I do not own anything from the Divergent series**

"The first thing you will learn today," I tell the transfers as I hand each a gun, "is how to shoot a gun. The second thing is
how to win a fight." I say, pressing a gun into Tris's hands before moving on. I have to avoid any source of concentration today,
for the initiates' sake. "Thankfully, if you are here," I continue, "You already know how to jump off a moving train, so I don't
need to teach you that"

Each initiate inspects the weapon in their hands, probably not realizing that they could cause much with it. "Initiation is divided
in three stages. We will measure your progress and rank you according to your performance in each stage. The stages are not
weighed equally in determining your final rank, so it is possible, though difficult, to drastically improve your rank over time." I say.

From my peripheral view, I can see Tris, staring at her gun. Being afraid of it is fine, but we will all, eventually, need strength, even
If it implies firing a gun. "We believe that preparation eradicates cowardice, which we define as the failure to act in the midst
of fear," I say. "Therefore each stage of initiation is intended to prepare you in a different way. The first stage is primarily physical;
the second, primarily emotional; the third, primarily mental," I finish.

I then hear a Candor initiate, Peter, speaking up. "But what…" he yawns, "What does firing a gun have to do with…bravery?"

Without thinking, I flip around the gun in my hand and press the barrel to Peter's forehead, clicking a bullet into place and stopping
another of his yawns. To tell the truth, I don't even know what firing a gun has to do with bravery, but I have to make something up.

"Wake up," I snap. "You're holding a loaded gun, you idiot. Act like it."

I lower my gun and, as soon as I do, the tension in Peter's eyes vanishes, and all I see is hatred. Hardened hatred. He decided to shut
his mouth before responding anything, his cheeks red.

"And to answer your question, you are far likely to soil your pants and cry for your mother if you're prepared to defend yourself."
I turn on my heel as I reach the end of the line of initiates and walk the other way before continuing, "This is also information you may need
in stage one. So, watch me."

I turn around to face the wall with the targets. I stand still, my feet apart, and hold my gun up with both hands. I fire with a loud
bang that hurts my ears, but I remind myself to stay strong. I decide to ignore it as I observe the hole that my bullet created in the
target's very center.

I move aside as the tributes start firing their own guns. I look at Tris for a second, only to find her recoiling as she fires her first bullet,
then holding the wall behind her for balance. I shift my view from her, but it isn't so easy. I see the Erudite transfer, Will, talk to her,
and then she fires again, hitting the edge of the target. I smile to myself before inspecting the others, creating a mental note for me
to keep a better eye on her; the girl from Abnegation.

After lunch, I lead the group of transfers to the Training room, where the wood floors are all cracked and creaky. I can still picture
this room, two years ago; when I fought a kid named Mark and kicked his behind without difficulty before having Eric kick mine. I can
still see the blood, prickling down the side of my head, my bruised jaw…

I walk towards the center of the room, trying to ignore the red blood that my memories try to recall, and face the initiates as they line
up behind me.

"As I said this morning, next you will learn how to fight. The purpose of this is to prepare you to act; to prepare your body to respond to
threats and challenges—which you will need, if you intend to survive life as a Dauntless.". Because you will not survive if you cannot
break someone's body for nothing…

It breaks me to have these people fight because Eric thinks it is appropriate, but I continue without protest, "We will go over technique
today, and tomorrow you will start to fight each other. So I recommend that you pay attention. Those who don't learn fast will get hurt."

I start naming a few kicks and punches, first at the air, then at a punch bag, but I can't stop thinking about that day, especially when
Eric gave me a concussion with those punches. I let the initiates practice as soon as I finish, and start walking around, inspecting their
moves and their body language; the sound fabric being abused of all around me. I stop in front of Tris, and I can see her struggle to hit
the bag without pain. I follow her body up and down, trying to figure out the parts of her body where she can add more strength
and power. I stop myself as I realize its Tris's body I'm looking at, so I say, "You don't have much muscle, which means you're better off

using your knees and elbows. You can put more power behind them."

I gulp, not too hard, as I press my hand on her stomach, my hand brushing both her sides for being so long. I can feel her heart pound
quickly, but I decide not to say anything about it. I look at my hand instead of her eyes to avoid my own heart to beat so quickly.

"Never forget to keep tension here," I say quietly.

I lift my hand and continue walking; inspecting the others' moves, yet the pressure of my hand against her stomach still prevails, along with
the fast beat of her heart.