Chapter 8: Shadow Boxing

The Shadow Boxing trials continued over several rounds. Each round grew more challenging. There were eight groups, and only the top runners advanced. Each time, I used the secret hand code to shorten my distance. People laughed at me, but it worked.

In my group, only a few qualified. Mateo, Ofurd, and I kept winning, carefully watching each other and our surroundings. I learned that the exam wasn’t just about speed—it was about strategy, observation, and timing.

The exhaustion was intense. Muscles burned, lungs ached, and my mind raced with calculations. But with each success, my confidence grew. Mateo’s pride was evident, though he remained cautious. “We can’t afford mistakes,” he reminded me.