Recruitment completed
Also waiting for them were Izo, James, Alessandro, Ronny and Peter.
Each of them had invested in their own equipment over the last few days.
Combined with a month's training that had toughened them up phenomenally thanks to Maxime's NOX Limit talent, which increased potential by one star and increased training speed by 6 times.
This made the farmers feel intimidated by the youngsters in front of them.
While Andrew went off to talk with the others and sort out the final details, the crowd erupted once again.
"Shit, they really are all kids like the rumors said!"
"Yeah, but they're the same kids who can knock us all to the ground with one hand."
"Pouahahah even with one finger they put you to the ground with your starving body there Fred."
" Huh? Are you looking for me Pierre? They blow on you, you fall!"
"Oh you want to test that?"
"What, you want to do it now?"
"Come on, I'll take you apart in two so I can pass the test quickly while you stay asleep on your hay stinking of manure."
...
At the same moment, when it was starting to get out of hand Andrew turned and announced.
"Shut up, the test is about to start."
"Fred hear that, you're lucky the ginger spoke up now or I'd have made you meet your father in hell."
Fred turned red with anger at Pierre's words.
"Before he could finish, Izo and Peter had already approached the two troublemakers.
They took hold of their hair with a firm grip and with a violent gesture pulled it down.
Once they'd reached a certain point, they swung their palms behind their skulls, accelerating their fall.
*boom*
*boom*
Both of them hit the ground hard, face first.
"What don't you understand when the vice-captain tells you to shut up?" asked Izo in a cold tone.
But long seconds of silence passed without getting an answer.
"Never mind Izo, I think they're unconscious."
"So weak. Even before I met the captain, I wasn't so fragile."
"You weren't so arrogant either Izo."
"And you not so bold to talk to me like that."
"Haha, I guess we've changed quite a bit."
Izo simply smiled in reply, before returning to Andrew, who kept the same face while Peter laughed lightly.
The atmosphere became more serious as people similar to themselves were subjected to such treatment by their future college.
Some were even considering running away from the test.
Andrew simply smiled in response before announcing:
"The test will proceed in this way: first you'll have an interview with us and then we'll assess your physical strength."
"Tomorrow, a poster will be hung on the gate concerning the individuals accepted among us."
"The evaluation of your physical strength will serve us better when integrating you into the group and preparing for your training. concludes Andrew in a calm tone.
"Training? What training?" asked a man wearing light leather armor and carrying a sword.
Andrew looked at him and replied:
"In our group you are obliged to train under our guidance until you reach the level of an experienced mercenary."
"What's the point of becoming a mercenary? You might as well be a soldier!" he shouted angrily.
"It's true! To reach that level, most of the members here will take several years!" continued another person in the crowd.
"Nothing forces you to join us. All I can say is that our captain's magical talent is interesting enough for us to stay." interrupted Andrew with a smile.
"Magical talent?" shouted some in the crowd in surprise, while other potential recruits such as Ernest, Rodrigo and the young redheaded woman were intrigued.
"What kind of talent can keep 8 2-star mercenaries and 1 3-star mercenary together?" asked Ernest, deep in thought.
"Don't worry about it Ernest, we'll see when we get there!" laughed Rodrigo, seeing his friend pensive.
Maxime, for his part, discreetly made his way to the room where the interviews with the candidates would take place.
...
1 month later.
On the private training grounds of the saber-toothed tiger's top brass.
As the sun shed its last light of the day, Maxime was training diligently with Andrew.
Both carried wooden swords and sparred.
Their mastery of the sword could only be described as exquisite, but also violent and brutal.
They moved from one place to another on the ground, both looking very serious.
Meanwhile, a mercenary entered the field with a light, respectful step.
He made no noise, however, and simply waited off to the side.
"Andrew, you're getting pretty strong," Maxime said with a smile as he crossed swords with Andrew.
"Of course, chief, after a month I've already reached the standards of a 2-star mercenary!" replied Andrew as he managed to push Maxime back a few steps.
"Haha pretty good!"
"Chief, today will be the day I defeat you and take your place!" announced Andrew with a defiant tone.
"Ohhhhh... So come on, I'll be waiting for you," Maxime replied simply, his expression serious.
"You don't have to tell me twice, boss."
Andrew braced himself on the ground with his left foot and flew towards Maxime at a speed beyond the human limits of an ordinary person.
Maxime also accelerated to keep up the momentum.
The exchanges continued before the astonished eyes of the ordinary mercenary.
The two silhouettes moved swiftly across the field, but Maxime slightly gained the upper hand.
A few minutes passed.
"An opportunity!" exclaimed Maxime mentally as his eyes shone simultaneously.
With a flick of the wrist, Maxime's sword deflected Andrew's wooden sword, then stopped in front of his heart.
"I give up," Andrew declared disappointedly.
"You're progressing so fast, you'll soon be stronger than me," Maxime replied with a smile.
What a pity, if I take your place I'll also lose the bonus of your magical talent," Andrew whispered.
"What did you say?
"Andrew replied, shaking his head from side to side.
"If you say so."
Maxime looked at the newly arrived mercenary.
"What's wrong with Joe?"
Joe was one of the recently recruited mercenaries.
"Tena wishes to tell you that it might be time to go on a mission. The finances can only hold out for a few more days at this rate."
Tena was a young woman with red hair who had joined the saber-toothed tigers with her 3 brothers.
She had a special talent in finance that Maxime had detected after recruiting her through the system.
So he gave her the role of group treasurer.
"I see, tell the squad leaders to come and join me on the public training square with their men."
"Alright chief!"
"Andrew, follow me."
"Okay, boss."
"It's time to get down to business," Maxime murmured as he stomped toward the mansion's public training grounds.