As the morning sun slowly touched the wide training field of the camp, the children lined up. Darius looked around with a mix of tension and curiosity. Each of them came from a different background — some were children of warrior families, while others had grown up on the streets.
Instructor Alrik's voice echoed across the field:
> Alrik: "Here, strength is gained through discipline, not anger. Support one another and stand as one body before your enemies. Remember, mistakes teach you, but acting hastily makes you weak."
Darius took a deep breath and walked toward Lyven, who greeted him with a cheerful wave.
> Lyven: "Hey, kid! You ready? I've got your back, but you'll need to show your own strength too."
Darius: (softly) "I'm not afraid… I just want to do my best."
Lyven: (smiling) "Good. Sometimes courage alone is enough."
When the groups were formed, Darius and Lyven found themselves facing Seris and Syris. Seris's sharp gaze and Syris's quiet, alert stance immediately caught Darius's attention.
> Seris: "Kid, we're going to push you hard. Be ready."
Darius: "I'm ready. But don't forget — I won't just stand still."
As the spar began, Darius's agility and reflexes — honed by life on the streets — came to the forefront. Moving alongside Lyven, he focused on both attacking and protecting his partner. He dodged Seris's quick strikes, sensed Syris's silent approach, and pulled Lyven out of harm's way just in time.
> Lyven: (in awe) "Whoa! Didn't expect you to be that fast."
Darius: (smiling slightly) "The streets taught me a few things. But here… I'm learning even more."
Throughout the lesson, other students sparred as well. The duo of Kiora and Gorath stood out with their fast and powerful movements, while Tavric and Ralen impressed with their coordination and tactics. Darius was testing his own skills while learning by watching others.
> Kiora: "Kid, your movements are unusual. If you refine them, you could become really effective."
Darius: "Thank you. I'll learn a lot here."
When the training ended, Alrik gathered everyone together.
> Alrik: "You all worked well today. Darius, you learned to survive on the streets — but here, you'll learn to live and to cooperate. Every move should have purpose. Remember, combine your strength with your heart, not just your body."
Darius: (quietly) "I understand… I'll try."
That evening, the children sat around the campfire, laughing and shaking off the day's fatigue. Darius stared into the flames, lost in thought:
"Maybe I don't have to be alone anymore. Maybe this… could be a real home. There's still so much I can learn here, so much stronger I can become… and maybe, one day, I'll forget my loneliness."
That night, for the first time, Darius felt warmth instead of the harshness of the streets. His new friends and the order of the camp had become a second home to him. As the first day came to an end, he drifted into a sleep filled with trust and curiosity — eagerly waiting for tomorrow.