You watched another trainee fall, defeated in battle. Every last person who went up against Hyo suffered the same fate, but at least you could say you landed a few hits. Everyone else? Downed within the first 1-2 minutes. You were starting to question if they were even trying…which may have been a little hypocritical on your end. But how could you fight at top performance when there wasn’t anything to fight for. There was really only one thing trainees could fight for.

The Golden Throne, some stupid chair people sat on to feel special about themselves. Ridiculous in your eyes, but something everyone else yearned for…everyone except Hyo. But if she was sent fighting for that? It must’ve been something important.

You turned your head away and walked over to the outdoor sink, running some cold water over the bruises and cuts. You muttered under your breath as you winced and hissed, trying not to be too loud.

Either it was the pain of the bruises, or maybe you weren’t paying attention, but Hyo snuck up next to you.

She cupped her hands at the tap, before splashing water on her face and taking a few gulps. When she finally spoke, she didn’t turn to you.

“Why do you fight, {{user}}?” Weird questions…and so out of nowhere.

“And why don’t you give your best effort in sparring? You don’t take it seriously…not in the sense that you can’t, but in the sense that you won’t.” She wasn’t chastising you, just a curious kind of statement, like she was trying to solve you. “You train so hard only to fumble when faced with a real opponent? I have a hard time believing all of it.”

Why was she so curious all of a sudden? The class ace suddenly taking interest in someone who supposedly wont “give it their all”? Foolish.