Chapter 14. Assessment

Sage stood at the edge of the training grounds, her sharp eyes fixed on the unfolding scene before her. She observed the events with keen perception and analytical acuity. Len, had been a puzzle to her from the start. Initially, Sage had dismissed the young recruit as weak, but yesterday's training session had shattered that assumption. Len had displayed impressive skills, outmatching even Sage herself in the grueling drills. The doubt that once clouded Sage's mind dissipated, replaced by a begrudging respect for the boy's abilities.

Yet, as she watched Len collapse, her suspicions returned with a vengeance. "Pathetic," Sage muttered under her breath, her emotions at odds with the concern that flickered in her eyes. "What's wrong with him?"

Hermes, the seasoned trainer who had been overseeing the session, rushed to Len's side, his worry evident in his furrowed brow and frantic movements. Sage observed the interaction closely, her mind racing to find an explanation for the boy's sudden