but I didn't care about that. My focus was on Sera, on the smoldering anger in her eyes.

But there was something else there too-respect, grudging but real.

"Not bad, new girl," she said, her voice low and laced with exhaustion. "But don't think this is over."

I met her gaze, unflinching. "I'm ready whenever you are."

She smirked, wiping the blood from her lip, and with a final nod, turned and walked away, the crowd parting to let her through.

As I stood there, catching my breath, I couldn't shake the feeling that this fight was just the beginning, a test of my worth in the eyes of the others. And if I wanted to survive, I would have to keep proving myself, over and over again.

But then, the man who had first brought me here appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable. He beckoned me over, his eyes flicking to Sera's retreating form before settling back on me.

"You did well," he said, his voice as cold as ever. "But your real test starts now."

I frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

He didn't answer, just turned and walked away, leaving me to follow in his wake, my mind racing with questions, my body still thrumming with the adrenaline of the fight.

Was that actually a habit of him not telling me a single thing? Although I knew whatever this new test was, I knew it wouldn't be easy. And I couldn't afford to fail.