Chapter 203 - 197. Relationship
"Can...can we take a rest, Captain? I think I really am going to die..." Dheera wheezed on the floor, crouching down like she was about to throw a tantrum.
But it wasn’t just Dheera. Almost everyone was panting and groaning, some were on all four, just waiting for a signal so they could lay flat on the cold floor.
It was already entering winter, but they were drenched in sweat and hot.
Zein looked around, and some of the youngest guides made miserable expressions on purpose to incite pity on their overly energized Captain. It wasn’t like they were acting--they truly felt miserable!
"Alright, let’s rest for an hour and reviewed your progress," Zein finally said.
The words were greeted by relieved groans. They embraced the floor as if it was their long-lost lovers. Zein chuckled and asked the one who was still well enough to get water and distribute it to the others.
"Is there a reason we suddenly go for this hard-mode training again?" Dean asked after finished handling the water, propping himself against the wall to enjoy his well-earned rest.
"Because you’re getting lazy just because I’ve been busy these days," Zein answered with crossed arms, narrowing his eyes at the guides that were averting his gaze.
Because they did slack off. Zein had been preoccupied with the reclamation project, spending more time in Mortix’s lab and the twelfth floor rather than with his division. He used to always oversee their daily stamina training, but he rarely did so since last month.
But there was also a reason behind this behavior.
"That’s not fair, Captain! You’re grilling us too when you were in your bad-mood era!" Dheera, the brazen girl, pursed her lips in protest.