I woke up with a start, my body still tense from the chaos of the previous day. The events replayed in my mind: the chase through the slums, the desperate fight, and the green mark on the kid's neck. I knew I had grown stronger since coming to the Exiled Lands, but it was clear I needed to push myself even further. If I had to defend myself against those thugs in the slums while protecting the kid, I wouldn't have stood a chance. I glanced around the room, noticing Eldran was nowhere to be seen. Where could he be?

A rustling noise drew my attention, and I saw the kid stirring on the bed. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked around, disoriented.

"Oh, you woke up. Are you feeling any better now?" I asked, leaning in with concern.

He blinked a few times, then nodded slowly. "I... I'm not feeling that pain anymore," he said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and confusion.

Curiosity burned in me. "How did you get it, the mark I mean?" I asked.

The kid's face darkened. "I used to live with my brother," he began, his voice trembling. "A scary man and his large group in hoods with weird symbols engraved in their neck, kidnapped me and other kids from the slums. They beat my brother when he tried to protect me, but only took me. They made us go through some horrible experiences. Most of the others... didn't survive. Lots of kids died there..." His voice quivered, the memories clearly tormenting him.

A chill ran down my spine. "How did you run away?" I pressed, eager to understand more.

"It was a young warrior lady who saved me and a bunch of other kids. She fought them off and managed to pushed them, but they found us again. All the other kids were... 'silenced', i was the only one who got away.." he said, his voice breaking at the last word.

"A young woman? A guy running crazy, horrible experiences... Is he the one Eldran spoke about?" I murmured to myself, trying to piece it together.

Realizing I was getting lost in thought, I changed the subject. "I don't know your name yet. I'm Su. And you?"

The kid gave a small, shy smile. "I'm Mervan," he replied. Mervan had tousled brown hair and wide, fearful eyes that spoke of too much hardship for someone so young. His clothes were ragged, hanging off his thin frame, and his face was smudged with dirt.

"Nice to meet you, Mervan," I said, trying to offer some warmth. "Let's get some breakfast."

We headed out of the room, my mind still swirling with questions and worries. As we walked through the bustling streets, I couldn't help but notice Mervan's cautious glances at every corner. We found a small stall selling bread and fruit, and I bought us both a modest meal.

As we ate, I glanced at my worn-out clothes and remembered the task Eldran had given me. "I completely forgot about the armor and clothes," I muttered. "Come on, Mervan, let's go to the market."

Navigating the marketplace felt different with Mervan by my side. I felt a sense of responsibility for him, an urge to protect him from the harshness of this world. We found a vendor selling clothes and bought some cheap but sturdy garments for Mervan and me. Then, I managed to find some basic armor: a chest piece and forearm guards that looked like they could withstand a few hits. Seeing Mervan in the new clothes, I couldn't help but think of Hana and the twins, and how I needed to grow stronger an return for their sake.

As we made our way back to the inn, I felt a mixture of anxiety and determination. I needed to be prepared for whatever was coming. When we returned to our room, Eldran was there, waiting for us.

"Eldran," I called out, my voice filled with a blend of relief and urgency.

Eldran turned to face me, his right hand, the one affected with mana corruption, covered in bandages and his left hand blood stained adorned with multiple amulets bearing strange symbols. He saw me notice the amulets and quickly tried to cover them.

"Eldran, your arm... is it okay?" I asked, worry evident in my voice.

"We have more pressing matters to tend to," Eldran replied, his tone grave. "Follow me."

Without further explanation, Eldran led the way outside the inn, and I motioned for Mervan to follow. We exited the city and ventured into the vast desert. The oppressive heat and endless dunes made the journey arduous, but Eldran's pace was relentless. We walked for what felt like hours until the city of Mehmoura was a distant speck on the horizon. Finally, we stopped in a desolate spot, the air heavy with silence.

"I see that you bought amor like i asked, good, now take it out," Eldran commanded.

I hesitated, confusion etching my features. "Why?" I asked, my curiosity and caution mixing in my voice.

"Just do it," Eldran instructed tersely.

I complied, retrieving the pieces of armor I had just bought. Eldran handed me several plates made of dark metal, each engraved with symbols resembling the runes he summons when using Sutra.

"Stuff these in your clothes," he instructed.

I did as told, the plates fitting snugly against my body. Eldran then spoke in an unfathomable tongue, "rusha...yla." As soon as the words left his mouth, the plates grew heavier, like boulders weighing me down. Each step felt like a monumental effort.

"Plans have changed," Eldran said, his eyes piercing into mine. "We need to make you stronger for what comes. You must win the tournament, no matter what."

I struggled to move, the weight of the plates nearly immobilizing me. "It's not possible to train with these plates," I protested. "I can barely walk, let alone fight."

Eldran's expression hardened. With a powerful motion, his muscles contracted and delivered an explosive punch. The impact felt like being hit by a battering ram, and I was launched into the air. When I crashed to the ground, pain radiated through my body, every nerve ending aflame.

"Su!" Mervan screamed, rushing toward me.

"Stay back!" Eldran ordered. "Listen carefully, brat. We have a month until the tournament. As you are now, you won't survive the first rounds. You have no mana, no aura. So, for the next month, you and I will spar non-stop."

I struggled to my feet, the weight of the plates pressing down on me. "Spar? Like this? How can I possibly—"

Eldran interrupted, his voice stern. "To win, you must land one blow on me. I will give you a handicap and only use my left arm and the techniques I've taught you. This is your only chance. Embrace the pain, push past your limits, or you won't make it."

Mervan looked at me, his eyes wide with fear and worry. I gave him a reassuring nod, though I wasn't sure how much reassurance I could offer.

Eldran took his stance, his eyes cold and focused. "Let us begin, don't die on me kid,"

With every fiber of my being, I launched myself at him, each movement a battle against the crushing weight. Eldran's expression remained unchanged, his movements fluid, precise and explosive. This was going to be the hardest month of my life, but if I wanted to survive Mehmoura's tournament, I had no choice but to endure and become stronger.