"Oh, um... I'm ....."Riley cleared his throat to hide his nervousness. While James looked at his with his eagle eyes without blinking, as if he was questioning his roommate through his gaze. Although the lights in the room were not very bright, the two of them could still see clearly with the minimal light. Of course, Riley did not want to lose to James. He immediately broke their gaze and decided to walk past James, who was still staring at him in amazement. The young man then sat down on his bed before saying, "I'm ... from outside."James exhaled sharply and jumped back onto his soft bed, "I know you're from outside. I mean, where are you from? There's no way you're wandering around outside with no purpose or direction, is there?""I just did," Riley replied after hearing James' words, which ended up being an idea for him."Nonsense. You wouldn't go out without a destination. Besides, the risk of being punished is huge," James replied in an incredulous tone.Both of his eyes loo
Instead of answering Andrew's question, Greg laughed mysteriously, which made Andrew even more curious.But Andrew still believed in his old friend, so he finally just said, "Do your best. I hope it works.""It will," Greg said confidently.Andrew nodded and a few days later left everything to the man who already had a son studying outside the palace.Unusually, on the morning Greg was to start as an examiner, the prospective soldiers were not allowed to enjoy their breakfast. Instead, they were told to line up in the middle of the field thirty minutes before training was to begin."I'm worried," Alen broke the silence that surrounded his line.Riley, who was standing right next to him, replied without turning around, "Everyone's worried, Alen."Diego swallowed nervously. The young man who had cut his hair super short and was standing behind Riley also commented, "What are they going to do? This is the first time we haven't had breakfast."Meanwhile, the three's roommate, James, still
"What we've been doing all this time has been for nothing."But Greg just raised his hand and asked them to be quiet again. The middle-aged man, who still looked very fit at more than half a century old, said, "I do not accept protests. Those of you who disagree can leave this palace right now."Greg's words silenced all the would-be soldiers.After he felt that they had calmed down, Greg said again, "This is so that you won't be pressured by rank. You should be happy that you don't have to be burdened by rank as long as I am your examiner.Alen suddenly raised his hand. "Sir, what about the selection of the war general? Will it still be three candidates from the new soldier, the old soldier and the soldier chosen by General Reece?""Yes, that will not change. I will not change anything that has been decided by General Reece and King Keannu." This answer calmed them down again, because it meant that everyone still had the same chance."We continue, rule three ...."They fell silent,
Alen and Diego were getting ready for the second stage of their training. They were nervously waiting for their names to appear on the screen in front of them. Suddenly, Greg's voice came over the speaker, "Now pay attention to the screen and go to the training center immediately according to the list on the screen!"Riley, who was always calm in stressful situations, immediately focused on the screen and read his name. Alen's name was the first to come up.Riley nodded and replied, "You'll make it."Alen smiled when he heard it and the he left that place.Riley then stepped up to the challenge, with James and Diego watching closely. James teased him, "If you fail, I swear I'll take you straight to a duel, Wood."Riley knew that James was just trying to encourage him, but his secret identity made him feel uneasy and overwhelmed. He replied, "That goes for you and yours as well, Diego. See you at the second training."James smiled annoyingly, "Don't worry! There's no way I won't make i
Riley could barely hear the conversation, but he was not distracted at all. The young man was still able to maintain his concentration.In fact, he seemed to be much more focused now. Indeed, when it came to concentration, Riley had always been the best. His own father, William Mackenzie, had even said that his son could concentrate better than he could.The officer watched every bullet Riley fired and was impressed by Riley's speed."12," the officer said with a smile.The other officers became interested and watched as Riley returned fire. When the shot hit the target, the officers smiled happily.The future soldiers who had been making bad comments were shocked, "How can he be so fast?""17," the friend counted.They were stunned when the officer finally said, "25 with a record time of ....."At the mention of the time Riley had spent practicing shooting, the officer looked at the young man in awe."You passed," the officer said.Riley nodded and handed back the weapon he had used e
"We'll know soon enough," Riley replied, still staring at the screen.James, still munching on his bread, commented, "There are ten planes. How many potential soldiers can those planes carry?""100, I think." Riley looked around, now searching for the two figures of his roommates who were still not there.James stopped chewing immediately, "Wow! You know a lot more than that."But Riley didn't answer, so James continued, "Hey, your father was an ex-soldier, right? Come on, be honest!"Hearing this, Riley immediately turned around, "So what if my father was a soldier? And what if he wasn't?"James sighed and quickly finished his remaining bread before speaking again. "Then all the abilities you've shown so far make sense if you had a father who was a soldier."Riley looked around again, keeping his eyes peeled for Alen and Diego. But he still replied, "Makes sense how?"James was about to answer, but Riley interrupted him first, "Jason Hoult is not the son of a soldier, but he managed t
Alen and Diego's faces immediately turned pale, but Riley tried to reassure them by saying, "I hope my assumptions are wrong. Although these bags are provisions for us, I hope they don't make us thirsty and hungry later.James said, "I disagree with you this time, Wood. Looking at Greg Sehel's madness, it looks like he's going to make us really die of hunger and thirst."Riley gave the young man a sharp look, but James just shrugged. The four youths were silent, waiting for the first exercise, which looked more like a selection of incompetent soldiers, to end.There was no conversation between them. This was because they were still too preoccupied with their own thoughts. They saw one person after another running towards the field."Oh, that's Jason Hoult." Riley pointed at the young man smiling broadly at his friends.Diego commented, "Even the third place finisher seems overwhelmed to be on this stage.""How did you know that?" Alen asked with a raised eyebrow."Look at that pale fac
Diego ignored James' words, not bothering to answer the man who often threw out annoying sentences that only irritated him more.Then he read through the list of prospective soldiers he might know and came up with a few names from Dorm 2. The young man immediately nodded in relief, "At least I know three people from our dorm.""Good. Someone to calm you down when you start crying in the middle of a mission," James commented again.Riley really wanted to take a cloth and gag James' mouth so he couldn't talk anymore. Unfortunately he couldn't do that because Greg said again, "Your mission will be known when you are in your respective planes."Again they made no sound and waited for the examiner's instructions."And now please go to your planes and assign a group leader immediately," Greg ordered."Oh, one more thing," Greg said before officially dismissing them, "there are only a few food stores at your mission site. So ... you'll have to move faster later on so you don't starve."This l
"Yes, Mr. Chesnut," Camelia replied, almost gnashing her teeth in annoyance."Y-you're sure? Is it really my name? Did the king say my name?" Jim asked as he pointed at himself with his right index finger.Uh, it looks like Camelia will have to practice her patience even more. Because, the main soldiers standing nearby were apparently not as smart as they should be.Perhaps, they were only physically strong. But, when it comes to thinking, it seems to be very, very slow, Camelia thought with a frown. "Yes, Mr. Chesnut. You have been asked to appear before the king," Camelia replied.Jim was stunned. "Is that for real? This feels like ...."Before Camelia Hart could answer Jim Chesnut's question, Ludor Flee, who couldn't contain his curiosity, asked, "What orders, Miss?""Special orders? How is that possible?" Dylan Chick also wanted to know.Camelia, who didn't want to be in that area for long, immediately replied, "Of course it's out of my control. I mean ... what the order was onl
The young maid whose full name was Camelia Hart immediately lowered her head and replied timidly, "No, Your Majesty.""Yes, Your Majesty. I ... go first," Camelia said.The young girl turned to her companions, giving a code which was an invitation to leave the king's residence.The servants nodded and were about to follow Camelia. However, before they could take a step they heard Xylan's voice saying, "You stay here."They immediately turned around and with confused expressions stood silently. Meanwhile, the astonished Camelia Hart opened her mouth, "Your Majesty, I-""The one I ordered to meet Jim Chesnut was you, Camelia. As for them ... well, I still need them here," Xylan explained.Xylan's words seemed odd because he usually didn't want to be served without Camelia, but as if to reassure that there was nothing strange there Xylan hurriedly said, "I have something I want to do and I think they can help me. You ... just do the job f
Xylan Wellington did not immediately answer Ronald Wings' question. The viceroy looked thoughtful with furrowed brows."I ... can't confirm that yet," Xylan said, sounding hesitant.Ronald bit his lower lip. Uh, his words were actually the same as accusing one of the servants of betraying the king. Because, only the servant who was around at the time of his conversation with the king. However, all of the king's servants who were close to them at that time were women. Ronald felt that he had spoken wrongly.But, just as he was about to open his mouth to correct his words, Xylan said, "I will do something to check."Ronald widened his eyes, looking shocked. "Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness. What I said earlier-""What you said could have happened. Well, I think I have to consider many things. So, it's not a big deal if I have to check on the maids," Xylan cut off Ronald's words.The twenty-seven-year-old soldier blinked, looking surprised that Xylan could read what he was thinkin
James shook his head, "I can't say right now."Reiner immediately let out a disappointed sigh. "You are ... making us curious.""Right, why can't you say it now?" Ben asked with a curious expression."Can't you give us just a little ... bright spot?" Shin tried to persuade hopefully.James chuckled softly, "Sorry, I really can't tell you guys right now, but ... I'm sure it won't be long before we know everything."Diego gave him an unsure look, "Will it be us or will it be you?"James flashed a bright smile, "Of course we all will.""I don't believe it," Alen said quickly.The war general blinked repeatedly and looked at each of his good friends with a puzzled look.He then pointed at himself with his right index finger and said, "You think I'm lying? Since when did I lie or break my promise?"Ben frowned and looked thoughtful. He looked up as if he was considering something.An exasperated James said, "Damn it! Do you have to think just to answer a simple question?"Diego held back a
Ben immediately grimaced. Meanwhile, Alen and Shin laughed crisply together. Then, Diego pretended to look up.However, Reiner boldly replied, "It's not about feeling sorry for you. I ... just think Riley is too much."James clucked his tongue and took the empty seat next to Diego who immediately turned to him with the same look."That's his right," James replied, sounding casual."Rights? What right do you mean, the right to put his best friend in trouble?" Reiner replied cluelessly.James shrugged, "I've been causing him trouble for the past few years as well."Shin widened his eyes, "Hey, what are you talking about? What trouble? He-""I left this palace and let Riley handle all the problems in this kingdom by herself. I mean ... I know you guys have always been there for him and so many great warriors have helped him, but ... yeah it's still hard for him," James explained after cutting off Shin's words that he hadn't finished yet.
Reiner frowned when he saw James' expression which he found very strange. Moreover, he also saw how James' lips suddenly formed a smile."What's wrong with you?" Reiner finally chose to ask.James once again smiled at Reiner, making Reiner wink.Reiner also got goosebumps instantly. "What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you're going crazy, James!"A sigh was immediately heard from James. He snorted in exasperation, "Damn it! I still have hopes of meeting Riley, even if it's not now. Why should I go crazy?"Hearing that, Reiner let out a sigh of relief. Because, James' nagging was one of the ways that showed that his good friend was really just fine. "Then, why are you being like that? Smiling horribly. Very strange, just so you know! Not like your usual self," Reiner explained, who still looked a bit horrified.James grinned again, revealing his row of clean teeth. He then said, "Oh, it's about Gary Davis. You ... just made me realize something, Rei.""Realized? About what?" Reiner a
Instead of answering James Gardner's question, Xylan Wellington said, "I ... I know what you're trying to say, General Gardner."Great, so what's the answer? Reiner thought, starting to feel lazy.James raised an eyebrow, "Yes, Your Majesty?"Xylan sighed softly, then closed his eyes for a few seconds. After regaining control of himself he replied, "It was my negligence, General Gardner.""Negligence? About what, Your Majesty?" James asked, sounding like he wanted a clearer answer."My sister. I ... know she has done wrong," Xylan said quietly.The viceroy bowed his head for a few seconds, while James remained silent, waiting for him to speak again.And without James pressing him, Xylan said, "I've actually noticed something strange about her. This ... even, before you set out to find my brother-in-law again, General Gardner."James' eyes widened instantly, but he still refrained from commenting.Xylan cleared his throat softly before continuing, "But ... even when I felt something wa
Hearing the new war general's question, Xylan Wellington laughed awkwardly.It was a laugh that didn't really come off, in fact, it sounded so strange that it made anyone who heard the viceroy's laughter confused.Reiner also looked at Xylan with a strange gaze while James did not even blink. The look in his eyes showed a demand.A demand for an explanation from Xylan regarding what he had just said.When he saw that urgent questioning look, Xylan finally stopped laughing. He cleared his throat softly before saying, "Hm ... I know from the main soldier.""The main soldier?" James repeated as he frowned.Xylan gulped and smiled clumsily, "The king's court soldiers, General Gardner."Oh, that wasn't really what James meant. He knew without even asking that the main soldiers were the palace soldiers specifically assigned to escort and guard him.There were usually five of them and one of them was required to stay by his side
James Gardner remained silent, giving no clear answer to Reiner's question.An immediate anxiety struck the ground war commander. Not wanting to be ignored by James, Reiner asked again, "James, tell me. Are you going to stay in the palace? You're not going to leave, right?"He looked anxiously at James who was staring out the car window. However, after he waited patiently enough he finally heard James answer, "I don't know."Reiner's heart was like being hit by a rock instantly."So ... are you leaving?" the man asked in a tone that sounded disappointed."It depends."Reiner, who was still staring at James, raised an eyebrow, looking confused, "Depends on what?"James sighed softly, "It depends on King Xylan's answer."Reiner was getting more and more confused. However, he did not have time to ask further as the car they were in had already entered the main gate of the Ans De Lou Royal palace. Even so, Reiner still did not want to give up so easily so he continued to stick to James e