Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: The Commander's Test
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"Good thing."
I chuckled softly and started walking again, prompting Ur to hurry after me and continue.
"Anyway, the important part is that I want to join your unit, Senior. Not just me—everyone."
"You guys?"
"Yes. We've graduated too. We've already had our Core Weapon conferment ceremony."
I cut Ur off, shaking my head. "I appreciate the sentiment, but no."
"Why not?"
"I don't have the authority. And even if I did, I wouldn't pick you all."
"...Because we're not good enough?"
"Yeah. Our unit is all about a small elite force. The bar might lower once we grow in numbers, but right now, I have no intention of recruiting people who aren't even official superhumans yet."
Ur's face fell at my blunt words.
I paused for a beat before adding,
"If you're still interested after becoming official superhumans, I won't stand in your way. But you'll have to pass a skill test."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Ur perked up and vowed to come find me no matter what before heading off.
'Still as optimistic as ever.'
I'd welcome talent like Ur applying to the unit anytime.
Not just the skill, but finding someone with leadership qualities on top of that is rare.
"Why'd it take so long?"
"Mr. Popular."
The others were already waiting on the platform when I arrived.
Roze was beaming, her expectations sky-high.
"Don't go too hard on them. It's just a test."
"Got it."
She answered well enough, but I couldn't shake the doubt.
My unease was validated soon enough.
"Eek!"
"Ow!!"
Roze's opponents went down one by one, tumbling across the floor.
She hadn't held back at all, leaving them in pretty rough shape.
The faces of the onlookers noticeably stiffened.
"Urgh......"
Me, Roze, Merdi, Rodrigo, and Shepin—the five of us—had agreed to each test ten of the fifty applicants.
We aimed for twenty recruits, but it was absolute evaluation: if they didn't meet the cutoff, we'd end up short.
Everyone had been gearing up with desperate resolve, but Roze's display just now was so overwhelmingly dominant it could crush their spirits.
'They're definitely regular squad level, though.'
My cutoff was for regular squad members or higher—those with abilities suited for the hatchery assault.
The two who'd just been knocked out hadn't shown their full potential, but they had the chops to pass.
I called Roze back and glanced at Merdi.
"Go a bit easy, please."
"Easy?"
Merdi's eyes sparkled as she replied.
It was loaded with meaning.
I half-pleaded again.
"Please. If you go like Roze, the test won't work."
"...Fine. If you put it that way."
Merdi swept her hair back and stepped forward.
The test that followed was surprisingly normal.
She manifested her ability at moderate power, letting the applicants show their true skills.
She was ruthless if they got annoying or dangerous, though.
The hall erupted in cheers once her ten tests wrapped up in a flash.
Merdi brushed off the awestruck stares effortlessly and returned to the platform.
Her glance at me seemed to ask, 'How'd I do?'
'She's incredible.'
Roze and Merdi's skills were undeniably impressive.
These applicants were top performers among their peers, yet they couldn't keep up.
The past few months had elevated them even further.
"How was it?"
"Just as expected. You did great."
"You sure......"
Rodrigo and Shepin went next, one after the other.
They clearly struggled.
Even as elites, the applicants were close enough in level that by the tenth, they were visibly drained.
If they hadn't passed off after a quick gauge, they might not have finished.
'Thirteen so far.'
The results up to now were satisfactory enough.
With only ten left, filling all twenty spots looked tough.
"Huff! I'm dying......"
"Good work. You were going all out, huh?"
"Gotta save face as the senior. Can't just collapse midway."
Shepin flopped into a chair on the platform, exhaling heavily.
"Go on already. Everyone's waiting for the captain."
I turned my head.
All eyes in the hall were locked on me.
They brimmed with anticipation.
'This is working better than expected.'
I hadn't set up this event at the academy out of nowhere.
The Golden Fleet needed more fame.
The year below us had shared the orbital assault, forging a camaraderie unique across year groups.
But the current first-years had no connection to us.
We'd punched above our weight, but to them, we were just another group of superhumans amid the battlefield hordes.
Compared to established major units, we'd seem unremarkable.
So, to maximize appeal for new recruits when we form the unit in two years and exercise selection rights, boosting our reputation was essential.
"Do well."
"......Huh?"
I whipped around at Merdi's voice, surprised.
She averted her gaze when I looked. "Don't just stand there like an idiot. Go already."
"Haha, got it."
I hopped down from the platform.
'Ten. Can I do it?'
The order wasn't random, actually.
I'd pulled aside the ten with the most promise first, then assigned numbers.
The cream of the crop.
All at least elite level.
'I have to.'
To become captain, I needed captain-level strength within two years.
If I planned to fill the unit with nothing but elites, I might need even more.
"What should I call you?"
The next applicant looked awkward as he waited.
Robert, the psychokinesis user.
"Whatever's comfortable."
"Really?"
"You're not under me yet."
From multiple experiences since academy days, psychokinesis was an incredibly versatile ability.
I'd confirmed it solidly during joint ops in Nola and Paradisos.
Robert's was well below Nola's level, but still highly useful.
"Let's start."
"......Uh, full throttle okay?"
"Go for it."
Robert's expression turned deadly serious as I nodded.
Right then, a chilling sensation targeted my throat.
Incredibly stealthy attack.
I dodged without countering first. 'Nice.'
Psychokinesis was a top-tier talent even in human-vs-human combat.
The physical force acting across space was sudden and subtle.
High-level users like Robert could manifest it without gestures.
Crunch!
Robert bit his lip as his attack failed.
Pattern shifts didn't work either, so now he blanketed everywhere, leaving no room to evade.
'Can't dodge this.'
I spun in place like a top the instant I judged it.
The psychokinesis clashing with my fist shattered in chains, worsening Robert's complexion each time.
The forced disruption of his psychokinesis structure shocked him.
"......Urgh! I surrender!"
After more back-and-forth, Robert raised his hands, unable to endure.
He muttered in disappointment soon after.
"Ah, damn. Thought I'd pass."
"You've got more than enough to pass."
"Really?"
His face lit up.
Not empty words.
Against anyone but my sharp senses, he'd have shone brighter.
The psychokinesis strength was solid too.
The heavy sensation lingering on my fist proved he wielded his ability masterfully.
"Next."
"Please go easy."
Seven more followed Robert, testing one by one.
Most exceeded expectations.
Worlds apart from their academy days.
Yet I subdued them more easily than anticipated.
I wasn't even tired.
A bit heated from the chain, but that was it.
'Something feels off.'
Did constant spars with Roze blind me to this?
They weren't pushovers, but it felt easy.
The crowd reacted like it was par for the course.
As captain, they expected this level.
Giz and Runshin remained.
I eyed Runshin, who stepped up first per order.
"You two together."
"......What?"
"Sounds good."
"Hey, hold on."
Runshin flailed in panic as Giz caught on instantly.
"We agreed one-on-one. Breaking your promise?"
"The captain's a different league. Solo's a loss anyway."
"You don't know till we try."
"I'll take frontline. Watch for openings."
Giz advanced, pretending not to hear, while Runshin gritted her teeth, sliding diagonally with spear raised.
She was playing along, at least. 'She's bulked up more.'
Giz's muscles rippled like breathing in combat stance.
His 3m frame alone was oppressive, like facing a wall. With those muscles, breaching seemed impossible.
Factor in the barrier, and he was a moving heavy tank.
"Time to pay for your arrogance."
Runshin gnashed her teeth, priming her mecha-spear.
'Perfect offense-defense duo.'
Unlike their constant bickering, combat-wise, they meshed perfectly.
Their synergy was spot-on too.
Battle-hardened together, they moved like mind readers, pressuring me.
Sudden thrusts from Giz's blind spots via his bulk sent chills each time.
Attempts to close on Runshin failed repeatedly.
Taking down Giz first wasn't easy either.
Dozens of penetrating energy hits, and he didn't budge—who knew what his body was made of.
'Really tough.'
Iron Giant style relied on durable flesh to nullify attacks defensively.
Its notoriety came from outlasting aggressors.
Plus, Giz had mastered advanced techniques, leaving no quick takedown in sight.
Focusing on him got me grazed by the mecha-spear.
"You'll pay for your arrogance!" Runshin burst out laughing.
Her mecha-spear's output ramped up, attacks sharpening.
'This is the limit like this.'
Four months ago, no counter to their combo.
Gained traits boosted overall physique and specials, but crimson cannon wasn't suited for intense exchanges like this.
'Not anymore.'
I partially unsealed my left arm without stopping.
Giz's eyes lingered on it briefly before shifting.
"Captain's prepping something."
"Won't let him!"
Giz closed in.
The mecha-spear grazed my ear, rippling my inner barrier fiercely.
Block first, figure out later.
But my prep was instant.
Power injected into the minimally transformed, first-stage unsealed left arm.
Before Runshin's next strike, low-power crimson cannon fired shotgun-style.
"Guh......!"
Giz flew back, crimson cannon riddling his body.
Sacrificed power for speed, but enough to neutralize briefly.
I closed on Runshin in the gap.
Her mecha-spear, output surged with intense energy, thrust at my chest with massive propulsion.
Clang!!!
It would've pierced my solar plexus, but my hand met it.
Dual barriers around my hand shattered, blood spraying, but the spear's path veered.
Runshin clenched her teeth to control it, but my fist arrived first. "You bastard......Guh!" Once I closed in, Runshin was no match.
I pressed the advantage, costs be damned.
As she fell, Giz charged, but too late to turn it.
After Runshin crumpled face-first from focused punches, Giz saw crimson light gathering in my left hand and raised both arms.