With what was left of the week to go, Aldrich had lived a relentless cycle training under John Foster from dawn till noon, then immersing himself in knowledge with Professor Mariana until dusk. There was barely any time to himself. Every available moment was spent ensuring he did not fall behind, refining his body and mind to be as prepared as possible.
Day after day, night after night, he pushed himself, knowing that the moment of reckoning drew ever closer. And now, at long last in a wait of what felt like an eternity, that moment had arrived.
---
Aldrich sat hunched over, elbows resting on his knees, hands hanging loosely as his eyes fixated on nothing in particular. The thought of what lay ahead, past the door, it pressed down on him, though he tried not to let it show.
"You nervous?" Dante's voice broke the silence. He sat across from Aldrich, arms folded, his expression unreadable.
"Should I be?" Aldrich asked, though the tension in his voice betrayed him.
