"Uh!" Vota grunted in disgust, accidentally stepping into a puddle of mud.
"What's with this sudden rain, anyways?" the fat young man asked Spes next to him as he shook his leg, trying to fling off the mud from his boots.
Spes only raised both his shoulders, not knowing what to say. Not too long after Decus woke up Vota, they had landed back on the ground to rest the griffins, and suddenly, the rain began to fall out of nowhere.
Vota complained the most about it—not only was he disrupted in his sleep, but he was immediately greeted by bad weather and dirty boots.
As Vota was about to rant more to his friend beside him, one of the Inquisition's Omega Squad members approached the two of them.
"Spes! You're summoned by the captain for your daily training!" With the rain growing in intensity, the armored man had to slightly raise his voice so Spes could hear him. Upon delivering his message, the man immediately left the area where the two friends had taken shelter from the rain. It was a tall tree that offered minimal protection from the strong winds and rain. Initially, the two of them had been there to enjoy the tree's shade, but unlucky as they were, the rain had suddenly started.
"Talking about training, any progress on knowing your strengths?" Vota asked as he took out a small cloth to clean his dirty boots.
"I... I haven't had the time to think about it..." Spes answered, staring blankly at the cloudy sky.
"Really?" Vota's thick eyelids opened slightly in surprise.
"With your previous enthusiasm, I kinda expected something, lad."
Vota's surprise was justified—he had been very satisfied with Spes's performance during the small assignment he gave him previously. Within the span of a single day, the young man had found critical intel on Crystal's weakness. Compared to that, discovering his own strengths should've been an easy feat.
"I better go. I shouldn't keep the captain waiting." Spes immediately brushed off the matter and walked away from the tree, making Vota even more suspicious.
"Something's pressing the kid. This next match will be... interesting," Vota whispered, his lips slightly curled up as he slowly followed Spes, who was running toward the camp.
Arriving at camp, the captain already stood ready, with both her and Vota's men forming a circle around her, not wanting to miss the fun. With the already windy and rainy weather, Crystal's cold aura intensified, sending slight chills down Spes's spine as he laid eyes on her. Those silver eyes pierced straight through his soul, that braided silver hair danced in the air as if defying the wind itself, and that sword, sheathed in its scabbard, was hungry for its next kill. This was the captain of the Inquisition's Omega Squad, waiting for Spes to enter the training ring.
Spes gulped down his saliva before stepping forward, officially starting his training session. Crystal didn't wait another second—she immediately dashed, disappearing from Spes's sight. The young man then felt his weight shift, along with a slight pressure on his sides, and a second later, half his body was drenched in rainwater and mud. Crystal had just kicked him after dashing toward his blind spot.
"Focus! You could've dodged that!" Crystal shouted coldly, making sure her voice was heard through the heavy rain.
Receiving a light kick from her, Spes could have easily gotten back up—yet somehow, the young man sluggishly rose to his feet, as if taking his time. Not only Crystal, but the entire crowd noticed his strange behavior. They whispered amongst themselves, wondering what was happening.
Crystal didn't have the courtesy to wonder. Instead, she pointed her sheathed sword at Spes, as if asking if he were ready. A small frown formed on her white, beautiful face upon seeing the unresponsive Spes. This was not the first time she had gestured this way to him. During their past bouts, she would point her sword the same way after he stood back up, and Spes would nod back at her, saying he was ready.
Not caring whether Spes was ready or not, Crystal quickly ran toward him and threw an obvious right hook straight at his face. And somehow, that obvious incoming punch landed, sending Spes back to the ground.
At this point, the spectators were already bored, slowly walking away from the premises. As for Crystal, she stared coldly at Spes, who was completely stained in mud, not daring to meet her gaze.
"I'll arrange for someone to bring you back to the royal capital. You won't survive this trip—there's no point in bringing you," Crystal spoke coldly before following the lead of her men, leaving Spes alone, kneeling in the rain.
"You're pathetic. You're not even trying."
Spes bitterly chuckled upon hearing the distorted voice so similar to his own.
"What's the point... I don't even know what I do all this for," he whispered back, closing his eyes to enjoy the cold rain falling on his face.
His moment of peace was interrupted as his heart skipped a beat—his body suddenly felt as if it were levitating. He opened his eyes to realize it was just Decus, who had forcefully picked him up and set him on his feet. He wasn't alone—Vota was also slightly behind him, staring at Spes with a weird grin on his face.
Unlike Vota, Decus had a concerned look. He had witnessed what had just happened and could easily tell something was preoccupying Spes. Of course, he had already noticed it after waking him up earlier, but he hadn't thought it would be so bad that Spes would literally end up as a punching bag during a training fight.
"Let's get you treated first," Decus said, upon seeing Spes's bruised left cheek. With Vota tagging along, they walked through the rain toward the Medicus's tent.
"I recognize that look of yours too well. I used to have that same expression during my early service as an Inquisitor. You're lost, Spes." Spes's eyes slightly shuddered, surprised that Decus could immediately tell what was troubling him.
"I can't help you much on the matter, as everyone goes through this at some point in their life. Now your time has come, and know that only you can resolve this chaos in your mind. The only word of advice I can give you is to follow your heart."
Done with his small speech, Decus smiled warmly at Spes and patted his shoulder.
"If your fire somehow returns, just tell me, and I'll convince the Captain to reconsider her decision." Decus gave a thumbs up before leaving Spes, as they had arrived in front of the Medicus's tent.
Now only Vota and Spes were left standing in front of the tent, with Vota still wearing that weird smile on his face.
"You know, this is where your story truly begins. Don't listen to that handsome sissy. Man up, and choose what you think will bring you to the highest mountain possible." He, too, gave words of advice before leaving Spes to fend for himself alone in front of the Medicus's tent.
Spes did not speak a single word during the entire interaction with both Decus and Vota. He appreciated their effort, but he knew they were right. There was nothing they could do to help him. He could only help himself—the problem was rooted from within.
Sighing deeply, he decided to just enter the Medicus's tent, tired of the cold rain completely drenching him.