Chapter 44: First mission (I)

A deadly silence reigned in the auditorium as the cadets heard those words. That youth bleeding next to the wall had a strong background, or he could not have sat next to Lumir and Zamir. Yet, it was clear that Vice-Captain Josef did not care at all, and the cadets did not doubt they would suffer the same fate if they uttered disrespectful words.

Vice-Captain Josef stared coldly at Lumir and Zamir before turning elsewhere. The cadets followed his eyes and were surprised to see Cain’s bursting Astral Wave Cloak and killing intent.

Cain sat in a desolate area of the auditorium, and since the cadets were all focused on Vice-Captain Josef, no one besides Levi and Beelze noticed his outburst.

When Cain saw the bloody figure of the youth that dared to call people like his father cannon fodder, he calmed down and dispersed his Wave Cloak.

Vice-Captain Josef did not say anything about Cain’s actions and calmly walked toward the podium. As for the wounded scion, no one dared to help him.

“What I have spoken up to this point is the standard distribution and roles of the Imperial Military Force. Specialized military units fulfill missions where an army’s notoriety would be a disadvantage. I will not give details of these since unless you become a Level 7 Wave Warrior, you will never interact with them.”

Vice-Captain Josef carried on with the class as if nothing had happened. It was clear that he did not fear retaliation for his actions.

.....

“That was all for today’s class. For the next one, we will discuss battle formations and information about our allies in the Deus Behemoth Race and the Anima Mechanicus Race.”

Cain could not help but grow excited as he heard that last part. The Godslayer Humankind was powerful, but they were far from being able to contend against the Infernus Daemon Race, Legio Eldritch Race, and Atrox Immortus Race alone.

Once Lumir saw Josef leave the auditorium, he went toward the wounded scion and helped him out, marching immediately to the hospital.

Cain noticed that but did not care and left the auditorium with Levi and Beelze. Just as they were about to split apart, the red-eyed youth spoke.

“Cain, your Lineage grants you enhanced tracking abilities, right?”

Although Cain found that question odd, it was not a secret, so he nodded.

“Great, I intend to take on a mission, and I need the help of someone like you.” Levi naturally knew that Cain would want to know what the mission was about, so he used his A.I. Chip to send a folder with all the information.

There were only three classes in the week. Most cadets spent the rest of the days taking advantage of the high Wave density in the Lightning Imperial Fort, but those like Cain and Levi had the strength to leave and carry out missions.

Before Cain could analyze the folder, the duo felt a freezing chill.

“Oh, I am not invited. Do you think I am too weak?”

Levi and Cain grew tense as they felt the cold gaze of Beelze. The red-eyed youth raised his hand and immediately explained.

“Haha, nothing like that. Actually, I could handle the battle component of this mission alone, but my tracking abilities are not very good. That is why I asked for Cain’s help.”

Beelze’s eyes narrowed, and after seeing the duo grow even more nervous, she smiled and walked away.

When the duo saw that, they could not help but grow annoyed. Clearly, Beelze did not care about the mission and was just making fun of them.

After that minor interruption, Cain finally analyzed the folder and saw the contents of the mission.

‘It is a combination between product recovery and detention or killing. We should not face anyone above Level 3, so Levi is right in that our combined power is more than enough to handle it.’

Cain considered everything, and after a moment, he nodded.

“Ok, I accept. I assume we will use the Merit Ruler to determine the Imperial Military Credits each will get.”

The Merit Ruler that Cain mentioned was a tool accessible in the Imperial Military Network. When a group performed a mission, the ruler could objectively quantify the completion percentage of each individual.

“Of course. We must leave soon, as it will take around seven hours to reach Rouk City. That, plus the time to travel back, would only leave us three days to complete the mission.”

Levi had already analyzed all the information and had developed a plan.

“We should leave at midnight. That way, we can rest on the road and arrive at Rouk City as the sun comes out.”

Cain did not have a problem and accepted Levi’s proposition. The duo went to their homes to gather their belongings and pack rations for the trip.