“Yes, ma’am!!” We responded. 

We were escorted to a part of the base, about 50 kilometers away from everyone else. This base has a small clearing surrounded by thick forests and a giant lake. 

“Okay, this is your training spot and is where you can go all out and not hurt the others,” Elizabeth explained, turning to us “now, before that, let's introduce ourselves to your squad mates.” 

After Elizabeth said that, Rachell stepped up in front of everyone. 

“Well, I should start, my name is Rachell Wallace, and I suggest I lead this squad.” She told the group loudly.

Elizabeth's eyes were shallow, and her smile slightly slipped off her face for a split second before returning. Another girl spoke up.  A pale-looking girl with black glasses fiddled with her brown hair while looking at the ground.

“Hello, my name is Diana Royal,” she said, still not making eye contact with everyone with a Spanish accent. 

“Move out the way, pretty lady,” a brolly man with blond hair and dark blue eyes told Diana with a German accent, “name is Hanz Kaiser, and I'm the strongest here.” He announced while pointing to himself. 

Someone slapped Hanz on the back of his head.  A shorter male came up behind him. The male also has blond hair but purple eyes. 

“Sorry for my brother’s behavior. My name is William Kaiser.” He said his voice was chilled as a ghost. 

I sigh, rubbing the back of my head. “Hello, I'm Ren Vespean, nothing much to say there,” I told the group.

 “Well, with that over and done with, let us begin,” Elizabeth said. 

Five hours passed, and I dropped to the ground lying on my back. My breath was sporadic, and I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead. My arms felt like they were going to fall while the rest of my body was drowning in lead. After ten minutes, I finally lifted my head up from where I was. I thought everyone else was either just like me or worse. 

Diana was vomiting into some bushes. While both William and Hanz lay their backs on some trees in the shade. Racheal was still going; she was shooting at the target, which shattered into chucks once the bullets made contact with them.

 “Enough!” Elizabeth shouted at Racheal, “Take a break before your body shuts down.” She told her while walking over to her to take her rifle. 

“You, of all people, should know about the backlash of overusing the suits,” she scolded Racheal.

Racheal took a deep breath and sighed. “Fine, but I could feel myself get closer to you.” She told Elizabeth before sitting on the ground like a pouting child.  

“So while you guys take a break, let me tell you how Jager works,” The General said while taking out a small lunchbox and handing each of us a protein bar. 

She stated that Jager's goal was to protect humanity from magical creatures. The reason these monsters are attacking us is still unknown, even to the higher-ups. She then explained the different ranks. First is Sergeant; they are the lowest rank in Jager with a mana output of only twenty percent. Second is Lieutenant, the rank we currently are with an output of forty to fifty percent. Third is Captain; most agents were captains with an output of sixty to seventy percent. Fourth is Colonel, the second highest rank and who are the right hand of the Generals; Ivan was a Colonel rank with his output being eighty-five percent. Finally, Generals, the highest rank in the organization, have the highest output of ninety percent. 

Both Colonels and Generals get custom weapons specially designed for them. While talking, a Scientist hooked wires to each of our suits. We were back to training, and the loud sounds of the mana-infused bullets filled my ears. Roughly six hours had passed since our last break, and the sun started to set. The scientist that hooked us up to the wires came forward. His glasses pressed his bangs close as he fumbled with his tablet. 

“Okay, update on mana output, Ms. Royal's 46% output is a three percent growth,” The scientists announced, “next, Mr.Hanz’s 46% percent output is one percent growth.” 

Once the scientist said that Hanz tensed up as both Diana and William started snickering, trying not to laugh. 

“Anyways, Mr.William 48% output a five percent growth,” the scientist continued trying to keep his composure, “Ms. Wallace's 50% output is a five percent growth.” 

Rachell’s face smirked as she looked at General Wallace; I could only imagine what was going through her mind after she matched my output. 

“Finally, Mr.Vespean’s 52% output, two percent growth.” The scientists concluded 

I didn’t know what to expect after my initial reading. I couldn't help but feel like my growth was either going to be slow or nonexistent. But nevertheless, as long as I keep improving, I should be able to make enough money. 

“Okay, everyone, grab your stuff from your barracks; we are moving y’all to a different place for this squad,” Elizabeth commanded 

Once I packed all my stuff again, I was escorted to the other side of the Iron Turtle. Unlike the other barracks, this was more like a mansion. The building was 2 floors with Victorian-era architecture, but the most impressive part was inside the house. Once I walked in, there was a spiral staircase leading upstairs, with an enormous chandelier hanging like a present from god. I quickly made my way through the whole house. Unlike in my house, there was so much space between each room. The kitchen had a large dinner table to fit six people, while the actual kitchen looked like the ones I saw on cooking shows. 

I made my way upstairs; there were 6 bedrooms, each labeled with the names of my squad members. My bedroom was farthest away from the stairs, so I opened my door to see a king-size bed, desk, and a door that led to a personal bathroom. I was hoping for a TV but saw none. This is a training camp, and I can't get too comfortable. 

While unpacking my belongings, I hear yelling coming from outside my door. Peaking my head out, I noticed Hanz and William arguing over something. 

“How did you do it?” Hanz sneered 

“Listen, bro, some people improve quicker than others.” William counters while also somewhat mocking Hanz

“You always act like you have superiority over me!” Hanz yelled, voice cracking. 

“Okay, I’m sorry, but I can’t help since you make it so easy to be superior.” William apologizes but with a sarcastic tone. 

“Why you-“ Hanz sneered while reaching for William before being flipped over onto his back. Williams's demeanor changed entirely from playful sarcasm to stern superiority. 

“I’m going to say this once and only once. I don’t care about the suit output; I'm just here for adventure and free education.” William scolds his brother while twisting his arm. 

I stepped out to possibly stop the fight, but William released his brother's arm once I was about to say something. William stared at me, his playful smile plastered on his face again. 

“Sorry for disturbing you, Ren. Just some brotherly fun.” To a smile that didn’t match the tone of his voice. 

“You’re fine; just keep it down, okay?” I told them before walking off to where Diana was staying. 

Once I got close to her door, I could hear music playing; I knocked on the door, waiting for a response. After thirty seconds, a faint voice answered, “come in.” my senses were bombarded by the gaming set up on her desk. She had three monitors, a desktop, and LED lights surrounding her room. 

“Wow, you packed your entire setup?” I asked, walking into her room to admire it. 

“Yea, it helps with my nerves, but I doubt I would use it that much.” She replied, pushing her glasses up to her face. 

“Well, I guess that’s true; I’m about to head to the kitchen; Do you want anything?” I said, walking out of her room. 

“No thanks, but I think Elizabeth is looking for you; she should be in the primary bedroom,” Diana told me while turning on her PC and putting on her headphones. 

Making my way to the main bedroom, I constantly thought of what General Wallace wanted from me. I knocked on the main bedroom door, and a soft but commanding voice allowed for my entry. I saw Elizabeth sitting on her bed, pouring eye drops into her eyes like she was washing them after having chemicals in them. 

“You asked for me?” I announced my presence, voice wavering. 

“Yes, please sit down at the desk,” she said, waving her left arm in the general direction. 

I sat down, watching her constantly blink and pour the medication into her eyes. 

“Sorry, my eyesight has been declining the past few years.” She said with the same smile on her face. 

“May I ask why you asked to meet with me, miss?” I replied coldly to her small talk. 

“Would you like to lead this squad since you have the highest output?” She asked; her eyes went from auburn to red. 

“I don’t think I would be a good leader but thank you for your offer.” I politely declined while standing up to leave. 

“Well, what a bummer; it seems like I have to give it to Rachell,” Elizabeth said, her voice somber with disappointment. 

“May I ask what’s your relationship with Rachell?” I turned to her, and my mind kept jumping back to how she looked when Rachell introduced herself during training without giving her any honest advice, “ as an older sibling, I couldn’t understand your dislike for your younger sibling.”

“Well, as an older sibling, would you let your younger sibling risk death despite having other options.” She answered, still smiling but starting to walk over to her desk. “Rachell is a talented and intelligent girl, but she is stubborn, and in this job, that could lead to death. 

My thoughts flashed to my sister and her wanting to join Jager. I would be like Elizabeth in the sense of discouraging her from working in such a job. Celena is still younger, and with the paycheck from this shouldn’t need to work and just focus on school. I opened my mouth to ask the general, but she cut me off. 

“Ren, I’m not asking as a supervisor, but as a sister; please don’t let Rachell kill herself out there.” She asked desperately. The smile she tried so hard to keep fading in her bloodshot eyes. 

“Yes, ma’am, but I expect a raise for babysitting her,” I said jokingly while finally making my way out the door. 

I watched as Ren left my room; a wave of relief washed over me like a cold breeze that covered my whole body. I flopped onto my bed and stared at my ceiling. My vision blurred and refocused. “Damn it,” I thought as my shoulders tensed and tears started to sweal into my eyes.; Rachael, why do you want this burden so much? I contemplate before my phone starts to ring. 

Picking up the phone, I answered, annoyed, “Hello, this is General Wallace.” 

“General, come to the survey building quickly.” A shaky voice I can only assume to be Dr.Kirk. 

Making my way to the survey building, I barge into the main room, breathing unevenly from running about 60 meters. 

“What’s the problem?” I asked, looking at Dr.Kirk

“Madam Wallace, come look at this.” I assume Dr.Kirk responded as vaguely as he could just to piss me off. I Walked over to him and saw a graph with a line that kept going up and crossing a small red line horizontally across the screen. 

“What am I looking at?” I turned to Kirk, side-eyeing him. 

“The mana over the Iron turtle is increasing, and I’m afraid our shields might drop.” He explained it to me. But still, I don’t understand why he called me at almost 12 in the morning. 

“I’m sorry, Doctor, but unless the Iron Turtle is in immediate danger, I don’t see how this is my prob-“ I told the doctor before an explosion came from the pond in which I took the five candidates just a couple of hours before. 

“That’s what I was trying to tell you. The Iron Turtle is under attack.” Dr.Kirk said, eyes staring at me with fear