Chapter 14: Forged By Fire

Hazen stood at the center of the ring, facing Commander Kyle with her heart palpitating.

"You can do it, Hazen!" Fatty cheered from outside the ring.

Commander Kyle turned to Fatty, who seemed to freeze as he met his gaze before Kyle turned back to Hazen, his gaze piercing deep into her eyes.

"So cold," Hazen muttered, feeling the hair on her skin stand up.

"I'll be the defender—attack me with all your might," Commander Kyle said, still staring into Hazen's eyes.

"Okay! I'm coming. Ahhh!" Hazen screamed as she attacked. Commander Kyle moved backward, easily dodging the attack.

"Weak. Be faster," Commander Kyle commented, his tone carrying a hint of disgust.

Sensing the disgust in Commander Kyle's tone, anger started seeping through Hazen's veins. With a furrow on her brow, she said, "I'm not weak!" Hazen screamed, launching another attack.

Commander Kyle swiftly moved to the other side of the ring, causing Hazen to punch the air. "Is that all you've got? I mean, we saw you slay the Crimson Gorgoroth," Commander Kyle taunted from behind.

Hazen clenched her teeth with anger "Ahh! Stay still!" Hazen yelled, pursuing Commander Kyle furiously.

"You're too weak," Commander Kyle taunted, continuing to dodge Hazen's attacks repeatedly.

"Stop calling me weak!" Hazen screamed, growing her claws as she prepared to attack Commander Kyle again.

 Noticed her lack of strength and agility "Not as strong as I thought" he muttered deciding to end it quickly.  

As Hazen got closer, Commander Kyle punched her, sending her flying 

to the edge of the ring.

"That's all for now," Commander Kyle said, his eyes on Hazen, who hadn't raised her head since the fall.

"Is he okay? Why should I care—men must be strong," Commander Kyle thought as he turned to the intrigued faces of the recruits.

"Wow, the Commander is just too good," someone cheered, staring at Commander Kyle like a god.

"Yes! Did you see? He didn't even break a sweat," another commented, smiling brightly.

"He's just too awesome!" another added, clapping his hands.

Listening to the compliments, Commander Kyle remained rigid, his emotionless face broadcasting a clear message: keep off. "That's enough for now. I hope you've learned what I spoke about previously; make sure to put it into practice," he said, glancing at Hazen for a few seconds before heading out of the room.

---

"I'm just so useless. I couldn't even last on my own and attack him longer even if I didn't win—I am just so pathetic" Hazen thought, still lying on the ground in the ring, head covered.As the noise around her faded, Hazen felt herself unconsciously slipping to an unfamiliar atmosphere. 

"You're not lazy, Hazen," a small voice whispered.

Hearing the voice, Hazen opened her eyes, finding herself in a completely different environment. It seemed as though she was floating on water in an empty space surrounded by mist. Fear crept in.

"Where am I? Who's there? Is it you, Amoris?" Hazen asked, though she couldn't deny the aura felt completely different from Amoris's.

"I'm not Amoris; who I am doesn't matter. I am here to help you," the voice replied, calm and steady.

"Help me? How, when I don't even know you?" Hazen replied, uncertainty filling her voice.

"It's up to you to believe it or not. You wish to become stronger before you is a very powerful orb. It's up to you to absorb its powers or not," the voice replied calmly. Immediately, the mist cleared, creating a path for Hazen.

Finally able to see further than where she stood, she looked forward, staring at the red, shining orb. "So shiny. It would give me powers? Should I listen to a voice I have no idea about?" Hazen stared at the orb, contemplating whether or not to absorb its power.

"How bad could it be? Besides, I'm too weak to even take on Fatty even if I don't die here sooner or later I'll still die if I'm weak," Hazen muttered to herself, shrugging her shoulders as she approached the shining red orb.

With each step closer, she felt the orb's unique aura weighing her down. "So powerful," she muttered as she forced herself toward the orb.

"Almost there!" Hazen said, feeling the aura's suppression as she moved quickly to avoid being crushed.

After a hard struggle, Hazen finally touched the orb. "I made it!" she muttered, her eyes turning white as she absorbed its power. The energy moved like electricity, flowing swiftly through Hazen's veins.

The voice spoke again "Good job trusting your instincts to use the orb's power, you must put in effort to strengthen your mana before you can fully wield it..."

---

Hazen's eyes shot open as various noises flooded in, making her squint. She met Fatty's worried gaze as he quickly helped her to the edge of the ring.

"What happened? Are you dizzy? Can you see my hand?" Fatty asked, waving his hands in front of Hazen's face.

"I can see you, Fatty," Hazen replied, turning to meet Nathan's mocking gaze.

"I can't believe the slayer of the Crimson Gorgoroth couldn't even hold his own. The moment the Commander punched him, he fainted," Nathan mocked, intentionally raising his voice for everyone to hear.

The others turned to look at Hazen.

"I never expected him to be so weak."

"Not as strong as I thought."

Hazen turned to stare at the two men, hearing the mockery in their tones.

"I must become stronger," Hazen muttered, recalling the orb.

"I won't be weak for long," Hazen vowed quietly.

Seeing Hazen avoiding their taunts, Fatty decided to stand up for him.

"So what if he fainted? It's not like any of you could face the Commander and win," Fatty said, his tone edged with anger as he watched the recruits step back.

"That's right, just keep stepping back and minding your own business," Fatty retorted sharply, a scowl on his face.

He turned to Hazen and stretched out his hand. "C'mon, man, let's get out of here."

Hazen raised her head, staring at Fatty's outstretched hand. "I don't know anyone in this world, but it seems that fate didn't leave me to figure things out alone I have nice people to accompany me," she thought, feeling gratitude toward Fatty.

"C'mon, I'm hungry!" Fatty whined, making Hazen giggle. She took Fatty's hand, determination simmering beneath her skin 

"I might be weak now, but I wouldn't stay that way" she muttered leaving the training room.