They didn't get lunch.
Atrius redirected them halfway down the corridor, a sharp turn into one of the narrow auxiliary halls used for advanced conditioning—stone walls, minimal light, wards etched directly into the floor.
"Inside," he said.
Mira stopped at the threshold. "Let me guess. This is where he almost dies again."
Atrius didn't look at her. "This is where he learns not to."
Coren stepped onto the etched circle. The air inside the warded space felt heavier, like the room itself resisted movement.
Atrius rolled his shoulders once. "Feldren won't test you with a duel first. They'll test endurance. Control under strain. Obedience without submission."
"Contradiction," Mira muttered.
"Doctrine," Atrius corrected. He looked at Coren. "Sit."
Coren did.
Atrius activated the ward.
