Page 57 of Gambit
Some of the students who are eager to prove themselves, gather around me, their faces a blend of nerves and excitement.
“Okay, guys. Today, you start a journey that will test your limits. This course isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about heart, grit, and how badly you want it. I won’t ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. We’re all going to hit the gauntlet together.”
Moving over to the side to place my bag down and take off my coat, throwing it on top of my bag as the rest of the students do the same. There are about fifteen and I’m guessing there’s a couple of resilient guys and girls in the group of mostly first-years, ready and eager to move up the ladder.
“Ready?” I call out as we line up, but I don’t wait for an answer. This isn’t playgroup. I’m off like a bolt, scaling the first wall, which is fucking tougher than it looks, but I don’t believe inmaking the beginning easy and then progressively getting more challenging. If anything, I choose the opposite. It weeds out the weak quicker that way. Sweat beads on my forehead and my muscles burn with exertion, but I push through. Every grunt and pant is mirrored by the students behind me, all struggling to keep pace.
“Come on,” I encourage, glancing back to see them falter and fight. “You can do it!”
The course is relentless, designed to break those who are not worthy of the life they’re born into. But as I make each leap and hoist myself over each barrier, I feel alive, powerful, and invincible.
“Eliza, wait up!” Raph’s laugh reaches me as he gains ground, his athletic form moving with ease. The others aren’t far behind, each driven by the challenge, by the need to impress, to prove themselves to me, to each other and most importantly, to themselves.
“Nope,” I shoot back, breathless with the thrill of competition, the raw edge of our existence here at Castle University.
When the last hurdle falls behind us, and we’re panting, covered in dirt and victory, I turn to face some of them, a wicked smile playing on my lips.
“Welcome to my world,” I say, eyes blazing. “You’re going to rule it one day, but only if you can survive me first.”
“Will we get a second chance?” a scrawny guy asks after practically falling over the final low-level wall to join the group.
“You will get as many chances as you want to do better. This isn’t a fail once and you’re out deal. Not anymore. If you want it bad enough, you will practise, and you will achieve it. Just know that this course will change every so often, so don’t expect to memorise it and pass.”
“Fuuck,” he wheezes. “You’re going to kill us, aren’t you?”
“No. I’m going to make you.”
There’s a ripple of agreement, and then I clap my dirty, scraped hands.
“Alright, that was test number one. Now we do brains over brawn,” I announce to the group gathered around me, their eyes sharp and ready for the next twist. Physical exertion is one thing, but Castle University’s legacy won’t be carried by muscle alone. “You’ve got ten minutes to solve this.” I tap the stack of papers on the table close by before stepping back, arms crossed, and watching them.
The students dive in, brows furrowing and pens scratching as they work through complex logic problems, codes, and strategic scenarios. I stand off to the side, my presence a silent pressure that spurs them on.
“Time,” Raphael calls out, his voice steady like the ticking of a clock that’s run down. Papers drop, and there’s a collective exhale.
“Pair up, discuss your solutions,” I call out.
They shuffle into duos, animated conversations breaking out as they compare and defend their answers. Critiques are given without malice, advice taken without ego—a dance of intellect under my watchful eye.
“Raise your hand if you cracked the final code,” I call to the room, and a few hands shoot up—impressive, but not enough. I turn to Raphael, nodding towards those who didn’t. “Set up a rematch for them. Winner takes all, but everyone learns something.”
“Got it,” he replies, already moving to organise the group.
“Remember, it’s not about being the best in the room,” I say, sweeping my gaze over them. “It’s about pulling each other up to stand on the shoulders of giants. Push harder.”
They nod, determination set in their young faces, and I can see the seeds of greatness starting to sprout. Watching potential unfurl is a heady feeling.
“Raph, make sure they understand the real-world applications,” I instruct, knowing his tactical mind will bridge the gap between theory and practice anyway, but that is more for them than him. He nods, already launching into an explanation that has everyone leaning in.
“And what about you? You’ve been pushing us hard. What pushes you?” a girl asks, slim, blonde and looking too much like Imogen to not be related.
I meet her gaze, feeling the weight of my family’s legacy, the expectations, and my own relentless drive. “Survival. Success. The thrill of the game.” I pause, a slow smile spreading across my face. “And making sure I’m always one step ahead of you.”
“Can you teach us that?” she asks earnestly.
“It’s something you have to find inside yourself, I’m afraid. I can test your limits, but your mettle is up to you at the end of the day.”
She nods, taking that in and turns her focus back to Raph.
