Interview

After the meal, the officers in charge mentioned the last phase was to start.

This time though, they were taken away in batches of 50 according to some pattern as they weren't in order of mana potential or badge rank. 

Sun could notice these little details when he paid attention. While the others were discussing the event, Sun realized he hadn't checked his status since his time in Oblivion. 

Wanting to get a look, he was about to chant "status" but Scarface appeared in front of him.

Sun's eyes widened immediately and his pupils narrowed. He felt danger. He felt like he needed to take a legal shit right here, right now but the natural fear of the one in front of him froze his sphincter. 

Even to Sun's reaction time, that speed was magical. He had no other way to describe it. 

Scarface, however, scanned Sun up and down before grunting and looking over at his newly formed gang specifically. 

Sun felt the pressure wear off and noticed he only intimidated him and not the other three. 

'What's with the discrimination boss man!?' He grumbled... on the inside. 

"You five come with me. We are doing interviews." Scarface said before leading the way. 

No one hesitated to follow but Sun saw the fifth person just then and couldn't help but realize it was the mystical blackmail man himself, Lux. 

He was already suspicious of the guy for the supposed "indirect" mind-control so he gave him a lame nickname for future use and as a barrier to the guy's influence. Lux smiled at him to which Sun just nodded. 

'Might still want his blood though.' Sun mused as they were led down a new hall. 

Lux felt a slight shiver before having an odd look for a moment. 

No one noticed. 

After walking a good solid few minutes, they ended up in an office. No chairs, one big demon tree-looking table, and an oppressive aura radiating from literally everything in this hell-style company worker's office. 

'Holy-void shit! The pen on his fucking desk is radiating a murderous aura.'

Sun was shaken for a moment before he felt killing intent. 

'It feels like my doom is looking at me' 

Looking over his shoulder as Scarface was walking over to his chair, Sun noticed the mounted head of a three-headed demon that resembled goats.

Sun nearly fainted, the fucking thing was radiating dead killing intent. 

'What the fuck can still want to kill you this bad after death and being mounted on your wall?' 

Scareface sat down and noticed the recruit staring at his prized booty. 

In an eerie and gruff voice he grabbed Sun and his companion's attention.

"I see you noticed my work of art over there. It's a Tri-Headed Demon Goat King. Like it?" He asked, somehow not looking any less threatening than the fucking demon goat king on the wall. 

Sun was sweating before he just nodded as though awed into silence by the decor. 

"It's the bastard who gave me this Scar, I smile every time I see him. Hehe." He spoke before looking over at the wall piece and smiling.

Everyone but Scarface questioned themselves collectively.

'Why do you look like you were a murderer before but now you're a serial killer?' 

"Alright recruits, this is your exit interview before we ship ya off to your base. I chose you five as you ranked in the top based on multiple factors we require in the army." 

He stopped there before lighting a fancy cigar with a skull lighter that appeared out of nowhere. Taking a slow puff. He suddenly stood up and came in front of his desk facing the recruits. 

"I only have one question, what do you want to do for the next three years?" He asked simply but the pressure that suddenly magnified tenfold nearly brought all five of them to their knees. It was teetering on the border by a few points from collapse. 

Seeing his seriousness, everyone thought critically as though the wrong answer sentenced them to death. 

While the others were contemplating how to explain to mister children's nightmare over here, Sun was quite calm at the question even with Scarface bearing down on him. He already knew what he wanted from the beginning. 

So without waiting, he staggeringly stepped forward under everyone's surprise as the pressure on them wasn't a joke. 

Wincing at the dumb yet hot-blooded move, Sun declared his intentions.

"Magic! I want magic." 

Scarface was mildly surprised at this short little brat but hearing his answer, he turned serious.

"And what do you want to do with this magic?" 

Sun replied without missing a beat.

"Runes!" 

"What purpose?" 

"Freedom and Money!" He said with the utmost seriousness laced with pure determination. 'Women too..' He secretly added in his heart. What kind of reincarnate would he be if he didn't fool around a little.

"..."

Nearly everyone tripped at Sun's answer. 

Gathering himself after a moment even Scarface chuckled a little at Sun's answer.

"At least you're honest. I'd take that over any made-up crap any day." Scarface mentioned while briefly glancing at the other recruits. 

Val had a single sweatdrop stream down his temple, past his eyes, and settle on the crease of his chubby cheeks. 

"Say, why Runes? Your physical scores guarantee you pretty much the same things as what Runic Magic can do." 

Scarface had to be thorough and Sun being honest gave Scarface the opportunity to get more legitimate answers from the young recruits which he appreciated. After all, the army can't just be managing manpower with willy-nilly logistics and those ranked higher tend to be more prideful and not always so honest. 

"Reporting Sir, may I be blunt with my words?" Sun asked while taking on a straight posture and speaking like in the military back on Earth. 

This piqued Scarface's curiosity a little as military training wasn't even provided yet and they weren't official soldiers either. 

"You may." 

"Because they are fucking cool!" Sun said with a slightly maniacal smile. 

Seeing the childish joy when answering, even Scarface knew the man wouldn't be the battlefield soldier type but considering his specs, he may one day become a unique asset the army could use. 

If Sun knew his thoughts, he would scoff. His plans lay far ahead than being used as some "asset" being sent here and there under danger as it went against his reincarnated principles and his deal with the Void. Avoiding running to one's death was a necessity. 

He was going to one day build some cheat-code level inscriptions and bulldoze his way through with epic runes of quasar size proportions. He couldn't be capped within the army. 

If now the other party heard this, it would make Scarface scoff back. As the army wasn't as simple as whatever fantasy Sun had in his head.