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."
