Leila stood in the the training facility’s shadows, her gaze fixed on Team 0 as they underwent another rigorous session under Leonid's watchful eye. Hidden from view, she used her shadow manipulation to blend seamlessly with the dimly lit corner of the room. Her eyes reflected a fiery mix of pride and concern while she followed each of her students as they pushed themselves to their limits.

She felt a twinge of guilt seeing their struggle, their faces etched with determination and exhaustion. Yet deep down, she knew this was necessary. The world was unforgiving, and only the strongest survived. This training, harsh as it was, would forge them into capable, resilient fighters. She knew the pain they endured now would spare them greater suffering in the future.

They are already on the right path. Considering all they went through, they should achieve a rank-up equal to the first generation's. But if I can give them just a little more, they might become truly spectacular. The Last Five levels are important, and there is no better place to do them properly.

As she was lost in her musings, a man appeared at her side, startling her. She managed to keep her composure and do nothing save raising an eyebrow, but from the sly grin he wore, she knew he knew he had gotten her.

Many would have foolishly dismissed this old man as a totally harmless one. An unkempt beard, a straw hat, and weather-beaten skin, alongside simple, dirty clothes that gave the impression of an ancient farmer enjoying his remaining days before his body betrayed him.

But Leila knew better.

His presence at this facility had been a surprise for her, which had made her almost call off the whole thing, but she trusted Leonid enough to give him the benefit of the doubt, and when he signaled for her to stand down, she acquiesced.

Later, he had assured her the old monster was here for entirely unrelated reasons and that he would explain himself to her in his time.

It seems like that time has finally come. Now, what is it that the Silent Guardian is doing here?

Despite his little prank, she still respected him enough to greet him first. This man was one of the reasons the United States had not collapsed in complete anarchy after the Apocalypse, after all. He could be excused for his eccentricities.

"Guardian, what do I owe the pleasure to?"

"Madam Walker." He answered, tipping his hat. "The pleasure is all mine. Seeing the new generation grow stronger so quickly eases many of my worries. I'll leave the world in good hands when I finally go."

Knowing that the man had an almost ritualistic habit of referencing his own impending death, Leila didn't show any reaction. It will be a cold day in hell before you die. You'll probably bury us all.

Still, Leila's lips curved into a small smile at the compliment. "They have potential. But potential alone isn't enough."

The Guardian nodded, his gaze still on the team. "True strength lies not in brute force but wisdom and restraint. Power without control is a dangerous thing."

Leila regarded him thoughtfully. "And yet, the world often rewards the opposite. The System only that."

The Guardian's expression darkened slightly. "It does. But that's a short-sighted view. True power, the kind that endures, is about more than just physical strength. It is necessary, as wisdom without power is destined to crumble under the slightest external pressure, but it's not the most important thing." He sighed, rubbing his beard with a weathered hand. "The world is full of strong people. There is always someone ready to take up arms for any given cause. The mind to turn that determination to do good is much rarer."

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Leila nodded, absorbing his words. "It's a fine balance, isn't it? Power wielded without wisdom is destructive, but wisdom without the means to act is impotent."

The Guardian gazed towards the training grounds, where the young Awakeners continued their grueling exercises. "The ancient philosophers debated this. Plato envisioned a society ruled by philosopher-kings, where wisdom and power were one. But even his ideal city remained a utopia. It's a difficult balance to strike."

Leila's eyes narrowed in contemplation. "And yet, it's a balance we must strive for. Especially now, in a world where Awakeners wield such immense power. We can't just ignore people whose mere will can shape landscapes in an instant."

The Guardian turned to her, a depth of experience in his eyes. "Yes, and that's why we must teach that power begets a great responsibility to the new generation. We must guide these young ones to understand not just the extent of their abilities but the consequences of their use."

With a hum of agreement, Leila turned to face the old man entirely. He smiled, offering his arm for her to take, and after a moment of hesitation, she did so.

Silently, they walked through the training facility's halls. They passed by dozens of people, but none showed a reaction.

Leila could have easily gone through the building herself, using her skills, but she couldn't have stood three inches before someone without them suspecting anything wrong.

The display of power initially seemed against what the old man had just argued for, but then Leila remembered that the Guardian was known for misliking attention, having refused important positions several times, likely due to his belief that power shouldn't be just concentrated in the hands of Awakeners.

Finally, they stopped once they reached the outdoors. In the distance, cows roamed happily, frolicking and eating grass without a care in the world.

"Why are you here?" Leila asked after the silence had stretched for a few minutes and the old man appeared perfectly content observing nature for the rest of the day.

As he turned to face her, a hint of sorrow flickered in his eyes. "I've been assigned here. It's a sort of punishment, if you will. I refused to join the operation in Kashmir."

Leila raised an eyebrow. "A bold choice."

He shrugged, a slight movement that conveyed a world of meaning. "I've seen too much bloodshed in my time. I no longer see the value in senseless conflict. My remaining time is better served protecting the weak than hunting down a few idiots on the other side of the world."

It seemed to Leila that the Silent Guardian shared some of her concerns with the operation, but she hesitated to bring it up. She didn't see why he would try to verbally trap her when she was already at his mercy. Still, she had been secretive about her investigation for too long to just spill everything the first time someone appeared to agree with her.

If it was just that the Guilds were taking advantage of the power vacuum, it would be business as usual. But there is something more here. Too many tassels don't fit. I'm still not seeing the whole picture, but I know that what they allow me to know is wrong.

The Guardian's gaze followed the peaceful cows, a far cry from the chaotic world they lived in. "This posting." He continued. "Is a way to get me out of the way. I accepted it over going against my principles in Kashmir. Moreover, there are things unfolding in D.C. that I cannot ignore. Things that, if I were present, would force me to act... possibly against our own government. I prefer this exile to becoming a traitor."

Leila considered his words, the gravity of his decision resonating with her own internal conflicts. "Do you ever regret the path you've chosen? Are you also afraid that one day you might have to make a decision that goes against everything you've stood for?"

The Guardian's eyes held a deep sadness that shocked her. "Every day. I'm a coward, girl. It's why I'm here. I should have done something about what's going on, but there is no mechanism for someone external to the power structure like me to bring change, and it would take too long to do so through the system. My only choices were seizing power directly or coming here."

"And you came here. Were you afraid of what you'd have to do?"

The old man shook his head. "The question is." He mused. "Can we wield power without being consumed by it? Can we remain true to our ideals in the face of adversity?"

Leila's response came after a couple of minutes of silence. "I believe we can, but it requires constant vigilance over our motivations and actions. Power is seductive, and even the most well-intentioned of us can be led astray."

Will I have to face the same choice he did if I continue on this path? Do I even know what I'll choose? Well, I should probably make sure I'm strong enough to survive my choice when I get there first.

The Guardian's voice brought her back to the present. "We walk a tightrope, young Leila. On one side, there's the abyss of tyranny, and on the other, the chasm of chaos. Our choices will never be perfect, but as long as they are better than the alternative, it's imperative we take them."

"Even if it means reneging on a previous oath? If the circumstances have changed?"

The old man's eyes gleamed as he answered. "Especially then."