Bonds in Bloom

As the girls settled into their modest quarters, it was clear they'd wasted no time in making the space feel like home. Pillows and blankets were strewn across the floor in a cosy arrangement, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Unlike the boys, who seemed to carry an invisible wall of ego between them, the girls slipped into easy conversation, filling the room with laughter and the hum of camaraderie. Despite their smaller number—just six in comparison to the boys' nine—they quickly formed a tight-knit group. They had a natural rapport, a connection that made it easy to open up and share their thoughts about the challenges ahead.

Seated in a loose circle, the girls began sharing their hopes and worries for the training program. Hana, with her cheerful demeanour, admitted she was excited about the experience but also a bit nervous about representing Korea on such a big stage.

"It's not every day you get a chance like this," she laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Sang-hee and Soo-jin nodded in agreement, their eyes bright with anticipation. They spoke about the training drills they'd heard rumours of and speculated about the high expectations the instructors might have for them.

Jin-kyong, ever the strategist, leaned forward with a thoughtful smile.

"If we work together, we can bring out each other's strengths," she said, her gaze sweeping across her friends. Her words resonated, and each girl could feel a sense of unity settling over them—a shared understanding of the journey they were about to embark on.

Even Hi-ah, the quietest of the group and a bit of an outsider, found herself drawn into the conversation. Listening to the others' dreams and goals, she felt the warmth of being part of a team. With every word exchanged, their bond deepened, setting the foundation for the month of hard work and mutual support ahead. For these girls, friendship wasn't a hurdle to overcome; it was the key to thriving.

It was Jin-kyong who first noticed the small sign down a quiet hallway, marking the location of a hot spring hidden within the building. Her eyes lit up as she turned back to the group, waving them over excitedly.

"Look at this! They have a hot spring here!" she exclaimed, her voice barely containing her excitement. "We deserve a little soak after the journey, don't you think?"

The girls eagerly agreed, their exhaustion from the trip making the idea of a warm, relaxing soak impossible to resist. Gathering their towels and light robes provided in the room, they giggled and whispered among themselves as they made their way down to the hot spring.

The steam greeted them warmly as they entered, mist curling up from the water's surface in soft waves. The ambience was perfect—quiet, with soft lighting that added a tranquil glow to the room they eased into the water, and the conversation flowed as naturally as ever. Hana stretched her arms above her head, letting out a sigh of relief.

"This is heavenly," she murmured, closing her eyes and sinking deeper.

Soo-jin grinned, leaning her head back against the edge.

"Who would've thought we'd be relaxing like this on the first day?" she chuckled. The girls laughed, the warmth of the water melting away any lingering tension.

Meanwhile, back in their room, the boys were in a very different state. A few had sprawled out on their bedding, completely dozing off after the long trip. Joon-ho lay on his back, eyes half-closed, while Kang-dae and Baek-hyeon had already succumbed to sleep.

Tae-young sat against the wall, staring at the ceiling as if deep in thought, while Kyu, true to his quiet nature, simply rested with his arms crossed, his eyes closed but not quite asleep. The room was filled with a peaceful silence, a rare moment of calm before the intense days of training to come.

For the girls, though, this moment was a celebration—a reminder that, even amidst the pressures and challenges they were about to face, there would still be time to relax, laugh, and support each other. The hot spring became a symbol of that camaraderie, their laughter echoing softly through the steamy air as they shared their hopes and dreams in the warm, comforting waters.

By the evening, the atmosphere in the building shifted as footsteps echoed down the hallways. The instructors arrived at each of the rooms, calling the students to assemble in the main hall. In the boys' room, Instructor Seung-hyun, Instructor Ji-woo, and Instructor Dong-soo gently stirred those who'd fallen asleep, while in the girls' room, Instructor Min-ji and Instructor Hye-won waited as the girls wrapped up their last moments of chatter and laughter.

The main hall was set up like an elegant dining area. The centrepiece was a long wooden table, polished to a soft shine and stretching nearly the length of the room. Plates, gleaming utensils, and neatly folded napkins were arranged at each setting, enough to accommodate all fifteen students and the instructors. The light casts a warm glow over the room, adding a cosy touch to the minimalistic surroundings.

As the students took their seats, they glanced over the spread on the table with mild surprise. Platters were lined with vibrant, fresh greens, roasted root vegetables, and a variety of lean protein options: grilled chicken, salmon, and tofu, each seasoned lightly yet expertly.

Alongside were bowls of mixed grains, like quinoa and brown rice, and an array of colourful fruits neatly sliced on a tray. Each item looked carefully prepared, and arranged in a way that not only looked inviting but also hinted at a thoughtful approach to nutrition.

While the students eagerly started filling their plates, the instructors exchanged knowing glances. This dinner wasn't merely a welcome meal; it had been designed with purpose.

The protein-rich options would aid muscle recovery and growth, essential as they were about to plunge into rigorous training. The vegetables, packed with vitamins, would bolster their immune systems to keep up their stamina, while the complex carbs would fuel them through the demanding physical and mental drills ahead.

But for the students, it was simply a welcome treat after a long day of travel and settling in. In between bites, they shared laughs and commented on their favourite dishes. In a way, this dinner was their first bonding experience as a unified group, setting the stage for the camaraderie they would need to foster in the coming weeks.

As dinner wound down, the clinking of plates and utensils slowed, and satisfied sighs filled the air. The students, now visibly more at ease, leaned back in their seats, chatting softly as they savoured the final bites of the evening's meal. It felt strangely comforting to share this moment, like a reprieve before they were plunged into the unknown rigours of training.

Gradually, the instructors rose, each fixing their gaze on the students with a subtle yet knowing smile. The air shifted from relaxed to anticipatory as Instructor Seung-hyun stepped forward, clearing his throat to command their attention.

"I trust you all enjoyed tonight's dinner," he began, his voice carrying the weight of someone who didn't often need to speak twice. "Tonight was a gift—a moment to settle in, to relax, and to enjoy yourselves as individuals."

Instructor Ji-woo stepped up beside him, his arms crossed with a small, mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

"Because starting tomorrow," he continued. "You won't have that luxury. The real work begins, and believe us, you're not here for a vacation."

"Think of tonight as your last evening of freedom," Instructor Dong-soo added with a faint smirk, folding his arms. "Tomorrow, we expect focus, discipline, and resilience. If any of you thought this would be easy, I'd recommend finding the nearest exit."

The students exchanged glances, some nervous, others looking more resolute. It was a reminder that they weren't simply here to represent their teams or even their university. They were here to uphold the pride of Korea on a world stage, facing some of the best NexaRealm players from across the globe. The weight of that responsibility settled on them at that moment, just as heavily as their instructors intended.

Instructor Hye-won, her expression calm and unreadable, scanned each of their faces.

"This month will be gruelling. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, we're going to push you past your limits. We expect nothing less than everything you have," her gaze softened, almost imperceptibly. "But in exchange, you'll walk away from this experience transformed."

"Finish up and get some rest," Instructor Min-ji chimed in with a slight nod. "Tomorrow, we start early. Be up and ready by dawn. You'll be glad you ate well tonight."

With the instructors' final words, the atmosphere in the dining hall shifted yet again. There was a heavy sense of both dread and excitement brewing among the students. They knew the month ahead would demand their best, but it was still hard to anticipate just how far "the best" would have to stretch. Each one, in their way, understood that tomorrow would mark the true beginning of their journey.

One by one, the students stood from their seats, tidying up their plates and nodding politely to the instructors. As they left the dining hall, there was an unspoken sense of camaraderie, a shared understanding of what lay ahead. Some glanced around, catching each other's eyes with faint, supportive smiles—gestures that hinted at the bonds they would need to form if they were to survive this training.

Returning to their respective quarters, the students exchanged a few tired words. Some, like Joon-ho and Kang-dae, mumbled about needing to conserve their strength, while others, like Min-jae and Baek-hyeon, simply nodded, too exhausted from the day's journey to chat further.