JANUARY 17 2022

11:55 AM

NATIONAL DEFENSE ACADEMY

KADUNA, NIGERIA

CLASS OF 2022 PASSING OUT PARADE

120 YEARS AFTER THE RETURN OF KING MORDRED PENDRAGON

Jesse kept on pulling at the collar of his uniform, it was brand new, however it was way too tight around the neck, and he could feel his skin chaffing under the fabric. The ceremony was almost over, the army, and then the navy had marched by before the air force had done so. Nigeria did not have any other special forces much like how America had the marines and Navy seals and rangers. Or perhaps even if they had, nothing was known about it.

Jesse fought the urge to scratch at an itch behind his neck, whatever was causing seemed to have a mind of its own as soon enough the middle of his back itched so fiercely his body began to shake. He held himself back, trying his best not to disgrace himself in front of thousands of people… his parents and brothers were here, and he was sure Baron Haruna would not take it kindly if his youngest son embarrassed his prestige.

Jesse sighed… why was he here again? The Air force was the hardest army body of any in existence to get into. The physical requirement alone were so high that even the army guys known for their physicality could not even lay a finger on the air force guys during fight night. But it had to be so, how else would they be able to withstand the [Dragon's Bond] and become a part of one of the most elite force of troops in any given nation... the [Dragon Corps].

If any of them were particularly good, or awakened a really nifty first skill, or get lucky enough to bond with a high grade dragon. Then you will be drafted to join the [Aviary] a joint world defense military outfit. Independent of any governments control and with jurisdiction to carry out any missions and security actives on the face and under the surface of the earth, across all of her holdings and colonies, and across all dimensions and dungeons.

Either way they are the foremost defense against all the threats Earth has to face in over a hundred years… basically put they're the bad ass good guys. Jesse won't lie and say that many young boys back in the day, he too had dreamt of joining the army, climbing the ranks and joining the [Aviary]. What came was a nobility status, money, prestige, a chance to see higher dimensions… a chance to bond with more than two dragons and get a chance to become part of a [Nest] or even create one yourself and be so well known across the world and all dimensions….

Yeah that was all just bullshit. The defense academy made sure to beat that stupid notion out of their heads. It was not all grand and novel like their childhood dreams had made it seem. The earth was constantly threated by outside forces, and even worse our biggest threat is all coming from within, with the advent of Atlantis and Avalon, with their kings and queens hell-bent on conquering earth for themselves and leaving the planet right in the middle to deal with the aftermath of their wars.

It was tough, it was bloody and it was painful. The fame, the wealth, the flashy cars and beautiful women or men lifestyle was just bribe to the brave men and women who were giving their lives on the battlefield to keep the earth safe. It took a lot of sacrifice to join the air force of any country's military, it took 10 times as much sacrifice to work in the [Aviary] even just as an ordinary helper or soldier.

Jesse had childishly paid the first sacrifice…. You do not get your system activated when you are thirteen. Instead you join the defense academy. You train, you learn, and then you start all over. You will gain skills the old fashioned way, just like in the days before the system. Your body will be tempered and trained with mana, but without the system to saturate it for you.

Many perished on this path, others gave it up. Very few survived, which was why this passing our parade was for 567 Army students, 480 Navy students. And 77 air force students. The defense academy had made them understand that dragons and their allure was not what it was all stoked up to be. And even after all of this hell… you might end up not chosen by a dragon, and then everything you have gone through would be naught.

Jesse regretted his choices every single day. But his father refused to let up, good old Baron Haruna… already a noble and heads above literally 99.9% of the citizens in Nigeria. But yet he still keeps on trying his best to make sure he goes higher, gin more reputation and more prestige…. To go higher up in the peerage and a Son in the air force would definitely ne the advantage he needs.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

He scoffed…. Either way his father got what he wanted. Jesse survived the 10 years of hell the Defense Academy had put him through. He had lost so many friends, that in the end he just retreated into himself and stopped making friends. A sentiment that was shared by the other 78 that survived. Now they were just as the media portrays them, stone faced and iced hearted.

"And with that said! I declare this ceremony closed! All former students would be given a week to spend with their family, after which time they would be expected to report for official duty. God Bless Nigeria, God Bless The Earth."

So active duty in a week then…. He guessed he could wait that long. He has lived his entire life without a system, he could wait a week longer before he got it. The parade broke apart, as the now army men and navy men graduates went up to their families with smiles on their faces. The air force kept their formation for 5 for minutes before breaking off in an orderly fashion to go meet their family, Jesse was about to meet his when a young woman dressed in army uniform stepped in front of him.

Almost as if there was an unspoken rule, every student still around the parade grounds stopped what they were doing in order to watch the two. Jesse felt his annoyance rise, even if she was going to do this, did it have to be here. She already got what she wanted, and stabbed him in the back just to get it, making him the butt of ridicule for a few years at the academy…. Jesse really did not want to talk to her.

"J.J-"

"Don't call me that Second Lieutenant Uche… we are still within Military grounds, so proper decorum would be advised. Also you and I are not friends, team mates or relations of any kind so using my name like that is disrespectful. Now please what can I help you with, I would like for you to speak quickly so that I can reunite with my family."

He hoped his words cut here, but knowing who she was, Clarissa was probably untouched by everything. And she proved that by shaking her head then taking a step into his personal space. Jesse thought they were about to have a stare down, but contrary to his thoughts she hugged him. His tall frame towering over hers as she said to him.

"We've graduated now, which means its active duty for the both of us and anything can go wrong. At the very least active duty for me for just about a year…. I'm sue you know that I've been engaged to the son of a duke. So I cannot be on the battlefield for long, however I did not want to go without telling you how sorry I am about how things turned out between us.

You were innocent and nice and really kind and I took advantage of that, I took advantage of your emotions and used I to get what I want and as a result slandered you name and your work ethic. You have every right to hate me, though I hope we can move past that and at least try to respect each other without the previous bad blood."

This bitch! Jesse gritted his teeth in sheer anger. He could see the cameras, he knew she was trying to reform her image. With her getting married to the son of a duke, there could be no scandal in her life. She wasn't trying to make up, this was a stunt to clear her name and history, and yet if Jesse did not hug her back and accept her apology it would reflect badly upon him as an officer and as a member of another noble family.

He raised his head and looked at her, his beret framing his face and giving him a rather fierce look. Charisa took a step back, shock in her face. Jesse was about to lose it, when his bod stepped up to his side and pinched him, making sure to twist his skin in the process. He winced knowing he had not just been simply bruised. He had been wounded.

He had no stats, or skills, so he could not enjoy the same defense body every other person with stats enjoyed. His mother knew this, but yet she still went ahead and pinched him. This was her's and his father's chosen mode of punishment.

"You have a good head on your shoulders girl, I'm sure my son accepts your apology. He will respond in kind and deal with any and every bad blood that has been between the both of you thoroughly… after all he is in the air force now isn't he?" then his mother smiled for the camera and turned away, making sure to drag him along.

"Do not embarrass us child! It will only make your father very angry. Don't worry…. You will take care of that nuisance in time. Now stand up straight JJ… the cameras are watching."