Shenhe collapsed onto the grass, her body trembling from exhaustion after yet another punishing day of training with her fellows. With sweat drenching her armor, she gulped down water from her flask, hands shaking as she set it aside. The relentless preparation for the upcoming duels with the other Candidates had left her drained, her heart pounding with desperation to prove herself. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows around her, Shenhe's voice cracked with urgency as she murmured to the fading light.

"Just a bit longer, Christophorus... I need to be stronger, I need to protect you. I won't let anything harm you, I swear it. Please, wait for me, my lord."