Splash. Splash.
Sounds echoed across the training hall.
A week had passed, and Ash was now left with just two more weeks to complete his training.
Today, the setting was different. No punching bags, no gun parts, no running tracks. Instead — a massive indoor pool stretched out in front of them, cold.
This wasn't ordinary swim practice.
This was Drownproofing — a brutal endurance test used in elite training.
The method was simple: hands bound, body thrown into the water, and you're expected to survive.
Ash stood at the edge of the group, doing a few light stretches to prep his muscles.
Then, suddenly—
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
He instinctively turned toward the sound and immediately, his expression darkened.
He wasn't entirely surprised to see that man — the same one he had caught with Mira a week ago.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
Emil's words echoed in his head:
"Only those with high-ranking positions mess around with her."
Of course.
That explained why the man stood there now — near the trainers.
*************
They were told to form ten rows, shoulder to shoulder, each line standing behind the next. The tension in the air was sharp.
The trainers walked up and down the rows, giving strict instructions about the upcoming task. One by one, the trainees' wrists were bound tightly behind their backs.
Ash stood still in his row, then he saw that man coming toward him.
" Ahhh, shit....he noticed me", he thought jaw tightening as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
The man crouched behind Ash without a word. He grabbed Ash's wrists and yanked the rope hard, tightening it cruelly, far beyond what was necessary.
Ash flinched, his teeth gritting as the coarse rope bit into his skin.
Then the man leaned closer, his voice low and venomous:
"Hey, asshole… you'll regret hurting my face."
"You played the hero with the wrong person."
Ash's eyes narrowed. That same mocking, disgusting smirk was still plastered on the man's face. He didn't expect a reply—he wanted fear.
But instead, Ash twisted his shoulder back sharply, bumping the man off balance. Then, he turned fully around locking eye to eye with the man.
The tension cracked between them.
The man didn't speak again. He just tilted his head, gave Ash an evil little wave, and with a smug smile tugging at his bloody lip, he walked off.
*****************
The day had stretched long.
Splash. Gasp. Splash. Gasp.
One by one, trainees' dove into the water—wrists tightly bound, lungs burning, struggling up to the surface. The test was brutal and now, nearing sunset, the water looked darker....colder. Fewer trainees remained. Most had already gone through their rounds. Some shivered on the edge of the pool, wrapped in towels.
Ash had already jumped in once—maybe twice. He'd made it out like the others. Barely. His arms ached from restraint. His eyes kept looking at that man.
He had been circling the edge of the pool, occasionally barking at other trainees.
But now?
Gone.
Ash's brows tightened as he stepped to the side, watching another guy get hoisted out coughing. He hadn't seen him for over an hour. The man just... vanished.
"Maybe it was just an empty threat," Ash thought, wiping a drop of water from his brow with his shoulder.
Evening shadows were creeping along the pool's tiled floor. The water reflected faint amber light from the setting sun, making it hard to see clearly into its depths.
A loud whistle pierced the air.
"Final round! Everyone who hasn't completed their tenth swim—step up!"
Ash exhaled slowly. That was his cue.
He moved forward,his wrists were already tied. He stood at the edge of the pool. He looked left. Looked right.
Still no sign of him.
"Tch... maybe..."
SPLASH.
His thought was interrupted and he was pushed in the water.
****************
Ash hit the water hard—shoulders tense, mind already working. His breaths were calm. Focused.
This wasn't new.
He knew the task: untie himself, surface, breathe. Simple.
As he sank deeper, he twisted his arms, working on the knot biting into his skin. His chest burned slightly, but he ignored it, determined to finish quickly. Then—
SPLASH.
Another one. Someone else had jumped in right after him. Ash flinched but didn't turn. Probably just the next in line. He kept working the ropes. His fingers trembled slightly from the cold, but the knot was loosening.
And then, finally—free.
He kicked slightly, about to swim up to the surface.
But then—a tug.
Something latched onto his ankle.
Ash's eyes widened. His body jerked downward again.
He spun around to see the person face clearly. He didn't recognize the man.
The man gripped Ash tighter and dragged him down, deeper into the water.
Ash panicked for half a second—then kicked out. The first one missed. The second—landed on the man's stomach, sending a burst of bubbles from his mouth.
But the man didn't release him. Instead, he lunged forward, locking his arm around Ash's neck. Ash choked on water. His arms flailed, trying to free himself.
Above the surface, someone said.
"Why is he still down?"
"Wasn't it only 45 seconds?"
Below, Ash grabbed at the man's face—scratching, fingers clawing until he reached the man's ear and pulled. The man snarled in pain and tried to squeeze tighter.
Ash's mind raced. He wasn't getting air. He needed to end this now. With all his strength he drove his fist into the man's nose
The man screamed.
Ash gave another punch on his stomach causing the man to release him. The man floated briefly– then kicked weakly, trying to reach the surface.
Ash swam up first.
*************
SPLASH
Ash's head burst through the surface, gasping. Water trailed down his face, stinging his eyes as he blinked furiously, scanning the pool.
Where is he?
Then—he saw him.
Across the pool, walking out casually, was the man who had held him down—talking with the same man Ash caught with Mira with.
Ash's blood boiled. His breath hitched.
So it was him.
All of this… was because of him.
His vision clouded with red.
He moved. Fast.
Water still dripping from his body, Ash stormed out of the pool, ignoring the looks. The second he reached them—
BAM!
His fist slammed into the man's jaw. The sound echoed across the training hall like a whip. The man staggered backward, blood spurting from his lip.
Everything stopped.
The group of trainees froze.
"What the hell?!" Someone whispered
"Is he crazy?!" Another one
"He just punched a trainer!" Someone from the back said with a low voice "He's done for…"
But Ash didn't stop.
He charged forward again, grabbing the man's collar and dragging him to the floor.
Punch. Punch. Punch.
The other man—the one who had held Ash underwater—slowly stepped back, blending into the crowd.
Ash's punches were wild, brutal, filled with fury. The man below him struggled, shielding his face.
The other trainees rushed to stop him.
"Man! Stop—" One said
"You'll get killed!"
But nothing stopped Ash. Not their hands on his arms. Not the trainees shouting.
He was locked in—until—
CRACK!
One of the trainers seeing the commotion finally appeared and struck the side of Ash's neck, hitting that pressure point – just under his ear and slightly behind the jaw.
CRACK!
Again. Sharper. Harder.
Ash's eyes rolled slightly. His grip loosened.
Everything went black. He slumped forward—body collapsing on top of the man beneath him.
For a moment, silence. When –
" Get back to your positions!" The trainer that hit Ash shouted , cold.
The man—blood staining his teeth and lip—shoved Ash's unconscious body off him with disgust, muttering under his breath as he wiped his mouth.
"Damn bastard."
His smirk returned, twisted and full of spite, as he watched Ash's limp body on the floor.
**************
📝Author'sNote💌
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Quillqueens 💞