Chapter 180: Quiet Before the Climb
Water hit his skin and he closed his eyes for a moment, letting the day settle in his mind.
It replayed slowly.
The drills, the teamwork.
Arthur leaned one hand against the wall as the water ran down his back.
That drill...
Working with the others had been different.
He wasn’t used to relying on people in his past life.
Or being relied on even.
But it hadn’t felt bad.
Actually...
"...it felt right."
They weren’t perfect. Far from it. But there was something there. A rhythm that was starting to form.
Arthur chuckled softly.
"And Nox complaining every five seconds."
He could still hear it.
That made it feel more real somehow.
Then his thoughts shifted.
To the spar with the commander.
Arthur exhaled slowly.
"Intent Skin..."
He raised his hand slightly, remembering the feeling.
The thin layer of mana hugging his skin, moving with him like it was alive.
He had finally learned it. And In one evening.
Arthur shook his head.
"Sovereign Intent system..."
He didn’t even try to hide the satisfaction in his voice.
Then, without meaning to, his thoughts drifted again.
To earlier.
To her hands.
The way she had guided the flow.
The way her fingers had traced across his body.
Arthur paused.
"...Yeah, no."
He shook his head immediately, as if trying to throw the thought away.
"She’s my commander."
He exhaled.
"That was training. Just training."
Still...
He rubbed his face.
"...Focus."
Arthur forced his mind back on track and finished cleaning up.
A few minutes later he stepped out, dried off, and threw himself onto the bed.
The mattress welcomed him like always.
Arthur stretched out fully and let his body sink into it.
"...Man."
His eyes stayed on the ceiling.
Tomorrow.
The thought came naturally.
Training again. Once again with the squad.
Arthur’s lips curved slightly.
There was something about it now.
The feeling of not doing it alone.
Even if they complained.
Even if they bantered each other, they were improving together.
Arthur turned slightly on the bed.
"Yeah... that’s not bad."
He thought about the commander too.
She always had something planned.
Something that pushed them just enough.
Arthur smirked.
"Wonder what she’s cooking for tomorrow."
He didn’t think too long.
The fatigue finally caught up with him.
His eyes slowly closed.
And before he knew it, sleep took over.
Arthur woke up before dawn.
No alarm.
No noise.
Just his eyes opening naturally.
He stared at the ceiling for a second.
"...That was fast."
The night felt like it passed in a blink.
But his body felt good.
Rested.
Ready.
Arthur sat up and stretched his arms over his head feeling a bit different.
"Guess I’m excited."
There was something about today.
He could feel it.
He got off the bed and went through his usual routine.
Cleaning up.
Getting ready.
Nothing rushed. Nothing sloppy.
By the time he finished, his armor was back on and fitted properly.
Arthur glanced at himself briefly.
"Not bad."
Then he stepped out.
The stronghold was already alive.
People moving and voices rising as usual.
Arthur walked through it like he always did.
But the looks hadn’t stopped.
Some people still glanced his way.
Some whispered.
Some just stared.
The gossip was still alive.
Arthur noticed it.
But he didn’t react.
"...Let them talk."
He kept walking.
None of that mattered right now.
His focus was ahead.
The training hall.
He reached it soon enough and went through the usual process before entering the private section.
The door opened.
Lyra was already there.
Arthur raised a hand.
"Morning."
She glanced at him.
"You’re early."
Arthur shrugged.
"Couldn’t sleep in."
Lyra studied him briefly.
"Or you didn’t want to."
Arthur smirked.
"...Maybe."
She didn’t push further.
Instead she asked,
"What about the Gale Wolf core?"
Arthur leaned slightly to the side.
"Merchant said two days."
Lyra nodded.
"That’s reasonable."
Arthur crossed his arms.
"Guess I’ll have to be patient."
Lyra gave him a look.
"You’re don’t seem to be good at that."
Arthur laughed.
"Not really."
They talked for a bit more.
Nothing serious.
Just small exchanges.
Until voices started coming from outside.
Arthur turned slightly.
"Sounds like they’re here."
The door opened and the rest of the squad walked in together.
Talking and laughing.
It was a completely different mood from the day before.
Nox was the loudest as usual.
"I’m telling you, if she makes us carry those weights again—"
He stopped when he noticed Lyra.
"...we are definitely doing it again."
The others laughed.
Arthur shook his head.
"Good morning."
They greeted back, more relaxed now.
Even Lyra responded with a small nod.
The atmosphere felt lighter.
But it didn’t last long.
Lyra clapped her hands once.
"Enough."
Everyone straightened slightly.
"Back to yesterday’s drill."
Groans immediately followed.
Nox looked betrayed.
"You didn’t even give us a break."
Lyra raised a brow.
"You rested all night."
"That doesn’t count."
Arthur laughed.
"It counts."
Nox pointed at him.
"You’re not on my side anymore."
Arthur shrugged.
"I like watching you suffer."
The group chuckled.
Lyra shook her head slightly but there was a faint smile there.
Then she gestured toward the field.
The setup was already different.
More obstacles.
More spacing.
More problems.
Nox stared at it.
"...You made it worse."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"Of course I did."
Arthur looked ahead.
His smile came back.
"Looks fun."
Nox turned to him.
"You’re not normal."
Arthur didn’t deny it.
"Probably."
Lyra stepped forward slightly.
"Positions."
The group moved quickly this time.
Less confusion.
More understanding.
Arthur noticed it.
We’re getting better.
Nox took the lead again, already complaining under his breath as he grabbed the weight.
Arthur stepped into position behind him.
Fire ready.
Focus sharp.
Lyra watched them all.
Then she raised her hand.
"Begin."
The moment Lyra gave the signal, everything moved again.
It felt familiar.
Same drill.
Same roles.
But harder.
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