To be one among them was a great responsibility.
He was incredibly focused — and happy. He had walked a long road to reach this moment. He had dreamed of standing among the confident, the brave, the resolute.
It was hard to tell what gave him more strength — being accepted, the rising sun, or the crisp new uniform that fit him perfectly.

— Stand in formation!
The recruits quickly lined up along the corridor, rubbing sleepy eyes and shivering in the cool morning air.

— Align!
Everyone fell silent, straightened their backs, and turned their heads to the right.

— Attention!
Eyes forward. Maximum focus. Every muscle tense. All ready to listen and obey. Now there was no thought — only waiting. The day’s challenges were still unknown. All that remained was readiness.
Silence. Not a single sound.

— At ease! Proceed to morning training.
A loud exhale broke the stillness.
Like a herd of wild mustangs, they burst through the narrow doorway, rattling the windows, thundered down the staircases, and spilled out into the street.
In an instant, the rhythmic drumming of their steps filled the air, echoed off the gray cobblestones, shook dust from the dry road, swept dew from the grass, and dissolved into the birch grove.

Thus began a new day — full of training, lectures, seminars and memorization, the study of the physical laws of nature, of technique and social order, of human frailty and strength, of loyalty and betrayal, of love and hatred.
Each new day brought him closer to the most important moment — the moment he would become a Guardian.

He would never again be able to say, “I can’t.”
He would not tire, falter, or fail to notice.
He would hold no resentment toward curses or injustice.
He would become an inner voice that gives guidance,
a second chance that lifts from the ground after a painful fall,
a fortunate coincidence that deflects a falling stone.

His mind, his voice, his strength, and his wings would serve only one purpose —
to guide through life a new, innocent, and sinless soul,
just settled into a small and fragile body.

And only sometimes would he rest for a moment on a warm stone —
before moving forward again, all the way to the end.