Chapter 60 A kiss?

Words : 1772 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

The aftermath of the invasion was a strange mix of relief and devastation. The island, once a picturesque site meant to challenge and inspire students, was now a battlefield scarred by blood and broken bodies. The sun dipped low on the horizon, its orange glow illuminating the grim task of gathering the survivors and preparing the dead for transport back to Earth. The Eastern Academy Defense Force, in conjunction with Cannadah's base troops, had successfully thwarted the Harbinger invasion attempt, but the cost was high. Students and soldiers alike wandered the battlefield, searching for familiar faces amidst the chaos. Some were weeping, clutching at blankets soaked with blood. Others were silent, their gazes hollow as they tried to process the horrors they'd witnessed. In the eastern sector of the island, a team of soldiers scoured the rugged terrain and stumbled upon a cave hidden by dense foliage. Inside, they found Lila and the other injured students who had fled during the initial Harbinger attack early that morning. They were huddled together, pale and shaking but alive. Relief washed over the soldiers as they gently helped the students to their feet and carried the most severely injured out on stretchers. Lila, though battered and bruised, insisted on walking. She leaned heavily on one of the soldiers, her eyes darting around, searching for her teammates. Elsewhere, under the shade of a massive tree, Kelvin was found passed out, his head slumped against the trunk. He hadn't fought, but his role had been no less crucial. The first-year student had used his technopathic abilities to bypass the Harbinger's signal jammers, managing to send a distress call that had brought reinforcements in time to turn the tide of the battle. The effort had drained him completely, leaving him unconscious, but alive. Soldiers carefully carried him to one of the transport vehicles, ensuring he was stable. Lucas, as expected, was still working. The academy's number one hadn't rested for a moment. His uniform was torn, his hands covered in dried blood, but he moved with determination, helping the injured onto transport vehicles bound for Earth. Despite the exhaustion etched into his features, Lucas maintained his composure, directing the chaos with the precision of someone who understood the weight of his responsibility. Adrian Albright, Commander Albright's son, stood near one of the larger transport crafts, his arm in a sling but otherwise unharmed. His father stood beside him, one hand on Adrian's shoulder, the other gripping a bloodied rifle. Their reunion had been brief but emotional, and now the commander was barking orders to his men, ensuring no stone was left unturned before they departed. Cora, Lila's teammate, had survived but required urgent medical attention. Her pale face and labored breathing were a testament to the severity of her injuries. Lila stayed by her side, escorting her onto one of the transport vehicles for the injured. Her usual confidence was replaced by a quiet resolve as she held Cora's hand, whispering reassurances that everything would be okay. As the sun dipped further, blankets were distributed among the students. Many of them were still shaking from the cold or the trauma of the day. Most of the blankets quickly became soaked with blood, but no one seemed to care. The physical wounds were easier to bear than the emotional scars left by the invasion. Near the edge of one of the ships, Noah sat alone, his arms resting on his knees. His injuries had healed, though the fatigue lingered. He wasn't ready to leave yet, not while the memories of the battle were still so fresh. The screams, the explosions, the sight of his classmates falling one by one—it was all too much. He stared out at the horizon, his mind a whirl of thoughts, when a familiar voice broke through the haze. Miss Brooks. She approached him, her combat gear still clinging to her figure, though it was now streaked with dirt and alien blood. Her long scythe was strapped to her back, the weapon humming faintly as if still charged with energy. Her expression was softer now, a mix of relief and gratitude replacing the usual strictness in her gaze. "Noah," she said, her voice low but steady as she came to stand beside him. "I wanted to thank you." He looked up at her, surprised. "For what?" "For using the com device I snuck to you before you left Earth," she replied, folding her arms. "I knew the board would be furious if they found out I broke protocol, but... it saved lives. That device was the reason Kelvin managed to get through the jammers and call for help." Noah's brow furrowed. "Kelvin deserves all the credit. He's the one who figured out how to use it." Miss Brooks allowed herself a small smile. "That's true. It seems you have smart people around you, Noah. Kelvin not only bypassed the jammers, but he also used one of the top code names for emergencies—Ajax. I didn't think a first-year would know something like that." Noah chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Kelvin's full of surprises. He doesn't get enough credit for how brilliant he is." Miss Brooks nodded, her expression turning somber. "I'll make sure Kelvin gets the recognition he deserves. And as for me..." She paused, her gaze drifting toward the distant horizon. "If the board wants to punish me for thinking ahead, so be it. I'll face their judgment. But I'd rather live with their anger than the regret of not having a backup plan when it was needed most." Noah studied her for a moment, then said quietly, "You made the right call, Miss Brooks. If it weren't for that device, we might not be having this conversation right now." Her eyes softened, and for a brief moment, the weight of the day seemed to lift. She placed a hand on his shoulder, a rare gesture of warmth. "Take care of yourself, Noah. You've been through more than most today. Don't let it weigh you down."@@@@ He nodded, watching as she turned and walked back toward the main group. Her scythe glinted in the fading sunlight, a reminder of the power and determination she had brought to the battlefield. As Noah sat there, the sounds of engines roaring to life and soldiers shouting orders filled the air. The island was quieting down, the dead and the living both being prepared for the journey back to Earth. Despite the victory, there was no celebration, only a heavy silence as everyone processed what had been lost. Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. The battle was over, but the scars it left would remain. Still, as he watched Miss Brooks rejoin the others, a small spark of hope flickered in his chest. They had survived, and for now, that was enough. As Noah sat at the edge of the ship, staring into the distance, a familiar voice broke his thoughts. "Not bad for a first-year," Lucas said, arms folded, his trademark grin plastered across his face. Micah's hands trembled violently as he stood near the edge of the transport vehicle, his breathing shallow and erratic. He had been lurking around the corner of the ship, just out of sight, his ears straining to catch every word of Lucas's conversation with Eclipse. The words stung, sharper than any weapon he'd ever wielded. 'Eclipse,' he thought bitterly. That kid's name was like a curse in his mind. Lucas had outright said Eclipse deserved to be Number 5. His spot. The anger bubbled up inside him, threatening to boil over. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. 'I should punch that smug brat right now,' Micah fumed, his teeth grinding together. He could see it in his mind—marching up to Eclipse and wiping that self-assured look off his face. But then he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. His head snapped up, and his anger was momentarily replaced by self-preservation. He couldn't let anyone see him like this—shaking with rage and humiliation. Grumbling under his breath, Micah turned on his heel and began walking away briskly, his shoulders hunched. As he did, he brushed past someone—a blonde girl with a curvaceous figure and a busty front that was hard to ignore, even in his agitated state. She glanced at him, her piercing blue eyes narrowing slightly at the tense expression on his face, but Micah didn't slow down. He kept walking, his gaze fixed firmly ahead, the storm inside him barely contained. The blonde girl paused for a moment, her gaze flickering in the direction Micah had come from, as if she were considering following him. But instead, she shrugged it off and continued on her way, the faint echo of her boots disappearing into the noise of the bustling transport area. Micah, meanwhile, muttered to himself as he disappeared around a corner, his mind consumed with one thought: Eclipse, this isn't over. Meanwhile Noah sank back into thought after Lucas left before a tender presence made itself known. A figure quietly approached and sat beside him. Lila. Her blonde hair was streaked with dirt and half-soaked in blood that wasn't hers. She said nothing, just sat there, her silence heavy yet comforting. Noah noticed her but didn't speak either. Words felt unnecessary. After a long moment, Lila broke the silence. "I saw Kelvin. He'll be fine." Noah nodded. "Yeah, I saw him too." Kelvin. His best friend. The only person he truly cared about. Knowing Kelvin would pull through gave him a sense of relief he hadn't realized he needed. Lila nodded again, the silence returning. After a beat, Noah sighed, his voice softer. "You okay? No injuries?" Lila shook her head, her expression unreadable. "Good," Noah replied, his tone low, almost distant. "Yeah," she murmured. Then, without warning, she shifted closer to him. Her movements were deliberate but quiet, and before Noah could react, she passed him her blanket and leaned in, pressing a gentle peck to his cheek. Her lips lingered for the briefest moment, warm against his skin, before she pulled back and whispered, "I'm happy you're alive." Without another word, Lila stood up and walked away, leaving Noah sitting there in stunned silence. What the hell was that about? He stared after her, his thoughts swirling. The battlefield had changed everything, but that moment, simple and fleeting, left him with more questions than answers.

Chapter 60 A kiss?

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