And so the first weeks of training under Thornec passed.
Days blurred into one another. Cold, snow, breath, movement. Pain became routine. Exhaustion a state of being, no longer an exception.
"You're keeping your breathing stable — yes, just like that."
Thornec slowly circled Noen while he stood with his fists raised. Sweat ran down his forehead despite the icy air. His chest rose and fell evenly, controlled.
"Perfect, Noen!"
Thornec grinned broadly.
"Mehahaha!"
Noen threw one more punch — clean, precise — then let his arms drop. He was out of breath, his legs felt heavy, but he stayed standing.
"Good," he murmured, more to himself than to Thornec.
Thornec nodded approvingly, then reached behind his back.
"SURPRISE ATTACK!"
Thornec came flying at him.
Fists clenched. Body tense. Fast.
But Noen reacted instinctively.
No jump. No panicked dodge.
Just a small, precise step to the side.
Thornec struck nothing — lost his balance — and flew straight ahead, landing headfirst in the snow.
Silence.
Then—
"Hahaha!"
Noen laughed out loud.
Thornec moved in the snow, freed his head, and snorted.
"You've gotten good, kid."
He brushed the snow off his jacket.
"Your endurance, your reaction — all sharpened."
Noen straightened up, still grinning.
"Thanks," he said honestly. He was proud of himself. And he knew it.
Thornec crossed his arms.
"I think now is the time for another member to join your training."
He looked at Noen seriously.
"So far, I've only taught you the basics of the basics."
Noen was just about to reply when—
"HEYYY!!!"
A shout from behind.
Both of them turned.
A man came running up the hill. Fast. Unusually fast.
Noen's eyes widened.
"…P-PRESIDENT?!" shouted Thornec, super confused.
He came closer, panting, not even stopping.
"What are you doing here?!"
"Noen!"
The President grabbed Noen's arm.
"Noen! You need to come with me! Fast!"
Noen froze.
"Wait — what?"
"Come. Quickly!"
Without any further explanation, he dragged Noen with him, sprinting back down the mountain.
"PRESIDENT!" Thornec shouted after them.
"SINCE WHEN ARE YOU BACK?!"
"Uh… since… just now!" came the answer, rather vague.
"I thought he would take a good while still..." he murmured.
He was just about to follow when—
"NO!"
The President stopped abruptly, turned around, and shouted back:
"You stay exactly where you are!"
Short pause.
"And… yeah. Doesn't matter. Understood? And.. And dont tell anyone!"
Then they were gone.
Already so far down the mountain that Thornec could no longer see them.
He sighed.
"Well."
He shrugged.
"Orders are orders."
Down below, out of breath, Noen ran beside the President.
"Why… so urgent…?" he gasped.
The President grinned tensely.