The Researcher

As the strider move towards the prisoners, Feng and the others thought they were doomed. Sen chuckled at their frightened faces when he viewed them from the Strider's interface. He spoke through the Strider's intercom and said "Do not worry, I am with the Red Sun."

He took a repair toolbox in the Strider's cockpit and left the driver's seat. The prisoners cheered when Sen opened his cockpit.

Feng was in shock when he saw Sen appeared from that. He rubbed his eyes and slapped his cheek to make sure if this was a reality. Sen gave a "I will tell you later" signal and he started using an impact driver to unscrew the bolts that were on the prisoner's collar.

He also threw a bolt cutter to them and they started to help each other to remove their chains. Subsequently, Sen came to Feng's cage and cut the bars with a reciprocating saw. He helped Feng out and the others out. The prisoners thanked Sen profusely and they began to scavenge the camp for any usable items. Some remained and admired the mobile tank walker.

Sen supported Feng to a nearby fallen tree log for support "Let me guess what want you to know. How did I survive?" Feng nodded his head while he hurriedly drank a bottle of water which was tossed to him by a fellow conscript.

"You remember the day we were playing at the hidden cave near the waterfall? I actually found a coloured stone that-" Feng took this opportunity to throw his water bottle at Sen. "Stop bullshitting."

Sen laughed bitterly and said " Okay, okay, I think the potential of magic awoken within me which brought me alive too. I am able to do some possession related magic...I guess?" Feng was genuinely amazed. He knew the chance of being awaken without a strong Fate crystal was nigh impossible but such people do exist.

At the age of 10, they were tested to see if the affinity to magic. The potential within an individual at that age was the easiest to harness and most who failed the test just accept the fact that they cannot be mages.

"However, it looks like I am still unable to control my magic nor know the extent of it." Sen continued to lie through his teeth with half truths.

"User, you are such a terrible liar." the System said in Sen's head.

"Bro, I'm real proud of you! I am also glad that you are still alive. Thank you Sen, for saving me twice." Feng do not doubt him a single bit, seeing that he was rescued by Sen. However, he had a mix sense of guilty and gratitude.

"Feng, who knows, maybe I might be able to impart some of my magic powers to you" Sen hinted.

"HAHAHA, perhaps you can start by imparting some of your magic to solve my shoulder injury." Feng thought that Sen was just boasting.

The conscripts managed to forage some usable items like medical kits, a dozen of weapons with ammunition, some valuables in bags. One even found some unburned intel reports but they were useless by themselves. Seeing as Sen saved the conscripts, they unanimously voted him to be the interim leader.

"I suggest we return to Hongshan Village to recuperate our wounds and inform the mayor. Maybe he can request for reinforcements." The conscripts wholeheartedly agreed and the able ones armed themselves to guard their rear.

The injured conscripts sat on top of the Strider and they were pleasantly amazed that the ride was quite smooth, allowing them to rest. During the travel, Sen was able to simultaneously drive and fiddled around Feng's character sheet in the system's screen.

"I guess this is the best combination of skills for him. System, how much would this cost?"

"The changes are aligned to what he would be in the future and would not impact the web of fate heavily, hence the cost for such changes will be charged for 2 Fate Crystal."

"Excellent, deduct the Fate Crystals." Sen was happy it did not cost much. A small sized crystal shaped USB appeared in front of him. The Crystal had the character 峰 inscribed on it. This was Feng's name!

"User, just insert this USB on the user's palm and the upgrades will be assimilate into him."

Sen was speechless. Slightly.

-------------

-Two days later-

"Sir, we have reached Hongshan Village." A Red Sun military personnel saluted to his Commander and his guest in the armoured luxury car. Surrounding the car was an armed convey who had the insignia of a fox encroaching the sun.

"At ease soldier, go tell the Mayor that we will be intruding to his town once more." Colonel Bao Yue Long sent his soldier off and turned his head towards his guest. Major Takashi Raizan was tapping his laptop and reviewing the data of Hongshan Village.

"Terrible, terrible. They only have 18 kids for the potential awakening test. Why do we even waste our time at this desolate place?" Major Raizan was twirling his pen between his fingers to prevent himself from getting irritated.

"Major, we need all the mages we can get especially at this crucial stage of war." Colonel Bao folded his arms and laid back a little. The armoured car proceeded towards the direction of the village's main town hall.

"Besides, there were initial reports that the Black Monarch troops had successfully cleared the conscripts we had drafted in this area. Our secondary objective here is to stop the incoming Black Monarch from getting more of our land."

"Bao, you think I got my doctorate for being stupid? For your battalion, the 33rd Sun Fox to reinforce the borders meant the old fags had something important around this area." Major Raizen closed his laptop and cast a Higher Identification spell on his left eye. He peered over the village through the car's side window. There was nothing that caught his fancy.

"Raizan, I have to admit you are indeed the smartest military scientist the Empire had ever seen but-"

"Smartest and the youngest, you can add the most handsome as well." Raizen interjected.

Bao sighed a little before continuing. "But the business of the 33th Sun Fox is not under your jurisdiction. I brought you here because General Xing wants you to have a break from normal work."

"Hah! That dog, all he wants is to take credit for my Saint Project. Little did he know I kept the most vital part of the project in here." He points to his head and smiled. Bao shook his head vigorously. "Just review the 18 kids in Hongshan Village while we set up defenses here. If you find any potential no matter how slight, just tell my assistant. Remember A-N-Y. "

"But if they are not as capable as me, the army should not waste resources on these brats. Besides-"

"Major Takashi Raizan, this is an order." The car went to a halt and the Colonel nonchalantly walked out of the car.

At this point, Raizan rolled his eyes and cursed at his luck for being brought here to be an examiner as punishment for punching Brigadier General Xing. He swept his left eye around once more, hoping for nothing.

However, his hopes let him down. He saw a small but extremely distinct magical source shining at the edge of the town. "Okay, I guess this examiner job could actually be a blessing in disguise." Raizan's grin got even wider.