Leo listened carefully to what Layla had to say, quietly using his ability to monitor her heartbeat for any sign of deception.
Layla was nervous. She took a deep breath and revealed everything she knew.
A few moments passed.
"So that's what happened," Leo said slowly.
"You students have been involved far more than I ever imagined. This is a serious matter—one that holds the military accountable."
He paused, his expression darkening.
"I never thought the second-year head general would be involved in sending students to a red portal planet of all places."
He turned toward them.
"You two—keep this to yourselves. Trust no one. I will handle this from here."
Layla and Fex soon left the living quarters as instructed. Layla felt relieved that Leo had trusted them. She had shared the most critical events, though she had kept certain details to herself.
Inside the quarters, Leo stood in silence, his face grave.
He had heard rumors about students being sent to dungeons after the arrival of Truedream. Dungeons were prisons—places where offenders were confined for a fixed duration based on their crimes.
But abandoning students on a red portal planet was something else entirely.
His blood boiled at the thought—and at the fact that it had been hidden from him.
By then, Faye had sent him the list of names.
Leo rose and walked toward one of the decorated tapestries lining the wall. His hand slid over a precise point. A faint click sounded, and the tapestry shifted aside, revealing a hidden storage room.
Inside rested a portable teleportation device.
He pulled it out and set it in the center of the room.
Moving with purpose, Leo approached his personal armory. He donned a faded, thick golden armor, then drew his sword from its scabbard. Taking a whetstone, he sharpened the blade in calm, measured strokes.
Holding the sword in his dominant hand, he struck the air with practiced precision.
Satisfied, he sheathed the blade.
Next, he turned to the cursed weapons. Carefully wrapping them in special cloth, he sealed them inside a reinforced container. Activating the teleporter, he sent the package away. It vanished without a sound.
Leo left his quarters and moved down the hallway with steady steps. After exiting the building, he entered the second-year block and walked toward the Duke's office.
Two guards stood stationed at the door.
"State your mission, Sergeant," one of the new guard said.
Leo turned his head slightly. His milky white eyes fixed on the guard.
Before Leo could speak, the other guard stamped hard on the younger one's foot.
"It's Sergeant Leo," he hissed.
The new guard stiffened, immediately bowing and stepping aside to clear the path.
Moments passed as the guards waited outside.
Then—suddenly—a violent disturbance echoed from within.
As they rushed to open the door, it burst open on its own.
Leo stepped out and strode past them, his expression unchanged.
When the guards finally entered the office, they froze.
Shock and terror washed over their faces.
Dust stirred the room, with a broken table and broken chair, masses of earth shook from the ground, a clearly sliced rock piece.
And most of all, a bleeding Duke.
________
The next day, the students were lined up inside the portal chamber. The green portal stood at the center, while the red and orange portals had been moved to the corners.
A faint sense of bewilderment showed on many faces.
Soon, whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Weren't we supposed to go to the orange planet?"
"Yeah. My parents even gave me credits to buy advanced-tier armor."
"Maybe they'll move the orange portal to the center."
"Attention!" Sergeant Faye shouted.
The room fell silent.
"Due to unfortunate circumstances and a lack of available supervisors for the orange portal outing, today you will be entering the green portal planet— Bartnee."
Murmurs broke out again, but Faye raised her voice.
"Now, form your respective groups. Hold hands—once teleportation begins, you will be transported together. Do not panic if you are slightly displaced upon arrival. The planet is safe, fully explored by the military, and contains established shelters. You will be able to regroup and return."
She continued, her tone firm and professional.
"Since green planets are already explored, you will receive mapped layouts of the region. Your task is to hunt designated creatures. By the end of the day, you must enter into the system the number of beast crystals you manage to retrieve. And the batch with the most amount of crystals will be the winner and congratulated accordingly."
"This is an assessment," she added. "It will be important for your future careers. So do your best."
Knowing it was a green portal planet, visible relief spread through the students. Some wore disappointed expressions, but most were glad the outing had not been canceled.
Layla and Fex scanned the room.
Leo was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did he go?" Fex muttered. "Isn't he coming?"
Layla hesitated, then raised her hand.
"Yes?" Faye asked.
"Excuse me, Sergeant," Layla said carefully. "Where is Sergeant Leo? Will he not be accompanying us for this outing?"
Sergeant Faye's expression darkened, a hint of sadness crossing her face.
"Unfortunately," she said, "Sergeant Leo has decided to take leave from the academy."
Layla and Fex exchanged a glance.
A clear shock was written across both their faces.
*********
Hey guys do vote for this book in the events "double ticket"..