Clayton's smile froze, then slowly gave way to a complicated expression.
Sparta watched his face and added:
"I hold grudges, but I don't make a move until the timing is perfect."
"If I'd fought you right away, Jayce would've stopped me. We barely knew each other then. But once I got close to him, he'd take my side. I could beat you up without being punished."
Understanding dawned on Clayton. After a long pause, he forced out a bitter laugh.
"So... you started plotting against me back then? Looking for the perfect opportunity?"
Sparta didn't deny it. That was exactly what he had thought at the time.
With how arrogant eighteen-year-old Clayton was, everyone was bound to turn against him. Sparta only had to stay on good terms with them, and they would naturally take his side.
Then no one would object. They would be happy to watch Clayton get beaten up.
"More or less. I knew you'd come after me eventually. I waited until everyone was there and you'd made yourself look bad before I struck. That way, I could use you as a stepping stone."
Clayton narrowed his eyes, thoughtful.
"So you deliberately acted easygoing and obedient around Jayce to make me look like the troublemaker who wouldn't listen?"
Sparta didn't answer directly. Instead, he said quietly:
"I wasn't the only one you bullied in the Recruit Company. Even without me, someone else would've beaten you up."
Clayton's face twitched. He said nothing more.
Looking back at what he'd done, even he couldn't help thinking, What kind of person does that?
He couldn't stomach it himself, much less expect anyone else to. Getting beaten up was only natural.
Beep, beep, beep...
The band around Sparta's wrist sounded an urgent alert. He glanced down, his expression unchanged, and dismissed