Ain's stiff expression softened, and she smiled happily.
Her senior Randall had praised her!
The cadets around her watched Ain's smiling face, their hearts pounding.
"M-Mom, I think I'm in love."
"W-Was Ain always this pretty?"
"Damn it, Ain or Vice Admiral Randall? How am I supposed to choose?
Why not take both?"
Nearby, Zephyr watched Randall with satisfaction.
Who knew this brat was so good at teaching?
With his keen eye, he could naturally tell that Ain's combat skills had improved significantly in just a short while.
Then Randall and Ain locked in combat again.
Another half hour passed, and Ain could now consistently dodge Randall's first attack.
Sometimes, when she outdid herself, she could even survive until his third or fourth move before being finished off.
At that point, Randall raised a hand, stopping Ain as she prepared to charge at him again.
"That's enough, Ain. Let's stop here.
You can practice getting used to it on your own later."
At his words, Ain relaxed.
Only then did she feel an overwhelming wave of exhaustion crash over her.
Her clothes were instantly soaked through with sweat.
Ain finally realized that she had reached her limit.
A sudden sense of reassurance welled up inside her.
"Phew... phew... thank you... phew... for your guidance, senior."
Ain respectfully saluted Randall, visibly brimming with joy.
She had gained so much in just one short hour.
The progress she had made in that brief time was worth several months of fumbling around on her own!
Randall smiled, then turned to the cadets watching the show.
"Would you like to dance too?"
The other cadets froze at his words, then erupted with delight.
Ain's improvement had been plain for everyone to see.
Naturally, they were envious.
Now that Randall had offered of his own