Chapter 86: EX 86. Don’t Release It
Leon lay sprawled across the neatly made bed, arms folded behind his head, one leg lazily draped over the other. The soft hum of the base outside drifted in through the ventilation system, mixing with the occasional clang of boots and distant training shouts. The mattress beneath him was firm but far better than what most military bases offered, perks of being in unit 01.
The room itself was one of four inside the shared unit accommodation, each with basic essentials: a bed, a small desk, a wardrobe, and a mounted screen for communication or entertainment. The unit’s layout resembled a small flat, with a shared bathroom and a common room where cadets could lounge, game, or argue about who forgot to do the dishes.
Technically, one of those four rooms was meant for Elizabeth, but since she wasn’t around yet, Leon had taken the liberty of claiming her space. "I’m just keeping it warm," he had said with a smirk, "She won’t mind." And truly, she wouldn’t.
He glanced at the door absentmindedly before closing his eyes for a moment.
The encounter with the combatants still lingered in his thoughts, not because it had shaken him, but because it had entertained him. The way Combatant Michael’s face twisted with suppressed rage still brought a grin to his lips.
"I wonder if I went overboard," Leon muttered, turning on his side.
A beat.
Then he chuckled and shook his head.
"Nah... it’s all for my growth."
Bullshit.
Even he knew that. He could’ve diffused things. Could’ve smiled, played nice, given them a respectful nod. But where was the fun in that?