Mirabella stood on the asphalt outside the university building, her presence commanding a gravity that made the air feel heavy. Before her stood ten selected students: Hitachi, Carl, Rose, Austin, Grace, Aurelia, Precious, Kent, David, and Daniel. These were the elite, the ones who had survived the crucible of her training and emerged as something more than just survivors.
"You ten all have good weapons and skills, so I will be taking ten of you with me," she announced, her voice ringing with a cold, absolute authority. She turned her head to the remaining students, who watched with a mixture of envy and awe. "As for the rest of you—wait for us. Don't leave the university. Understood?!"
"Yes, Captain!!" They yelled in a unified roar that rattled the nearby windows.
"Miss Mirabella, are you leaving now?" Reed asked, hurrying down the steps. The suddenness of the deployment caught the military commander off guard.
