Chapter 347
'The optimism?'
'No . The fact that I proposed to you countless bodies and you always refused . Now that Tista said the very same thing you are considering the idea?'
'Only idiots never change their minds . Yours was the right idea at the wrong moment . ' Solus replied . 'We'll think about it after the military . I can't have you defect . Also, thanks for delaying your departure until spring . '
'You're welcome . Tista is your first human friend, you two deserved some time together . I love you both and I'm happy you found a good friend in each other . '
"Name?" The army clerk's harsh voice interrupted their conversation . The woman loved her job, but repeating the same lines over and over ruined her mood .
"Lith Verhen . "
"Oh, gods!" When she inserted a name on her amulet, the clerk was used either to have to fill a form or to find a short resume if the candidate was a noble . In Lith's case, so much information popped out of her screen that she thought he had a rap sheet as long as her arm .
She was about to call security when she noticed they were actually meritorious deeds .
"Son, are you sure you want to join?" She stood up giving him the salute .
"Why do you ask?" Lith lifted an eyebrow in confusion .
"Only spoiled rich kids enlist in spring . Your timing is terrible, not to mention that with your build there is no chance in the netherworld other cadets will see you as nothing but a noble . "
"I'm fully prepared for that . I'm not enlisting to make friends, but thanks for your concern anyway . Much appreciated . " Lith returned the salute and offered her his hand, which she promptly shook .
"No, thanks to you . You are one of us that made it . A commoner that graduated from one of the six academies and even received his last name from the Royals . You are a beacon of hope for my children . "
Xonta, that was the clerk's name, filled Lith's form while giving him the same advice Orion did and warning him about all the dangers he was likely to face .
Lith nodded from time to time, giving her the empty dimensional amulet when asked .
"From now on, you're only allowed to introduce yourself as Lith, cadet 1416 . The use of any kind of magic outside of chore magic is forbidden except for protecting your life or that of others . I also need your communication amulet . "
"Why?" Lith asked while doing as instructed .
"Contacts are forbidden for the next six months, but we are not monsters . This way if something bad happens, we can relay the information to you . "
Lith was unpleasantly surprised the army was able to operate someone else's amulet without their permission .
'Note to self, Forgemaster another amulet with safeguards . ' He thought .
'Done . Do you want sugar or milk with your coffee, mister CEO?' Solus giggled after performing her best secretary impression .
Xonta led Lith to a changing room before giving him his uniform and boots . It consisted of a deep green shirt and pants . They were made of a thin but robust fabric Lith had never seen before .
The service number was embroidered over his heart and was the only thing bearing an enchantment . As soon as he finished wearing them, a soldier accompanied him to a Warp Gate .
"The destination is random . " He explained . "It will lead you to one of the farthest available boot camps from here . Don't wander around and wait for someone to pick you up . "
Lith stepped through the portal, finding himself in a place where the climate was much colder than Derios's . A cold wind blew over his face carrying the smells typical of the winter . Spring had yet to reach that region . Luckily, the uniform turned out to be pretty warm .
'Either that or my tolerance to cold has further improved . ' During the last two years, Lith had used Accumulation almost non stop . His mana core was now bright cyan, it was only a matter of time before it was refined to blue .
After each breakthrough, his body had become stronger, to the point that most of the things that would threaten a normal man's life were merely a bother to him . Normal weapons couldn't cut his skin, just like normal fire and cold left him unfazed .
The camp had the size of a small city and was filled with barracks, deposits, and outside training facilities . The spot Lith appeared was close to a stone building, but no one came to him .
Lith stood there for more than half an hour, using Accumulation to kill time .
Two men with uniforms similar to Lith's but heavier and with the rank of corporal came out of the building . They were both in their mid twenties and looked at him with a mix of surprise and worry .
"Good gods, this one is huge!" The corporals were above average height, making them 15 centimeters (6") shorter than Lith .
"Kid, why didn't you come inside? The standard uniform is too light for Grimatros's climate . Aren't you freezing out here?"
Lith gave them the salute before answering .
"I'm as green as a grassland . They told me to wait and so I did . The cold doesn't bother me, sir . "
The man on the left laughed at his words, while the one on the right facepalmed himself .
"Just because you joined the army doesn't mean you must relinquish common sense . You could have at least knocked and asked for directions . Despite what you might have heard, playing pranks on the cadets it's not part of our job . "
They led Lith inside and gave him a change of clothes before accompanying him to the cadets' quarters . Along the road, Lith noticed that the housings were split into two . A block for the male soldiers and another for the female .
The house assigned to him was quite spacious, but consisted of a single room . Aside from beds and lockers, it was empty .
"This is where you'll live for the next six months unless you find someone willing to house you . " One of the corporals explained .
"Pick an empty bed and a locker as your own . You can imprint them like this . " He moved his hand over the service number, releasing a bit of mana . It generated a small golden cloud that followed the corporal's hand .
"You have to imprint every tool and personal item you'll receive . It will be your responsibility to take good care of them . Someone will be here shortly to give you and the other new recruits a tour of the camp and explain to you the basic rules .
"I suggest that you use this time to get acquainted with the rest of the cadets . "
They pointed at a small group of youths . They were all about Lith's age, but shorter and lighter . They looked at him emitting grunting noises and whispering mean words .
'Seems Xonta was right . They really believe I'm a noble . ' Lith smiled in amusement .
"Look what the spring fairy brought here, a goddamn noble . " Said a cadet of average height with a mean voice . He walked towards Lith like he owned the place . The others were about to follow suit, but something blocked them .
Lith had learned to control his killing intent, which was not paralyzing everyone but the leader of the pack .
"Listen well, sh*thead I'm Liwell…" The words died in his mouth when Lith lifted him from the neck with only one hand, bringing his face close to his own .
"Thanks, Liwell . When were you born? It's the only other thing I need to know for your gravestone . "
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