Broken Tower Saga: The First Swordsman

IT WAS ALWAYS quiet in the Trail sanctuary. The sun was about to set, as the sky was crimson red and orange. Mild, cold winds blew in the tracks where dozens of figures were running.

Wrik was running with an exhausted mind, trying his best to keep the breathing even. He had barely completed 20 laps in the morning, while now he even forgot to count. Each lap of the track was more than a couple of miles long, with the other exercises Sophia made him do in the gym, coupled with the tungsten-abomination of a training vest he was wearing, made it impossible for him to complete the task.

Fortunately, he was not the only one in that pathetic state. Actually, they all were quite pathetic apart from Tanya and Michelle, who only got to run ten laps. Anton and Evan were among the very first of them to complete the quota of fifty laps before Sophia gave them bail for today.

They went away immediately, not giving the other a second look; well, they might not be in the condition to give a look. While Wrik felt the most betrayal at seeing his good brother—Anton leaving, after completing his quota of the laps. Wrik did not know what he was expecting, but he felt down because of Anton's cold betrayal.

After them, Kevin barely completed the quota before passing out in the tracks. The big man was vigorous, and in good shape with sturdy muscles, but apparently that was not good enough. He struggled the last ten laps with wavering eyes, yet his mind did not give in.

And that left with Wrik, Jacob, Davin, Lillian and Lan. Good for Lillian and Lan, Sophia exempted them for being a girl and kid of fourteen, respectively. But she also told them it would be only for a week after that they have to cover all the laps with everyone. Even the kid Lan had to run all fifty laps after that.

Quite cruel if someone asked, but it's the only way. Sophia said, if you want to survive in the cruel world, then you have to be cruel to yourselves as well.

Unfortunately for Wrik, Davin and Jacob, Sophia didn't give them a single eye of pity, much less cut off a few laps.

The three pathetic figures ran unsteadily on the track beside each other. Each one was more pathetic than the other. They were dirty with sweat all over their bodies, with eyes that were almost a step away from crying.

"What's the count now?" Davin asked, noticing that they were going to finish another lap.

"Who knows?!" Wrik said, panting. His mind was blank while his vision was going darker.

"I just wished to lie down here now," the third figure in the group answered. The short man continued. "And cry."

'I want to cry too,' Wrik mumbled inwardly. But he can't, he couldn't be any more pathetic than this. The muscles on his legs were cramping; most of the reasons for that were all the stretching he did at the gym with those bizarre types of equipment. He had never been one that trains his body, other than the occasional yoga and meditation.

Now he was regretting not jogging with Anton all these years. If he had been only a little hard-working training his body, he would not be this pathetic.

"You shouldn't cry. Gorge your eyes if you have to," Davin muttered with high breaths. "You can't cry in front of girls."

"Why? What?" Jacob staggered for the current words. "Where?"

Wrik looked in front and noticed there were three figures standing, one with crimson red hair and freckles on her cheeks, another familiar with dark black hair bound over the head with emerald green eyes. And the last was also dark-haired as well, but it was cut short, not even reaching her shoulders. She was wearing the loose attire of the medical department. Byul, she finally gained consciousness.

"Remember, boys, not to fall," Michelle said quite loudly. "We're here for you."

She seemed to have fun looking at their miserable appearances. While Tanya was in her usual energetic mood as well. Only Byul looked a bit pale, well her injuries were enough reason for that.

The three of them strode towards them when Wrik said, "Are you all here to make fun of us?"

"There's no worth in doing good these days," Tanya held her tongue out. "We're only here to say that your training is over for today. Big sis said that you can rest today."

"Really?" Jacob asked, yet he laid on the ground even before listening to their answer.

"Jake, dear, you look quite pathetic," Michelle eyed the short man on the ground, shaking her head.

But the Archer on the ground didn't care about what she said. Lay there breathing like a mad dog.

Michelle clicked her tongue. While Tanya gave a couple of bottles to Wrik and Davin.

Wrik opened the bottle immediately as he savoured half its content before dropping the rest on his head to cool it down. If it was a couple of days ago, he wouldn't be so brazen to waste even a drop of drinkable water.

"Ah!" He sighed as the cool water flowed from his head to his back. While he looked to notice, Davin was sitting next to Jacob, cooling himself with water.

"Thank you," Wrik said, finally catching enough breath. "I would have died if I had to continue running now!"

"Well, you could rest now, but big sis said, the more you guys slack off these days, you have to complete the double after a week," Tanya said, with an angelic smile on her lips, yet her words are like a death sentence to the three of them.

Wrik shuddered. "Are you joking?" He asked.

"What do you think?" Tanya didn't cease her angelic smile as she was giving the death sentence to him.

"Crap!"

"Goddamn!" Jacob and Davin sounded out at the same time.

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Just another reminder, this book would go premium from 19th August.