Hearing Leon’s listed conditions, Reymond found it hard to accept. He also understood that catering for others was a stressful ordeal but this was a moment when humanity was supposed to unite and protect each other. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

At least that was his mindset, given his background as a heir from a military family. Still, he was smart enough to present his thoughts in a calm manner.

"That’s not going to work. You’re right when you say there will be people who don’t want to risk danger with us, and we can’t force them."

His brown eyes sharpened.

"But we also can’t use that as a reason to not treat them well. They’re just terrified. Not everyone has strong hearts, you know?"

He subtly glanced at Selene who was still silent. The girl had her arms folded with an expression of contemplation on her face.

"My bad. Their weak hearts are none of my concerns. I have already stated my conditions. If they don’t like it, then they can leave."

"Huh?"

Samson and Reymond blinked at his forceful tone, and even Selene snapped out of her thoughts.

"You’re... going to kick them out?"

Gwen asked in surprise, looking at him with wide eyes.

Leon nodded firmly, his gaze resolute.

"As I said earlier, I am not here to shoulder the burden of some dead-weights."

Finally unable to stay silent anymore, Samson glared at Leon.

"Boy, at first you were arrogant and wanted to go out alone. Now you’re acting overbearing. Do you think this is a kingdom game or something?"

His voice continued to rise as he spoke, drawing the attention of the students who were in the distance.

"Everyone here is frustrated and panicking, barely holding on. Even I myself can’t help but worry about my daughter at home. And you expect me to just listen to you because of your absurd philosophy?"

Reymond and Gwen fell silent, leaning back slightly to avoid the man’s emotional outburst.

Leon didn’t react for a few seconds, then slowly lifted his gaze to look at him.

"I already gave you an option. If you don’t like it, you can leave."

Samson’s voice lowered into a growl. "Else, what?"

Leon closed his eyes, resting his hand on the hilt of the sheathed greatsword beside him.

"You know the answer."

Gwen’s eyes widened, but before she could say anything to calm the atmosphere, the temperature in the air dropped.

Everyone turned their attention to the girl who had been unusually silent.

Selene looked at Leon coldly, her expression capable of making any person freeze.

"Don’t start any stupid fights right now. We can’t afford that."

She unfolded her arms and rested them on the table.

"I agree with Leon. Only by making this rule can we get people who will be willing to help us. We aren’t farmers, and these students aren’t poultry we are rearing. They are all humans just like us."

Reymond was greatly surprising, but soon nodded in agreement. Now that Selene said it herself, it made sense. Or perhaps it was him just being biased.

Gwen sighed and nodded too, agreeing with her.

Finally, everyone turned to look at Samson who had an annoyed look on his face.

He said nothing for a few seconds, then rolled his eyes.

"Why are you all staring at me like that? Ahh, forget it. I’ll just go along with whatever you youths propose."

He shifted his gaze to Leon who remained unperturbed.

"And I apologize. I was overreacting just now."

The black-haired boy nodded casually, their argument already out of his mind.

"Good. Since everyone has agreed, Leon will be the one to inform them over there about his new rules. I’m sure you can do that, right?"

Selene gave him a taunting look, wanting to see if he would actually be bold enough to speak to the over fifty plus students.

Leon nodded and stood up. He slung the greatsword’s strap over his shoulder, then walked straight to the students who were seated at the audience seats of the basketball court.

Seeing him approach, they all fell silent and paid attention to him. This was the first time Leon had ever approached them, so they were curious what he had to say.

Leon stopped right in front of them, then looked up and raised his voice.

"Listen up! We need twenty volunteers who will be going out to get the provisions and foodstuffs with us from the biggest restaurant on campus. If you volunteer, I can guarantee you that you will be well fed."

"However, if you feel it’s too dangerous and you want to stay back, then no problem. However, don’t expect the luxury you have been enjoying for the past three days anymore. You will only be served with white rice and oil from the stew. No meat, no egg, nothing else."

Instantly, complaints rang out from the students, clearly dissatisfied with his statements. White rice and oil? Even the poor didn’t eat anything that low.

It was to be known that anyone who attended the Clifford University was bound to have come from a very influential background, or at least a middle-class family.

Therefore, no one of them was poor or had experienced real poverty. Being offered rice and oil if they didn’t agree to go out, they were naturally displeased.

Leon clapped his hands once, silencing them.

"If you’re dissatisfied with this, then you can leave. No one is stopping you. However, as long as you want to stay in this field house, you’ll have to abide by this rule."

This threat, tactically shaped like a leeway, made them all fall silent without a single sign of protest.

Leave the field house and expose themselves to zombies? No thanks! They’d rather die here. Although the new rule was annoying, some of them finally agreed to it.

Also, there were others who were willing to volunteer and help transport provisions from the restaurant to the field house.

"18 people in total, alright." Leon nodded, noting a few familiar faces. "Very well, onto the next thing. If you’re following us, and you wish to be able to gain powers and abilities, let me see your hands up."

"Note, you will have to kill zombies to gain this power you want."