When Dan finally got his head out of the water, he seemed to be trying to greedily consume all of the oxygen in the air.
He held his throat, coughed, and tried to breathe as he started to look around for Karan.
When he saw Karan sobbing on the ground, tears streaming from his eyes and blood pouring from his mouth, he spoke between coughs.
''Sorry. I couldn't help myself. I didn't want to die. I'm sorry.'' Dan seemed to be coughing and crying simultaneously.
Before putting his head in the water, he knew exactly what Raydon had said. Karan had no choice but to continue pushing Dan's head into the bucket until he said otherwise.
Dan wasn't stupid, and he knew exactly what Karan would have to go through if he began to struggle. However, when he reached his limit and realized he couldn't go on, he began to struggle. He was unable to ignore his body's natural instincts.
Even though it would mean the end for everyone, he struggled because he didn't want to die. Despite knowing that his flutter would put Karan in a difficult psychological situation, he couldn't stop it and struggled to live.
Dan and Karan felt guilty about their selfish actions.
They looked at the people around them with ashamed eyes. What they expected to see was everyone's great disappointment. However, they did not see that. Everyone's faces were covered in a look of intense relief. While some continue to smile and look at them with tears in their eyes, others sit on the ground and appear to be resting after a strenuous run.
Dan and Karan could see the feeling that permeated everyone.
Relief.
Everyone was going through a rollercoaster of emotions as Raydon's cold voice echoed in their ears once more.
''You both have failed to follow my instructions. '' The crowd sighed in response to Raydon's remarks, and they remained silent. They did not appear to have shown even the slightest disappointment. However, out of shame, Dan and Karan already had their heads in their hands.
When they believed everything was over, Raydon's words shocked them.
''Congratulations. '' Raydon smiled again and said.
Dan looked up at Raydon. His breathing had already settled, and his coughing had passed. ''What are we congratulated for? ''
''For passing the test. '' Raydon said.
Everyone was attempting to understand what was happening, including Dan and Karan. Was this a test? They disobeyed Raydon's orders, but did they succeed in the test?
''How? '' Eventually, Karan had to ask.
''The ability to comprehend emotions is an assassin's first defining trait. They recognize their emotions and then learn to control them. You two have discovered your true emotions and have passed this test.'' Raydon explained.
Dan and Karan exchanged glances. Their confusion was clear; they were still unsure of the nature of the test and its objectives.
Raydon turned to Dan, seeing his confusion, and said. ''Not long ago, you were willing to die for your friends. In front of the gun, you prepared for death, but you were unable to face it this time. Why is that? ''
Dan's eyes suddenly lit up when he realized what Raydon was trying to say after a brief pause. "A quick and painless death would result from a gunshot. I was only concerned with saving the lives of my friends at that time. Everything would end in an instant. ''
Raydon said while grinning broadly. ''Indeed, you are willing to sacrifice your life for your friends, and you are able to do so without hesitation. But is dying really enough? Suffering is more difficult than dying. You simply refused to suffer for the sake of your friends. This enabled you to see your true emotions.''
The more Dan listened, the more he became aware. When he put his head in the water, the first thing he felt was a deep silence. An environment in which he can think about anything without being distracted.
He didn't understand the significance of this training at first, but he was hopeful as he held his breath in the water. He could sense his deep excitement and tension. A desire for power and a sense of vengeance gradually emerged within him. With the help of this training, he would be able to accomplish everything he had long desired.
As he was emptying his mind and thinking about the bright future, he realized he was running out of breath.
He lasted as long as he could. At first, the feeling of Karan's hand on the back of his head seemed to comfort him. As if his friend were encouraging him. But as he began to feel short of breath, he realized that all of the plans he had made for the future that he had considered a while ago could easily be destroyed.
He was more afraid of death with each passing second that he couldn't breathe. He couldn't live up to his dreams if he die. He, therefore, made an effort to survive. Nobody else mattered anymore; all he cared about was living.
Dan's understanding of Raydon's words improved as he reflected on them. He hadn't even been honest with himself until now. He thought it was easy to die, but when he actually suffered, he realized how absurd that thought was.
Dan raised his head to survey his surroundings. This time, he did not display any embarrassment. On the other hand, there was resolve. After carefully assessing each person, he made a choice. Death would not be an option for him anymore. From now on, he would live and suffer for his friends.
Karan's situation was no different. It was too much for him to take his friend's life with his own hands in order to save everyone else. He could not bear this burden and ultimately chose to avoid this responsibility.
While watching them, Raydon thought. 'When making choices in their lives, everyone acts selfishly. The choices we make are always influenced by our interests. Being able to accept this fact is what's important. '
''A good assassin must first be aware of their emotions and be able to control them, not the other way around. That is why you succeeded in this test by finding your true emotions. ''
With a bitter smile, Raydon concluded his speech. In a similar way, he had discovered his true emotions as well. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't a mere test.
The sourc𝗲 of this content is fre(e)webnovel