“Enough. There is no meaning in continuing.”
Ares’ eyebrow could only twitch from annoyance. Most of them did not meet the requirements for Yijun Academy, but there was no choice; they were lacking in soldiers.
The quality has decreased more than I anticipated. It looks like I’ll have to work more.
Ares made eye contact with the middle-aged examiner.
“Deal with the rest of them. You four, follow me.”
Ares motioned to the four remaining recruits. They followed obediently into the long corridor that led to Yijun Academy. The corridor stretched so far that it looked like it went on forever. There were minimal decorations to differentiate where to were, and your footsteps rang loudly in the silent corridor.
Ares and the recruits walked without sharing a single word, only footsteps could be heard clearly. The recruits had tense and nervous expressions on their faces.
‘What’s wrong with them, are they sick? I should do a health inspection later.’
Jotting that thought down in their head, Ares and the group arrived before giant steel doors that led to Yijun Academy.
Ares laid their hand on the door and pushed it open.
Creeekkkk
Light creeped from the crack and a gust of wind blew past them.
The doors opened wide, revealing the entirety of Yijun Academy.
Buildings stretch as far as the eye could see, and tall buildings towered down, casting a long shadow. At the center was the tallest tower, almost piercing the sky above. There was a large circular bastion that separated the exterior and interior parts of the fortress. The paths twisted and turned in all directions. The layout was complicated that one could not carelessly wander around.
Ares led them down the main road until they arrived at a large building just beside the interior gate. The sign read: Recruit Management Center.
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Without stopping, Ares pushed the door open and entered the building.
“Welcome!”
The staff widened her eyes.
“Ah, commander you’re here!”
She bowed 90 degrees in a uniformed and professional way.
“What may I help with?”
“Register these recruits through the proper procedures. If nothing goes wrong then prepare their equipment promptly.”
“Understood!”
She bowed in Yijun Military fashion.
After Ares was finished saying their part, they proceeded to leave through the door, but stopped, as if remembering something.
“Oh, and do a health inspection on the recruits.”
“Understood, commander!”
Ares finally left through the door, leaving the recruits in the lobby.
“Recruits, please follow me!”
The receptionist guided the recruits into the building.
***
As Ares exited the building, the aide came looking for them.
“There you are, commander. The general is calling for you.”
“I understand, let’s go.”
The general was the highest power within the Yijun Military, commanding over the five commanders. He led his men on a coup d’etat revolution and usurped the throne. He then rebuilt the language system and hierarchy
From then forth, he was hailed as a hero and founded the Youza Republic.
Knock knock knock
“Enter.”
Ares bowed respectfully.
“You requested my presence, general.”
His dark eyes scanned Ares like a hawk.
“The war will soon be over, our definite victory is imminent.”
Although he had declared their victory his voice held no trace of happiness as if the result was expected. His dark eyes gazed outside the window, he looked like he was calculating the future’s next ten moves.
“I congratulate you, general.”
Perhaps Ares had spent too much time with the general, for their voice held the same lack of happiness.
“I have two missions for you. First, take the recruits into the Veintil Canyon for reconnaissance.”
He paused for a moment and gazed out the window as he continued his sentences in a heavier tone.
“And weed out the spies that dare infiltrate Yijun.”
His eyes were cold and uncaring like the first day Ares met him.
“But the normal recruits are still untrained. They would die if we encountered unprecedented dangers-“
“Who told you to speak out of turn?”, he bellowed. His eyes narrowed.
Ares closed their mouth in a thin line and bowed once more. The general’s words were absolute.
“Understood, general.”
“For the second mission…bring Kendricia to its knees. You know what I want from Kendricia right?”
Their eyes met as if telepathically communicating.
“Of course, general.”
Ares knew exactly what the general wanted from Kendricia, and could only close their eyes at the impending fate of Kendricia.
At the end of the day, the general gets what he wants.