The Novele tribe was experiencing a gloomy atmosphere as the clouds covered the sky and snow fell heavily. Most tribe members preferred to stay indoors, except for a few occupied with their daily chores. Inside the infirmary, Pixel and Jean were lying on the bed, wrapped in bandages. Standing in the middle of the room, Lee had concern written all over his face as he watched over the two girls. They had been asleep for three weeks, and Lee couldn't help but feel disappointed in Rose for pushing the girls beyond their limits, especially since they were starting. Lee placed his hands inside his pockets and gazed out the window, lost in thought.
"Rose! Pixel and Jean are still new to the training! They don't even have experience in this type of pain! You can't just go at them at almost half your strength," Reprimanded Lee, standing outside the infirmary.
"They do have the experience, and that was with the demons. Lee, those girls need to learn that nothing in life is easy. It's training! And they're training to become a Demon Slayer, not becoming a boxer or anything! The Entrance Exam isn't like any other exam. You make one small mistake, and it's over," Articulated Rose, glaring down at Lee.
"Yes, I know how harsh the Entrance Exam is, but the girls are starting. They're new! They just overcome their bruised muscles, and dealing with this pain is too much. Give their girls time to get adjusted."
"It is important to acknowledge that training can come with discomfort. The girls will soon realize that exercise entails more than just leisure and relaxation. Instead, it is a means to enhance both mental and physical capacities through guidance and repetition. In due time, I will impart upon them the genuine essence of being a Demon Slayer," decided Rose as she turned around. And before she left, she glanced at Lee and said,
"I don't want to make the same mistake." And with that, she's gone, leaving Lee alone. Lee lets out a tired sigh as he goes back to the infirmary.
As Lee pondered over Rose's words, he realized how much she was affected by her past failure in training and losing a loved one. He sympathized with her and felt terrible about her loss. However, he wished that Rose could move on from the burden, but he knew it was deeply ingrained in her and couldn't quickly get healed. While Lee looked away from the window, Jean let out a loud cough as she sat up and screamed in pain. Lee jumps from the sudden loudness and quickly lays her back down.
"Relax, Jean! You're injured, and your body is sore! Calm down!" Reassured Lee as Jean clenched her jaw and tears formed in her eyes. Jean started calming down and controlled her intense breathing. Lee sighed as he lowered his head and rested his hand on his chest. Lee could feel his beating heart going crazy and tried calming it down. Lee stood straight and stretched his back as he could hear it crack. Jean slowly opens her eyes, and her vision is blurry but slowly starts coming back.
"Take it easy, Jean. Your body is recovering from your last training with Rose," informed Lee as Jean stared blankly at the ceiling. Jean listened and started recalling how powerful Rose's kick was, which impressed her. Jean even started imagining herself making the same attack and getting herself excited. Lee softly grabs Jean's left arm and examines her injuries. Jean turns her head and looks at him before gazing at her arm. She could feel her arm was sore and needed to put it down.
"Is Pixel awake?" Asked Jean, looking at Lee. Lee turned his head around and saw Pixel still not awake. Lee faced forward and shook his head.
"No," answered Lee, lowering Jean's arm down. Jean huffed as she went back, looking at the ceiling. Unexpectedly, a groan escapes Pixel's mouth as she slowly opens her eyes. Lee gets up and goes next to Pixel to check on her and relax her from moving her body. Pixel feels something heavy on her arms, so she must rub her eyes and wipe the tears off. Lee holds her down as she tries to move.
"Don't move, Pixel. You're recovering from your training," instructed Lee, but Pixel didn't comprehend what he said as she kept moving. Pixel's vision came back and noticed Lee.
"Glad to see you awake, Pixel. You and Jean were asleep for three weeks," informed Lee, making Pixel grumble and yawn.
"Three weeks? Damn," said Pixel as she could feel her body aching.
"I don't know why Rose used 2% of her strength to fight you guys. You guys are barely starting," accused Lee as he folded his arms.
"Sorry! 2% of her strength? 2% of her strength can knock us out?! Crazy!!!" Jean burst, and Pixel was also shocked.
"2% of her strength? That's wild," added Pixel as she slowly turned and faced Jean. Lee was stunned at the girls' reaction as he never expected them to be amazed.
"Wait...you girls aren't mad at Rose for knocking you guys out?" Asked Lee, starting at Pixel and Jean. Jean shook her head as she smiled at him.
"Why would we be? Isn't this part of training? To learn and deal with the pain?" Asserted Jean, shocking Lee more.
"Wow. You are something else," said Lee, shaking his head.
"We understand that Rose wants us to develop strength, but it's essential to experience pain now so that our bodies can become accustomed to it and better equipped to handle it.," said Pixel, shrugging. Lee covers his mouth as he feels terrible for Rose and never knows how determined Rose and the girls are in themselves. Lee lowers his hand as he chuckles. The door suddenly opened before Lee could say anything else, scaring Lee and the girls. The girls groaned in discomfort as they bit their lips and tried not to scream in despair. Maya comes in holding two small-sized peaches and up to Lee and the girls. Maya notices the girls awake and walks past Lee. Lee looks at her confusedly as he wonders why Maya is here, but he sees her holding the peaches and already knows what will happen.
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"Great news, ladies! The peach tree that produces healing peaches has yielded four fruits just for you. This means you can now head out and begin your training," informed Maya as she handed the two peaches to Pixel and Jean. The girls look at it confusedly as to why a simple fruit will heal them. Pixel takes a bite first and starts chewing it.
'Hmm, it's just an ordinary peach. But what's going to help me?' Pixel asked as she soon swallowed the chewed peach. As Pixel begins to flex her left arm, she is surprised that her bruises and injuries are no longer causing pain. It's as if they were never there in the first place! As Pixel sat up and moved her entire body, Jean became shocked as she took a bite of her peach. Jean chewed, and as she swallowed, she felt light. Jean removed the blankets and stood beside Pixel as both moved their bodies around. Lee was surprised when he saw the girls moving around like they had not been injured a few minutes before.
"What's in this peach?" Asked Pixel as she pointed at the fruit. Maya brought the girls closer and whispered,
"Hearty Peach. Peaches are a powerful source of healing that can quickly mend injuries and restore your energy and vitality." Lee stares at them, wondering why Maya brought the girls into a huddle when Pixel asks the question.
'Does Maya not want me to know? Why does she hate me so much?' Lee pondered as he folded his arms and pressed his lips together. Maya backed away from the girls, rested her hands on her hips, and gave them a gentle smile.
"Now that you girls are healed. Time to head out there and continue training," affirmed Maya, making the girls determined. Lee sighed as he showed an apathetic expression.
"Anyways. Since you girls are 'healed.' Let me bring your training uniforms back," gawped Lee as he walked away and headed to the wardrobe. Lee opens it, grabs the girls' coat hangers, and removes them. He hung it back and closed the doors. Lee goes up to the girls and hands them their uniforms, to which the girls thank him.
"Thank you for taking care of us, Lee," Pixel thanked him, giving him a gentle smile. As Lee looked up, he noticed the girls giving him a kind smile, which warmed his heart and brought a smile to his face.
"It's no problem, girls. Just doing my work," said Lee, chuckling. Pixel and Jean nodded as they said goodbye before leaving. Maya was also about to leave when Lee slammed his hand on the wall, making her rapidly turn around.
"I know what the hell you're doing, and it's downright disrespectful. Ever since I got here, you started to be skeptical of me, and I'm unsure why. Is it because I'm from the city?" Asked Lee, making Maya glare at him harshly. Lee waited for Maya to answer, but knowing her, she wouldn't explain her reasoning that easily, which annoyed him greatly.
"You sure piss me off with your silence, Maya. But you will soon spill everything out," growled Lee as he walked away, making Maya roll her eyes before leaving.
As the girls made their way towards the backyard to rendezvous with Rose, they were abruptly halted by Maya's arrival. Pixel and Jean paused in their tracks, peering down at Maya with curiosity and wondering what she had in store for them.
"Rose isn't back there. She instructed me to lead you girls to the Pre-exam location," informed Maya, confusing Pixel and Jean about the place.
"Follow me, and you'll find out." Maya gracefully walks ahead, her steps light and effortless. Pixel and Jean follow closely, their pace quickening in an attempt to keep up with her.
Pixel, Jean, and Maya strolled down the winding path through the dense forest. After walking for about five minutes, they ascended a hill, and the girls couldn't help but notice how far they had strayed from their tribe and deep into the woods. The dense canopy of trees overhead blocked the sky, casting an eerie and unsettling darkness upon the forest floor. The girls felt uneasy and uncomfortable in such an unfamiliar and foreboding environment. As Pixel raised her gaze, her eyes grew in surprise at the sight of the thick fog. She gently placed her hand on Jean's shoulder and directed her attention to the mist, causing Jean to feel a sense of fear and unease.
"This is it, guys. The Pre-exam location," said Maya as she moved her arms behind her.
"It's pretty...foggy," hesitated Pixel. She quickly looked at Maya before looking back at the entrance.
"Get used to it. This location is almost identical to the Entrance exam, except the Entrance exam is way worse than this place," stated Maya as Pixel and Jean started to get more nervous. Pixel takes a deep breath and lets it all out. She shakes her nervousness out as she can't be scared of anything.
"And where is Rose?" Asked Jean, looking at Maya.
"Rose is waiting for you guys on the other side of the pre-exam," answered Maya as she turned around.
'Good luck." Pixel and Jean watch as Maya takes her leave and soon disappears.
"Shall we go inside?" Asked Jean as she gathered her courage and headed inside the place. Pixel silently nodded in agreement. Once the two girls had crossed the threshold of the Pre-exam, the fog seemed to thicken around them, obscuring their vision and making it difficult to see. With each passing moment, the mist grew higher and higher until it finally dissipated, leaving Pixel alone. She quickly scanned her surroundings and realized with panic that Jean was no longer beside her, sending a wave of shock through her entire body.
"Jean!? Where are you?!?" Pixel called. But Jean didn't respond, as Pixel knew she was left alone. Pixel wondered,
'Could Jean have left me here alone?' She couldn't fathom why Jean would abandon her, so she kept scanning her surroundings, hoping to find some answers. Pixel turned around, noticed that the entrance was gone, and wondered how it was possible.
'Was Jean and I teleported to a different location? Was it the fog fault? Tch, whatever. I can't stay here any longer,' thought Pixel as she wasted no time and began training.