After All, He is a Honorable Zed
That was a pair of eyes as clear and serene as a glacier.
Kerry and Gleason squeezed through the crowd for quite a while before finally managing to come out.
“The recruitment officers from all the major military academies should have arrived by now,” Kerry said, turning to look at Gleason. “Let’s go, let’s take a look at Gecheng Street.”
He remembered that the First Military Academy’s recruitment location was on Gecheng Street.
When they arrived at Gecheng Street, Kerry was almost dumbfounded; he hadn’t expected there to be even more people here than on Root Street.
“Although most ZERCs can’t pass the exams for the First Military Academy, everyone still wants to come and take a look at this top institution of learning,” Gleason said, standing next to Kerry as he casually handed him a pair of binoculars.
Kerry was startled for a moment.
Gleason rubbed the back of his head and smiled. “I guessed beforehand that there would be a lot of people.”
Kerry took the binoculars, and the two walked over to a high platform, looking down through the lenses.
The area around the First Military Academy’s recruitment post was packed, but Kerry immediately noticed those distinct white-and-gold military uniforms.
Feeling a momentary trance, Kerry remembered that icy embrace right before his death.
Lanrode.
Kerry pressed his lips together. That was the closest he had ever been to Lanrode, and it was also the only time he had seen clearly those eyes known as the Creator’s most perfect masterpiece.
Those were eyes as clear and serene as a glacier, deep and boundless like the depths of the ocean, yet as brilliant as a starry sky.
“Kerry.”
“Kerry?”
“Kerry!” Gleason slapped Kerry on the shoulder. “What are you thinking about?”
Kerry snapped back to reality. “Lanrode.”
Gleason frowned. “How could Major General Lanrode possibly appear here?”
With that, he raised his binoculars and looked carefully through them again. Certain that he wasn’t there, he said, “A figure like Major General Lanrode wouldn’t possibly come to this recruitment fair.”
Kerry lowered his head and said, “Yeah, he wouldn’t come.”
Kerry clearly remembered that in his past life, the first time he saw Lanrode was at the Military Region Grand Tournament.
At that time, the other stood high upon the combat stage, looking down upon everyone.
Arrogant, aloof, and icy cold, that was Kerry’s first impression of Lanrode.
In his past life, because of Shakani, he had been intensely hostile toward Lanrode. Shakani’s enemies were his enemies. Thinking about it now, Kerry felt his past self was pitifully foolish.
He had actually been hostile to Lanrode; in truth, right up until the day he died, Lanrode didn’t even know who he was.
After all, the perfect and noble 5S-grade Major General Highness simply didn’t have the energy to care about peeping toms like them hiding in the shadows.
“If only I could join Major General Lanrode’s legion,” Gleason suddenly said.
Kerry paused; he remembered now. Unlike other military academies, the First Military Academy assigned students to different legions right upon enrollment, which was a process of mutual selection.
“But that’s impossible,” Gleason said, spreading his hands.
Gleason had a clear understanding of his own strength. He would already consider himself extremely fortunate if he could pass the exams into the First Military Academy. With his current strength, joining Major General Lanrode’s First Legion was completely out of the question.
“I really want to get into the military academy quickly so I can enter Imperial City and see the Honorable Zeds.” The voice that suddenly appeared behind them startled Gleason.
“Who are you?” Gleason frowned.
The grey-haired ZERC removed the dress hat from his head and bowed. “Nice to meet you, my competitors.”
Kerry stood beside Gleason, his brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the ZERC opposite them.
He had a vague feeling he had seen him somewhere before.
“This pretty mister, my name is Sturt.” Sturt looked at Kerry’s delicate and attractive face, unable to help his exclamation, “Mister, you truly are the best-looking ZERC I have ever seen.”
Kerry’s brow twitched the moment Sturt spoke his name.
Sturt.
Right! He remembered now. During the Military Region Tournament back then, the ZERC before him had represented the First Military Academy in battle, and his strength had been formidable!
With a look of vigilance in his eyes, Kerry pressed his lips together. “My name is Kerry, and this is Gleason. Mister Sturt, will you also be applying to the Imperial First Military Academy?”
Sturt looked at Kerry’s face with appreciation and said gracefully, “Of course, Mister Kerry. Besides the First Military Academy, there is nowhere else worthy of me.”
Gleason blocked Kerry, stepping in front of him. “What are you staring at? Megalomaniac.”
Sturt raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry, my tastes aren’t that unique. I like Zeds, not ZERCs. After all, a ZERC as powerful as me can only have my spiritual power riot pacified by the Honorable Zeds.”
Kerry looked at Sturt.
“Of course, Mister Kerry, if you manage to enter Imperial City, perhaps you could rely on your looks to win the favor of some noble Zed lords. So, good luck with the examination.” Sturt winked at Kerry and then walked away.
Gleason watched Sturt’s retreating figure with a look of utter disgust.
“What a psycho.”
Kerry looked at the now-vacant staircase, pressed his lips together, and said, “Gleason, we must give it our all! Let’s enter the Imperial First Military Academy together.”
Gleason clenched his fist. “Of course, Kerry! I will definitely give it my all!”
With that, Gleason patted Kerry’s shoulder and looked earnestly into Kerry’s eyes. “Kerry, you must work hard too. At least don’t leave yourself with any regrets.”
Kerry looked into Gleason’s brown eyes, nodded, and said, “I will!”
Unlike the hustle and bustle of yesterday, Gecheng Street didn’t have many people today.
Not many ZERCs truly dared to apply to the Imperial First Military Academy. After all, each ZERC could only apply to one military academy, and most people chose the one where they felt they had a better chance of success.
Kerry stood at the front of the line, quietly waiting for the registration to begin.
“You’re saying that good-for-nothing Kerry went to apply to the First Military Academy?!” Enlidi said in shock.
Shakani’s expression was extremely ugly; he hadn’t expected Kerry to actually dare reject him.
“That’s right. That cheap C-grade ZERC actually dared to go for the First Military Academy.”
Enlidi walked up in front of Shakani. “Is he out of his mind?! That’s the First Military Academy.”
Shakani sneered. “That good-for-nothing really thinks of himself as somebody. I deigned to speak to him as a sign of favor, yet he actually dared to reject the Lingjin Military Academy and apply to the First Military Academy instead. Sheer wishful thinking!”
Enlidi let out a couple of tsk sounds. “It is indeed wishful thinking. He’s just a C-grade ZERC; heaven knows where he gets his confidence.”
The more Shakani thought about it, the angrier he became. He clenched both fists and punched fiercely at a tree in front of him.
“Cheap trash! He’s just a C-grade ZERC, what’s with the attitude!”
Shakani was absolutely furious. Kerry actually dared to ignore his orders, and even dared to treat him with such indifference, did this lowly bug want to die?!
“Don’t worry, there’s no way Kerry can pass the exams for the First Military Academy,” Enlidi said.
Hearing this, Shakani spat on the ground. “Just wait and see how I deal with him.”
Even if Kerry were to kneel before him, he would never forgive him!
Kerry had arrived early today, a full fifteen minutes before registration was set to begin.
Not far away, someone was whistling as they walked toward the registration desk.
Suddenly, the whistling stopped, and Kerry felt a gaze fixated on him.
“Holy shit, aren’t you Kerry?” Yuremo said, looking right at Kerry.
Kerry raised his head, glanced at Yuremo briefly, and quickly withdrew his gaze.
“You’re just a C-grade ZERC, and you still dare to apply to the First Military Academy?” Yuremo’s voice was quite loud, and the surrounding ZERCs all heard Kerry’s grade clearly.
Immediately, a wave of whispering broke out.
“Are you kidding me? Even a C-grade ZERC dares to apply to the First Military Academy? Is he crazy?”
“Seriously! I’m a B-grade, and if my father hadn’t forced me to come, I wouldn’t even have the nerve to show up here!”
“This C-grade ZERC sure has thick skin, actually daring to apply to the Imperial First Military Academy. Does he really think he’s some kind of lucky star?”
The commotion around them grew increasingly intense. Kerry raised his voice and said, “Does the First Military Academy have a rule saying applicants cannot be C-grade?”
The surrounding area went quiet.
Indeed, the First Military Academy had no restrictions on grades. Not only were there none, but the year before last, a D-grade ZERC had seemingly been admitted to the First Military Academy under an exceptional rule, sparking quite a bit of public debate.
“Of course there’s no explicit rule,” Yuremo said, crossing his arms and looking down at Kerry with the air of a superior being. “But everyone understands the unwritten rules. And you, Kerry, you’re nothing more than a C-grade ZERC, Shakani’s kept toy, some cheap trash clinging to coattails. Do you really think you’re qualified to apply to the academy with me?”
Upon hearing Yuremo’s words, Kerry snapped his head up. “Say that again.”
Yuremo said disdainfully, “Just cheap trash, not even worthy of standing next to me. Pathetic.”
Kerry’s lips trembled. He clenched his fists, trying his utmost to endure it.
Yuremo gave a light huff. “Low-grade trash is low-grade trash.”
With that, Yuremo walked toward the back of the line.
“Good thing I’m not standing behind you. Who’d want to stand behind a C-grade ZERC?”
Yuremo spoke in a loud voice, and as soon as he finished, Kerry clearly noticed the two ZERCs standing immediately in front of and behind him move a little farther away.
Though he felt deeply humiliated inside, Kerry still silently cheered himself on.
Kerry, you can do this! You definitely can!
After a short while, Gleason rushed over hurriedly.
Gleason had woken up early to practice combat training that morning, but he had misread the time. Scared out of his wits, he had sprinted all the way here, thankfully without missing the deadline.
Nodding briefly toward Kerry, Gleason hurried to the back of the line.
At that moment, the examiners dressed in white-and-gold military uniforms also appeared before the crowd.
“Oh god, these must be the senior students of the Imperial First Military Academy. They look so majestic!”
“That’s right, just standing here, I can feel their powerful pressure!”
Walama yawned. “Naquis, the number of applicants this session is about what we estimated.”
A total of one hundred and fifty-five individuals participating in the exam, no, wait, one hundred and fifty-six.
Because there was one ZERC who arrived fashionably late right on the edge of the deadline, wearing a flat black dress hat and looking exceedingly elegant.
Naquis’s gaze lingered on Sturt for a second. “Let’s begin.”
Walama was stunned. “Wait, aren’t we going to wait for Bileti?”
Naquis lowered his head. “He’s late.”
Walama said awkwardly, “But, you know, his background is a bit special.”
Naquis let out a huff, but ultimately compromised. “Who knows what pleasure-seeking venture that guy went off on this time? If he can’t show up here in three minutes, we won’t wait any longer.”
However, Bileti appeared very soon after.
“Hi-hi friends, let’s get started. Don’t look so grim, will you?” Bileti said, raising an eyebrow.
Naquis huffed. “Start.”
The efficiency of the First Military District’s examiners was extremely high, and before long, it was Kerry’s turn.
“Oh?” Walama paused when he took Kerry’s registration form.
It was rare to see a C-grade ZERC dare to apply to the First Military Academy.
Bileti noticed Walama’s momentary hesitation. He took the report form from Walama’s hand and then raised his eyes to look at Kerry.
“Wow, you really are good-looking,” Bileti said loudly without any concealment.
Kerry raised his head to look at Bileti and said softly, “Thank you.”
Bileti put away Kerry’s registration form and said, “You have to pass the exam and get into our academy. A ZERC this good-looking shouldn’t be wasted on other military academies.”
Bileti’s undisguised voice reached Yuremo’s ears. Standing further back, Yuremo looked at Kerry with jealousy.
His breathing began to grow heavy, and dissatisfaction and jealousy almost made him crush the registration form in his hand into a ball.
Why? Why does this lowly C-grade ZERC get this?!
Half an hour later, the registration materials for all 56 ZERCs had been completely verified.
“Please follow me to the stronghold. Our examinations will be conducted over three days,” Walama said.
The First Military Academy’s examination was divided into three parts. The first part was a basic screening, and only ZERCs who met the baseline passing score could participate in the remaining two days of exams.
The remaining tests were divided into three directions: combat, mechanical fabrication, and spiritual attacks.
“Next, everyone will stay in your own individual rooms until the exams begin,” Walama said.
Kerry sat on a chair, looking at the clean and tidy furniture around him.
No mold, no strange odors, this was the best room he had ever stayed in.
True to the Imperial First Military Academy, even staying here for the exams offered such wonderful accommodations.
With his lips pressed tightly together, Kerry’s eyes filled with determination.
He had to pass the exam and enter the Imperial First Military Academy!
“Respected Honorable Ak, this is the wrist commlink you requested.” The staff member respectfully handed the gift box to Ak.
Ak sat on the soft sofa, reaching out to take the gift box and opening it to inspect it.
“Your Honor, this is the latest model, combining both style and quality,” the staff member said.
Ak took out the commlink, turning it over in his hand while asking a few more questions.
The staff member answered them all with patience.
“Then I’ll take this one.” Ak yawned and then stood up.
Just as he was about to step forward, his left foot unexpectedly tripped over his right foot. In his scramble to keep his balance, his wrist crashed against a pillar.
“Sss!” Ak tossed the commlink in his hand aside and hurriedly checked his wrist; the previously fair skin was now slightly reddened.
“What are you people doing!” Ak demanded angrily, his tone foul.
The staff member was also startled, recovering just in time to look at Lito for help.
As the manager, Lito hurried over to apologize and make amends. “We are deeply sorry, Your Honor! It was our oversight.”
Honorable Ak was a Zed, and Zeds were precious and delicate. If he truly got hurt, they would be held responsible.
“What on earth are you running here, what kind of garbage is this!” With that, Ak angrily kicked the commlink on the floor to the side, and still unsatisfied, stepped on it a few more times.
Lito lowered his head deferentially. “Your Honor, we are truly sorry for disturbing you.”
“What good is an apology! You bunch of useless things!” Ak said angrily.
“Your Honor, please calm your anger.”
Lito maintained a calm expression, his mind racing frantically for a solution.
As a top-tier sales representative, he had hosted quite a few Honorable Zeds.
Generally speaking, noble Zeds tended to have more spoiled tempers, which was normal; but today’s Honorable Ak seemed to have a temper that was extraordinarily volatile.
“Your Honor, please have a cup of green bamboo tea to cool your temper.” Lito held a teacup out toward Ak.
“What stupid rubbish!” Without even looking at it, Ak directly knocked the tea onto Lito, the greenish tea soaking a large dark patch onto Lito’s clothes.
Lito pressed his lips together and lowered his head. “Your Honor, I am truly sorry.”
Ak grew even angrier. “I am a B-grade Zed, B-grade! Even those military department commanders are very polite to me. What kind of garbage do you think you are?!”
“Your Honor, how about this: we will gift you a brand-new latest model wrist commlink free of charge, and provide free repair service for a year. How does that sound?” Lito looked at Ak.
Ak’s anger finally subsided just a fraction. He let out a huff. “Is that all?”
Lito said with a troubled expression, “This is already the maximum compensation we can offer.”
Upon hearing this, Ak’s voice instantly pitched higher.
“I’m telling you, my wrist hurts badly from that collision! If you don’t fix this properly, I’ll report all of you to the Imperial Interrogation Office!”
Abrah, standing at the cash register in the distance, couldn’t watch this anymore.
Clearly, it was this Honorable Zed who had tripped over his own feet, how could he pin the blame entirely on them?
“Your Honor, then how would you like this resolved?” Lito asked, looking at Ak with a troubled expression.
Ak gave a huff. After thinking for a moment, he finally said, “Give me two of the latest models, and I’ll forgive you.”
Lito frowned. “But Your Honor…”
“But what! Are you willing to do it or not? If not, we’ll see each other at the Interrogation Office!” Ak said loudly.
The two reached a stalemate for a moment before Lito finally compromised. “Very well, Your Honor. To express our apologies, we will fulfill your request.”
Hearing Lito’s words, Ak’s expression finally turned a bit more pleasant.
After Ak left, Abrah said with dissatisfaction, “He clearly tripped by himself, he’s being completely unreasonable!”
Lito pressed his lips together. “After all, he is an Honorable Zed.”
Abrah frowned. “But most Honorable Zeds aren’t this unreasonable!”
Lito patted Abrah on the shoulder. “Alright, let’s be more lenient toward the Honorable Zeds. After all, their pain receptors are naturally much more sensitive than us ZERCs. Perhaps that bump really hurt a lot.”
Abrah pouted. Although he was still unconvinced, he had to admit that a Zed’s physical composition was inherently different from thick-skinned ZERCs like them, and they indeed required more careful and meticulous care.