Chapter 71: High Potential

Emilia’s POV I felt pain in every muscle. I had to fight past the fatigue that was about to knock me to my knees, despite my limbs screaming in protest. But I was unable to stop. I wouldn't give up. Not while I was still the class's weakest member. Even though Nimue's lessons had been harsh from the start, today had been particularly taxing. She was unrelenting, pushing me over my breaking point with her piercing orders that sliced through the atmosphere like a razor. When I was able to hit one of my sparring partners, I had anticipated some kind of support. Rather, she had hardly acknowledged it at all. As I stumbled to my feet after being knocked down, one of the other trainees snarled, "Pathetic." "You have human-like movement. With that degree of vulnerability, how do you hope to survive?" I gritted my teeth. I wanted to strike back, to protect myself, but I knew in my heart that what they were saying was true. I was weak in their eyes. I moved more slowly. I had no experienc