"The weak die, the strong survive. A truth you've likely heard more times than you can count… but in this world, it isn't just a saying, it's reality. Etch it into your bones."
Halo was seated before Frey, his arms folded across his chest, eyes fiercely staring into Frey's soul.
Meanwhile, Liam remained by his side, pinching him from time to time, trying to remind him about their training.
But Halo wasn't done, he wanted more. Anything he could know before stepping into the abyssal world.
"I envy you kids more than you know. You've still got time to grow, to train, to dodge the mistakes we old fools walked straight into. Has it been two weeks? Three? …What does it matter? I just wish I could be young again."
Three weeks had passed at the academy, with just one week left until their awakening. While classes continued normally, martial arts and survival training dominated their schedule more than any other subjects.
Halo wasn't one to show off, but if questioned, he could state with certainty that he was stronger now than before. But he wasn't alone in that growth.
He could prepare a handful of cuisines with limited resources too. However, he hadn't stopped seeing Frey.
He wasn't sure what compelled him to seek out Frey before training with Liam, but he found comfort in their conversations.
It provided something positive to anticipate, countering the fear and violence he wasn't certain he could stomach.
Perhaps he simply loved the idea of this nightmare.
"So… a duel tomorrow, is it? Hmph. You've trained hard, I'll give you that. But truth be told, I wish you'd never been dragged into this cursed world." Frey let out a saddened sigh, his eyes dropping to the floor.
"If I'd never been pulled into the Lost World, I might've had a family… children your age, even grandchildren. Now I can only watch you head into the same despair that broke me."
Halo stared at him with an unhinged expression. He knew Frey meant each of his words, but his True Sin, envy, prevented him from staying in character for too long.
It was only a matter of time before Frey began to brag about his achievements.
"I… I'm a Knight, you know. Most people don't even make it past their first purpose, and hardly anyone gathers the Sin Shards to climb ranks. But me? I did. I'm a big deal out there. In the safe lands in Voiceless, they'll recognize me… the ladies too. Just say you're Frey's disciple, and you'll see."
He called it.
Still, Halo occasionally felt pity for him. The same words kept coming out of his mouth, again and again. It seemed like he'd rehearsed this speech so many times he could deliver it on command.
But still, he understood. This was what this world could do. Despite his envious nature, he had a little bit of most sins within him: pride, insecurity, oblivion.
The bald bastard was struggling.
Halo finally rose to his feet and Liam who seldom spoke in their encounters joined him with a smile.
"We need to train. We have duels tomorrow."
Halo said and without a moment's hesitation, began leaving the room alongside Liam.
"If you lose you owe me Sin Shards whenever you awaken."
Frey yelled watching them leave the library.
"Tyson is a street fighter, I need to train more," Liam said with his voice barely audible.
Halo turned toward him and shook his head. Liam's anxiety was preventing him from recognizing his own strength for the upcoming duel, though Halo saw things differently.
But Halo had worries of his own. Not only was Liam facing a tough opponent, but it seemed as though Clever wanted him and Theron to settle their score from what happened during their first encounter with a Sinner.
With Theron as his opponent and the added pressure that all losers would face Toddler Sinners solo, the stakes couldn't be higher.
They walked on the massive square-shaped corridors with the night sky stretching above them while making their way to Halo's room.
***
Halo gripped his wooden sword, his hold tightening on the hilt as he practiced with rapid, rhythmic swings. Each motion flowed steadily into the next.
Next to him, Liam had removed his upper clothing, exposing his muscular physique that put even Halo's build to shame.
He moved through intense shadowboxing routines, eyes narrowed in concentration as if he could see his adversary right in front of him.
While Halo was struggling to find a particular skill to improve, Liam was naturally drawn to one.
Even before they were brought into this world, he had claimed to be a boxing enthusiast.
He'd picked up various techniques over the years, and now he was putting them to good use.
Halo found himself drifting from his focus to sneak a peek at Liam from time to time.
Tyson's street-fighting background made him dangerous, but he had a height disadvantage against Liam, who towered at around 190 centimeters, taller than even Halo, and possessed extraordinary speed.
His strikes cut through the air with sharp whipping sounds, moving too quickly for Raiden's eyes to track.
The way he transitioned between stances so smoothly and precisely showed incredible agility.
He was like something out of a heroic story.
It was without a doubt that Liam could win his duel with Tyson, but this also put Halo on edge. Could he win?
While he'd definitely gotten stronger, he couldn't pinpoint his greatest asset if pressed.
Sword skills? Agility? Raw power? He seemed to have moderate ability in everything.
Since he lacked that self-awareness, Liam had been assigned to study him throughout this training and identify what he truly specialized in.
"What did you say Theron excelled in?" Halo asked and began his sword training.
Liam paused, his fists paused midair. "Uhm… raw power and defense."
Halo smirked.
He had never anticipated this fight. Truthfully, he thought their collaboration against the Toddler Sinner would mark the end of their interactions. But this world had other plans for them.
And he was ready.
This fight transcended revenge and pride. With only a week until their awakening, they'd be thrust back into the Lost World the instant they left the Real World behind.
He needed to know he was truly ready, prepared not just to face monstrosities like Sinners alone, but humans like Theron and his future Nemesis who would come after him.
This had to be worth it. He couldn't confront death, the inevitable, at just seventeen years old.