The training yard buzzed with noise as students gathered for endurance drills. Wooden weapons clashed, instructors barked orders, and the air smelled of dust and sweat.
Narukaze adjusted the straps of the heavy supply pack strapped to his back.
"New rule," the instructor announced. "Today's exercise is survival simulation. Teams of three. One attacker. One defender. One support."
Narukaze already knew what role he would get.
Support.
Which really meant… luggage.
Students quickly formed groups. He stood awkwardly, waiting to be picked last.
Then a hand tapped his shoulder.
"You can join us."
It was her.
His heart skipped.
Beside her stood a tall boy with an easy smile and confident posture.
"I'm Ren," the boy said casually. "You look like you need a team."
Narukaze blinked. "I— I can carry supplies."
Ren laughed. "Perfect. Every great team needs someone dependable."
Dependable.
No one had ever called him that before.
The drill began.
Their task: navigate a wooded section near the inner edge of the city walls and "eliminate" dummy targets while avoiding instructors acting as roaming threats.
Ren moved confidently ahead, taking point. The girl stayed balanced and alert.
Narukaze followed behind, carrying the extra gear.
When the first dummy target appeared, Ren destroyed it instantly.
Second one? The girl handled it perfectly.
Narukaze reached for his practice weapon—
Too slow.
It was already over.
Zero contribution.
Again.
But this time… instead of feeling crushed, he observed.
Ren always attacked from blind spots.
She positioned herself to control space.
They weren't just stronger.
They were smarter.
Narukaze began memorizing everything.
Movement. Timing. Breathing.
Halfway through the drill, an instructor suddenly dropped in from above, simulating an ambush.
Ren reacted fast—but slipped.
For a split second, their formation broke.
Narukaze saw it.
"Left!" he shouted instinctively.
The girl pivoted instantly, covering the opening.
Ren recovered.
They barely passed.
The instructor smirked. "Good recovery. Especially from the support."
Narukaze froze.
They were looking at him.
Not laughing.
Not mocking.
Acknowledging.
After the drill, Ren clapped him on the back.
"Nice eyes. You're not useless after all."
The girl smiled at him.
"You notice things."
Narukaze looked away quickly, hiding his red face.
Maybe he couldn't fight yet.
Maybe he had zero kills.
But he wasn't nothing.
As the sun dipped behind the city walls, he stared toward the ruined wasteland beyond.
One day, he wouldn't just carry the weight.
He'd control it.