Mia Ginger’s knee hurt a little, and she stood there in a daze when suddenly a clear female voice rang in her ear, "Gather!"
Was it... Blair Chester?
She looked up, her expression somewhat blank.
"I was just about to tell you, the instructor appointed Blair Chester as the leader," Tong Tong whispered beside her.
Mia Ginger nodded and said nothing.
She had taken leave on the second day of military training, and she knew how displeased King Yama must have been.
It was only normal to replace her.
Blair Chester quickly organized the team and stood in place before Dallas Taylor arrived.
"Everyone, turn left—march!"
Forty girls snapped to attention, pivoting neatly on command.
Dallas Taylor’s stern gaze swept across them, finally landing on Mia Ginger before quickly moving away. He said expressionlessly, "First row—count off!"
"One, two, three, four..."
The girls quickly counted off.
Dallas Taylor moved to the front of the group, "Eight hundred meters, jogging—move!"
Two days of training had already yielded decent results; the girls swiftly adjusted their movements and started running in unison.
"One two one, one two one, one, two, three, four!"
"Study earnestly, train diligently, excel in both arts and arms, forged into steel!"
"Loyalty fills the sky, united in will, surpassing ourselves!"
Just after six in the morning, bright sunlight spread over the field, accompanied by the sound of several squads jogging, and their spirited slogans echoed intermittently.
After just one day of absence, the previously disorganized and undisciplined team now looked completely different.
For some reason, Mia Ginger felt a subtle melancholy.
Her knee was injured, slowing her down.
The students behind her grew impatient and gradually overtook her, running ahead.
By the time she snapped out of it—
She couldn’t catch up.
A sharp whistle suddenly pierced her ears.
Dallas Taylor approached her with a stern expression, urging her as he ran, "What’s going on? Didn’t sleep last night?! Pick up the pace!"
Mia Ginger was forced to quicken her steps.
How could she compare to Dallas Taylor?
She took two steps to his one, and he moved effortlessly.
Gritting her teeth, Mia Ginger ran into the group, but barely half a lap later, she fell behind amidst the grumbling of a few nearby girls.
Dallas Taylor shouted irritably, glancing at her, "Mia Ginger, step out!"
"Yes." Mia Ginger stepped out.
"Others, continue, jogging—move!" Dallas Taylor commanded with a wave of his hand.
Only the two of them were left standing by the track.
Dallas Taylor frowned as he looked at her, "What’s going on with you?"
"Reporting to the instructor, I’m fine!" Mia Ginger answered brightly.
"If you’re fine, then pull yourself together!" Dallas Taylor’s face darkened, "Two kilometers, jogging—move!"
Mia Ginger started running alone.
The slender, solitary figure running on the wide track contrasted sharply with the squads that periodically ran by, highlighting her isolation.
Dallas Taylor did not follow; he stood cold-faced on the empty ground beneath the podium.
Watching over her with a whistle.
The squads soon completed their eight-hundred-meter run smoothly.
They reorganized and went to the side for morning training.
The vast track was left with only Mia Ginger’s running figure, noticeably slower than the average person.
Dallas Taylor watched for a long while, doubt surfacing in his mind, and he couldn’t help but frown.
Just as he was about to whistle, a boy from one of the squads suddenly stepped out and ran toward her.
The student leader chosen from the squad.
Everyone couldn’t help but be surprised as they noticed.
Under everyone’s gaze—
Camden River quickly ran in Mia Ginger’s direction, and before he reached her, Mia Ginger’s knees buckled and she suddenly collapsed onto the track.