I Received System to Become Dragonborn
Chapter 961 - 961: Problem Already

Erend stood just behind the main group, his arms crossed as he scanned the line of candidates with keen, discerning eyes.

Twenty in total—men and women hardened by discipline and trained under the military's uncompromising standards.

Still, no amount of training could fully conceal the nervous energy radiating from them. Even those who looked the most composed among them before carried a certain tension in their jawlines and the stiffness of their posture.

But that was expected.

This wasn't a normal combat mission or even a normal mission at all. This was something far more unknown.

He studied them closely. Judging not only their strength but their readiness. Their resolve.

In his mind, these people were supposed to have steel for a mind and fire for a will. And based on the interview these were the most stable minded soldiers.

General Lennard gave a subtle nod toward the side, where Thomas stood by a terminal.

Picking up the cue, Thomas stepped forward and cleared his throat, activating his wrist-link to project his voice clearly across the hall.

"We'll begin the onboarding process immediately," Thomas said, his tone professional and even. "Each of you will be escorted to your assigned quarters shortly. You've already gone through initial screening, but there are additional briefings to complete."

He raised a tablet and began swiping through it, tapping at several sections as he continued.

"Before anything else, you'll be asked to re-sign the non-disclosure agreement. This is standard procedure. I know some of you may find it redundant but the scope of this operation is unlike any you've dealt with before."

A few of the candidates exchanged whispers. One woman with short-cropped hair leaned slightly toward the man beside her and muttered something. He only gave a silent nod.

A few frowned, but didn't speak.

Others, perhaps more familiar with highly classified operations, already understood the necessity.

Re-signing a legal veil of silence was expected. Especially in a project flirting with the boundaries of science and the unknown power known as Magic.

"This is not just for your protection," Thomas continued, "but for the preservation of the project itself. Once you've completed the documents, you'll be briefed on internal procedures, emergency protocols, and the daily schedule. Meals and accommodations have already been prepared."

He gestured toward a side corridor. "Afterward, we will proceed underground. The real facility, which is the testing chamber, energy conduits, stabilization systems and other things, all of it is housed beneath this building."

That caused a few more hushed murmurs.

Erend's eyes remained on the group. So far, none of them had said anything. That was good. That means they were ready.

Then General Lennard stepped forward again and spoke in a commanding voice as before.

"You may now report to your assigned quarters. You've each been issued an access card." He gestured, and a staff officer stepped forward with a small case containing sealed envelopes. Inside each envelope was a sleek electronic keycard with a number matching their designated room.

"Get familiar with the space. Rest, eat, and prepare. Tomorrow, we begin the integration process."

With a sharp motion, General Lennard turned and strode away, leaving no room for further questions.

Officers guided the candidates toward the living quarter wing. A wide hallway leading into a quieter, private section of the facility.

One by one, the candidates peeled off, scanning their cards at marked doors.

Each room was isolated. No shared walls. No common bunks. Because this was not a barracks.

Each candidate had their own room. Their own silence, and their own time to reflect.

—

After all the candidates disappeared into their designated rooms, the last of the footsteps fading down the corridor and the hallway grew still.

Erend turned his gaze toward General Lennard, who stood slightly apart from the rest.

His usually stern features bore a subtle shift. His jaw was tight, eyes darker and looked less steady. Something had changed. Something heavier than the usual burden of command.

Billy, leaning lazily against the wall, seemed to notice it too.

Adrien glanced at Erend and raised a brow slightly, just enough to confirm the unspoken feeling passing between them.

Even Jessica, who normally stood composed beside her father, was watching him now with quiet concern.

The general's next words came without hesitation.

"Come to my room," Lennard said, his tone clipped and low. "Now."

That was all it took. They all obeyed without a question.

Erend fell in step beside Adrien and Billy. None of them spoke, but glances passed between them in an understanding manner.

Adrien's eyes narrowed just slightly. Billy shrugged but his jaw was set. Erend, as always, stayed unreadable but inside, he was already turning through possible outcomes.

They followed General Lennard through a service corridor until they reached the far wing of the facility which was made of old concrete, metal pipes running along the ceiling. They passed no other personnel. This part of the complex was quieter and more secure.

Lennard opened the reinforced door to his private quarters, then stepped aside to let them in.

"Jessica," he said, his voice lowering, "lock the door."

She nodded once and sealed it behind them, sliding a heavy bolt into place.

A keypad flickered briefly, confirming the lockdown.

Inside, the room was more spartan than expected. There was a desk with scattered files, a portable war-table unit in standby mode. Maps and surveillance screens along one wall. But none of that mattered now.

They all took seats. Erend beside Adrien, Billy lounging in the corner but visibly alert. Jessica sat near Billy. Conrad and Thomas also took their own seats.

All eyes were on Lennard now.

He didn't waste time and went straight to the point.

"I just got back from a direct transmission with the Defense Council," Lennard began. "Information about this project… has leaked."

The words dropped like stones in the room.

"No confirmation yet on how but a foreign agency has gotten wind of what we're doing here. The Vice President believes there's a high probability someone on the inside has passed it along. This could lead to another disaster."

A heavy, suffocating silence followed.

Then Adrien leaned forward, fingers laced under his chin. "What do you suggest we do, sir?"

Lennard didn't even pause. His expression was hard.

"We must root them out," he said. "If there are spies in this facility—and I believe there are—we need to find them. Now. Before the integration starts."

"You think we should… uhh… using Magic?" Billy asked, his voice quiet and uncertain.

Lennard gave a grim nod. "Yes. The traditional ways won't cut it. They'll be hiding behind credentials and false loyalties. But Magic? I believe that it can see deeper than background checks."

Thomas ran a hand through his hair. "That's not exactly legal inside a government base…"

"And what do you think happens if one of these agents sabotages the testing chamber while the candidates are connected to raw Magic energy or when the data was leaked to another country who had never dealt with Magic disaster before?" Lennard snapped. "We won't be dealing with legal consequences, we'll be scraping bodies off the walls and possibly another global disaster."

"I'm just stating the fact, doesn't mean I don't agree," Thomas said quietly with a wince.

The room fell quiet again.

Erend looked around, then spoke.

"Whoever it is, they're not just leaking info. They're here for the project's heart. For the power of Magic. I agree that we must stop them fast."

Lennard met his gaze directly. "Then you three better be ready to begin now."

Erend looked at Adrien and Billy. The three of them were the only ones here with the ability to wield Magic and a little bit of more understanding of its principles.

But even between the two of them, Erend was still the core. Thi-s ch^apter# was fir-st s$ee&n$ on M-VLE@MP!Y@R@.

He was the Dragonborn. The one who had allowed Adrien and Billy to awaken their Magic in the first place. The one who had delved deeper into the experience in another world.

If anyone could sense the rot in this facility, it was him.

"I'll handle it myself," Erend said. "I'll find who's behind this."

General Lennard exhaled sharply, the breath almost like something had uncoiled from inside his chest.

"Good," he said. "Then it's decided."

Beside him, Conrad stared at Erend with a look that didn't show his thoughts.

But, he said nothing.

"You must move now. If they know the schedule, they'll act before tomorrow."

"I'll start tonight," Erend replied simply.

There was no more need for words. Lennard gave a single nod, then swept a hand toward the door. "Meeting dismissed."

Chairs scraped lightly against the floor. No one lingered. Jessica was the first to unlock the heavy door. Adrien clapped Erend once on the shoulder as he passed. Billy followed after, muttering something about grabbing a strong coffee just in case things went sideways tonight.

Only Erend remained for a moment longer.

He stood in the middle of the room with General Lennard, eyes trailing across the maps and the structure of the facility.

He needs to find them soon starting from the most obvious place that could broadcast their information or where they can take it.

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