Conrad was still trying to wipe away the water covering his eyes. The water fell so suddenly that Conrad couldn't stop it from getting into his eyes.
*BUAGHH!*
But Annie didn't give him a chance to stay still and regain his footing after jumping.
She lunged. Throwing her punch as hard as possible.
The punch staggered Conrad and then make him finally fall onto the concrete.
Annie wanted to punch him again but her fist stopped midair.
She hesitated. Her hesitation cost her the tiny window of opportunity to attack.
Conrad's eyes suddenly focused again on her and Annie felt a strong push that threw her up.
Annie then landed a few meters from where she had been before. When she looks again, she finds Conrad standing up again and looking at her.
"Not bad, Annie," Conrad said with a smile.
There were bruises on his lips and cheeks. The marks from Annie's punches hit him several times.
On the other hand, Steve actually already stood up a while ago. But he decided not to attack and chose to pay attention to their fight.
As it turns out, Annie is better than he first thought. She even managed to land heavy punches on Conrad when he couldn't do that.
Even Steve almost died from being strangled by Conrad earlier. It was an unpleasant experience.
"Let's finish now. I think that's enough," Conrad said.
Conrad now seemed to play the role of their instructor who trained them in rigorous training to master Magic.
Steve didn't really like that. That's because he had already undergone rigorous training to enter the military and finally special forces. He had enough.
However, Steve knew that he could do nothing but comply. If he left here and refused, he would just die because he couldn't handle his Magic.
Or die at the hands of Conrad who is much stronger than himself, for now.
Steve walked over holding his neck.
"Are you still hurt?" Conrad asked Steve.
"Yeah. But I'm okay," Steve replied.
"Good," Conrad said. But his face showed a hint of anxiety.
Steve realized that too. Yet he didn't care. Conrad's feelings of anxiety were insignificant because he would end up beating them again when the time came.
But Steve didn't say anything about it.
"What will we do now?" she asked.
Annie didn't seem to have any problem with what Conrad had done to her.
"We're done for now." Conrad looked at them simultaneously. "Tomorrow we will do it again."
Steve was more than happy to oblige to end this training. Annie didn't say anything either.
The three of them went inside the building to rest. Tonight's experiment came to an end.
Above, through the window overlooking the field, the scientists had also dispersed when they learned that the experiment was over for the night.
There was a satisfied smile on Thomas' face.
His eyes that looked lazy stared at the subjects until they disappeared into the building.
Within those lazy eyes was an almost imperceptible excitement. Like a small fire in a deep cave. But it's there.
Thomas walked into his room and prepared to send General Lennard a recording of what happened tonight.
He sent it without any edits as the General had requested.
Even though there were some unimportant conversations, the General didn't mind it.
So Thomas accepted the rule happily because it meant he didn't have to bother doing anything anymore.
He just had to send the tape like that. After he finished sending it, Thomas went on to make himself some coffee.
~~~
General Lennard couldn't tell that the files from Thomas had arrived on his computer. He's in the President's room right now.
"So what do you think?" Julius asked.
"I think it's still too early. We still can't invite other subjects for Project Apple," General Lennard replied.
"You think so?"
General Lennard nodded. "Yes. It's too fast. Even the previous subjects are still unstable."
Julius was silent and thought for a few moments. He wanted to quickly increase the number of people who could use Magic.
That way he could see how their strength was against other countries.
However, Julius had to agree with what General Lennard said. It's all too early.
There are still many errors that occur and errors that may occur.
If he forced things out now, it would only make things go wrong.
Julius sighed and shrugged. "Well, it can't be helped. Any new developments since the last trial?"
"Yes, sir. But I'm still saving it so I can better send it to you."
Julius suddenly narrowed his eyes at General Lennard.
"You didn't plan to hide an important detail from me, did you?" Julius asked accompanied by narrowed eyes.
General Lennard seemed taken aback by the question.
"O-of course not, sir! I'm just fixing it so you get the videos that are the most essential," General Lennard said.
Then the suspicious look on Julius's face disappeared. he laughed.
"Hahahaha. Don't be afraid, Jacob. I was just kidding. I know I can trust you."
General Lennard breathed a sigh of relief and laughed along with Julius.
Even though that laugh was just a bland laugh directed from a subordinate to his superior.
"What about those three people?" Julius continued the question.
"Erend Drake and Billy Brook have special operations training the day after tomorrow, sir." Julius frowned.
"Really? Who planned that?"
"Roden made me a suggestion that it would be good for them. And I agreed."
"Oh," Julius said. "Wouldn't that be bad? They've never had training like that before, have they?"
"Adrien Boartusk was in special forces before he went to the bunker. He has enough experience."
"I'm not sure what will happen. However, if they can gain experience and qualifications as special forces, they could be a more useful soldier to us."
General Lennard nodded in agreement. Then he asked. "What do you think of their relocation plans? We promised to give them decent housing in the city area."
"Oh, we said that before?"
General Lennard nodded again.
"Then just give it before they complain," Julius said.
"Understood, sir."
~~~