CHAPTER 322 BEING UNAPPRECIATIVE

"I'm glad you understand. The Commander in Chief told me that you would be transferred to the Supreme Headquarters when you get promoted to a Frontline Commander. Behave yourself. Don't act like a punk. Your actions will reflect on the reputation of the northeast military camp," Marin said seriously.

"Do I act like a punk? A handsome punk, though, right?!" Rocky said jokingly.

Sue, who stood close by, couldn't help but chuckle so she tightly covered her mouth with her hands.

Marin rolled her eyes at Rocky and hummed as if she was so bored. Then she turned away.

"Sue, please take care of Uriah," Rocky said as he went after Marin.

Rocky soon arrived at the training field of the headquarters with Marin. Thousands of people lined up in the seats as they eagerly awaited the start of the ceremony.

A flag with "Crimson" and a glorious dragon embroidered in the middle was erected on stage. Lance sat in the middle of the stage. The Commanders and the officers of the Crimson Dragon Group stood on both sides of Lance. : owner of this content.

The six Deputy Commanders, including Dunn, who were qualified for the second round were also present.

Strangely, Isis was nowhere to be found.

Rocky and Marin's arrival created a ripple effect on the people who were present. Heads turned towards their direction and everyone's eyes watched their every move. Whispered conversations went on as they walked.

Rocky brilliantly turned the battle from a disadvantaged position to finally defeat Dunn whose power was at least a grade higher than his during the last round of the competition yesterday. People still talked about his victory a day after and likely even in the days to come. They admired him for his unflinching courage and unswerving determination. But only Rocky and Dunn knew the entire truth. It appeared that Dunn hadn't told anyone that Rocky actually reached the ninth grade of the Earthly Stage. If he told anyone, it would create a stir in the headquarters.

Some of the Frontline Commanders were hostile towards Rocky; most notably Flank. He was badly beaten in the Army Flag Contest by Rocky and was disgraced ever since. Beyond everyone's expectations, at the competition between the different military camps, Rocky showed his remarkable skill on all aspects and won the ultimate victory.

Rocky went from rags to riches. He was a breeder who jumped to an equal footing with the Frontline Commanders. This made some of the narrow-minded Frontline Commanders angry and jealous.

"Commander in Chief..." Rocky and Marin saluted Lance after they walked through the crowd.

"Since everyone is here, I will now announce the people who will be promoted to Frontline Commanders. Rocky, the winner of the final round, will be promoted to Frontline Commander and transferred to the headquarters. Due to his outstanding performance, Dunn, the Deputy Commander of the east-southeast military camp, will also be promoted to Frontline Commander. As for the other Deputy Commanders, although you finished the competition to the best of your ability, you still need to make up for your deficiencies!" Lance said bluntly.

"Commander in Chief, thank you very much for your appreciation! I will dedicate all my strength to the Crimson Dragon Group. I won't hesitate to go through fire and water for the Crimson Dragon Group!" Dunn said in excitement at his promotion. He then saluted Lance to show his respect. His disappointment for being kept as a Deputy Commander all these years vanished in a flash.

The Commanders who once had been in conflict with Dunn looked as if they swallowed a bitter pill.

"Hey..." Marin nudged Rocky with her elbow to remind him to say something to thank the Commander in Chief since Rocky seemed to have no intention to say anything at all.

After taking a look at Marin, Rocky saluted Lance and said, "Commander in Chief, I really appreciate your recognition, but I never planned to be promoted to Frontline Commander. I hope that you will allow me to go back to continue my job as the breeder of the northeast military camp."

Astonished at Rocky's words, the crowd burst in an uproar instantly.

All the people stared at Rocky with incredulous eyes. They all thought that he was crazy. He refused the opportunity that was offered him for his victory, an opportunity that every spirit manipulator would willingly kill and die for!

"What are you doing?" Marin asked Rocky angrily. She was in complete shock. She never expected that Rocky would decline the promotion to Frontline Commander in front of so many people.

As it should be, Lance was most embarrassed.

The last time he tried to promote Rocky and transfer him to the headquarters, Rocky refused him. Since it happened in private, Lance did not take offense from Rocky's reaction.

This time, Lance held the competition to let Rocky show his talents and abilities before the public so that he could promote Rocky without any controversy. Lance initially thought that the reason that Rocky refused the promotion in private was because of the possible controversy that it would create. This time, he even announced his intentions to promote Rocky to Frontline General and yet Rocky refused once more.

Even a Commander in Chief with a tolerant nature would feel humiliated by Rocky's refusal.

Rocky declined Lance's offer twice, which was something that had never happened before.

Everyone present felt afraid for Rocky's audacity. His refusal had embarrassed Lance in public. However, no one knew that the real reason why Rocky fought so hard to win was to ask that his request be granted.

He wanted to show Lance that he was not a man that could be forced to do what he did not want to do.

Lance clenched his jaw as his heart rate increased. A powerful aura started to radiate from his body; like a freezing wind that made the skin of the Commanders and officers near Lance shiver with cold.

They were aware that Lance was enraged at Rocky's response.

"Commander in Chief, I am sure that Rocky is not yet ready for the promotion. Please allow me some time to convince him. I am sure that I can change his mind," Marin said as she bowed to Lance. She knew that if Rocky continued to refuse the promotion, he would be punished for defying orders, or even exiled.

Marin went out of her way to ease the tension that was created by Rocky's refusal and this pacified Lance somewhat. He did not want to embarrass his niece in any way.

"I'll give him three days! After three days, he must go to his new post!" Lance replied back to Marin and then glanced at Rocky with a disappointed look. He stood up immediately and left the area followed by the Commanders and officers.

The people present stared at Rocky as they shook their heads. Some thought that Rocky was a man who did not know how to properly respond to favors that must be appreciated instead of refused.

The crowd then left the area as soon as Lance had gone.

"You really make my blood boil!" Marin exclaimed, glaring at Rocky.

"Didn't you want to know what I thought about the promotion? Well, now you do!" Rocky replied casually. He sounded as if offending the Commander in Chief was not a big deal at all for him.

"So you have planned all of this since the beginning?" Marin asked, stunned at Rocky's expression of apathy.

"I have no intention to be promoted to Frontline Commander. If I will be promoted to Commander in Chief then I will probably consider it. If there is nothing else, I need to go. I still need to do something," Rocky said and walked away leaving Marin to ponder his words.