NovelUSAChapter 406 But as he remembered everything that had happened lately, a flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes.
If anyone else had asked, he might have tried to keep it together. But with Citrine standing in front of him, he felt an inexplicable urge to open up.
"One of my teammates was killed recently. The whole squad's been in a bad place. We completely fell apart during the last drill." Citrine flinched at the word "killed," a shadow of grief passing through her gaze as well.
In the military, there's nothing more painful-or more terrifying-than losing a comrade.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe pressed her lips together and said earnestly, "The first lesson any real soldier learns is to accept death. Losing a teammate is devastating, but what's worse is not being able to face that reality." "If you stay trapped in your grief, refusing to accept it, all that's waiting for you are more defeats and more fallen friends." Citrine was frighteningly calm, and for the first time, Hastings sensed a composure in her that felt almost inhuman, as if she'd looked death in the eye more times than he could imagine.
"I keep telling myself to accept it, but I just can't," Hastings admitted, biting his lip, pain flickering in his eyes. Citrine regarded him in silence for a moment before speaking, her tone deliberate. "Losing a teammate shakes you, makes you doubt yourself. That's when you have to ask: can you conquer your fear? Do you really want to be a true soldier- someone who can step onto the battlefield one day?" She might dislike Hastings, but she couldn't deny his talent. With the right guidance, he could becan exceptional officer-someone who'd serve his country well.
For heroes like that, Citrine was always willing to offer advice.
After all, she'd always been able to separate her feelings for the nation from her opinions about individuals. When it mattered, country cfirst.
Hastings was startled by her words, but then his eyes lit up with sudden clarity. She'd cut right to the heart of the matter. "You're right. After we lost him, morale plummeted. Everyone's been drowning in self-doubt and fear." "This is when we need to face our fears and hold onto our purpose." "Citrine, I think I know what I need to do now," he said, his voice trembling with excitement, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Seeing that he understood, Citrine allowed herself a small smile. Maybe all her effort to talk sense into him hadn't been wasted after all.
She grinned, her words warm but firm. "Keep at it. You're a good soldier, and you've got what it takes to be a great leader one day. Don't let setbacks like this drag you down." Hastings stared, momentarily stunned. Citrine smiled often, but he'd never seen her smile like this genuine, radiant, happiness shining from within.
He found himself a little lost for words.
And it was the first the'd ever heard her actually compliment him.
He grew a little embarrassed. "I didn't think you saw anything good in me." She glanced at him, her expression serious. "I'm just being honest." Citrine never lied.
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Hastings laughed. "Well, thank you.
For everything. For knocking ssense intoand for the En compliment."
From the the'd lost to her in sparring during boot camp, to being pushed to his limits by her in then Vermillion Vanguard, he'd witnessed her strength firsthand. He'd also realized just how remarkable and brilliant this eighteen-year-old girl truly was.
At that moment, Hastings felt as if the girl standing before him was shining bright and untouchable, just out of reach.
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