"This is not normal training," Helena continued, pacing in front of us like a drill sergeant. "Normal training makes you better. This training breaks you completely. Then rebuilds you stronger, step by step." She stopped, meeting each person's eyes. "Some of you won't make it through. Some of you will get seriously injured. One or two of you might die."
A few people shifted nervously.
"If that scares you, leave now with no judgment. This isn't for everyone."
No one moved.
"Good. Then let's begin with a simple test." She gestured to the training dummies at the far end of the field. They are standard practice targets. "Destroy one. Use whatever method you want. You have ten seconds."
"That's it?" someone muttered.
"Go."
We charged. Twenty people of various combat styles, all targeting the dummies.
I hit mine with a shadow-enhanced sword strike. The dummy's enchanted shell absorbed the impact, glowing briefly but remaining intact.
