Ethan walked through the academy's training grounds, his body still aching from the previous battle. His muscles protested every movement, but pain had long since become a companion rather than an enemy. Every wound, every scar, was a lesson learned. He had fought against Selene Aldridge, an A-Rank Awakener, and while he had lost, he had gained something far more valuable—recognition.
The murmurs of students still followed him. Some watched with curiosity, others with ridicule. The F-Rank Awakener with no mana had stood toe-to-toe with an A-Rank. That fact alone was enough to shake the academy's hierarchy.
But Ethan didn't care for recognition. He cared for growth.
A New Challenge
The next day, Ethan stood in front of a massive stone pillar at the academy's central training ground. Carved into its surface were names—the names of those who had passed the Endurance Trial. A brutal test that measured how long an Awakener could withstand relentless attacks from an automated guardian.
Few names were listed under F-Rank. None of them had endured past five minutes.
Ethan clenched his fists. Time to change that.
As he stepped onto the trial platform, an instructor raised an eyebrow. "Ethan Cross? You're taking the Endurance Trial?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes."
The instructor hesitated before sighing. "Very well. The trial begins now."
A loud clang echoed as the guardian activated. A towering metallic construct emerged from the center of the platform, glowing red eyes locked onto Ethan. Then, it charged.
Ethan barely had time to react as a massive fist came crashing toward him. He sidestepped, but the shockwave sent him stumbling. The next attack came faster—a sweeping kick that nearly took his legs out from under him. Ethan gritted his teeth, activating Iron Stride, planting his feet firmly into the ground.
The guardian's fist connected with his forearm. Pain flared, but Bloodforged Tenacity kicked in, strengthening him slightly as blood trickled from a fresh wound.
The trial had just begun.
Pushing Beyond Limits
Minutes passed, each second an eternity. Ethan had lost count of how many times he had been hit, how many times he had been knocked down.
But he always got back up.
The onlookers, initially amused, were now silent. Five minutes had passed. Ethan had already matched the longest F-Rank endurance time.
But he wasn't stopping.
The guardian's attacks intensified. Ethan's body screamed for relief, but his mind was unwavering. Every second he survived was another step toward his goal.
Six minutes.
Seven.
The world blurred as he pushed forward, dodging where he could, absorbing hits where he must. Bloodforged Tenacity had begun adapting—his bleeding wounds didn't weaken him as much anymore. Iron Stride allowed him to withstand impacts that should have shattered bones.
Eight minutes.
The students watching had stopped whispering. Now they only stared.
Nine minutes.
Ethan's vision swam. The guardian raised its massive fist for one final, crushing blow.
Move.
His body refused. He was at his limit.
The fist came down.
A sharp pain exploded through his ribs, but something else accompanied it—a system notification.
New Passive Ability Acquired!"Enduring Will" - The more damage sustained over time, the higher pain resistance and focus becomes. Increases survivability in prolonged battles.
A grin spread across Ethan's bloodied face.
Ten minutes.
The guardian halted, its red eyes dimming as the instructor stepped forward, eyes wide with disbelief. "Trial completed."
Silence. Then murmurs. Then full-blown shouting as students realized what had just happened.
Ethan Cross had shattered the record.
Aftermath and Resolve
Ethan sat on the infirmary bed, bandages wrapped around his torso. Every inch of him ached, but the pain was dulled—Enduring Will was already proving its worth.
A familiar voice spoke. "You're insane."
Ethan looked up to see Selene leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. There was no mockery in her gaze. Only intrigue. "You fight like a man possessed."
Ethan exhaled. "I just don't like losing."
Selene chuckled. "You should learn when to rest."
He shook his head. "Resting is for later. Right now, I need to get stronger."
Selene studied him for a moment before sighing. "Try not to kill yourself before our rematch."
She left, but Ethan barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere—on the system screen before him.
Passive Ability: Never Give Up (Progress: ???) Passive Ability: Iron Stride (Progress: 40%) Passive Ability: Bloodforged Tenacity (Progress: 15%) Passive Ability: Enduring Will (Progress: 5%)
A low chuckle escaped him. He was getting there. Slowly but surely.
And he wasn't stopping now.