It took several minutes for Lumi, Kaiden, Horus, and the others to return with the resource drop. As they walked through the gates, cadets lining the walls and gathered across the courtyard erupted into loud cheers, hurling praise after praise.
The reactions varied among them. Lumi unceremoniously ignored the cheers, her gaze drifting across the crowd as though searching for someone. Zephyrion realized who the moment their eyes met and she smiled at him, clearly expecting praise.
He frowned, unsure how to respond. Wasn't she keeping her distance from him? Then what… was this?
Kaiden, on the other hand, looked like he might start floating if the cheers continued. His chin rose higher and higher, as though trying to spear the heavens. He looked thoroughly pleased with himself.
Horus was the complete opposite. Scratching the back of his head with an awkward grin, he looked more like a shy little boy than someone who had just returned victorious.
