Chapter 1554:
In the courtyard, looking at his dejected companions who had been weeded out, Lionel felt the urge to say something comforting, but the words caught in his throat. Offering sympathy now would feel like rubbing salt in their wounds. As one of the few who remained, he knew his well-meaning words would only deepen their frustration.
Rickey, sitting on the ground with his head low, voiced what many others were feeling, his voice a raw mix of sadness and disappointment.
âI donât envy you, and I donât hold it against you. But this⦠This feels unfair. Iâve pushed myself so hard. Why did I still fall?â
His tone was heavy, like a stone sinking into the depths of their shared silence.
But deep down, Rickey had known this outcome was a possibility. The moment the rankings were announced, the reality hit harder than he had prepared for. He wasnât the only one battling these emotions. Others shared similar sentiments. Even though the training was difficult, they had learned a lot. Nobody wanted to leave.
âYeah, Iâm not ready to leave either! Iâve gained so much from this training. Every day left me feeling like Iâd run a marathon with a bag of bricks on my back, but at the same time, I was more fired up and hopeful than ever! The thought of leaving nowâit just feels like letting go of something too good to end.â
âItâs the first time Iâve truly hated myself for not pushing just a little harder. Honestly, I donât even know if Iâll be able to keep up with the training intensity back at the original unit.â
Lionel stood off to the side, his gaze fixed on his companions, who were sinking deeper into their gloomy thoughts. He stayed silent, his face unreadable. He didnât believe for a second that their spirits were truly broken. This was just the storm before the calmâa moment to vent, to let their frustrations escape. Whether they stayed here or returned to their original units, he knew they would work just as hard and shine just as brightly. After all, they werenât just soldiers now. They were Harleeâs soldiers.
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Rosie, sharp as ever, caught the subtle shift in Lionelâs mood. Rising to her feet, she faced the others and declared with absolute certainty, âDidnât Ms. Valdez say that anyone returning to our old units would stand out? So, Iâm counting on hearing stories about you dominating your old squads like pros!â
Her half-serious, half-teasing tone was like a gust of fresh air breaking through the heaviness in the yard. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, replaced by laughter that rang out like wind chimes in a storm.
Suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the night. All heads turned toward the source. Lionel and Rita, the de facto leaders of the male and female recruits, exchanged a knowing look.
Ritaâs hand shot up, her fingers forming a swift signal. She whispered, her voice low and commanding, âQuiet. Somethingâs coming.â
Lionel cocked his head slightly, listening intently. Then, with a grim expression, he murmured, âItâs wolves. A pack of them. Everyone, stay sharp.â
At his words, the mood shifted in an instant. Guns were drawn with practiced precision. Steely-eyed recruits moved into formation, their gestures silent and fluid, like a deadly dance choreographed for survival.
Lionelâs voice cut through the tense silence.
âThe instructors and squad leaders are all out. Itâs just us now. We have to handle this.â
The determination in their eyes was unmistakable. Fear was there too, lurking in the shadows of their minds, but their training had carved resilience into their bones. Wolves or not, they were ready to fight.
At Lionelâs command, the male recruits surged forward, charging to the front like a wave crashing against the shore. Meanwhile, under Ritaâs direction, the female recruits moved to the side, forming a defensive line.
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