I crouched under a fallen beam, skidded across moss-slick stones, and slid down the slope of a half-collapsed wall — all without losing momentum.
I felt the electric touch of Essence in my limbs, enhancing my physical prowess and filling me with an addictive rush of overwhelming power.
Behind me, distant shouts echoed through the ruins.
Somewhere in the dark, Reiner was probably frothing at the mouth. Liora would be organizing a mutiny. Erwin would be polishing his rifle even faster. And Veyna—
Well. Veyna was probably already drafting my obituary.
The thing is, their plan was good. I agree.
But I had a better plan.
Instead of hiding and avoiding the fights, I was going to speedrun this test and demolish anyone who'd dare to stop me — Spirit Beast or fellow Cadet, it didn't matter.
I vaulted over a rusted gate, dropped low behind a withered column, and pressed my back to the stone.
A soft growl rumbled just ahead.
