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.

at Vanguard Agency officially began. The YQ and

at the lab first, taking in

up just like the one her mother, Karen, had established years

month meticulously restoring it to

could almost see her mother working

path her mother

from within, followed

the head of YQ lab, Holden had been orienting his

catching an unfinished experimental

replicate that 3D biological printer, but we're hitting a

and his team had been

are correct, but you've

researchers' eyes lit up. They had been stuck for a month, but

Admiration was an understatement.

expertise, they eagerly surrounded her with reports

brief discussion, Vivienne asked,

clean, and he wore silver-rimmed glasses with a

sized him up, feeling

his name is Rex. He's a recent hire. Young, yes, but a medical prodigy and quite insightful about potions." Intrigued, Vivienne said, "Show me

over his half-finished report. Each word was

impressed by

once I've figured them out," Rex said, marking

looked at it and scribbled a

numbers for a moment, his eyes brightening.

down the pen and said, "How long

report as he headed to his

explanation. "Ma'am, he's utterly devoted to medicine. We're all used to it

bothered. However, Rex's dedication reminded her of someone,

spoke, Percival

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