Ryan recoiled in horror, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Iron Body!"
Lorne's fist slammed into the point where Ryan's arms crossed.
Crack!
Ryan's arm bones snapped with a sharp crack. He flew backward dozens of meters and slammed into the perimeter wall, sending cracks spreading across its surface.
"Was the gap really this enormous?"
Ryan slumped against the wall, his consciousness beginning to blur.
"Several hundred of us couldn't even last three minutes against him?"
Bakel, too, sank into despair. The Kami-e he took such pride in was useless against Lorne's relentless barrage.
The wind whipped up by each of Lorne's punches sliced at his skin like blades.
"Too weak. Far too weak."
Lorne stopped, more than a dozen groaning recruits beneath his feet.
He surveyed the dozens still standing, his gaze icy.
"That so-called training of yours wouldn't even be enough to let pirates pick their teeth on a real battlefield."
"Who else wants to try?"
The remaining recruits' hands trembled around their weapons. Looking at the wounded strewn across the ground, they felt their courage rapidly drain away.
Zephyr sat in his wicker chair with his arms folded across his chest, a trace of complexity flickering in his eyes.
He knew Lorne was using this approach to shatter the recruits' false confidence.
"It's not over yet!"
Bakel roared and charged again, his eyes bloodshot.
Though wounds covered his body, a fierce resolve shone in his eyes.
Ryan also struggled to his feet by the wall. His left arm hung limp, but his right hand clutched a broken wooden sword.
"Rear Admiral Lorne, as long as we're still standing, this fight isn't over!"
Ryan spoke between ragged breaths.
Watching the two charge despite barely being able to stand, Lorne finally smiled.
"Good resolve."
Lorne vanished again.