Chapter 27
“Training with you?” Nina tilted her head, confusion written all over her face. She still had no idea what her task actually was.
“Yeah. We’ve been told to stand by. Word is, an instructor from the Special Operations Division is coming to lead a specialized training session. I heard your scores are top–notch. Maybe your instructor figured you deserved a shot at this elite training.”
“Oh…” Nina nodded slowly, still unsure. “That’s what this is about?”
“Heh… Listen, kid.” Another instructor approached, sizing her up with a skeptical look. His eyes lingered on her petite frame before he smirked.
“You may have better stats than the average student, but keeping up with our level of training? That’s a whole other story. If it gets too much, don’t push yourself. Report to the instructor, and don’t overdo it.”
“Don’t worry, sir! I’ll do my best!” Nina responded sweetly, her tone polite but confident.
“Hah! Alright, I’m rooting for you.”
Despite his words, the instructor wasn’t exactly brimming with faith. Nina’s small stature didn’t scream “special ops material,” and today’s session, led by the Special Operations Division, was going to be tough.
Just then, the commanding officer entered the room. The instructors snapped to attention, forming perfectly straight rows.
“Nina,” Damon called, waving her forward. “You’re short–stand in front.”
“Got it!” Nina quickly moved to the front of the line.
The officer, Captain William Brown, maintained his usual stern demeanor until his eyes landed on Nina. His expression faltered for a moment, his shoulders stiffening like he’d just seen a ghost. Regaining his composure, he hurried over to her.
“Nina, you’re already here?”
“Yes, sir!” Nina chirped. “Mr. Snee told me to wait here. He said he had something for me to do.”
“Got it. Alright, come stand next to me.”
“Okay.” Nina stepped out of the lineup and moved to his side.
“Hey, Damon,” one of the instructors whispered, nudging him. “Why’d Captain Brown pull Nina out of line?”
Damon frowned, just as clueless. “I don’t know. Wasn’t she here to train with us?”
“No way. She can’t handle our training. She’s probably just here to watch.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
Captain Brown clapped his hands, commanding silence. “Alright, let’s get started. Today’s session, as you’ve heard, is a special training exercise. Now let me introduce your instructor for this drill–Nina.”
The room erupted.
“What?!”
“Sir, you’re joking, right? She’s a student!”
“How’s a kid supposed to train us?”
“Is this some kind of prank? ‘Cause it’s not funny.”
Captain Brown’s voice cut through their protests like a blade. “Do I look like I’m joking? Nina–Instructor Woods–is your instructor for this session. The rules are simple: your goal is to subdue her for five seconds.
any strategy you like. Just don’t
go
in one by one like you’re playing heroes on a suicide
“You can fight individually, in teams, or tag–team style. Use any s mission. Work together.”
He turned to Nina with a grin. “And as for you, Instructor Woods, your job is to take them all down as quickly as possible. Can you do it in three
minutes?”
“Three minutes?” Nina glanced at the group of instructors, her delicate brows lifting in amusement. “I don’t need that long. One minute will do.”
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Chapter 27
“No, no, no. Let’s stick to three,” Captain Brown interrupted with a grin, hiding his true motives.
He had a bet riding on this–a wager that Nina would wipe the floor with them in exactly three minutes.
“Why three?” Nina frowned, genuinely puzzled.
Feigning seriousness, Captain Brown explained, “Nina, anyone can take people down quickly. But to prolong the fight, play with them, and avoid being caught? That’s a real test of skill–a challenge for you.”
“Oh, I get it!” Nina nodded carnestly, completely buying his explanation.
“Good. Three minutes, then.” Captain Brown smiled.
“Got it!”
Hearing this exchange, the instructors were brimming with indignation.
“Sir, seriously? You’re already betting on us losing?”
“Come on, there are twenty of us! She can’t take us all down.”
“If she beats us in three minutes, I swear I’ll never date again!”
“Whoa, don’t make promises you can’t keep,” someone chuckled.
Captain Brown raised his hands to calm them down. “Relax, I’m just motivating you. Of course, I’d love to see you win. But if you don’t, don’t sweat it. Life’s full of surprises, and there’s always someone stronger. Stay humble.”
“Unbelievable! Captain already thinks we’ll lose!”
Next to Damon, an instructor nudged him. “Hey, you’re her instructor. Go show her what a real soldier looks like.”
“Me?” Damon hesitated. “Wouldn’t that be… bullying her?”
“Just pin her down. It’s not like you’re gonna hurt her.”
“Alright, fine.”
Once the rules were clear, Captain Brown gave the instructors five minutes to strategize. But instead of planning, they shoved Damon into the spotlight.
“Sir, Damon said he can handle this solo.”
“Hey!” Captain Brown snapped. “I told you guys already not to
go off on
your own!”
the perfect
one to tak
her on!”
The other instructors shouted in unison, “Captain, Damon’s Nina’s instrs,
“Damon, get up there! Show her what a real special forces soldier is made of!”
Reluctantly, Damon stepped forward. Straightening his posture, he saluted Captain Brown. “Permission to engage, sir!”
“Granted,” Captain Brown shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips.
‘It seems these lads need a reminder that there’s always someone better than you out there,’ he thought. “This should be quite the lesson.‘
Approaching Nina, Damon offered her a friendly smile. “Looks like it’s you and me, Nina. Don’t worry–I’ll go easy on you.”
Nina’s eyes lingered on Damon, taking in his every detail.
Nina’s lips curved into a mischievous smile, revealing a hint of her charming canines. Her eyes sparkled with playful mischief as she said cheerfully, “You’re so kind, sir. Don’t worry–I’ll be gentle with you too.”
“Uh…” Damon hesitated, feeling a twinge of unease. ‘Does she really think she could take me down? Yesterday’s fluke won’t happen again. This time, I’m ready! he thought.
“Ready? Begin!”
Captain Brown’s command snapped Damon into action. He lunged forward, preparing to seize control-
To his surprise, the next second, everything seemed to spin. With a sharp “thud,” Damon was knocked flat on his back again.
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3:27 PM
S
Chapter 27
It took just one second!
Damon lay there, eyes wide, still trying to process what had just happened. Nina crouched down beside him, her smile all innocence as she looked at him. “You okay, sir?” she asked, her tone light.
Damon blinked, staring up at Nina’s beaming face. It slowly sank in. ‘No way… I got taken down again?‘
