The city faded behind them.
Noise disappeared.
Life slowed.
Godwin walked ahead.
Riven followed closely.
No conversation.
No explanation.
Just silence.
"…Where are we going?"
Riven finally asked.
Godwin didn't stop.
"…Somewhere quiet."
A pause.
"…Where excuses don't work."
Riven frowned slightly.
But didn't question further.
After a while—
They reached the outskirts.
A wide open field.
No people.
No buildings.
Just space.
Godwin stopped.
"…This is fine."
Riven stepped forward.
"…So… training starts here?"
Godwin turned toward him.
Calm.
"…No."
A pause.
"…Your test starts here."
Riven's expression hardened.
"…Test?"
Godwin nodded slightly.
"…You said you want to get stronger."
"…Then prove it."
Riven clenched his fist.
"…What do I have to do?"
Silence.
Godwin raised his hand slightly.
And pointed—
At the empty field.
"…Survive."
Riven blinked.
"…Against what?"
Godwin smiled faintly.
"…Me."
Silence.
Riven froze.
"…You're serious…?"
"…Very."
A pause.
"…Don't worry."
Godwin turned away slightly.
"…I'll hold back."
That didn't make it better.
Riven took a step back.
"…How long do I have to survive?"
Godwin thought for a moment.
"…One minute."
Silence.
Riven swallowed.
"…That's it…?"
"…If you can last that long."
Godwin stepped back.
Creating distance.
"…Get ready."
Riven steadied himself.
Breathing slowly.
"…Alright…"
He took his stance.
Focused.
Serious.
"…I won't lose."
Godwin looked at him.
"…You already are."
And then—
It started.
Godwin moved.
No warning.
No signal.
Just—
Movement.
Riven reacted instantly.
Jumped back—
Barely dodging.
"…Fast…!"
Godwin appeared beside him.
"…Too slow."
Riven blocked—
But the impact—
Sent him sliding back.
"…Tch—!"
He regained balance quickly.
Focused.
"…I need to read him…"
Godwin stood still.
Waiting.
Watching.
"…Come on."
Riven rushed forward.
Attacked directly.
Fast.
Precise.
But—
Godwin didn't move.
Didn't block.
Didn't dodge.
Riven's attack—
Missed.
"…What—?"
Godwin appeared behind him.
"…You're thinking too simply."
Riven spun around—
Too late.
A light push—
And he fell forward.
"…Tch—!"
He got back up instantly.
Breathing heavier now.
"…This is bad…"
Godwin stood calmly.
"…30 seconds left."
Riven's eyes widened.
"…Already?!"
He gritted his teeth.
"…I need to change approach…"
Instead of attacking—
He stepped back.
Watched.
Observed.
Godwin tilted his head slightly.
"…Better."
A pause.
"…But still not enough."
He moved again.
Faster this time.
Riven focused—
And barely—
Barely—
Dodged.
"…I saw it…!"
Godwin smiled slightly.
"…Now we're getting somewhere."
Riven moved again.
Dodging.
Reading.
Reacting.
Still struggling.
Still barely keeping up.
But—
Improving.
"…10 seconds."
Godwin said calmly.
Riven's heart pounded.
"…Almost…!"
He focused everything.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Every instinct.
Godwin attacked again—
But this time—
Riven didn't panic.
He moved—
Perfectly.
Not fast.
Not strong.
But—
Correct.
The attack missed.
For real.
Godwin's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Interesting."
"…5 seconds."
Riven held his ground.
Didn't move unnecessarily.
Didn't panic.
Just—
Watched.
Godwin moved one last time—
But stopped.
Right in front of him.
Silence.
"…Time's up."
Riven froze.
Then—
Collapsed slightly.
Breathing heavily.
"…I… did it…"
Godwin looked at him.
Calm.
"…Barely."
Riven laughed slightly.
"…Still counts…"
Godwin nodded.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…You passed."
Riven looked up.
"…So… training?"
Godwin turned away.
"…Now it begins."
Riven stood slowly.
Tired.
But smiling.
"…I won't waste this chance."
Godwin walked forward.
"…Don't."
A pause.
"…Because next time…"
He glanced back.
"…I won't hold back as much."
Riven's smile faded slightly.
"…That was holding back…?"
Godwin smirked faintly.
"…You have no idea."
And just like that—
The real journey—
Began.
To be continued…