?Chapter 1312:


    But as the distance stretched, fatigue crept in. Legs grew heavy, paces faltered, and the packs seemed to double in weight.


    A crackle split the air as the passenger, gripping a loudspeaker, bellowed, “The captain says only the top three get lunch. Thest one runs twentyps around the field after this.”


    Shock jolted through the group. Eyes widened, but jaws clenched. They dug deeper, pushing through the burn in their lungs.


    The passenger sank back into his seat, smirking as he nced at Ellis. “Is this not a bit rough on them? Three women in the mix.”


    Ellis kept his eyes on the road, his speed slow to match their stride. “If you think it is too much, go carry their packs. I will not stop you.”


    The manughed, shaking his head. If he helped, he would surely end up with double the weight to carryter.


    He paused, then tilted his head. “Are the stragglers really going hungry?”


    Ellis asked casually, “What do you think?”


    The passenger nced at the rearview mirror, catching the group’s determined faces. He grinned, understanding the ploy, and leaned out with the loudspeaker again, urging them on.


    Freya’s chest heaved, her legs screaming with each step. She flicked her wrist, checking her watch. “Keep it steady for another twenty minutes,” she called, her voice hoarse but firm. “We can do this.”


    Greta, panting beside her, shot a wary nce at the vehicle. “I have a bad feeling,” she gasped, her words punctuated by heavy breaths.


    Freya’s eyes flicked to her friend’s flushed face. “What?”


    Greta nodded toward the car. “Even if we hit the finish by six-thirty, it’s hours until noon. My gut says he has more nned.”


    Moss, jogging just ahead, shook his head, sweat dripping from his brow. “One thing at a time. Let’s finish this run.”


    By six-thirty, they staggered across the endpoint, lungs burning, legs trembling.


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    Ellis stood waiting, arms crossed, his gaze scanning them with a flicker of concern. “Tired?”


    “Yes,” they chorused, voices ragged.


    He nodded, his tone calm. “Ten-minute break. Then run back.”


    Moss’s shoulders slumped, his hands braced on his knees. “Do we have to move this fast?” he groaned. “Are you not worried we will drop dead?”


    Ellis’s expression softened, but his voice held steady. “Yesterday, I reviewed your training logs, medical files, and test results. Twenty kilometers round trip is your limit.”


    Cade, sweat soaking his shirt, jabbed a finger toward Freya. “Limits vary,” he said, his breath uneven. “Women do not match men’s stamina under these conditions.”


    Frederick nodded vigorously. “Exactly.”


    The group exchanged nces, knowing Ellis understood this truth.


    Before he could respond, the passenger cut in, leaning out the window. “Your packs are not equal in weight.”


    He had seen Ellis’s knack for this—calcting limits from data alone, pushing trainees just past their edge without breaking them. Over the years, Ellis had never misjudged. Such skill was truly impressive.


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