Volume

"Ah crap, Kane wake up," Cassy mumbled while shaking him.

He pushed some mana into his system and immediately felt all of his drowsiness disappear, "What is it?"

"You were supposed to get up early and move couches."

"Oh right, that thing! Knew I forgot something... meh, oh well," Kane went back to cuddling with her.

She laughed and pushed him off, "I'm being serious, you've got all that military junk today too, so you should probably get ready."

"I thought I was doing that just now?"

Cassy got up from the couch and stretched her arms, "Ah crap, my bra came undone. Kane, turn around."

Kane snickered, "Oh yeah, because that makes such a difference."

"It's for peace of mind, no using that scanner thing either, that's cheating."

"Don't worry, I was considering not doing that before you said anything," Kane said while turning around.

She let out a wry smile, "Only considering huh? Who knew you were such a perv."

Kane shrugged, "In all fairness, you did say you were the hottest woman on the planet."

He heard a click, "Alright, we're all good to go. And I am the hottest woman on the planet, Kane."

"So you keep saying, I've yet to find you doing anything hot though."

"Alright then, close your eyes, Kane."

Kane stood still, doing absolutely nothing different because he doesn't have eyes.

He could hear Cassy walking away.

"Goddamnit," a smile broke out on his face as Cassy laughed from the kitchen.

His dad walked out, "I thought I heard something, you guys want food?"

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Another delicious meal ensued, with Cassy trying to learn the man's scrambled egg secrets.

But mastering his recipe would be no easy feat, Cassy had a long road ahead of her, one mistake and the meal could go sunny-side up (figuratively).

His dad's massive figure leaned in on the table, "How far have you and my son gone?"

Cassy got flustered, "E-Excuse me? 7th base, obviously."

"I thought we reached 9th base last night, but I guess my eyes were tricking me," Kane popped in.

House Master suddenly switched on, a dry commanding voice coming out of its speakers.

"Speaking of bases, there's one you need to be, a jeep will be there to pick you up in 10 minutes."

Kane leaned back in his chair like an angry delinquent, "Thanks guys, nothing wrong with that at all. I have a damn phone y'know, try calling next time."

"I don't want you to go..." He put his hand on Kane's shoulder.

"I can't let my baby go to war, I just can't, you're all I have left," he started choking up as he was forced to confront the situation once more.

Kane pulled him into a hug, "I'll be fine dad, I know it's hard, but I need to do this to protect you."

"B-but I just, I can't accept that Kane, I need my son."

Kane created a sound barrier, "And if the government have their way, you'll never get him back, I need to do this dad. I know I can..." he lied.

His dad quietly nodded, "... Alright, I'll be in my room then, watching you leave again is too stressful for me."

Kane heard the jeep pulling up outside a few minutes later.

As Kane locked up the apartment, Cassy told him to close his eyes.

"Oh not this again, where are you gonna go this time? Your own kitchen?"

She gave him a kiss on the cheek, "If you don't die then the next one's on the lips, now go die."

Kane stood there stunned for a moment before slowly muttering, "Huh... cool."

A smile crept up on his face as he teleported into the jeep.

Kane had set up an anchor in his room, so he could teleport back home whenever he wanted.

He figured he'd nab that kiss before he had a chance to die rather than after the fact.

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The next several hours were boring, Kane pushed his mana freezing to the limit as the jeep made its way across the countryside.

It was nothing but farmland and military checkpoints.

Who knew the eastern territories were so empty, the few cities they passed by were much like the one he lived in, though noticeably smaller.

The distance between his city and the "frontlines" out on the eastern coastline was around 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers).

The drive lasted nearly 18 hours in total, ending as the jeep pulled up in front of a military base. The morning had long since become night and Kane readied himself for what's to come.

As he was stepping out of the vehicle, he heard Mark calling over to him.

"Over here Kane, I need to debrief you."

Kane groaned, "You couldn't have flown me over in a chopper or something? And so much for the poster boy thing, this place is... barren."

"Quit complaining, we've got work to do," Mark scolded.

"Where'd the humor go?"

"It left with my friend's corpse. I need you to take this seriously Kane, we're not training anymore."

Kane paused for a second.

"Sorry, I understand."

Mark led him into the base.

The entire thing was made of light-grey reinforced concrete, shaped like an old aircraft bunker. It was sitting in the middle of an empty field, overgrown yellow grass stretched out as far as the eye could see underneath the pitch-black sky.

A few large spotlights from atop guarded towers kept the entire construct illuminated in the void.

It was a menacing yet beautiful sight, a great show of military organization and defense.

Though Kane did note one of the smaller structures off to the side had a large hole in it, in fact, there were bullet holes all over the camp.

Kane gulped, quickly setting up an anchor.

Mark motioned for him to follow.

Entering a large room with a central table covered in holographic displays, Kane was greeted by the Eastern Governor, Diane Ulna.

She was a seemingly disgruntled middle-aged woman with an ear missing.

"Take a seat Kane," she said promptly, without so much as a glance to spare.

"Yes, Eastern Governor," Kane bowed in mock respect.

She finally looked up from her paperwork, "Since Mark has been training you, I have no doubt you'll be an asset."

"Thank you, Eastern..."

"But," her eyes seemed to pierce through him as she spoke deliberately.

"You are completely inexperienced, so I will say this very clearly, follow orders. I have no use for a teenager playing games in battle, you will be a soldier, or I will have your rank and privileges stripped from you."

Kane felt uneasy, "I unde..."

She cut him off again, still staring intensely at him. "Do I make myself clear."

"Yes, Eastern Governer."

She went back to her paperwork as Mark led him out of the room.

Kane let out a tense sigh, "I haven't even started fighting yet and things are already this stressful."

"Well, you know how these guys are. The sooner I get back home the better," Mark chuckled.

"Where's your home anyway?" Kane tilted his head a little.

"My home? Eh, you wouldn't know anything about it. I live in the northern territories right now though," He gave a fake-looking smile.

"You should try gaining power over space itself, I can just teleport back whenever I feel like it... right sorry, no jokes."

Mark chuckled, "It's fine dude, I'd love to go visit home some time."