Training and Rewards

"No—" a faint cry came from the open conference room door.

"Sigh..."

William frowned, his eyes closed, and he let out a heavy sigh.

He thought he wouldn't feel sympathy anymore, but he was still human.

When criminals and inmates were made into D-class personnel, William had a mindset of using scum for their remaining value.

But those were children.

Putting himself in their shoes...

He couldn't bear it after all.

"Alright, with me here, you won't feel bad anymore~ Good boy."

?

William, whose heart had been tormented, suddenly felt something soft in front of him.

He opened his eyes and looked down.

He found Halsey had somehow come before him, arms outstretched, hugging him tightly.

Halsey looked up, met his gaze, blinked, and quietly suggested:

"Boss, instead of regretting bringing them here, why not think about how to make it up to them?

For example, after training, you could give them comics or models as rewards.

You could also organize some activities, like movie nights on weekends or a trip to Africa.

Right?"

"Mhm..."

Hearing what Halsey said, William's heavy mood vanished.

She was right.

This woman...

"Okay," William gently patted Halsey's head and smiled, "When does an employee comfort their boss? Let go of me, I still have things to do."

"Heehee~ Okay~"

Due to the fourteen children not having adjusted to the time difference and suffering from acclimatization issues, the training plan would not proceed for the time being.

During this waiting period, they would be arranged for indoor studies, taught by senior teachers in various subjects.

William led the team back to the military base in Kenya and, under the protection of Hunk and Alpha, headed to South Africa for extensive procurement.

Halsey, however, did not accompany them. She chose to stay on Minos Island to carefully look after the children.

She would explain what anomalies were to them, or tell them Greek myths and legends at night.

Such as the twelve labors of Heracles, and how he ascended Mount Olympus after death to become the god of strength.

And how the Spartans, descendants of Heracles, led by King Leonidas with three hundred warriors in 480 BC, bravely resisted hundreds of thousands of Persian troops at Thermopylae.

Instilling in them the concept of being Spartans and letting the children understand what responsibility meant.

With Halsey's patient companionship and communication, these little Spartans gradually relaxed, no longer as fearful as when they first arrived on Minos Island.

However, after the children fell asleep, Halsey would inject them with the T-Virus she personally adjusted.

Then, in the early morning, she would administer the Vaccine.

This process was repeated to gradually enhance the physical fitness of the little Spartans, thereby increasing the success rate of future modification surgeries.

The Hive technology team arrived on Minos Island on February 26, 2007, responsible for the injection of viruses and vaccines, as well as recording the various changes in the Spartans.

The first training session also commenced on the same day. Major Kent assigned a number to each child and prohibited them from using their real names.

John was assigned the number 7.

The initial Spartan training plan and a typical day's schedule were as follows:

1. Wake up at 05:30 in the morning.

2. Run 5 laps around the track without weights (1000m/lap).

3. Rest for fifteen minutes before eating.

4. 07:30 Obstacle training, such as crawling through 30 meters of barbed wire 100 times.

5. 10:00 Strength training, such as bench press, curls, etc. (different each day).

6. Rest and lunch.

7. Starting at 13:30, anti-sunlight physical training. Hold firearms at shoulder level motionless on the beach.

8. At 15:00, lecture and practice target shooting, or teach combat techniques, etc. (different each day).

9. Training ends at 17:00. Rest and meals.

10. Attend normal academic studies.

? Free time.

? Lights out.

Seven days a week, Monday through Thursday consist of the above content.

On Friday, carry a 10kg load and conduct cross-country hiking around Minos Island until 17:00.

Saturday is for swimming and diving training.

On Sunday, Major Kent will lecture on tactical knowledge in the conference hall.

High-intensity weighted endurance training is conducted once every seven days.

Low-altitude sea-level parachute jump training is conducted once every fifteen days.

Wilderness survival training in the forest is conducted once every thirty days.

March 11, 2007, Sunday

Inside the conference hall of the Minos Island base complex;

Fourteen Spartans sat in the front row, their skin tanned, the youthful softness on their faces greatly diminished.

Their posture was straight, and their demeanor had taken on a military bearing.

The Spartans had been trained by Kent and other USS and UBCS personnel for a full two weeks, no longer the "children" they were upon arrival.

On the podium before them were several large silver metal cases and a few Alphas in suits.

Standing behind the podium was William, his skin also much darker.

William scanned each child present, his gaze lingering for a moment on John in the center seat.

Finally, he smiled and said:

"Spartans, I'm sure you've all adapted to this training life.

Dr. Halsey has also explained the true meaning of the Spartan unit and the enemies you will face in the future.

I know.

No matter how grand the talk, you will still resent me.

After all, I am the one who deprived you of your freedom and your happy childhood, aren't I?"

The Spartans replied loudly: "No, Boss, it is right to sacrifice for humanity."

William knew this was Kent's doing, which was why the Spartans were so respectful towards him.

"Heh heh."

He chuckled, gesturing to the side, "Alright, I know those are words you spoke against your will.

I don't expect your forgiveness; that's unrealistic.

But... (he snapped his fingers)."

The Alphas, prompted, opened the cases on the podium in unison.

Inside were various toys, models, comics, and other items children loved most, and even an outdoor movie projection system.

The moment the cases were opened, the Spartans' eyes were instantly drawn to them.

But the discipline of the unit was already deeply ingrained in their minds.

They suppressed the thoughts of 'wanting, wanting to play, wanting to watch' and remained motionless.

William gestured to the side, smiling as he explained:

"I grew up from your age too, and I strongly disliked being forced to study and train.

You are Spartans, but you are also children.

So...

Feel free to pick whatever you like and play with it during your free time. I'll bring you new things periodically."

!

Children are children after all.

Upon hearing that they finally had toys and comics to pass the time, their faces lit up with joy, and they puffed out their chests, shouting even louder:

"Yes! Boss!"

{Halsey's picture is pinned in the comment section, I wonder if it will pass moderation?}