From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 286

Chapter 286 So It’s You

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Inside the simulated desert heat zone, Skyler was drenched in sweat, his tanned skin glistening with a wild, primal energy.

A few of the team members had already bailed out of the sand pits, cooling themselves off with cold water.

But Skyler gritted his teeth and stayed buried, enduring the scorching heat. He knew that for every extra second he endured, he gained strength–one step closer to that guy.

“Skyler, what are you doing? Trying to kill yourself in there?”

Outside the pit, a few teammates returned to see him still soaking in the blazing sand. One of them, a muscular man in a tight training shirt with thick calluses on his fists, couldn’t help but laugh.

His codename in the Southern Wyvern Blade unit was “Brute.”

Beside him stood a woman in a battle dress uniform, her body gleaming with sweat. Her long, slender fingers were tipped with razor–sharp nails that glinted dangerously in the sun.

Her codename was “Vane.”

“Seriously, Skyler, you’re the most hardcore of us all these days. When you first joined Wyvern Blade, you weren’t like this. What happened? Did some girl break your heart or something?”

The others all looked at him curiously.

Skyler had only reported to the Southern Wyvern Blade unit once before, did a half–day of training, then left for his pre–training leave.

However, just a few days later, he returned on his own and began an intense, relentless training regimen that made even the veterans pause.

“Yeah,” Skyler replied, his voice calm but firm from the depths of the sand pit. “I went out and saw something that made things real clear. We’re Southern Wyvern Blade–sure.

“But some people out there? They’re even stronger than us–way stronger. That’s why I have to get stronger–fast. Use everything I’ve got. No shortcuts.”

His eyes gleamed, the image of that night burned into his mind–how that man had crushed Elric and Adrian with a mere gesture. It had shattered his pride–and lit a fire in his

gut.

Nearby, the others fell silent.

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Chapter 286 So It’s You

They all knew it.

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Sure, getting into Southern Wyvern Blade was an honor. They were elite among elites but had been utterly crushed by their northern counterparts during the Wyvern Cup.

Every one–on–one and team mission had ended in defeat. No room for excuses.

The whole military command had watched. It was humiliating.

Finally, Skyler hit his limit. He climbed out of the pit, hosed himself down, but the look in his eyes remained razor sharp.

“I went to Ravenridge,” he admitted coldly. “Met someone. A rival… and a romantic rival at that.

“I admit it–he’s better than me right now. But I swear, I’ll surpass him.”

“Romantic rival?” said Boomer, the team’s best in one–on–one combat. He raised a brow. “You lost to some guy chasing the same girl? Who the hell is he?”

The others leaned in, intrigued. Skyler wasn’t the best among them, but he wasn’t far off. For someone like him to admit defeat, this rival had to be a monster.

“His name is Leander,” Skyler replied, eyes blazing. “He’s a power player from Mornwick. And yeah–I’m not on his level… yet.”

Hearing that name didn’t ring any bells with them.

But before they could ask more, heavy footsteps approached.

A towering figure appeared. Nearly two meters tall, skin dark, and body solid like a tank. He stood like a wall.

This was their team leader–codename “Torre.”

“Get cleaned up, you lot,” he barked. “You have ten minutes. After that, report to the yard.”

Everyone tensed.

“Is that the new chief instructor?” someone muttered.

After their crushing defeat in the Wyvern Cup, the brass had removed their previous instructor and brought in someone new.

Many of them were loyal to the old instructor, who’d been demoted. They were resentful- defensive.

Who the hell was this new guy?

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Chapter 286 So It’s You

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Finished

As Torre left, the squad looked at each other, exchanging glances.

“Hmph. New chief instructor, huh?” Boomer asked with a mocking grin. “Let’s see what he’s got.”

Skyler narrowed his eyes. He wanted to know, too–who was this guy that suddenly outranked even the man they’d trusted?

They quickly cleaned up and assembled in formation at the training ground. Under the blazing sun, they stood tall and unmoving, steel straight, with Torre at the front.

Then, footsteps came–light, uneven, and unimpressive.

They frowned. These footsteps weren’t steady like their old instructor’s–they lacked power, discipline, and presence.

This guy? He’s our instructor? Disbelief spread among everyone.

Even Torre furrowed his brow, thinking, You’ve got to be kidding me.

Then, the footsteps stopped.

A figure stepped into view–tall, calm, young.

Their eyes snapped toward him–and then froze.

Right in the middle row, Skyler’s pupils shrank.

His body stiffened.

His breath caught.

He gasped aloud, voice filled with shock and disbelief. “How could it be you?”

Send Gifts

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