the second test

Bubbles rose slowly in the water, like desperate breaths, until Leo opened his eyes, submerged deep in the pool. He pushed himself with effort toward the surface, seeking a gasp of air. When he broke through the water's surface, he saw Christopher standing beside the pool, holding a pocket watch, observing the time with a sharp gaze.

Christopher said with a cold smile, **"Hello, my friend. It seems you've had enough rest. Now, the second test begins; you have five minutes… to stay alive."**

Panicked, Leo tried swimming toward the edge of the pool but quickly realized his hands were chained to the bottom. He looked at Christopher in horror and shouted, **"Please, I don't know how to swim! I'm going to drown!"**

Christopher replied coolly, pressing a button to release more water into the pool, **"Then it's time to learn."**

The water rose, filling the pool entirely, forcing Leo to hold his breath as fear overtook him. He tried to reach the chains binding him, but his lack of swimming skills made him sink and float repeatedly, exhausting him. As his oxygen ran out, his focus began to fade, and his body drifted helplessly toward the bottom.

In those deadly moments, just as he realized he was drowning without hope, his eyes began to glow a fiery red. He felt a strange warmth spread through his body, and within moments, a powerful energy burst from him, igniting his hands and boiling all the water around him. He stood on the pool's bottom with newfound strength, shattering the chains as if they were mere threads.

He looked toward Christopher with an intense gaze, finding him smiling widely, as though he'd discovered a precious treasure. Christopher lifted his glasses slightly and, with a mocking tone, said, **"Congratulations on passing, my friend."**

Leo charged at him with boundless rage, attempting to strike, only to find Christopher suddenly behind him, holding a dagger close to his neck. Christopher whispered calmly, **"My applause doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. If you want to keep your head on your shoulders, lower your defenses."**

Sensing imminent danger, Leo slowly relaxed his stance. He turned to face Christopher, but the latter delivered a powerful punch to his abdomen, knocking him out completely.

With a cool tone, Christopher called in another man to carry the unconscious Leo out, saying, **"We're not done with our tests yet, kid. Get some rest until the next one."**

The echo of footsteps carrying Leo out filled the room, leaving the pool silent, save for the sound of still water.