Chapter 50
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The First Challenge
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The Kaion Unit’s test concluded smoothly.
The recruits were selected through the test.
“One hundred and one.”
One hundred and one men were chosen, one more than the initially planned one hundred.
The silver lining was that they didn’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to fill the ranks.
About 105 men had been on the borderline, so they simply cut those at the very bottom.
Vincent, standing with Leonhard, addressed the successful applicants.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself again. I am Vincent, and I will be commanding you as the Captain of this Kaion Unit.”
“…”
An awkward silence followed.
*Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.*
Demian, who was in the middle of the crowd, began to applaud.
*Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!*
Dianal and Kyle soon joined in.
“Woooooah!”
Kyle took it a step further, letting out a loud cheer.
“Ahem. And now, I will temporarily appoint a Deputy Commander and Squad Leaders. The Deputy Commander will act in my absence and relay my orders to the Squad Leaders. The Squad Leaders will each be in charge of nine squad members.”
“Yes, sir!”
Kyle responded again.
At this, a few others nearby scowled at him.
“What? What are you looking at?”
Kyle glared right back, challenging them.
His expression dared them to try something.
Just then.
“Enough. I will now announce the Deputy Commander. The Deputy Commander is Demian. Please step forward.”
Demian stepped forward, a look of surprise on his face.
He hadn't expected his name to be called.
“As expected.”
“Hehehe, who else but Demian could be Deputy Commander?”
Dianal and Kyle clapped, looking at Demian as if they had known all along.
But it was then that a murmur spread.
“…What’s with that kid?”
“Seriously? A brat like that is the Deputy Commander?”
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
One of them shot his hand up and spoke.
“Captain, what are the criteria for selecting the Deputy Commander?”
A man with tattoos covering the left side of his neck, shoulder, and arm asked the question.
Vincent replied.
“The temporary Deputy Commander and Squad Leaders were chosen based on their test scores, in descending order.”
“Are you saying that kid got the highest score among us?”
“That’s right.”
“…Ha.”
The man stared at Demian in disbelief. Then…
“No, but isn't it a bit much to expect us to serve under a kid like that?”
He persisted, refusing to back down.
Demian looked at the man.
*Smirk.*
‘Well, well… Am I lucky or unlucky?’
He had recognized him the moment the man raised his hand.
It was Jerka, the older of the twin brothers he had been thinking about on his way to Balpeit.
Jerka’s face contorted as he saw Demian smiling at him.
“What are you smirking at, you bastard? I ought to rip your mouth from ear to ear.”
Jerka stepped forward, his tone menacing.
He looked ready to pounce at any moment, but Demian simply watched him.
‘He doesn’t have many yet.’
The Jerka he knew had far more tattoos.
Interestingly, Jerka, the older brother, had tattoos on the left side of his body, centered along the middle, while his younger brother, Terka, had them on his right.
‘They said they got them one by one during their military service…’
Seeing he only had a few now, it seemed that story was true.
“I asked what you’re smirking at!”
Jerka yelled at Demian again.
Vincent addressed Jerka.
“Are you disobeying an order?”
“It’s not that, I just can’t accept it. Are you really telling me that brat joined with a better score than any of us?”
“Yes. That was the unanimous decision of myself and Instructor Leonhard here.”
*Glint.*
Vincent’s eyes flashed sharply.
“If you disobey an order one more time, you will be dealt with according to military law.”
“…Damn it.”
Jerka’s face twisted in frustration.
But then.
“Captain Vincent, how about giving him a chance?”
“…Sir?”
Vincent looked flustered at Leonhard’s words.
Leonhard, however, turned to the unit members and spoke.
“It seems more than half the soldiers here are not convinced by this decision. It will be difficult to command a unit filled with such doubt.”
“…”
At those words, Vincent looked at his men.
Just as Leonhard said, most of them were staring back at him with eyes full of distrust.
“…Huu.”
Demian was the only soldier who had defeated a knight during the test.
But hardly anyone among the successful applicants knew that.
It was understandable.
A large number of applicants had sparred with many knights all at once.
Those who were in the middle of their own matches or were far from where Demian was wouldn't have seen it.
The ones who had witnessed Demian’s skill simply kept their mouths shut and watched the situation unfold.
They all knew this wasn't something that could be resolved with words.
They, too, felt that Demian needed to prove himself one more time.
Vincent let out a small sigh.
“Haa… Very well.”
He then turned his gaze to the unit members and spoke firmly.
“Mark my words, I have no reason or obligation to make you understand my orders. An order is an order. It is called an order because it must be followed without question.”
“…”
“However! Since we cannot start this unit with mistrust, I will grant the instructor’s request and provide an opportunity for you to be convinced, just this once.”
Vincent looked at Demian.
“Are you alright with this?”
“I don’t mind.”
“Hehehe, now that’s more like it. Who wouldn’t follow if you prove it yourself?”
Jerka let out a low chuckle.
He stepped forward and spoke to Vincent.
“If I beat that guy, do I become the Deputy Commander?”
“So it shall be.”
Vincent nodded.
But in that moment.
“What bullshit, you goddamn idiot.”
“Who said that?”
Jerka’s face crumpled as he turned toward the voice from the side.
Dianal spoke, his expression hard as stone.
“Demian has already proven his skill in the test. Dealing with a moron like that… I believe I am more than sufficient.”
“Dianal, it’s fine.”
Demian said to Dianal. However…
“Why use a butcher’s knife on a chicken? I will deal with him myself, to ensure a moron like this never appears again.”
“Butt out, lackey.”
Jerka sneered at Dianal.
Dianal sighed as if looking at something pathetic.
“Such crude language. From a man who looks like a thug.”
“What did you say?”
Jerka’s expression twisted in fury.
“Looks like we’ve got another one here who needs to be beaten to his senses.”
“I know your type well. The kind that has to have manners beaten into them.”
“…”
Watching the two suddenly flare up, Demian glanced at Vincent.
Vincent already looked exhausted, his face buried in his palm.
“Kekekekek.”
Leonhard, on the other hand, let out a low laugh at the sight of the soldiers thrashing about like live fish.
‘…He certainly has a peculiar taste.’
Demian sighed softly as he looked at Leonhard.
“Hey, tattoo.”
“What?”
“If you beat him, I’ll give you the Deputy Commander position. That should be fine, right?”
“Sure, that’s fine. Just don’t come crying like a little baby when you have to back down. Hehehe.”
Jerka let out a low laugh.
“You two, take up training weapons. Live steel is not permitted.”
At Vincent's command, Dianal picked up two wooden training swords, while Jerka grabbed one.
Vincent then asked.
“Are you ready?”
“We’re fighting here?”
Dianal asked. Just then.
“Then where the hell else! Is there a special place for it?!”
Jerka shouted and charged at Dianal.
Dianal looked slightly taken aback by the unannounced attack, but…
*Tap!*
He immediately created distance, parrying the man’s strike.
*Thwack! Thwack!*
As the sharp clash of wooden swords echoed, the surrounding soldiers quickly backed away, forming a circle.
A makeshift arena was formed in an instant.
Inside it, Jerka lunged at Dianal again like a wild beast.
“Hyaap!”
*Whoosh! Swish!*
Each of his swings was like a killing blow.
His movements were unrefined, but every single attack was incredibly menacing.
*Whoosh!*
Dianal ducked, avoiding Jerka’s strike.
The attack grazed past him, narrowly missing its mark.
Jerka shouted.
“How long are you going to keep dodging?!”
On the surface, the fight seemed to be a one-sided assault by Jerka.
Despite his confident entrance, Dianal appeared to be completely on the defensive.
Naturally, some of the onlookers sneered at Dianal.
“What’s this? He acted like he was something special.”
“Looks like he was just full of hot air.”
In contrast, those who had seen Dianal spar with the knight during the test watched in silence.
And…
“…Hah.”
Demian watched the duel with a slightly different perspective.
It was truly a battle of reason versus instinct.
Dianal was meticulously analyzing his opponent's movements and using his trained techniques.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum…
‘He’s just moving on instinct…’
In terms of raw talent, it seemed Jerka might have the upper hand.
The man certainly had the skill to back up his confident charge.
‘But.’
Right now, he was no match for Dianal.
*Thud!*
A dull sound echoed.
The sword Jerka was swinging was knocked skyward.
“Keuk!”
Jerka grimaced at Dianal’s sudden counterattack.
Dianal spoke to Jerka.
“Now, it’s my turn.”
He had spent the time until now analyzing his opponent’s movements.
He may have seemed to be on the back foot in the process, but…
*Fwoosh!*
As soon as he deflected Jerka’s sword, Dianal closed the distance and entered his opponent’s space.
A startled Jerka hurriedly swung his sword at Dianal.
*Whoosh!*
His sword cut through empty air once again.
And in that instant.
*Tap!*
Having closed the distance, Dianal slammed his shoulder into Jerka’s chest.
*Thwack!*
“Gak!”
The air was knocked out of him, and Jerka’s face contorted in pain.
The impact of the shoulder charge was greater than he had expected.
But that was only the beginning.
*Thwack! Thwack!*
“Kuaargh!”
Dianal’s follow-up attacks rained down on Jerka’s body.
The two wooden swords swiftly struck Jerka’s side and leg.
*Whip!*
Dianal spun behind him and struck his shoulders with both swords.
*Thwack!*
“Kuaaack!”
Jerka couldn't hide his bewilderment at the sudden turn of events.
He hadn’t been able to see the sword strikes for a moment.
Dianal said.
“Don’t be surprised. I struck from your blind spot, so of course you couldn't see it.”
“W-What did you say?”
“For a thug, you were pretty good.”
Dianal offered a genuine compliment on his opponent's skill.
The man’s attacks had been sharper and fiercer than he’d anticipated.
Nevertheless.
“Now, fall.”
“How dare you!”
Jerka’s sword swung toward Dianal’s head.
*Whoosh!*
But once again, his opponent’s form vanished.
Having lost its target, Jerka’s sword sliced harmlessly through the air.
*Swoooooosh!*
Then, he felt a rush of wind from below.
The very moment Jerka’s gaze shifted downward…
*Crack!*
Dianal’s sword, swung from low to high, smashed into Jerka’s jaw.
“…Geok!”
Jerka’s head snapped back, and his knees buckled.
For a moment, the strength left his legs.
But Jerka did not fall.
Seeing this, Dianal clicked his tongue.
“This is the last one.”
He swung his sword down with force.
“Dianal!”
*Halt!*
But at Demian’s shout, Dianal stopped his wooden sword.
Jerka, seeing the weapon halt right before his eyes, swallowed hard without realizing it.
‘If that had… hit me…’
He was certain his face would have been shattered.
In that instant, his legs gave out completely.
*Thump.*
Jerka collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this, Demian spoke to Dianal.
“That’s enough. We’re going to be in the same unit from now on.”
“…Understood.”
Dianal nodded and looked down at the collapsed Jerka. And…
*Ssk.*
Dianal extended a hand to him.
“Are you alright?”
“…That kid isn’t stronger than you, is he? You’re about evenly matched… right?”
Jerka asked Dianal.
Dianal replied.
“If Demian were serious… I think you might last about thirty seconds.”
“…?”
“I believe that answers your question. Do you still want to fight Demian?”
“…No. I must have been out of my mind.”
Jerka took Dianal’s hand and stood up.
*Stagger.*
But as his legs, completely drained of strength, threatened to give way again…
*Grab.*
“Hehehe, this one seems weaker than he looks.”
Kyle slipped his arms under Jerka’s armpits and supported him.
Jerka scowled at this, but…
“He’s on the same level as me.”
“…I see.”
At Dianal’s words, Jerka quickly lowered his head.
It seemed… this unit was full of monsters.
With the situation resolved…
“Is it over now?”
Vincent said, looking at the unit members.
“Then I will now make an important announcement. Everyone, pay attention.”
At his words, all the unit members turned their eyes to Vincent.