Johannes looked at his own hands. "Well, I wasn't planning to specialize anyway."
Hans pondered. True. His subordinates already cover his weaknesses.
Johannes was not a lone fighter. He had Marcus for technical duties, Evelyn for danger and pressure, and before everything went wrong, Elias for direct violence.
Perhaps that was why his body had not chosen a specific enhancement.
He wasn't one to become their group's spear, but rather, closer to a shield.
"Not a bad thing," Hans remarked. "A leader with fewer weak points is better than a one-trick pony who dies the moment his trick fails."
Johannes's face twitched. "Commander, please don't tease us like that."
Callum ignored their exchange and spoke directly.
"Your training routine should be simple. Strength intervals, reaction drills, impact control, and balance under pressure. Daily sparring during your most comfortable time. We'll find which part falls behind first. Our practice drills shall then reinforce it."
Johannes nodded. "So I train in everything?"
"You have to maintain it as well," Callum corrected. "Your body's enhancement is well-balanced. Your problem is identifying where that balance might crack."
Hans rubbed his chin. That felt more useful than it sounded.
Johannes did not need a flashy path yet. He needed a controlled environment to stress his body until a weak point appeared.
Overcoming these weak points wouldn't be easy. But not addressing them would make Johannes's long-term enhancement more difficult.
"Write that down," Hans pointed at the two Engineeres.
One of them stiffened and immediately tapped something into his wrist panel.
Johannes made a slight bow. "Thank you for your assistance."
"Nothing much," Callum waved his hand. "It's the Commander's orders."
Johannes returned to where Evelyn was.
"You almost died there," she spoke softly.
"Almost," Johannes observed her. "Feeling better now?"
"My leader lost a fight. Should I feel good about that?"
"Always with that sharp tongue, huh? I wonder how you hoodwinked thatguy for so long."
"Let's not talk about him," Evelyn rolled her eyes. Annoyance flashed across her face for a moment.
She pointed her nose forward.
Johannes followed her gaze and saw Yunera finally taking the stage.
She stepped into the center and rolled her shoulders. Her blade remained sheathed on the side, waiting for her to unleash its might.
With a snort, she placed her hand upon its hilt.
"Ready when you are."
So eager to lose? Hans didn't stop her, nor was he worried.
She still had a semblance of arrogance within her.
He would rather be worried if this stubborn woman suddenly acted coquettishly or submissively.
Callum assumed his stance, having no intention to draw his combat blade.
"You first," he said.
Yunera frowned, but did not hesitate. Her figure dashed straight toward Callum, her blade half-unsheathed.
Callum tilted his body to the left.
Her strike missed.
"Slow."
Yunera's eyes widened. Her foot slammed against the concrete, forcing her body to twist back.
She attacked again—a horizontal slash!
Callum stepped back once.
Her blade cut through empty air.
"Wide."
Yunera gritted her teeth.
The third strike came faster.
This time, Callum did not step away. His hand tapped her wrist before the blade could even move.
A sharp numbness shot through her fingers.
The weapon fell out of her hands, sliding on the concrete.
The grinding sound reached her ears, but Yunera had already been frozen.
Callum looked at her calmly.
"Obvious. Too obvious."
The yard went silent.
Hans covered his mouth, softly humming. Though the system regulated his emotions, he couldn't help but feel awkward and humored at Yunera's results.
Yunera turned her head slightly. "Are you laughing?"
"No," Hans replied. "You must have heard wrongly."
"You are."
"I am appreciating the lesson. You should too."
Callum snorted. "Your speed is not the problem. Your approach to combat is."
Yunera's brows tightened.
Callum continued, not minding her hostile stare.
"You accelerate quickly, but your first step already shows everything. Your shoulders move before your feet. Your hand reaches for the weapon before your body can even commit. Your eyes look at where you want to strike. At where you want to cut."
Yunera's face darkened.
"So I am slow?"
"Your dependence is what's making you slow," Callum said. "Against a skilled combatant like me, you are bound to lose. Even Agent Evelyn can beat you easily."
Evelyn was taken aback. Should I feel honored?
The answer landed harder against Yunera than the wrist tap.
Yunera clicked her tongue, lowering her head. She did not argue.
That alone made Hans raise a brow. Finally being taught a lesson?
"In the next sessions, we'll train on these."
"Okay," Yunera took a deep breath, picked up her fallen blade, and sheathed it.
She glared at Hans one more time before returning to Kimmy's side.
Hans provocatively looked back.
Kimmy held Yunera's hand as soon as she returned.
"Are you okay, sister?"
"I'm fine," Yunera muttered.
"You look angry."
"I said I'm fine."
"That means you are angry."
Yunera grumbled though she did not pull Kimmy's hand away. She knew she couldn't lie with Kimmy around.
Kimmy's perceptual powers could pick up the slightest change in her emotions. And this has been going on for long.
Callum turned his attention to the golden-haired Kimmy.
She noticed it and faced his stare.
"Miss Kimmy."
Yunera quickly warned. "She is not fighting anyone."
Who would fight such a frail girl? Callum was speechless. This is a training session, not a beatdown.
"Obviously not."
Hans crossed his arms. What's he planning this time around?
"We'll focus on her body foundations," Callum clarified. "Her power is not suited for combat tests."
Kimmy nodded.
"Miss Kimmy, please come closer."
Yunera held her tighter. "What are you planning to do?"
This woman... Callum forced his face to remain neutral. "One of these DASFs will inspect her body, breathing, and posture."
"Is that even necessary?" Yunera argued.
"If you want her to become stronger, then yes."
Kimmy shook her head. "Sister, don't worry. It's just an inspection. It should be fine."
Yunera's eyes remained glued to Kimmy, afraid that a slight touch from these soldiers might destroy her.
The hybrid DASF with the Cognitive axis stepped forward.
Unlike the others, his movement felt light. He was still dangerous, but his eyes were calmer and more focused.
"Inspection only," Callum reminded. "No contact unless Miss Kimmy agrees. Remember, we're monitoring her baseline."
"Understood," the DASF stopped a meter away from her.
"Please breathe normally," he said.
Kimmy tried.
Her breathing immediately became less normal.
Hans wanted to laugh, but Yunera's face told him it was better to live longer.
The DASF observed her for a few seconds.
"Her shoulders are tense. Breathing is shallow. Pulse, steadily rising. Hands are cold. Her focus is unusually unstable, but still responsive."
Kimmy lowered her head.
Yunera frowned. "You can tell that just by looking?"
The DASF didn't even answer her question.
Callum nodded. "Now, observe her while she uses her powers. Miss Kimmy, please describe the yard."
Kimmy swallowed, then steadied her breath. "Okay."
Her mind spun, her fingers twitching as an ethereal aura surged from her body.
"The yard is wide," she said slowly. "It's a large, concrete surface. There are cracks on the left. Three loading bays in front. And two rusted containers near the back. No, there's also a... a broken door."
The Engineer glanced at his scanner, then at the yard. He nodded.
Callum continued. "Next. Outline the people."
Kimmy didn't refuse.
"Five soldiers. Two Engineers beside their cases. Two Medics farther back. Mr. Johannes and Miss Evelyn on my right. My sister beside me."
Her voice paused.
"Co-Commander Hans is near the center, watching... me."
Why the pause? Evelyn was at a loss. She looked at Johannes and found him smirking sneakily during Kimmy's serious bout.
Hans merely watched, not picking up any signs. He felt that Kimmy's pause was normal after all.
Yunera's eyes shifted to him. Hmph, he must be feeling smug.
However, Callum's next words startled her.
"What do you see from our Commander?"
"Eh?" Kimmy was taken aback, but quickly focused on her vision.
A torrential wave rushed out from Hans's body. It rose towards the sky, higher than anyone else in the yard.
Callum's presence felt calm like the ocean's surface, but everything beneath it was pressure waiting to surge outward.
The DASF squad felt similar. She felt their auras as controlled, compressed, and dangerous to the touch.
But Hans was different.
His outline was heavier and broader. As if he was the pillar that would hold the sky if it fell.
She was too engrossed in such details that her face became blissful.
Yunera reached out and tugged her shoulder. "Sister... can you hear me?"
"I..." Kimmy's consciousness returned.
"The soldier asked you a question..." Yunera already had a guess at what happened.
"Yes... I'm—I'm sorry."
"I'll ask again Miss Kimmy," Callum cleared his throat. "What do you see from our Commander?"
"Ha—Commander Hans's presence is heavy," Kimmy answered. "Everyone else feels small compared to him."
Johannes's smirk deepened. Evelyn glanced at Kimmy, then at Hans.
Yunera's expression turned dangerous.
Hans raised a brow at Callum. This soldier of mine...
"Let's proceed," Callum cut them off before his actions was misunderstood. "Commander, may I request you to move around."
Hans pointed at himself. "Me?"
"You are the strongest familiar anchor she can recognize," Callum said. "Tracing you will be easier than tracing an unfamiliar target."
Yunera frowned. "Strongest familiar anchor?"
Callum nodded, wearing the most neutral face anyone had seen in their life.
"Miss Kimmy has already sensed him multiple times. Her mind recognizes his outline better than everybody else. That makes him suitable for the next step."
Hans simply shrugged, not minding the arduous task of walking around.
"Where do I walk?"
Callum pointed at the faded lane markings. "Across the yard, Commander. Slowly. You may change your direction twice."
Hans did as he was told.
Kimmy stood still. Her breathing slowed.
"Forward," she whispered. "Three steps. A slight turn. Then he... stops near the line."
Her voice echoed every time his boots tapped on the concrete.
Monstrous, Callum glanced at the hybrid DASF.
"Baseline."
"Pulse rising. Breathing is stable. Focus is locked. Her power usage is at minimal."
Callum nodded, then eyed one of the other DASF. "Please continue, Commander."
Hans moved again.
This time, one DASF shifted near the edge.
Kimmy's brows furrowed.
"One of the soldiers moved."
"Ignore him," Callum replied. "Focus only on the Commander."
Kimmy inhaled, muttering under her breath. "Two steps. He turned his head. Did he notice?"
Hans, in fact, noticed her mouth moving very clearly. He stopped near the faded line and looked back.
Kimmy continued whispering words under her breath. Anyone could barely make a sense of it except Callum and the hybrid DASF.
"Status?"
"Pulse is rising. Breathing starts to uneven. Focus is still locked, but emotional fluctuation increased. Be prepared."
"Emotional fluctuation?" Yunera repeated.
The hybrid DASF remained silent. Callum had no intention of speaking up for him.
"Continue, Commander. Miss Kimmy, please try to follow the movement of two soldiers around you."
Hans moved again.
This time, the DASF near the edge shifted twice. On the other side, another DASF moved sideways, encircling Kimmy.
Her brows tightened. "Two... two soldiers moved."
Callum signaled the two DASFs to move faster in a random fashion. Their outlines blurred within her vision.
I need to keep up!
Kimmy's mind throbbed, almost similar to her pulsating heart. This time, she tracked not only the slow moving Hans but the shuffling DASF soldiers as well.
Her fingers trembled as her aura flushed out. The familiar pink outline encased her body once more.
Everyone reacted, sensing a surge of energy from Kimmy.
Pulse near the maximum threshold. This isn't good!
"No good," the hybrid DASF quickly leaned forward. "She's about to—"