Chapter 25 - New Instructions

    ''How did she even slip me the note? I''m sure she didn''t so much as touch me—'' Leo thought, his eyes widening in surprise.

    The realization unsettled him. He had been hyper-aware of his surroundings, trained to notice even the smallest details, and yet, the note had appeared in his hand undetected.

    His mind retraced the exchange—

    The instructor''s sharp gaze lingering on him for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary, the deliberate way she had walked past without breaking stride...

    But no matter how hard he tried to recall, he couldn''t pinpoint any obvious movement, no subtle shift or sleight of hand that could explain it.

    Yet, somehow, she had planted the note on him without his knowledge.

    ''She''s skilled,'' Leo admitted, suppressing a frown. If she could slip something into his palm this easily, she could just as effortlessly have planted a dagger between his ribs.

    A chill ran through him. ''I''m too weak.''

    The thought sat heavy in his chest. For all his instincts and reflexes, he had been completely outmaneuvered.

    ''Who was she?'' He tried to recall her name but failed.

    She had never introduced herself, nor had he managed to glimpse her name tag.

    Yet, her appearance was etched into his memory with perfect clarity.

    She was tall for a woman, at least 5''10, with an athletic frame sculpted from years of combat training. Her jet-black hair was cut just above her shoulders, neatly tucked behind her ears.

    High cheekbones and a sharp jawline gave her a striking, almost severe look, while her light olive skin was smooth and unblemished—unusual, considering the brutal nature of military life.

    There was nothing overly distinctive about her—no visible scars, no features that immediately stood out. And yet, something about her presence made her impossible to ignore.

    Leo exhaled sharply, pushing the thoughts aside.

    ''If she''s an instructor here, I''ll see her again soon enough.''

    For now, it was best to focus on what was in front of him.

    A quick glance around showed the other recruits already preoccupied with finding their rooms, too absorbed in their own concerns to notice him lingering.

    Leo exhaled sharply through his nose. He hated this type of praise, the kind that felt more like manipulation than admiration.

    Generational talent? That meant nothing to him. If he truly was such a prodigy, then why had he felt so lost in the entrance test? Why did every fight leave him doubting his own instincts?

    The letter continued, and as his eyes moved down the page, his discomfort only grew.

    "Tomorrow, you will undergo aptitude testing, during which your background will be assessed. It is then that you will come to appreciate the loss of your memory."

    Leo''s grip on the paper tightened slightly.

    So, his past was something dangerous? Something that couldn''t withstand scrutiny?

    "Memorize the symbol I have drawn at the bottom of this note and present it to the instructor at the appropriate time. Do not ask questions. Just do it."

    His gaze flicked to the bottom of the page.

    A symbol was etched there—intricate yet unfamiliar. It resembled an interwoven set of geometric lines, forming a crest-like emblem.

    Leo felt no good vibes from this.

    Every instinct told him that whoever wrote this was toying with him, feeding him just enough information to keep him on a leash.

    "I know you are eager to regain your memories, but now is not the correct time for you to recall them.

    Your memories will be returned to you when the time is right. For now, your focus should be on performing well within the academy."

    Leo''s jaw clenched as anger slowly bubbled up inside him.

    His fingers curled, the edges of the note crinkling under his grip.

    Someone was controlling him. Deciding what he could and couldn''t know, dangling his own past in front of him like bait.

    He hated it.

    And yet...

    He knew he had no other choice but to comply with the manipulator''s whims for now.