Volume 1: Chapter 5 – Mission assignment... NOT

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- Trainee Eve, I have something important to tell you – a female voice spoke next to Eve, as she was meditating. Looking up, she saw Victoria standing next to her. However she was surprised, as her instructor crouched next to her, as to be on the same level.

Normally she would expect from Eve to stand up instead.

This piqued Eve's curiosity, as on her instructor's face was mysterious emotion. So far Victoria never made this kind of face.

- 'She's nervous...' - Eve deemed, carefully watching Victoria as she closed her eyes for a moment, as if gathering thoughts. Finally she opened them, and said in a quiet voice:

- There is more to mana control then reducing your mana bullets' power – she let out, with serious expression. - As you get better in it, you should be able to increase power output.

- Why are you telling me that? - Eve asked with a frown, and the same low tone as her instructor.

- Because I can see you have great talent. And I believe that you'd come up with that on your own anyway – Victoria said, as she gave a slight smile to Eve. - You know, I've grown somehow fond of you. Seeing you work so hard past twelve days... it impressed me.

- Mhmm... - Eve gave out a sound, as she had no idea how to answer such straightforward compliment.

That made Victoria chuckle a little, as she covered her mouth with hand for a second. - Anyway, I still remember how you wanted to train dual-wielding your pistols. Right now I'd like to take you to advanced gunner's training ground.

That was unexpected. Eve was caught off-guard by such a proposition, as she stayed quiet for a few seconds. That surprised Victoria as well, but it also gave her a warm feeling, as she knew she surprised Eve.

Of course the heroine stood up, breaking her meditation. There was only collected expression, going along with a serious gaze, as if telling 'I'm ready, bring it on'.

* * *

- Trainee Eve reporting – said a young woman, as she entered.

The room was plain. No paintings. No decorative weapons. Only one map stretched across the white wall, accompanied by a bookshelf filled with scrolls and books. There was no carpet to liven it all up, even a little. And in the middle was a desk with a matching chair. Of course plain.

Truly befitting the work room of the commander. The person who would be the first one to go and shed his blood fighting enemy army, should the need arise. Instilling fear in enemy ranks with his incredible presence.

He truly was an embodiment of terrifying warrior, even without his armour. Big, muscular, bald, ugly and covered in more scars then one can count. Definitely not the person one would take for a drink. But at the same time, the number one person everybody wanted to get along with, and have close by on the battlefield.

Even now Eve felt enormous pressure coming from him. She knew he wasn't like other men.

'Powerful' was the word closest to describing him.

The room was silent, as Eve awaited his reply, looking straight in his eyes. She had to fight the urge of giving in to the pressure coming from the man, and averting her gaze. Instinct told her it was sort of a test.

…

Finally a minute passed before Eve finally gave in and looked downwards. The room was empty, excluding those two. Commander had a habit of meeting every trainee personally one-on-one.

Eve then heard a hoarse voice, as the man spoke. - Trainee Eve, was it? I have received reports of your outstanding performance during your trainee period – Eve finally looked at him. He was sitting a little more comfortably, and with his head atop hands joined together. She felt as a if she was a prey, and the man before her was the hunter. - Because of that I would strongly advice you to join the ranks of Veilen'gard Military Regiment, VMR – here he gave a wry smile – in short.

That made Eve wonder what could he dislike about the abbreviation. There was nothing wrong with it... as far as she could tell. Her mind briefed throughout all information she gathered so far, but there really was nothing wrong with it.

-...on't repeat myself again, trainee – Eve got thrown back to present by the same hoarse voice as before. And the coldness she felt from it. - I'm sorry Commander, I got lost in thoughts. Would you please repeat yourself?

The annoyed man made a little sight, as he repeated. - As I was saying, I will give you two choices now: either join the VRM, or complete a request made by us. Of co... What's wrong? - he asked at the end seeing Eve's eyebrows together.

- Sorry sir, but as far as I'm concerned there was an option to pay for the training received – Eve said bluntly. This fact stunned the man, who on the other hand didn't let it show. Of course it was possible...

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

- But are you able to afford payment of 1g? - he asked, with one eyebrow slightly raised.

To this statement Eve silently gave a sigh of relief, as she took out the gold coin from her inventory. Seeing it, commander only nodded his head and gestured with his hand to put in on the desk.

As Eve did it, commander put a mark on one of the papers, and said. - Fine then, as of now we have nothing in common. You must return the trainee clothes to the deposit at the entrance. You know your way, right?

- Yes sir. Have a nice day – she said, as she gave a slight bow and turned away. The moment she reached the door, she could hear the man murmuring something along the lines of 'Marco will be so sad now...' to which she paid no mind.

…

The moment Eve entered the changing room, she noticed Marco standing in the middle.

- What do you want? Came to peek on me while I'm changing? Or maybe change my mind? - she asked, hands on her waist. Marco only shook his head, as he showed her a hand. With a key in it.

- I came to take off the suit you've been. Using. Thanks. To. My. Connections. - he said, accenting every last word he spoke. Much to satisfaction of Eve, who held a grudge against the man.

- All right, I'm glad. Then be quick about it and leave – she said. However he only shook his head. - There's no way I would be able to take off something that's under your clothes without seeing, right? Wouldn't you be ashamed of being seen?

- 'If I cared about that then there's no way I would be here right now' – she thought, as she brought shocked look to her face. - Y-y-y-you bastard! Pervert! And what else did you do to me, eh? - she shouted with red cheeks, as she quickly close distance between them. Then she slapped Marco and took the key out of his hand, pointing towards the exit afterwards. - Get out of here! NOW!

- All right, all right. Guess I deserved it – he said loudly, hands high above his head. Then he quickly made his way out.

Eve took off her clothes, opened the locks on the restriction gear and equipped beginner clothes. To her great surprise, she felt as if she could fly now, had she wanted. - 'Must be the side effect of wearing something heaaavy. I didn't thing such a thing could be reproduced...' - she thought, while folding the clothes she wore past four weeks.

Finally she put the gear atop the neatly folded set of trainee set and took it out of the room. There she saw just an empty corridor. A little smirk showed on her face, as she headed towards the entrance she came through four weeks ago.

…

There she saw a little line of people at the reception table, and a clerk filling in some papers. It looked like standing there would last forever, so instead of being nice and waiting in line she approached from the side and asked. - Where do I leave the clothes?

- Just put them here – the man said, not lifting his face from the papers as he pointed behind himself.

- All right, fine. Thanks – said Eve, who did as she was told. Only then did the man flinch as if remembering something, as he looked at her with disbelief.

- Anything wrong? - she asked, noticing the gaze.

- Nothing. Absolutely nothing – he said, dropping his head even lower then before. Of course it was made to hide his red cheeks.

Eve only shrugged her shoulders, as she started walking out of the complex. Only to have her way blocked by some I-am-handsome-wannabe-in-game type of guy who must have looked like crap in the real world. Not to mention his manners...

- Would you like to... - he started, with something he assured was the absolute lady-killer-smile on his face. Only that Eve wasn't your average lady who would fall for something like this.

- Get out of the way.

- Ohh c'mon, don't be s...

- Move it – Eve said calmly, shoving the guy aside. Of course there was no way he could resist – her inflated strength was much greater then some newbie's.

Not bothering to give him a second glance, she left shocked crowd of men behind as she made her way out to the city.

All while planning what to do next.

Hey everyone, long time no see (me)!

Sorry for being lazy, but my laziness it just too big. However with a fresh mind I am back to writing - until another break of course.

I hope you enjoyed. Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section, as well as tell me what is wrong - I shall make sure to avoid it in the future .