Chapter 123: no change

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: no change

The fight between Reid and Caleb intensified.

With every collision, sharp bursts of wind tore across the field, sending dirt and debris swirling through the air. To the watching recruits, the two men were little more than blurs, moving far too quickly for ordinary eyes to follow.

Enzo and Dean watched in silence, their expressions almost detached, as though they were observing a performance rather than an actual battle.

Amelia, still held securely in Dean’s arms, followed the exchange with quiet amazement.

She could keep up with their movements.

At least a little.

Reid’s voice carried over the chaos, mocking and sharp.

"I thought you’d gotten stronger over the years, Caleb. Clearly, I overestimated you."

Caleb remained composed as he blocked another strike.

"I don’t want to cause severe damage to the field."

Reid laughed once.

"You know how this ends. Do the needful."

Caleb understood exactly what he meant.

Reid wanted him to surrender.

That was never going to happen.

Amelia groaned softly, the pain from her injuries still lingering throughout her body.

"Dean... please. Make him stop."

Enzo’s voice cut through the noise.

"Reid. Enough."

Reid didn’t slow down.

"I’m not finished—"

"It’s Amelia’s order."

The fight ended instantly.

Reid disengaged without another word and strode toward his brothers, not even sparing Caleb a glance.

Caleb straightened and immediately began issuing orders to the nearest recruits.

"Treat the injured. I want a full report on everything that’s been damaged."

He approached the brothers with a nervous subordinate following closely behind him.

"I’ll get to the bottom of this. Let my people treat her."

Dean’s arms tightened around Amelia.

A low growl rumbled deep in his chest.

"No one else is touching her."

He turned and walked away.

Enzo and Reid followed without hesitation.

As they left, Reid casually raised his middle finger in Caleb’s direction without even looking back.

They entered one of the large medical tents.

"Everyone out."

The medical staff obeyed immediately, clearing the tent within seconds.

Dean carefully lowered Amelia onto the nearest treatment table.

The three brothers moved around her with practiced efficiency, selecting what they needed, cleaning her wounds, applying pressure where necessary, and wrapping each injury in fresh bandages.

Despite the speed of their movements, every touch was gentle.

Amelia noticed.

She could feel the care in every careful movement, and something warm settled in her chest.

I like this familiar feeling.

Reid’s voice was quieter than usual when he finally spoke.

"Sorry it took so long. I delayed your treatment."

"It’s fine," Amelia replied. "You’re quite fond of that... even in the memories from my past lives."

Enzo’s grey eyes sharpened.

"You’ve recovered them?"

Amelia nodded once.

The brothers’ expressions shifted immediately.

Questions clearly lined up behind their eyes, but none of them spoke.

The timing wasn’t right.

They all seemed to understand that.

Amelia watched them for a moment before speaking again.

"You can ask whatever’s on your minds. Whether I answer is up to me."

They finished the last of the bandages in silence.

Enzo shook his head.

"Not now. You need to be in better shape first."

Reid gave him a knowing look.

"Cut the act. You’re only saying that because you want a private moment with her so you can ask your questions."

"I’m not."

Dean’s voice was dry.

"Enzo isn’t the type to delay answers when he wants them."

Reid nodded as though that settled the matter.

"True. Private moments are more my kind of thing anyway. Which is why Amelia will be staying in my room from now on."

"No."

Enzo and Dean said it at exactly the same time.

Amelia couldn’t help smiling as she watched their familiar bickering unfold around her.

Reid waved a dismissive hand.

"Your rooms aren’t any better. They’re both depressing."

Dean’s response came immediately. "I’ll add some color to mine."

Enzo shot Reid a flat look.

"You act immature at the worst possible times. One of these days, you’re going to make Amelia die of embarrassment."

Amelia finally sat up straighter, cutting through their exchange.

"You’re all arguing, and none of you have bothered to ask for my opinion."

The three men fell silent.

Amelia looked between them.

"I’m still going to stay in that room."

Reid’s expression hardened immediately.

"No way. They use public bathrooms, public everything. You’ll get sick."

Enzo added. "I give it less than a day before the women start bullying you again. Why would you choose to stay there?"

Amelia met his eyes. 1

"Because I can’t keep running from my problems. And have you forgotten that people died because of that incident? Of course the women are going to be angry with me."

Silence settled heavily over the tent.

After a moment, Amelia’s expression softened.

"I understand why you’re worried. But I can still stay in your rooms sometimes."

Their expressions brightened almost immediately.

"It’ll be on my terms, though," she added. "Whenever I feel like it."

Reid exhaled, already accepting the compromise.

"That’s better than nothing."

Dean nodded.

"Can we at least renovate that terrible room of yours?"

"Sure."

Before anyone could say more, the tent flap shifted.

Caleb stepped inside, his expression carefully controlled.

"I’ve gathered the information on what happened. I would like to apologize. The recruits involved will receive their punishments."

He paused briefly.

"However, Amelia will receive harsher training."

Reid’s voice rose immediately.

"What the fuck?"

Caleb continued without raising his own voice.

"Her ability left more than fifty recruits weak and restless. They still haven’t fully recovered."

Dean’s response was sharp.

"It serves them right. They were stoning our partner."

Caleb’s gaze moved between the three brothers.

"You seem to keep forgetting that this place isn’t your home. You can’t do whatever you want or issue whatever orders you please here. This academy follows strict rules."

His eyes settled on Amelia.

"This is her punishment, no matter how unfair it may feel to her."

The brothers’ expressions darkened further.

Amelia spoke before any of them could respond.

"He’s right."

She looked directly at Caleb.

"But doesn’t that mean you have to be punished too?"