Watching everyone''s attention shift to Juniper, the now-ignored Ynda clenched her fists, her eyes filled with a deep, seething resentment.


    "Enjoy it while itsts," she fumed silently. "Once the training begins, let''s see if you''re still smiling."


    Expectation, as they say, is a far cry from reality. J had wanted to stand next to Juniper, but her shorter stature got her moved from the back row all the way to the front.


    "Alright, everyone, find your ces! The instructor will be here any minute," thepany''s temporary counselor reminded them softly. "For this boot camp, ourpany is made up of three majors: Law, Computer Science, and Broadcasting."


    Standing in thest row, Juniper''s height made her stand out, head and shoulders above everyone else.


    "That''s about it for the announcements," the counselor continued. "The instructor is very strict, so try not to make any mistakes. Otherwise, there will be punishments."


    Hearing this, the students began to whisper amongst themselves before the instructor arrived.


    "I heard this guy is a veteran from a top military unit." An informed student bravely shared the gossip. "He''s super strict and runs a tight ship."


    "And he especially can''t stand people who use connections or pull strings. He was herest year. The seniors said the training nearly killed them."


    "Seriously..." A few of the girls were already getting scared. "We should just keep our heads down and not cause any trouble."


    "Exactly," Ynda piped up, deliberately raising her voice. "Instructor Farrell is a man of principle. He won''t pick on anyone without a reason, and he certainly won''t give anyone special treatment because of their status."


    As she spoke, she shot a pointed look at Juniper in the back row. Her mother had already spoken to her uncle. Juniper wouldn''t have a single easy day.


    Juniper had woken up too early and was feeling drowsy. She simply closed her eyes


    for a quick nap,pletely unconcerned with what anyone was saying.


    ...


    Ten minutester, a man in a camouge uniform and a green cap appeared before them. He looked to be in his mid-thirties, wi sharp features and sun-darkened skin. He did not look like a friendly person.


    "No talking," Farrellmanded. His eyes swept over the students, lingering on Juniper for a moment with a cold glint before he barked, "Attention! At ease!"


    "From now on, I am your drill instructor. My rules are simple: train hard, stay in line, and we will get along peacefully."


    "But if any of you decide to cause trouble. Farrell''s gaze locked onto Juniper as he warned, enunciating each word, don''t care who you are will show no mercy."


    Juniper''s eyes fluttered open, meeting the instructor''s stare. She narrowed her eyes slightly.


    Farrell didn''t move, holding her gaze. He was surprised to find that the girl didn''t


    seem afraid of him at all. Her expression was terrifyingly calm.


    Quite the arrogant one! But it was to be expected. A perfect-score schr and Jimmie Tate''s sister-she had the capital to be arrogant Otherwise, she wouldn''t hav@bullied Ynda so badly.


    But in him, she had met her match. For the next two weeks, she wouldn''t have a single moment of peace.


    "Alright, let''s start with sixps around the track," Farrell ordered coldly.


    "Sir!" Ynda raised her hand, feigning weakness. "Instructor, I have a stomach ache."


    "Fall out. Rest on the side," Farrell agreed without hesitation.


    "Instructor, can I—" another girl in the line raised her hand.


    "Don''t even try that with me," Farrell cut her off mercilessly. "Get moving! Anyone who doesn''t finish in the allotted time will be doing push-ups."


    With groans andints, the students from the three majors began to jog.