CHAPTER 1050: TOO DEEP

The office lights hummed softly above, casting a pale glow over the mountain of documents and screens cluttering the room.

The clock ticked toward midnight but fatigue hadn’t driven anyone away yet because there’s still something more important to do than sleeping.

Erend sat at his own table with arms crossed and watched the reports scroll on the screen while Captain Adrien leaned forward with his elbows on the desk with his brow furrowed.

Jessica’s pen scratched faintly across her notebook and Billy sat back with a sigh, rubbing his temples.

Thomas and Conrad who were just entering the room were standing at the opposite side of the room, exchanging a quiet look before Thomas finally spoke.

"It looks like all of us are pushing ourselves too hard, including these candidates," Thomas said, pointing at a highlighted section of the chart. "Look here. Candidate number Twelve had to be carried off the training field. His leg muscles tore again the moment he enhanced his speed. Same exact spot as last week."

Adrien exhaled sharply. "We already warned them about repetition. If they keep forcing it, I’m afraid that their bodies won’t last until the final phase."

Jessica flipped through her notes and spoke in her usual calm tone. "Candidate Six has burn marks down both arms. I asked the medics and they said that it’s from uncontrolled flame output from her body. And she’s still insisting she can handle it!"

There was a sign and edge of her tone that said that she was both angry and concerned.

Conrad grunted, folding his arms, and said. "Same with Candidate Nineteen. There was frostbite across his hands after he used his ice power. He was treated but the idiot wanted to get back out the same day."

Billy leaned forward now, shaking his head. "It’s not just recklessness. Some of them just can’t balance the power at all. They’re tearing themselves apart trying to keep up with the stronger ones, or maybe wanted to defeat Erend so badly."

"Which ones of them are stable?" Erend’s gaze swept over them, his voice steady but heavy.

Jessica tapped her pen against the paper, then nodded toward the list.

"Candidate Three. No major injuries and adapts quickly. Candidate Nine is also good. She’s balanced in endurance and control. Candidate Twenty-One surprisingly solid as well. Those three show the best potential to survive long term use."

Adrien added, "Candidate Fifteen isn’t perfect, but he’s getting there. At least he isn’t self-destructing every session."

Thomas frowned. "But that’s four out of how many? Out of twenty candidates only four look stable. The rest are breaking down."

Silence settled briefly, thick and uneasy.

Then Conrad broke it with a low growl. "We’re gambling lives here. If they keep training like this I’m afraid that half of them won’t even make it to the next phase."

"But we don’t have the luxury to slow down, do we?" Billy muttered under his breath, frustration clear.

All eyes drifted to Erend. He had been quiet all this time, staring at the reports with jaw clenched.

When he finally spoke, his tone was firm.

"We’ll need to adjust their training then. Push the strong ones further but slow down the ones breaking apart. I’ll personally oversee the unstable group. If anyone’s going to risk themselves pushing them too far, it’ll be me."

Adrien frowned. "What are you planning to do?"

"We can’t afford to lose them. Every candidate until this point matters. If some fall behind I’ll make sure they catch up. Maybe ask some friends for help."

The room went quiet again, the weight of his words pressing on them all. Only Adrien and Billy could guess who these friends that Erend meant.

Jessica glanced at Adrien and Billy. Thomas and Conrad exchanged another heavy look.

Erend sighed, rubbing his face with one hand. "Tomorrow we’ll start this. But for now... let’s get some sleep."

His voice carried the weight of decision. He dont want to deal with this anymore for tonight.

He pushed his chair back and rose to his feet, shutting down the computer with a firm click.

The others exchanged glances. None of them eager to leave but all too aware they needed rest. Even if sleep wouldn’t come easily.

Adrien stretched his arms with a low grunt, Jessica closed her notebook with a quiet snap, and Billy muttered something about needing the rest more than the candidates.

Thomas and Conrad gave small nods of agreement. Without another word they filed out one by one, heading toward their living quarters.

When the room was finally empty, Erend exhaled again, long and heavy, before making his way to his own quarters.

The silence there felt heavier than usual.

He reached for his phone and intended to call his mother, but paused as he realized the time.

She would be asleep by now.

He cursed under his breath for forgetting, the endless work having swallowed all sense of time.

With a low sigh, he set the phone aside.

Instead, his mind turned to Arty. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and wove the portal open, then stepped through.

Immediately was standing inside Arty’s room.

The space was calm and filled with the glow of her aura.

She sat cross-legged on the floor. Her eyes closed in meditation.

Power shimmered around her body, flowing in colors that keep changing.

Her eyes opened the instant she sensed him. A smile touched her lips.

Erend returned the small.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Much better now," Arty answered softly. "Thanks to Sylmira. I don’t see any strange things anymore."

"That’s good," Erend said as he pulled up a chair and sat beside her, relief loosening his shoulders.

Arty’s gaze grew thoughtful. "But... I can recall more of the dream now."

Erend’s smile faded. Worry showed in his face as he leaned forward slightly. "You don’t need to push yourself, Arty. Better not to keep thinking on it anymore."

But she shook her head. "I know it’s important."

Erend exhaled heavily. "Even so, you don’t need to involve yourself further," he said with frustration in his voice.

Her eyes sharpened, and she looked directly at him. "But I already am, Erend. Don’t you realize? I’m involved deep in this already."

His words died in his throat. He sat in silence, staring at her.

He hated to admit it but she was right.

Arty’s voice softened, but determination lingered beneath it. "I need to at least understand it and find a way to fight it."

Her words hung between them. Erend couldn’t dismiss it.

He clenched his jaw, torn between wanting to shield her and knowing he couldn’t strip her of her choice for this.

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