The Million-Dollar Heart

Thomas was taken aback, his eyes darting towards Percival.

"Ma'am, you're practically signing my death warrant here!" He yelled inside.

"Percival, hear me out. This is the training grounds. I have to be in combat gear. I am the Chief Instructor, and I can't very well train them in a suit and tie!"

Percival's eyes briefly swept over Thomas's attire without a word, instead wrapping his arm around Vivienne, and they made their way deeper into the training area.

For a few seconds, Thomas felt like he just walked through the valley of the shadow of death.

Leopold slapped Thomas on the back with a smirk, "Man, that gear does look sharp on you, though."

Thomas shot him a glare that could kill and kicked out at him half-heartedly, then quickly caught up with Percival.

"Percival, the training's halfway through. If we're bringing in the newbie, we might need to fast-track her."

Thomas implied that Anna had to pass the earlier assessment today if she wanted to keep her spot here. Percival's stern face held a grave expression as he said, "Let's begin now."

Neither Vivienne nor Anna had any objections.

It was only fair.

If Anna could not pass the earlier assessments, it only proved she did not have the mettle to stay.

"Captain."

Off in the distance, a man in an olive-drab tee approached, saluting Percival crisply.

This was Soren, the physical training examiner.

After exchanging pleasantries with Percival, Soren sized up Vivienne. Then his gaze landed on Anna. "So you're the little lady who waltzed in through the back door?"

His tone was less than friendly, and his eyes were full of disdain.

Thomas signaled to him discreetly, whispering, "Soren, watch the attitude."

"Come on, man, she's Ma'am's protégé. Besides, it's not like she wanted the shortcut. If she can't make the cut, even Percival won't keep her here. Don't be so aggressive, or you might just tick off Percival!" He thought, trying to signal Soren with his eyes.

"I'm the physical training instructor. We will start

were clearly directed at

noticing Soren's target, stepped forward angrily, "Soren, who the fuck do you think

squarely on Soren. "You're not wrong. Show your

wasting whose time is yet

annoyance crossed Percival's face. "Soren,

Agency's special squad third division, was the most hot-headed of the captains, but

capability, he was stronger than Leopold and

person he respected was Percival. As for Thomas and Leopold, Soren hardly

Percival speak, Soren's attitude softened

Let your skills do the

look piqued

real challenge was with

Interesting.

lips curved into a slight smile, utterly

not even beat Percival were not worthy

tossed her backpack to the ground and faced Soren defiantly. "Let's not make this complicated. You be my opponent. If I win, I stay for training. If

more comfortable clothes, and a one-on-one battle

from the sidelines, aware of Anna's abilities

outcome was

an eyebrow. "I bet a hundred

on Soren," Percival replied,

around,

the roaring crowd,

was fierce, with mud flying as they grappled, soon turning

moves were sharp and precise, and Anna used her agility to dodge his

the end, the match

point while she held his artery

stalemate,

triumphant smile, turning

blew the whistle, stepped forward, and separated them, announcing the result, "It's a

Soren. "Man, are you embarrassed? Fighting to

of mud, sending it flying straight at

and the mud landed right