"Again? What happened to your old friend?" Jade inquired, her curiosity piqued as she slowly stood, shedding the vestments of their training for her original attire. The shift in conversation marked a transition from the physical exertions of their training to the emotionalndscape of their pasts.


    Rosa''s story unfolded with a somber tone. "Well, it''s a long story, but when I was new here and after I went through the ritual, I... well, woke up with these ears and fur. It was hard to get used to, to be honest, and I was even depressed for the longest until I made a good friend."


    She paused, the weight of her next words hanging heavily in the air. "She died a while ago now because I wasn''t strong enough to protect her against some fire creature." Discover hidden stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    Jade''s attempt to offer constion came from a ce of empathy, trying to find a silver lining in Rosa''s tragic story. "I see, but you did all you could, at least you beat the creature and got revenge for her though," she said, hoping to provide somefort.


    Rosa, however, corrected that notion with a stark reality. "Nope, we were utterly crushed. I was the only one who survived, and by the time backup arrived, the creature fled back to wherever the hell theye from." Her words painted a grim picture of the encounter, one where victory was not achieved, and loss was the only oue.


    Jade''s confusion was evident as she tried to reconcile Rosa''s ount with her understanding of their tactics. "Wait, that doesn''t make sense, isn''t the fact that these tactics we use effective because they can''t go back to talk about how we do things?" she questioned, seeking rity on how such an event could unfold without yielding any strategic advantage.


    Rosa''s response shed light on the nature of their adversary. "Yeah, that''s true, but this creature was just mindless and brute force. It ran away like a sad dog once Rayi showed up." Her exnation suggested that the creature''s retreat was not a calcted move but a response to overwhelming force, a deviation from the cunning and strategic enemies they were ustomed to facing.


    Jade, still grappling with the details, inquired further about the mysterious figure who had caused the creature to flee. "I see, who is Rayi though?"


    Jade listened intently as Rosa described Rayi, one of the mentors known for her unique role within theirmunity.


    "Oh, she is one of the mentors; she is usually traveling between countries searching for people who may have a gift that''s useful to be unlocked like yours was." This information painted a picture of Rayi as a key figure in their operations, someone dedicated to identifying and nurturing potential talents across the globe.


    Curious about the hierarchy of strength within their ranks, Jadepared Rayi to another figure of renown. "Oh, so she''s kinda strong like Master Ash?" The question was innocent, seeking to ce Rayi''s prowess in a context she could understand.


    Rosa''s response came with a light-heartedugh, a recognition of the difficulty inparing the strengths of such formidable individuals. "I''m not sure if anyone is as strong as her.


    To be honest, I''ve never seen her lose, but she''s never fought the Director or Master Gojaro, so who knows." Her words highlighted the respect and admiration held for Master Ash, while also acknowledging the mystery that surrounded the true extent of her power.


    Jade, moved by the camaraderie and support she had found in Rosa, made a heartfelt promise. "I see, well, I''m d I can be your friend, and I promise not to die anytime soon," she said with a smile, her words a blend of humor and sincerity. "But I gotta head back to my room; I should be getting the keycard to theb, so you can find me in that district of this confusing ce."


    Rosa''sughter, light and reassuring, filled the room as she spoke of her ns to check on Oscar, their injuredpanion. "I will go check on Oscar to see how he''s healing up, and I will keep you to that promise, you better take care of yourself," she said, the warmth in her voice a stark contrast to the serious nature of their environment.


    Her concern for Jade was genuine, a reflection of the deep bond they had formed through their shared experiences.


    Curious about Jade''s uing endeavors, Rosa inquired, "What are you doing in thatb again?"


    Jade, her mind already on the tasks ahead, replied with a hint of excitement, "Oh, just testing some stuff and trying to figure out how these creatures work a bit more, nothing too crazy yet." Her response, while vague, hinted at the important work she was about to undertake, research that could potentially provide them with an edge against the mysterious creatures they faced.


    Leaving Rosa behind, Jade ventured out, her journey to her room taking a bit longer than expected as she navigated theplexyout of their facility. The corridors, identical and maze-like, seemed to conspire against her, turning a simple walk into a mini-adventure.


    It was during this moment of uncertainty that she encountered Victoria, standing sentinel outside what Jade realized was her own room.


    "Thank you, I was having trouble finding my way," Jade admitted, grateful for the unexpected guidance.


    Victoria''s response was devoid of emotion, her nk face betraying no sign of empathy for Jade''s predicament. "You''ve been here how long and you can''t even find your way to your own room?" she asked, her tone t.


    Jade defended herself with a light-hearted exnation, "Well, everything looks the same for the most part, so it''s easy to get turned around." Her response was an attempt to lighten the mood, to bridge the gap between Victoria''s stern demeanor and her own more casual approach to the situation.


    Undeterred by Jade''s reasoning, Victoria continued in her characteristic blunt manner. "You should really work on your photographic memory then. This ce is designed to be confusing; you never know what could happen." Her advice, though delivered without warmth, was practical, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of their environment.


    Handing over theb card, Victoria provided precise directions to theb quarters, a gesture that, despite her stern facade, indicated a level of support for Jade''s mission. "You have Lab 6 all to yourself, though as time goes on you might lose space depending on if you waste resources and what not," she exined, setting the stage for Jade''s next phase of work.


    As Victoria departed, Jade was left with mixed feelings. "Not the most friendly person, but she means well, I suppose," she thought to herself.