The Awakening Of The Shadows
Chapter 37: This Is No Joke

Chapter 37: This Is No Joke

The Red Hollow military base was unlike anything Lian had ever seen before. The place looked more like an improvised fortress in the middle of chaos than an organized facility. Reinforced metal structures blended with watchtowers and energy barriers that surrounded the area. The scent of damp earth and steel filled the air, and the constant noise of alarms, marching soldiers, and weapons being loaded created a tense atmosphere, heavy with urgency.

Lian walked through the base courtyard, observing the activity around him. Soldiers in light armor rushed past, while reconnaissance teams discussed patrol routes near the broken portals. Some looked exhausted, while others had bandages wrapped around their arms and legs, evidence of recent battles against the monsters that plagued the region.

He noticed a large, improvised wall made of reinforced steel, covered in massive claw marks. It was a silent reminder that the monsters didn’t just exist here, they were always watching, always waiting.

At the center of the base, a watchtower maintained a flashing red light, signaling that at least one broken portal was active somewhere nearby. A group of soldiers in the distance was checking their weapons, preparing for patrol.

Lian felt a strange weight in his chest. This place wasn’t the academy. Here, no one was training for the future, they were fighting to survive.

As he was still taking it all in, a firm voice caught his attention:

"So, you’re the new kid."

Lian turned to see a tall and imposing man, wearing a worn-out military coat and boots covered in dust. His black hair was tied back messily, and a scar ran across his right eyebrow. His gaze was cold, but it carried the weight of experience, something Lian recognized immediately.

"General Argus. Your new instructor." The man continued, crossing his arms. "Lena said you have talent, but talent means nothing here. You may control an incredible power, but if your body and mind fail, you’ll be just another forgotten corpse in this hellhole."

Lian held his posture, even under the sharp gaze of the general.

"Your first training starts now." Argus pointed to an open area in the base where some soldiers were already training. "Today, we’re not talking about your spiritual weapon. Or your shadows. We’re going to see what you’ve got without them."

Lian frowned.

"Without using my powers?" Lian’s brows furrowed. Most of his training had focused on his powers, and now he was being told not to use them.

"Exactly. Without using anything but your own body."

Before he could question it, two soldiers charged at him without warning.

Lian barely had time to react. The first blow was a direct punch to his stomach, knocking the air out of his lungs. The second soldier swept his legs out from under him. He hit the hard ground of the base, his vision blurring for a moment.

"Get up." Argus ordered, emotionless.

Lian coughed out some dust and pushed himself up, only to be hit again.

"If you need your sword to survive, then you have nothing," Argus said. "Your reflexes, endurance, and mental control are below the required level to be here. And you will fix that."

The two soldiers stepped back, waiting for the next order.

"From now on, you’re going to learn to fight without relying on your weapon."

Lian clenched his fists. His body ached, his breathing was heavy, but he refused to say a word.

"This training will continue until you understand that your mind and body are your true weapons. Oblivion can be torn from your hands. But your instinct, your strength, and your will... no one can take that from you."

He took a deep breath and got back into position.

"That was just to wake you up. Come with me," Argus said, walking toward the training area. "This place is where the rejects are sent. Those who weren’t lucky enough to have a powerful spiritual weapon. Most of them don’t even have one. They can only use magic to enhance their own bodies. But now, a lucky kid from the best academy is here... So don’t expect to make any friends."

Argus led Lian to the training ground in the center of the base. Several soldiers were there, some practicing hand-to-hand combat, others testing weapons and equipment. The atmosphere was heavy, every face marked by the exhaustion of constant battles against the monsters in the region.

"This is where you’ll start," Argus said, stopping in the middle of the field. "They will teach you how to survive."

The soldiers around them stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at him. Their gazes were cold, assessing him from head to toe.

"So, this is the academy boy?" one of the soldiers mocked, crossing his arms.

"Another rookie who thinks he can fight just because he has powers?" another added, laughing.

Lian kept his expression neutral. He had expected this kind of reception.

Argus sighed and looked at one of the men. "Vance, he’s your problem now."

The soldier named Vance, a tall man with short brown hair and a scar across his eyebrow, stepped forward. His gaze was harsh and skeptical.

"Listen up, kid," he began. "No one here cares what you did at the academy. You’re not special. You’re going to sweat, bleed, and fight like everyone else. If you don’t learn fast, you’ll die fast."

"Great. Let’s see what the rookie is made of."

Lian ignored the soldiers’ taunts. He knew this wouldn’t be easy. Here, he wasn’t the prodigy, he was just the newbie.

"First rule," Vance said, guiding Lian to an open space. "If your body can’t keep up, neither can your mind. So we’re starting with the basics."

The "basics," as Lian quickly discovered, were hell.

"Twenty laps around the base. No stopping."

Even though this was a base for rejects, the place was huge, this wasn’t going to be easy.

"Oh, I forgot to mention," Vance added, grinning. "You’ll be wearing weights on your arms and legs."

Lian started running, feeling the burning sun on his skin. The terrain was uneven, full of rocks and mud. Each step was harder than the last.

The soldiers watched from a distance, whispering among themselves. Some laughed, others just shook their heads.

By the tenth lap, his lungs were burning. His muscles were tense, every fiber of his body begging to stop.

By the fifteenth lap, his legs felt like lead.

By the nineteenth lap, he collapsed to his knees, gasping, sweat and dust clinging to his skin.

"Get up."

Vance stood beside him, arms crossed. His gaze was impassive.

"I said twenty laps. If you can’t do it, you start all over again."

Lian clenched his fists and, gritting his teeth, forced himself to stand. He started running again, each step a torment.

When he finally finished the twentieth lap, his legs gave out and he collapsed, staring at the cloudy sky.

The soldiers gathered around, watching him.

"That was pathetic," one muttered.

"He probably won’t last a week."

Vance nudged Lian’s leg with his boot. "Get up. We’re not done yet."

They returned to the training area. Lian could barely stand when Vance placed him in the middle of the field.

"Now, fight," he said, pointing to a larger soldier who stepped forward.

The man grinned. "I hope you have some energy left, kid."

Lian barely had time to react before the first punch slammed into his stomach. The impact doubled him over, the air ripped from his lungs.

Another hit sent him crashing to the ground.

"Get up."

His body refused to move. Every muscle screamed in protest.

But he forced himself to stand up.

Another punch. More pain.

He fell again.

"Get up."

The cycle continued. He was knocked down over and over, his body pushed to the breaking point.

But every time he fell, he got back up.

By the end, bruised and barely standing, he was still on his feet.

The soldiers watched in silence.

Vance crossed his arms and nodded slightly. "That’s enough for today."

Lian collapsed, exhausted. His body was broken.

But his mind...

His mind still burned with a single thought.

He would not give up.

He would never be weak again.