The next day, at the school training grounds.
All the students had already assembled, waiting for the selection process to begin.
Training rifles were laid out in neat rows.
They could not fire and would be used for the upcoming field evaluation.
The initial marksmanship test, of course, would still use live weapons.
"AKs again? Do people in this world really like the AK that much?"
Standing at the back of the formation, Adrian grumbled.
Ever since arriving in this world, he felt as though he had not seen any other type of rifle.
Then again, it was strange. Rem and those NPCs had all used AK-47s, and that was what he had received as his clearance reward too.
"Good morning, students. Once today is over, you will be qualified soldiers."
The principal began his speech.
Because of this world’s unusual circumstances, all resources had to be acquired through the Battlefield World.
That had led every nation in the world to build up its own military.
In the Federation where Adrian lived, academy graduates became soldiers at eighteen.
Of course, those with research talent, or those wishing to pursue other professions, could opt out of the assessment.
The principal held the rank of major. Everyone in the academy, including its teachers, had a military rank.
Hannah Ellis, his homeroom teacher, was a sergeant. Rem, whom he had met yesterday, was a second lieutenant.
As for Frost, Adrian had not seen her rank. Not everyone wore their insignia on their shoulders at all times.
Then Adrian suddenly remembered what the beautiful receptionist had told him when he registered as a mercenary.
"Killing NPCs can raise your military rank, and that rank is recognized worldwide."
Hiss.
"Damn it. Nothing better go wrong when they check my identity later."
Once they became soldiers, everyone began at the rank of private.
After killing ten NPCs, they became private first class.
At one hundred kills, they were promoted to corporal. After that, every additional hundred enemy kills earned another promotion.
During yesterday’s battle, Adrian had killed 430 NPCs, along with one BMP-1.
He did not know exactly how much destroying an armored vehicle counted toward rank advancement, but based on his NPC kills alone, he should already have been a second lieutenant.
"Uh... how am I supposed to explain that? It’s not like I can tell them I used to be a mercenary."
Fortunately, Adrian’s concern was unnecessary. A mercenary’s identity was kept separate from a soldier’s identity.
"The marksmanship assessment will now begin, starting with Class One."
A hundred-meter rifle shoot posed no challenge for Adrian. What interested him more was the field evaluation and the special forces selection.
On the reviewing stand—
"Major, we’re honored that you could personally visit the school to observe the selection."
The principal was a middle-aged man in his forties. His hair was thinning, but he looked alert and energetic.
"Eastern Island Alliance special operations have become increasingly aggressive. We need to train more special forces personnel."
The major was a young woman in a gray uniform.
She was roughly the same age as the students below, yet the presence she carried was beyond anything these recruits could match.
"I had the teachers promote it heavily this time. I expect quite a few students will sign up."
The principal sighed inwardly.
He, too, had once served in special forces. But as casualties at the front continued to rise, the Federation had assigned him the difficult task of establishing a school in the rear.
"Special forces are the best of the best. If even one or two graduates from this class meet the standard, that will be an excellent result."
"Indeed. Special forces personnel are one in ten thousand."
The principal readily agreed.
"Still, there are a few promising students with decent skills. I’ll introduce them to you later."
Although the principal was far older than the young woman, he remained thoroughly respectful toward her.
The young major did not respond. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the students below.
By then, the shooting assessment had ended. Students who failed to meet the standard would study other relevant specialties and enter Federation employment.
"Next is the field evaluation. This will be conducted as an inter-class competition. Our grade has six classes in total, and each class will form a squad."
The female major on the platform frowned slightly but said nothing.
Clearly, this format was not fair.
The six classes below did not have equal numbers of students.
Class One, the elite class, had the most remaining students, with twenty-seven.
The other classes had fewer than fifteen students each.
Class Six, Adrian’s class, had the fewest—only seven students remained.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register