Most of the candidates were still lying in the infirmary, their bodies drained after the relentless training.
The others who could still walk back to their quarters were ordered to stay in bed, with medical staff coming directly to their rooms instead of waiting for them to collapse later.
No risks were taken. Every faint tremor in their bodies or shallow breath, or any signs, was treated as a warning sign. Just as Jessica was instructing them to do.
The staff moved quickly and quietly, filling the corridors with the steady shuffle of boots and hushed voices.
While that was going on, Erend, Billy, Adrien, and Jessica walked back into their office after receiving the latest reports from Thomas, Conrad, and the other staffers.
Jessica's eyes lingered on Erend as they entered.
He looked exactly the same as he always did. Calm and steady without the faintest sign of fatigue. But she couldn't push away her unease.
