The Hero In The Military academy Suit - CH 15

Chapter 15

“From now on, I’m planning to sneak in whatever the guys here might need. You’ve got to secure future customers, you know? If you need anything, let me know. I’ll get it for you for free!”

“Whoa!”

Of course, Cory’s the heir to the Aphir Trading Company. This guy’s going places.

“Thanks! Oh, can you get something for me too?”

“Of course. Your name’s Hugo, right? Dorm 9.

I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Cory, the youngest son of the Aphir family.

If you need anything, just ask!”

“Uh, uh? Thanks.”

Man, this trader has some serious connections and charm.

How far does this guy’s network and social skills go?

Wait… could this guy be some kind of genius?

“Hey, Cory.”

“Yeah?”

“Wasn’t your mom a beastkin? Why are you human?”

“You know my mom? Oh, yeah, she’s pretty famous… But usually, people don’t ask so directly… You’re kind of dull…”

“Was that rude?”

“No, not at all. It’s not a secret. I was adopted when I was young. All of my siblings are adopted.”

“Ah, got it.”

“There are a lot of orphans in Sabwara.”

Cory smiled faintly as he answered.

It didn’t seem like it bothered him.

I wasn’t feeling sorry for him, though.

If he wasn’t bothered by it, why should I be?

“Well, I have one request.”

“What’s up?”

“Can you get me some corn flour bread, maybe cookies or something?”

“Acorn flour? That’s a bit unusual… Why do you want that?”

“I’ve got someone I’m trying to get closer to.”
“…? Well, if you need it, I’ll order some made-to-order.”

“Thanks, my friend!”

I quickly scarfed down half the bread in two bites and chugged the milk in one go.

Then I collapsed onto my bed.

Cory, excited about making a new friend, started chatting up Hugo with his usual friendly chatter.

Hey, it’s not a bad thing if they get along.

As soon as I was full, exhaustion hit me like a wave.

The [Lazy Cynic] title was probably kicking in. I felt myself melt into the bed like I was hypnotized.

Images of the techniques and basics the instructors taught us today floated around in my mind.

I closed my eyes and, as if meditating or shadowboxing started running through them. Before I knew it, I felt the sunlight on my eyelids.

‘My body feels lighter.’

It felt like I had just closed my eyes, but I already felt refreshed.

I must be getting used to this body.

Inside the training camp’s command centre, there was a special room where the commander stayed.

According to Conrad’s training camp rules, soldiers couldn’t just enter this room, but once a year, a select few soldiers are called here.

And that’s happening right now.

It was right after the second-week training and weapon aptitude tests.

The soldiers had been gathered under the pretence of a ‘meeting,’ a kind of defensive contact to persuade them.

However, the 8 soldiers who didn’t know why they’d been called there just exchanged nervous glances and kept silent.

Idiot Hugo.
Drunkard Lobelia.
Fickle Lizzy.
Squirrel Mimma.
Zombie Denas.
Chatterbox Judy.
Directionally challenged Pa.
And last but not least, Ludwig, from the Night Clan.

‘Something’s about to go down.’

Hugo, who immediately realized something was off about this odd group, stared at Conrad, who was leisurely sipping tea and watching the soldiers.

Conrad wasn’t exactly the kind of leader Hugo admired.

He had fought in the Demon War 20 years ago.

The Hero Who Became a Training Camp Commander

“Training camp life treat you all right?”

After taking a few sips from his cup, Conrad looked over the soldiers and started the conversation.

The soldiers either responded quietly or nodded.

“The reason I’ve gathered you here today is to give you a choice.”

“A choice?”

It was Judy who cheered up and asked, her ears twitching.

She was an elf from Den Blaia, and she’d been at the centre of the scandal involving her former instructor, Jax, who had sexually harassed her.

“Yeah. As you all know, every year, the training camp recommends at least one soldier for admission to the Academy. You all scored 7 or higher on the physical and weapon aptitude tests, so you’re excellent candidates. For those who are interested, I’ll write you a recommendation letter. In my name, as the Training Camp Commander.”

Some of the soldiers exchanged confused glances, not quite understanding the significance.

“What does it mean to write a recommendation letter?”

Hugo asked, turning to Judy, who hesitated for a moment before replying quickly.

“There’s a recommendation system at Grimlor Academy. Every year, leaders like the heads of the knight orders, the training camp commander, the president of the Sacred Cross, and generals from the military can recommend students for admission. If you get in as a recommended student, your grades at the training camp don’t matter, and you get waived from the entrance fee and the first year’s tuition.”

“Wow, I see. So, getting a recommendation letter is a good thing, right?”

“Yeah, but hold on, Hugo. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll explain everything later.”

Judy was about to say more but stopped, noticing Conrad’s eyes on her.

She didn’t want to speak out of turn, especially since she knew Conrad was paying attention to her.

“Is everyone done talking?”

“Sorry…”

“Remember, getting into the Academy on a recommendation is not easy. Some responsibilities come with those benefits. If you’re aiming for a career in the military, this could be a very meaningful recommendation, especially if you become a training instructor after graduation.”

Judy felt like speaking up again, but she held her tongue.

She knew that if one really wanted to become an instructor, it would be smarter to aim for a position at the Academy, not the training camp.

After all, the training camp was considered a lowly post.

Conrad himself had been pushed out of central politics and lower to being a camp commander.

But she kept that thought to herself. She knew when to keep quiet and when to be tactful.

“When do we have to decide?”

“By the end of the fourth week of training. After that, even if you beg me, I won’t consider it.”

Conrad took another sip of his tea, signalling that there would be no more questions.

“All right, you’re dismissed.”

The eight soldiers left the commander’s office.

“Hey, not that way.”

After turning Pa around, Hugo spoke up as they walked back to the dorms.

“I don’t recognize some of you. Nice to meet you all. I’m Hugo Elclaire. You’re Ludwig, right?”

“Don’t bother me.”

“…Huh?”

Even with Hugo’s friendly greeting, Ludwig just brushed past him without saying a word.

“You’re Mimma, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. Your ears are so cute.”

This time, Hugo tried talking to Mimma, but she just ignored him, folding her ears down and walking away without responding.

Hugo looked at Dena’s next, but Denas just gave a small smirk and walked ahead.

It was a clear sneer.

Hugo turned to Lobelia with a downcast look.

“…Am I being completely ignored?”

“Don’t worry too much. Not everyone has your charm, Hugo.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

At that moment, Judy stepped between Hugo and Lobelia.

“Well, since we’ve got this opportunity, it’d be nice if we all regularly met up, including those three! I’m sure everyone here is aiming for the Academy, so it’d be great to build connections and bonds early on.”

“That sounds nice, but if they don’t want to, there’s nothing we can do. Haha, they must be introverted or something.”

“Hugo’s just got way too much charm, huh? Right, Pa?”

Pa just nodded without saying anything.

“But where’s that guy?”

“What guy?”

“Russell. Didn’t he get a really high score on the aptitude test?”

“Ah! Russell Asgreen! He doesn’t need to be included. He already got the recommendation letter from General Viltred.”

“Huh? Yeah, you’re right.”

“One recommendation is enough. Besides, the commander and the general are total enemies. They’ve got a long-standing enmity. I bet Russell probably doesn’t even want to talk to him.”

“Ah, so that’s why he acted so rude.”

The incident where Russell had been openly humiliated by Conrad before the start of the third week was still fresh in their minds.

“Doesn’t even realize he’s ruining his own reputation. Tsk tsk. That’s probably why he’ll never get promoted beyond the training camp. He’s just not cut out for more than that. Oh, and to add to what I was saying earlier, a recommendation letter from a leader means a lot. It’s like they’re personally vouching for you. Sure, it comes with some benefits, but it also means you’re tied to that leader’s faction. You’re basically under their wing.”

Judy kept talking without stopping.

“Some of the students and professors at the Academy are people who got in with a recommendation from the Training Camp Commander. They’re called Conrad’s faction. He’s been planting his people at the Academy to increase his influence, part of his political game.”

“Sounds pretty different from the academic atmosphere I was expecting.”

“Politics is involved in everything, you dummy Hugo. So stop overthinking it and focus on your training. With benefits come responsibilities, you know.”

“I don’t like it.”

Hugo mumbled with a dissatisfied look on his face.

This was a fact that only he and Lobelia knew, but he was the heir to the Divine Powers of the Goddess, the Covenant’s successor.

Soon, there would be a reappearance of demonic forces.

The future, where the end of the world loomed, was something they had to prepare for.

Although it was a secret, for now, to avoid causing chaos, one day, he would gather trustworthy companions, grow stronger, and together they would face the coming trials.

That was why he made the effort to approach his fellow trainees with his charm.

It was his kind of strategy.

But the heroes of the previous generation?

Seeing them oppress the trainees and give way to political games… was honestly disappointing.

‘Not all heroes are like that, though.’

The Goddess had chosen a simple sheepman from a rural village instead of a battle-hardened hero of the past.

Maybe that was for a reason.

“Speak of the devil, there he is.”

Judy pointed toward a corner of the training ground.

Under the trees on the edge of the area, Russell Asgreen was napping, lying out on the ground.

The setting sun painted the sky in a beautiful orange hue behind him.

It was already the time when most of the soldiers had gone home.

Russell, being the only one still training, was doing his usual late-night self-training.

But Hugo had a feeling that any moment, Russell would jump up and start training again.

He was such an unpredictable guy.

“If you’re gonna train, train. If you’re gonna sleep, just go rest inside. What’s with that inefficient behaviour?”

Hugo wasn’t the only one thinking that.

Russell was already notorious for his freakishness among the other trainees.

Hugo scratched his head as he remembered the time Russell had faced off with the commander, the way he apologized to Parsons, and how he had given Hugo some bread.

“He doesn’t seem like a bad guy, but who knows what he’s thinking.”

Lobelia immediately spoke up, almost scolding Hugo.

“Hugo, gossiping is bad.”

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to criticize him.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me. I was just stating the facts.”

“Still… it’d be nice if we could all get along, right?”

“Of course. You’ve got a mission, Hugo.”

• At Lobelia’s words, Hugo nodded firmly, feeling reassured.