The Janitor Who Was A Killer

For two grueling months, Vardan trained under Johan's relentless guidance. Day after day, he pushed himself, his body growing stronger, his reflexes sharper. The training was brutal—swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and endurance exercises that left him exhausted, but he never complained.

Johan saw something in Vardan that reminded him of someone from long ago—James.

At school, Vardan's absence didn't go unnoticed. Mia watched from afar as he often disappeared, returning with bruises and cuts that he tried to hide. His usual carefree demeanor had faded, replaced by quiet determination and a sharp edge she hadn't seen before.

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Flashback – Johan's Past:

Johan was just a child when the organization took him in. Like James, he was an orphan with no family and no future. The organization didn't offer salvation—it offered survival at a cost.

The training was relentless, designed to break them. Every day, children collapsed, either from exhaustion or failure. Johan was on the verge of giving up, ready to surrender to the overwhelming weight of his weakness.

But then, he met James.

James was different from the others. Even as a child, James carried himself with unwavering strength and confidence. No matter how brutal the training, he never broke, never showed fear. Johan watched in awe as James stood tall when others fell.

One day, as Johan sat on the ground, defeated, James approached him. Without a word, James handed Johan a wooden sword.

"Get up," James said simply.

That was the beginning.

James took Johan under his wing, teaching him the way of the sword after hours. Johan trained harder than anyone, driven by the desire to stand beside James. He mastered the blade, and before long, he earned the reputation of being the best swordsman in the organization.

James wasn't just a friend—he was everything to Johan.

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Back to the Present:

Vardan gripped his wooden training sword, sweat dripping from his forehead as Johan circled him.

"You're holding back," Johan said, his voice stern. "Again."

Vardan charged, swinging his blade with everything he had. Johan deflected effortlessly, knocking Vardan back with the flat of his blade.

"You're not focusing," Johan growled. "If this were a real fight, you'd be dead by now."

Vardan staggered but stood his ground, panting heavily.

"I'm not giving up," Vardan said, fire in his eyes.

Johan's gaze softened for a brief moment. He saw James in Vardan— the same resilience, the same refusal to break.

As the sun began to set behind them, Johan finally lowered his sword.

"That's enough for today," he said, but there was pride in his voice.

Vardan collapsed onto the ground, staring up at the sky. Despite the pain, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Johan sat down beside him. "You remind me of James," he said quietly.

Vardan glanced at him, curious but respectful.

"James was the one who taught me everything," Johan continued, his eyes distant. "He never gave up on me... and because of him, I became who I am."

Vardan listened in silence, realizing just how much James had impacted not only his life but countless others.

"I won't give up either," Vardan said after a long pause. "I'll finish what James started. I'll take down the organization, no matter what it takes."

Johan chuckled softly. "I believe you will."

As the stars began to appear in the darkening sky, the two sat in silence. One mentor had passed, but another had taken his place. And Vardan knew, with every strike of his blade, that he was one step closer to fulfilling his promise to James.