A year had passed since Diego had fully integrated his grandparents, uncles, and other relatives into the survival plan. During those twelve months, the routine remained the same: training, healthy eating, meditation practices, and increasingly complex survival drills disguised as games. They had turned his family into a true elite team in training.
Matías, now three years old, already showed signs of remarkable intelligence and an insatiable curiosity. His abilities were developing rapidly, and although Diego hadn't said it out loud, he was convinced his brother had awakened as well. It was only a matter of time.
That day marked a new beginning. Diego was about to start formal school, a step he had also carefully planned by choosing a school that was close by, calm, but with good facilities. He entered the classroom without any expectations… until he saw her.
Sitting in the back, with the same firm posture and intense gaze as always, was Sofía.
Sofía.
In his past life, Sofía had been known as Sofía the Berzerker, a living legend. A warrior of unmatched skills, feared by enemies and respected by allies. Her ferocity in battle was extraordinary, and it contrasted sharply with her kindness off the battlefield. Diego vividly remembered the day she sacrificed herself to stop a colossal dragon, allowing her squad to escape with their lives.
And there she was. In a school uniform, with a regular backpack, chatting with other girls as if nothing had ever happened.
Diego froze for a moment, unable to stop his mind from wandering back to the past (or was it the future?)—to images of blood, fire, and roaring beasts. But he quickly returned to reality. He must not interfere. He must not get involved. That had been one of his strictest rules.
He sat down without looking at her again.
The first day of school began with a physical conditioning class. All the students took part in different exercises: jogging, sit-ups, push-ups, and endurance drills. From the very first minute, Sofía showed her competitive spirit. She wanted to win everything—and she did. She was the fastest, the strongest, the most resilient. She beamed with pride, breathing heavily but satisfied with her performance.
However, something deeply unsettled her.
The person who had come in second place in every single exercise—right behind her—showed no signs of exhaustion. Diego didn't have a single drop of sweat on him. His breathing was calm, his expression relaxed, as if the entire session had been just a walk in the park.
Sofía glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, still panting. She couldn't understand how someone so small and seemingly ordinary could have such control over his body.
Unknowingly, Diego had left Sofía intrigued by him.