Chapter 71: EX 71. Delay
As Leon finally took his place beside the other top cadets, the weight of countless gazes settled around them. He stood tall, expression unreadable, the golden medal around his neck gleaming under the hall’s soft lighting. The atmosphere around him was different, solid, unshakable, almost like the very ground responded to his presence.
Eden Feran glanced at Leon, his jaw tightening for the briefest moment. But he quickly looked away, clenching his fists at his side as he thought,
"This isn’t the time. There will be a time... but not now."
Standing beside Adrian, Eleanor, and the rest, Leon’s presence completed the line up four cadets who had defined the Selection.
Vanguard Rebecca stepped forward once more, her voice firm, commanding.
"As per the rules of the Federation, the top five cadets will be granted first pick of the Attack Base they wish to be deployed to. The rest of the cadets will follow in order of ranking."
Murmurs rippled across the hall like aftershocks. The Attack Branch was the dream of every aspiring Taker.
Rebecca continued:
"You all have until midnight to finalize your decisions. Accommodations will be provided within the arena until then."
The lower-ranked cadets braced themselves as she turned her gaze outward.
"Those who did not make the top five hundred... you will be assigned to Defense Bases across the Federation. Hold your heads high. Your contribution is just as critical. There is no shame in your path, only purpose."