227 I Don't Want It

After Adam's victory, a leader was chosen.

"So, Bryan will be the leader now." [Adam]

"Huh?!" [Bryan]

Shocked by Adam's sudden decision, Bryan tried to refuse.

"I-I'm not strong though! I wouldn't be fit to be a leader!" [Bryan]

Adam put a hand on Bryan's shoulder.

"You don't have to be strong to lead. You need smarts." [Adam]

He pulled his actions from Askyros' memories. He could recall Askyros taking up a high position, but Ryse had to do all the work.

"...Are you sure you're Adam? You're acting smarter than usual." [Krino]

("Hey, I can learn.") [Adam]

"Felix wouldn't agree." [Krino]

Bryan was still unconvinced.

"What about everyone else? What are your opinions?" [Bryan]

Leo and Robert stepped away.

"Whatever Adam wants." [Leo]

"Same." [Robert]

Bryan gave them a confused look.

"It's like you guys only listen to Adam." [Bryan]

Leo looked away.

"No clue what you're talking about." [Leo]

Bryan turned to the others.

"What about you? Howard? Alice?" [Bryan]

Howard shrugged.

"I lost. Nothing I can do about it." [Howard]

Alice was of the same mind.

"It doesn't even matter at this point. Just do as he tells you." [Alice]

Bryan was left in disbelief.

("Can I really lead?") [Bryan]

He was afraid of the consequences. Bryan, a low level ability user, would have to lead those with abilities of a higher grade.

"What do you think our officers would say about it?" [Bryan]

"Nothing. He did say to determine a leader ourselves." [Adam]

Adam also accounted for the fact the Senior Officer was getting pressured into helping him.

"...Are you guys really sure?" [Bryan]

Adam sighed.

"I know your unconfidence is your charming point, but I need you to be more certain. How else did you end up in this camp? You survived the elimination process too." [Adam]

"...The obstacle course doesn't have anything to do with ability. Also, it was my personal connections that got me here." [Bryan]

Leo raised his hand.

"I also got here through personal connections." [Leo]

Howard and Alice nodded.

"Wait. Did you all get here through personal connections?" [Adam]

"I didn't." [Robert]

"Okay, we're getting off track. Can we talk about how you're pushing off your position?" [Bryan]

"You mean YOUR position?" [Adam]

Bryan pointed at Adam.

"Don't you play this game with me." [Bryan]

"Either we keep playing this game or you stick with your role." [Adam]

Bryan opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

"...Alright. I'll do it." [Bryan]

"Finally." [Adam]

"However! You guys better not regret it." [Bryan]

Adam smiled triumphantly.

"Of course." [Adam]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Moments later…

"Adam! Make sure the boots are in the bottom left corner!" [Bryan]

"What? Wasn't it right?" [Adam]

"No! We've gone over this three times already!" [Bryan]

Adam was stuck by his footlocker rearranging his belongings with Bryan.

"What even is this P.O.S. stuff? Can't we just organize it ourselves?" [Adam]

"P.O.S. is to keep every group's locker the exact same. It practices discipline and makes it easier to locate every object if someone is missing something." [Bryan]

Adam scratched his head.

"This is killing me…" [Adam]

"C'mon, everyone already has it down." [Bryan]

Adam glanced at the others who were simply watching from their beds.

"Hurry up. I want to sleep." [Howard]

"Go ahead. You guys don't need to wait for me." [Adam]

"That's not how it works." [Howard]

Adam shook his head.

("Military protocol this, protocol that. This is so annoying.") [Adam]

"Hurry up. We're not stopping until you've got it memorized." [Bryan]

Adam groaned.

("Maybe I'm starting to regret a few things.") [Adam]