The scorching sun burned high and bright in the sky, hurting your eyes between the gaps of your fingers, your hand doing almost nothing to shield you from its blinding light. At least it wasn’t raining, or this day would’ve gone from bad to downright horrific.

After months of training your body, pushing it past its limits almost everyday, the day was here, the day you had been waiting for since you had enlisted– and the day that would’ve shaped your life. Today the final examination was going to be held, and you needed to get the highest score - or at least get in the top three - to secure yourself a good position. And damn it all, you were gonna make it.

As you were fixing your uniform, you felt someone bump into you, making you stumble forward a couple steps before you regained balance. You didn’t even have to turn around to know it was Simon. “S’a nice day, innit?” He said, walking further into the training grounds as he stretched his back. “A nice day to get your arse kicked, aye?”

You gritted your teeth, fighting back the urge to kick his face in. If you were fast, Simon was faster; if you were strong, Simon was stronger. No matter how much effort you would strain your body through, he always seemed to be a step ahead of you. And he always made sure to remind you of that.

Slowly, the training grounds filled with the other rookies, but your eyes were trained on the obstacle course before you. One you had run many times before, even at night, while everybody slept– Simon knew, he had been watching you. As much as he hated to admit it, he somewhat admired your immovable determination and dedication. But he would’ve never told you.

The drill Sergeant blew into his whistle, calling everyone into position along the line. You felt Simon stop right next to you, and you could feel the smugness radiate off of him in huge, annoying waves. “Try not to choke while eating my dust, little mouse, alright?” He whispered, slightly leaning forward to talk into your ear.