That day, their training was taking place near the poolside—specifically in the deep-water zone where the depth alone could make the faint-hearted hesitate. It wasn't just about swimming or staying afloat—this was a calculated test of composure, strength, and precision under pressure.
Each cadet had their hands tightly bound behind their back with rope. One by one, they leapt into the deep blue, vanishing beneath the surface. The objective was clear: escape the bindings and resurface in the shortest possible time. It was a timed exercise, designed to assess their underwater problem-solving ability and how well they could manage stress in a critical survival scenario.
As soon as a cadet broke through the surface, gasping for air, their time was called out loudly by the supervising officer.
"Harry – one minute and sixty seconds!"
"Norah – one minute and thirty seconds!"
The murmurs of comparison and analysis stirred among the observers. And then, it was Bella's turn.
Without hesitation, she dove into the water. The surface rippled and calmed again—until, almost exactly a minute later, she emerged, her face a mix of focus and relief. Applause followed her timing, but she wasn't the fastest.
That distinction belonged to Derek. His execution was flawless—sharp, efficient, and faster than anyone else. His timing not only set the standard but also earned a rare nod of approval from the instructors.
After training, the cadets were heading back to their rooms to freshen up—preparing for dinner at the cafeteria shortly after. Bella walked along with her group of friends, chatting lightly, still drying her hair with a towel slung around her neck. Just then, a sergeant approached her.
"Cadet Bella," he called out, stopping in front of her. "Officer Becky wants to see you in her office."
Norah and Ellena looked at Bella curiously.
"You guys go ahead," Bella said. "I'll catch up after I've seen Officer Becky."
At the door of Officer Becky's office, Bella knocked once, firmly.
"Come in," came the voice from inside.
Bella stepped in. Becky was standing by the window, arms crossed, looking out at the darkening sky. She turned when she saw Bella and walked over to her desk.
"Cadet Bella," she said, settling into her chair. "How are you? How's the training going?"
Bella replied with a blank, composed expression. "Everything's going well." Becky gave a slow nod, her tone turning sharper. "Of course it is—for you. It would be, after all the trouble you've been causing."
Bella frowned slightly. "I don't understand." Becky smirked and leaned back in her chair. "Lately, you've been visiting Officer Ethan's office quite often. Seems like you don't need anything from any other officer except him." Bella said nothing. Her expression didn't change. She simply looked at Officer Becky, steady and unblinking.
Becky leaned forward slightly, her tone cold now. "Let me be clear—Officer Ethan doesn't have time to fix your little problems. He's not your personal assistant. Don't be a burden to him, Cadet. And I don't want to see you hanging around his office again, understood?"
"If you have any training-related issues," she added, "bring them up during official hours, through proper channels. Is. That. Understood?"
Bella nodded once, firmly. "Understood."