For a moment, there was nothing but silence, which genuinely confused Aria.

The program was designed to send them to an early grave, so why did they all seem so shocked by the question?

Professor Cletus broke the silence with an awkward chuckle.

"That is quite a sensitive thing to say, Aria Aspen."

Was he kidding her right now?

Anger reared its head inside Aria like a waking volcano. But before she could explode, someone beat her to it.

"Really?" a stunning dark-skinned girl scoffed. "How sensitive exactly? The program is already a death trap and history has proven that. The previous candidates are evidence enough, so remind me again how much more sensitive the question can get?"

"Don’t bother, Trisha," Brittney called out. "I’m sure the graves are way outside their budget. Not that I believe they’d bother retrieving my remains from the academy anyway."

Trisha’s eyes met Brittney’s. From the way the girl scowled, Aria immediately got the feeling the two didn’t get along.

Uneasy murmurs spread through the room.

Fear shone across several faces as though their carefully constructed fantasy had finally burst, forcing reality upon them.

Karen abruptly rose to her feet.

"I will not stand for this!"

"Then sit down," Brittney said with a roll of her eyes.

The glare Karen sent Brittney’s way deserved to be framed and hung on a wall.

Aria found herself thinking that perhaps Brittney wasn’t particularly popular around here. The girl was loud, blunt, and completely incapable of keeping her thoughts to herself.

Karen continued, her gaze shifting toward Aria accusingly.

"That bitch is intentionally trying to spread panic and hysteria among us."

"Language, please," Aleksandra interjected, clearly uncomfortable with Karen’s hostility.

Karen ignored her completely. Instead, determination blazed in her eyes as she rallied the people foolish enough to buy into her argument.

"The previous generation suffered because there weren’t enough protections in place," Karen declared. "They were the first trial group. Their sacrifices gave us a chance to do better."

Aria had never wanted to punch someone quite as badly as she wanted to punch Karen right then. How dare she call them a trial group? Those girls weren’t volunteers, but sacrifices. Just like they were.

"But things are different now," Karen continued, her voice growing stronger. "The government has implemented better safeguards. Yes, danger exists, but our chances of survival are significantly higher."

She looked around the room boldly.

"Besides, how can humanity ever move forward if everyone stays inside their comfort zones? Someone has to take the first step. We are the generation that can create a future where humans and beasts live side by side."

"Yes, preach on!" one of the girls shouted.

"You’re right, sis!"

Aria’s jaw nearly hit the floor. No wonder the government got away with everything.

Some people practically volunteered to be manipulated.

"Furthermore," Karen continued, "I would be honored to die for my country."

"Not me and you, dumbass," Brittney muttered under her breath. This time her voice was low enough that only Aria heard it.

"Don’t bother," Aria told her. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The girls had already chosen its side. Anything Brittney said now would only make her look bitter.

Karen’s voice rose another notch.

"People die every single day and their deaths mean nothing to society. So why should we fear death if ours can help change the future?"

Karen turned fully toward Aria.

"Oh no," Aria thought.

She began walking toward her and didn’t stop until she stood directly in front of Aria’s seat, staring down at her.

The gesture was anything but subtle. Karen was establishing dominance. There was a hierarchy forming, and just like a wolf pack, the ones at the top would dominate those beneath them.

Except Aria refused to be at the bottom. Bullies rarely targeted people willing to fight back. If she could convince that self-righteous pick-me she wasn’t an easy target, perhaps the girl would find someone else to bother.

Aria already had enough problems waiting for her at Bestiaris Academy. She didn’t need Karen becoming one of them.

Karen’s gaze never left Aria.

"While some choose to cower in fear and others run their mouths without contributing anything useful, I will proudly serve the United Dorminia and the Novara Region." She raised her voice. "Who’s with me?"

"Yes!"

Several girls rose to their feet.

"We’re not afraid of death!"

"We’ll proudly serve our country!"

A satisfied smile curved Karen’s expression, the smugness practically wafting off her.

She stood a little straighter beneath the cheers, looking down at Aria as though she’d proven some grand point.

The look in her eyes practically screamed, you see that? What exactly are you going to do about it?

But Aria smirked instead. She leaned forward slightly and spoke low enough that only Karen could hear.

"I hope you still have that courage when you’re staring death in the face."

The effect was immediate.

For the briefest moment, the confidence cracked. A small frown tugged at Karen’s lips before she quickly regained control.

Professor Cletus cleared his throat.

"Thank you, Karen. That was a very inspiring speech."

Yet Karen remained where she stood, the stare-off between her and Aria growing increasingly intense. At least until approaching footsteps echoed through the room.

Both girls turned. Several men in tactical gear had entered the conference hall.

"You should be careful around here," Karen warned her. "Otherwise, you might become the first unfortunate casualty."

She returned to her seat.

Almost immediately, Brittney’s face appeared in Aria’s field of vision.

"See?" she grinned. "Told you that you needed allies."

Aria scowled.

In the end, it seemed the beasts weren’t the only threat she had to worry about.

This was already becoming far more complicated than she had imagined.

The effect was immediate. The moment the men stepped into the hall, the atmosphere changed. Conversations died and the girls straightened in their seats.

These weren’t ordinary security guards.

Their black uniforms were immaculate, fitted to perfection with armored vests covering their torsos. Each of them carried a sidearm on their waist while a strange insignia was embroidered onto their sleeves.

From the way they moved, Aria could tell they were disciplined and dangerous.

The group made their way onto the stage and one man stood out immediately. Perhaps it was the authoritative aura rolling off him in waves. Or maybe it was the way the others naturally deferred to him. Whatever it was, she knew he was the leader.

Professor Cletus hurried over and shook the man’s hand. The relief on the professor’s face was almost comical, as if he had successfully handed over a group of ticking bombs to someone else’s care.

Then Cletus practically fled the stage.

Coward.

Aria’s attention shifted back to the man as he stepped forward. When he spoke, his voice boomed through the hall without the aid of a microphone.

"My name is Gideon."

His introduction was simple and direct, suggesting he didn’t care whether they remembered it or not.

"Welcome to the second Concordia Program." His sharp eyes swept across the room. "You should consider yourselves fortunate. Out of thousands of applicants across the Novara Region, each of you was selected to represent humanity."

Aria fought the urge to roll her eyes.

Fortunate?

Sure. That was definitely one word for it.

"We understand the risks associated with this program," Gideon continued. "And despite those risks, you chose to step forward. For that, the government is proud of you."

The speech sounded rehearsed. But who was going to call him out on it? None.

"However," his voice hardened, "while your journey officially begins tomorrow, your conduct begins now."

The room went still.

"Fighting will not be tolerated." His gaze lingered briefly on Karen and Aria.

Apparently, word traveled fast. Or perhaps not.

Cameras. How had she not thought of that sooner?

Now that Aria looked closely, she spotted them mounted at strategic points throughout the hall, quietly watching their every move.

Great. So they had been observed the entire time.

"Any attempt to escape this facility will result in immediate pursuit and every available measure will be deployed to locate you. The consequences will be severe." The warning hung heavily in the air.

No one laughed. At least they weren’t completely stupid.

"There will be no wandering around the facility. Once you return to your suites, remain there. Get all the rest you can. You have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

Then he barked, "Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir," the girls answered.

However, it was weak and pathetic. Gideon thought so too.

His eyes narrowed.

"I said, am I understood?"

"YES, SIR!"

The sound reverberated through the room.

Much better.

"Good."

His gaze traveled across the room one final time. He said, "You may now proceed to lunch."

The moment the words left his mouth, the girls immediately rose and headed toward the exit.

Aria followed with the others. Unfortunately, Brittney followed her too. The girl remained glued to her side like a persistent fly.

"Lunch is perfect," Brittney announced. "This is where we build our alliance."

Aria frowned. She hadn’t even officially agreed to be friends with the girl and somehow Brittney was already expanding the group.

Brittney must have seen the look on her face.

"We need more people," she explained. "There is no way we’re surviving Karen and her followers by ourselves."

Speak of the devil.

As if summoned by the conversation, Karen shoved hard past Aria’s shoulder while walking by. Apparently, Gideon’s warning about fighting had obviously gone in one ear and out the other.

Brittney gave Aria a knowing look for the second time.

"See? I told you."

Aria groaned internally. This was becoming ridiculous.

She had spent most of her life avoiding other girls. Now she somehow had one attached to her side and was apparently recruiting more.

Sensing her distress, Brittney patted her shoulder. "Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything. Trust me," she added confidently. "I’ll build us the best team."

Aria stared at her. That wasn’t reassuring. At all.

Thankfully, they didn’t have to take another elevator. The crowd moved through a wide hallway before turning through a set of double doors.

The moment Aria stepped inside, she froze.

The room was enormous.

Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting warm light across the reflective marble floor. Round tables were arranged neatly throughout the hall while waiters dressed in crisp uniforms welcomed them. Everything looked painfully expensive.

Aria suddenly understood where some of the government’s funding was going. It was almost funny. They were feeding them like prized livestock before shipping them off to die.

Beside her, Brittney looked equally impressed. Then her eyes landed on one of the tables.

Immediately, she pointed. "Four seats. That’s enough for our team."

Before Aria could object, Brittney grabbed her shoulders and turned her toward the table.

"Go claim it."

"What?"

"I’ll get our teammates."

"Wait—"

But it was too late.

Brittney had already disappeared into the crowd.

Aria stared after her, then slowly rubbed her forehead.

"Father Lord in Heaven," she muttered under her breath. "Help me with this one."