She glanced at Soren's retreating figure, knowing full well her recent tie in combat was just a stroke of luck.
Soren was still nursing an old injury, not yet back in top form.
Percival approached with the detached professionalism of a captain, addressing Anna, "A month from now will be the final assessment. Pass that, and I'll arrange for you to start interning in the lab while carrying out missions."
Anna saluted smartly. "Yes, sir. I won't let you or Vivienne down."
Vivienne watched her with a hint of amusement. The girl was a quick study.
While Leopold drove Vivienne and Percival back to their estate, Anna was left at the Vanguard Agency's training camp to hone her skills.
On the way, Leopold queried, "Vivienne, do you think Anna's got what it takes? The Agency's training isn't for the faint of heart."
Despite Anna's draw with Soren, he was worried.
"If you made it through, she will too," Vivienne replied nonchalantly, leaning on Percival's shoulder.
Percival nodded in agreement, "Right, makes sense."
Leopold glanced in the rear-view mirror, catching the couple's affectionate display, and asked belatedly, "Hang on. What do you mean 'if I made it through'? I'm way better than Anna, okay?" Vivienne lifted her gaze lazily, "She's nineteen. How old are you?"
Leopold fell silent.
Alright, he asked for it. He should just shut up!
With a snap, he pulled down the visor.
Out of sight, out of mind, right?
A month later.
YQ and TCL labs had merged, keeping
arrived at the lab first, taking in the
set up just like the one her
past month meticulously restoring
see her mother working diligently as she approached
her mother
emerged from within, followed
had been orienting his team to the lab's environment and its
her eyes catching
saying, "We've been trying to replicate that 3D
and his team
numbers are
up. They had been stuck for a month,
Admiration was an understatement.
expertise, they eagerly surrounded her with reports from their own
a brief discussion, Vivienne asked, "Who's handling
clean, and he
up, feeling an
added, “Ma'am, his name is Rex. He's a recent hire. Young,
over his half-finished report. Each word
impressed by
to the director once I've figured them out,"
it and scribbled a
for a moment,
said, "How long have you been working on potion
Rex replied casually, clutching the report as he headed
offered another explanation. "Ma'am, he's utterly devoted to medicine.
Rex's dedication reminded her of someone,
spoke, Percival
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