Chapter 3:The First Challenge

The next morning, Mateo woke me earlier than usual. My body protested, stiff and sore from yesterday’s exercises, but I couldn’t complain. Not when I knew today would be different.

“Today, you’ll learn how to fight,” Mateo said, his calm tone hiding the intensity in his eyes. “Not just with your fists, but with your mind. Fighting isn’t just strength—it’s awareness, timing, and control.”

He led me to a small training yard, empty except for a few worn mats and a wooden dummy. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting long shadows across the ground. I shivered, partly from the chill, partly from anticipation.

“Start with the basics,” Mateo instructed. “Blocks, strikes, movement. Keep your eyes on me, always.”

I followed his movements, trying to mimic him exactly. Every punch, every step felt awkward. My body was stiff, my hands still sore from the cutter incident. But Mateo’s gaze never wavered.

“Don’t just move your body,” he said after a moment. “Move your mind too. Predict. Feel. React.”

Hours passed in a blur of motion. Sweat poured down my face, my arms ached, my legs trembled. But gradually, something clicked. I wasn’t just copying Mateo anymore—I was anticipating him, predicting his next move, feeling the rhythm of the fight.

Finally, he stopped and gestured for me to kneel. My chest heaved as I gasped for air.

“Good,” he said simply. “You’re starting to understand. But this is only the beginning. There’s more you need to know before the real challenges.”

He handed me a small piece of paper with strange symbols. “Memorize these. They’re codes. You’ll need them to pass the exams.”

I frowned. Codes? “Exams?”

Mateo nodded. “Yes. But not ordinary exams. These will test your mind, your body, and your will. And failing is not an option.”

I swallowed hard, feeling a knot of fear in my stomach. But underneath it, a spark of determination burned. I had survived the finger incident, I had learned to focus, and now I would learn to fight.

Mateo gave me one last instruction before leaving the yard. “Practice until your body moves before your mind even thinks. That is when you’ll truly be ready.”

Alone, I traced the symbols again and again, repeating them until they burned into my memory. I didn’t notice the sun setting, the shadows stretching long across the mats. I only knew one thing: I couldn’t stop.

Not if I wanted to survive. Not if I wanted to succeed. Not if I wanted to make Mateo proud.