They watched as Derek made attempt after attempt, improving every single time with terrifying consistency.
The instructor gave him another pill.
"Alright, one last run for today. Let's see how far you can go."
Derek nodded. He felt mentally exhausted, but physically, he was fully restored. He tightened the bells, tightened the blindfold, and stepped up.
"Ready?" the instructor asked.
"Yes."
"Go!"
Derek exploded forward. This time, everything felt clear. Every sound, every vibration in the air, every shift in temperature.... he sensed them before the traps activated.
A log swung.
He brushed past it without a scratch.
Knives shot up.
He danced between them effortlessly.
Whip-like vines attacked.
He slipped past them as if he could see.
Spike tiles erupted.
He leapt over them flawlessly.
He dodged everything.
Almost everything...
The bells rang only twice.
Once, a dart barely grazed his sleeve.
Another time, a rock scraped his ankle.
But aside from that…
