Chapter Twenty Three

Time passed swiftly. Before the new recruits knew it, six months had flown by in the blink of an eye. Most of their time was spent training and getting used to the fundamentals of magic.

After six months of intense training, Eren had gathered all the recruits into the courtyard of the training camp.

Eren looked at the crowd of hardened recruits. After several months of training, they had finally shed their somewhat backward outlook on the larger world that they hadn't been exposed to before. Their eyes resembled frozen rocks as they stared at him with unwavering confidence.

'Recruits!" His voice was carried through the wind with the assistance of magic as he spoke. "You've been here for six months now, training, working hard. After watching you for so long, I think it's about time I acknowledged you are ready. This is only just the beginning. The real training starts when you swear fealty to the Imperial Army." His eyes moved from person to person, taking in their body language and watching how they would react to his words.

"You training here comes to an end at the end of the week. At that time, you will be expected to make a choice. You either choose to become part of the Army, gaining access to more resources and training facilities that will assist your growth, or you could choose to go your own way, cutting off ties from the Army and fending for yourself."

Eren spoke those last words with an intangible weight attached to his words. Those words bore down on the minds of the recruits. Such a decision would most likely affect their future growth.

After examining them for a while more, Eren finally dismissed the trainees. With heavy minds, they all left, returning to whatever it was they were doing.

Eren also returned to his temporary stateroom to handle his responsibilities. Within his room, he activated a Magical Communication Array which was used for long distance communication. After a few flickers of the Magical Array, the projection of General Rudolf appeared over the table.

"Eren." Rudolf nodded slightly.

"General Rudolf." Eren returned the nod. "I've called concerning the Inheritor."

"Yes, go on. Any news?" Rudolf's eyes gained a spark to them. Back when Adolf had mocked him about failing to retrieve the Inheritance, he had vowed to prove Adolf wrong.

"... I don't think Kai is the Inheritor. He's shown good progress, but he's just slightly above average. He doesn't stand out that much, and even some of out talents in the Army show more potential than he does." Eren shrugged, not daring to meet Rudolf's burning gaze. He was sure that the soldiers around Rudolf would most likely be startled out of their skin by now.

"Are you certain?" Although Rudolf was obviously upset, he managed to keep his act together. He didn't want to act out as acting out would be out of character for someone of his stature.

"I'm eighty percent sure that my guess is right. Kai is unremarkable in every aspect except his Magic Affinity. He has a good feel for magic but aside from that, his basics are like everyone else's. The Inheritor should stand out among normal Mages. Kasuyi was someone who wasn't satisfied with staying in the background. If there was anything he loved more than knowledge, then it would be the spotlight."

Rudolf grumbled a bit and rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"Just keep on watching him. Until the end of the week, make sure you follow his every movement. I want results." With a final comment, the projection of Rudolf blinked out and the Magic Array on the table gradually dimmed out.

With a sigh, Eren covered his eyes and leaned back in his seat.

"Why me?"

.....

On a tropical world not far from the Imperial training camp.

Several robed figures walked through the forest, weaving through dense shrubbery and brush. Each of these figures carried themselves in a dignified manner. A pressuring aura rolled off their bodies n waves, making sure to keep weak creatures at bay. Whatever creature dared to stray and pass before them was swiftly killed.

"Why are we here again?" A soft, melodic voice drifted through the forest, seemingly swaying with the leaves and grass.

"To clean up the mess Gonzuk's team caused." Someone replied.

"Hmph. I would have loved to see you do better." Gonzuk called out from the head of the group.

"Be quiet, all of you." The group turned silent as soon as that voice made its thoughts clear. The voice came from a small figure in the middle of the group. The figure was around the height of a ten year old, looking small and frail. Among the group, this small figure was the most powerful. The aura he released was almost enough to overwhelm the collective aura of all four accompanying Wizards.

"We're nearing the end of the World Bridge. Prepare your disguises."