SH*T!
KAABBOOMMM!!!
The explosion is getting violent and more vicious as the battle goes on. Candace was still fine, whole, and pent up by the thrill of the fight. While Quiante was constantly firing magical lethal bullets at her as she danced through the air. Quiante swiftly jumped right at her pace and immediately turned her high powered gun into a stunt gun. And shot an electric shock right at Candace abdomen which critically stunned her and made her drop on the floor.
Candace getting damage from the taser bullets is still persistent to continue the fight. She turned her canon into a dagger and charged instantly at Quiante to take the close range blunt attack. She pushed Quiante down on the floor and immediately tried to slash Quiante with her dagger. In a brief second, Quiante used her stun gun to block the incoming stab. With the brute force of Candace Quiante's weapon flung from her grasp and she was left open for another attack. Candace took this opportunity and tried to stab her again.
Quiante while inconveniently pinned to the ground saw this incoming and briefly she made an iron shield and Candace failed again. Getting aggravated by this, Candace continued her stabbing as the shield becomes almost penetratable. Whilst Quiante was still thinking what best could be done thought of a crazy idea. She calculated the movements of Candace and as soon Candace lifted her arms she dispelled her shield and instantly followed through a hard punch right at Candace jaws and she flung aside.
Candace was about to stand again when all of a sudden Quiante was already next to her aiming another high powered gun. But this time it is a machine gun loaded with a dozen of deathly magic filled magazines. Quiante was only hoping that she'll be intimidated by it so she would stop. But this did not halted Candace and she made a dangerous move that Quiante was left no choice but to pull the trigger. The gun fired and the bullets pierced Candace body again.
Candace returned into a slime and quickly regenerated her damages. Quiante was so disturbed by this that she now wants to obliterate this persistent violent slime. Candace turns shape again and tries to summon another weapon in her hands. This time it was a gigantic axe with a spear end. Quiante thought that this will last forever as long as she does not defeat her contender. So she readied herself and since she was a sport, she also turned her firearms into a spike bat. Candace grinned at this idea and together they charged towards each other. It was too near when Zeku and Lieutenant made an announcement.
"Ok that's it Candace, the fight is already over." Zeku announced over the mic.
"Aw, but I want more!" Candace suddenly became childish.
WAIT, WHAT? WHERE'S THE MURDEROUS FACE AND AURA JUST NOW?! (Quiante thought)
"That's enough, Candace." Zeku demanded.
Lieutenant unlocks the doors and Candace dispelled her weapons and went out disappointingly. Quiante sigh in relief and dismissed her weapons as well. She falls on the floor and unexpectedly Zeku swiftly caught her. Right now, Quiante was utterly tattered and her blood is gushing out from her wounds the moment she dispelled her magic.
"Medic!" Zeku called.
Right away, Lieutenant attends to his command and in a full concentration she released a powerful restoration spell and it healed Quiante's injuries at once. Her wounds restored, her full health surprisingly recovered, and she can now normally move her body. She straightened up and looked at her wounds.
"Whoa, just now that was so amazing, Lieutenant. Thank you." Quiante gave her gratitude.
"Don't thank me Miss Quiantessette this is only part of the procedure," Lieutenant rejected her appreciation.
"Part of the procedure!? So, all this time all of you were planning to tear me apart, isn't it?" Quiante exclaimed.
"Correct!" Candace interjected.
"Sh*t you all people!" Quiante angrily queered at them and went outside the inner chamber.
Zeku stands up and goes to Candace, "Candace, so how's her stats?" he asked.
"Here, Sir!" Candace handed him out the results in a printed paper that she just recently encoded.
"Are you sure about this, Candace?" Zeku doubted.
"Absolutely Sir, you may not believe it but according to my assessment she is only level one. Well, for an Artificer Colonel, but for us, I bet she could even compete at your level Sir." Candace explicated.
"Exhilarating!" Zeku remarked.
"Yes, too exhilarating that I wanted to continue our fight, Colonel."
"Sorry to disappoint you Candace but the Empire will be in need of her."
"I see, so you will use her as an anti-weapon against her kind huh?"
"Five stars for you Candace,"
"Hmph! And you're keeping this a secret, right?"
"Yes, and you're just the genius that I'll entrust with."
"(Sighs) I knew it. Ok it's fine for me but I bet Lieutenant June will not keep this forever, Colonel."
"What are you talking about Candace we're all in this together, remember? If I confess and they've found out that I did not report this immediately, everybody will be put death, including me."
"So everybody's on board, huh. My, this is gonna be exciting." Candace finished.
Altogether they went out of the inner chamber and Quiante still furious at them is now already changed in a new outfit without the collar thingy. She wears a naval t-shirt tucked in a camouflage military pants and a pair of boots that she looked like a cadet now. Well, it's the only suit available there is so she had no choice but to be dressed in, in this green uniform. The three burst into laughter and Quiante got even furious at them.
"Urgh! You stupid officers!!!" Quiante shouted.
They continued laughing while they changed their designated uniforms. Zeku changed his clothes into that of the colonel's uniform, Lieutenant remained her clothes, and Candace also wore the same uniform like that of Quiante's and overcoat a medical robe. Candace took a ribbon and tied her hair and she also gave one to Quiante to keep her hair bothering from her face. Quiante took this and braided her long hair aback and tightly tied the ribbon at the tip of her braid.
Right after everything is ready; together they went out of the chamber and rode on the elevator to go back to the surface. When they've arrived at the top, they then directly proceed to the base cafeteria to dig in to their lunch break. And in there, Lilliane, Nurse Bear, and Major are waiting for their return. They were on a broad table with four more chairs available. Lilliane cheerfully waved at them and they went to the table to greet them.
"So, how was your appraisal Big Sis?" Lilliane excitedly asked Quiante.
"Big Sis?" Quiante gasped.
"Yes Miss Quiante, because you're my family now and sooner you'll be gonna be my sister-in-law. That's why I decided to call you Big Sis, don't you like it?"
"Well…uh… yeah, I liked it Lilliane but I'm kind of a disturb by your last reason, he, he, he…" Quiante awkwardly laughed.
"So, how was your appraisal?"
"She did well, Lil Sis." Zeku interrupted.
DID WELL!? WELL, BAM YOU ZEKU I ALMOST DIED BACK THERE YOU DUMBASS! (Quiante thought)
"Hi Lilliane!" Candace greeted her.
"Hmph! Stay away from me urchin!" Lilliane shoo her.
"Aw, I really missed that attitude of yours, Goldilocks (laughs)" Candace clutched over her shoulders and kiddingly stomped her head with her fist.
"Stop it!" Lilliane shouted.
"Oh yeah,"
"(Claps hands loudly) Ok soldiers! Who's famished?"
"AYE!!!"
Everyone agreed and together they formed a line over the food counter to select the group of dishes that they wanted to dine. There were soups, different viands, and several kinds of sweet reliefs. And right after they got their food, they then feast over their respective meals. However, Quiante who still practice the principles of religion refrained from eating instantly. Instead, she clasped her hands and says a short prayer for the food. This surprised everybody and began to slow down their eating.
Quiante opened her eyes and likewise dug in. Her companions looked at each other and then proceeds as well to their disrupted feast. After a while, finally everybody had their lunch. They rest down a bit and not long then Lieutenant began to bid her farewell and went back to her duties. Major did the same after a couple of minutes and Lilliane asked permission to go to the park with nurse bear and her Big Sis. Her brother allowed her but unfortunately Quiante still had to standby for further instructions.
So Lilliane left alone with Nurse Bear and bid her best regards for them. As soon Lilliane left, the three of them then began to stand on their feet and entered the admin office again. But this time it's different, because before they could even leave the cafeteria, they unexpectedly bumped into General Maslow, the general of the army of the Region SOPHIA, together with his co-officers. To their surprise, they suddenly saluted but Quiante doesn't know what to address. So, quickly Candace pulled Quiante's braid to make her bow down as a sign of respect from cadets. True, this was kind of rude for Quiante's part, but there is no other choice.
"Sir!" Candace and Zeku saluted.
General Maslow likewise saluted at them and said, "Good, thing you're back Colonel."
"It is my pleasure to meet you, General." Zeku politely replied.
"I see, still humble as ever huh."
"Just paying my respects, Sir."
"I heard you've been declared as the next Empire's Grand Archduke, is this true?"
"True as it reached you, General."
"(Laughs) That's my boy! I knew you would climb the royalty one day. Congratulations, Colonel!" General Maslow genuinely congratulated him and firmly shakes hands with Zeku.
"Thank you very much, Sir." Zeku took his hands and bowed down.
"Raise my boy! You'll gonna be our future King someday, you know (laughs)"
"Pardon General, but may I ask the current situation in Region CLANS Sir?"
"You sure loved your origin, huh. (Sighs) I'm sorry but even the best of our soldiers where easily wiped out by the archenemy. And recently we are preparing for the unanticipated attack that may also happen in our Region. And unfortunately, right now we don't even have enough men to fight back the KINGS."
"I see, so you need men to add your numbers against the KINGS, right General?"
"Definitely Colonel and I might also take whomever you recommend."
"Thank you for the privilege General and I think I just had the best person whom you're exactly looking for. But before that, how about a she, would that also be possible?"
"Well, if she's that capable, of course! So where's this heroine you're talking about?"
Zeku pulled Quiante beside him and says, "I humbly present General, Miss Quiantessette Broeker." He confidently presented her.
"(Laughs) You really are full of surprises, Colonel! You may be short Missy but you got the spirit that gained Colonel's trust. (Laughs) Admission granted, Colonel. Ha! Good luck, Boy!" General permitted and left the lobby with his colleagues.
As the superiors left the hall, Zeku and his group bowed down to pay their respects. Quiante argued with him about it but he just smiled and continued walking. Until they've finally got outside from the martial dome and proceed to the military ground training. With Zeku's high authority, he successfully registered Quiante's name in the troop instantly. Candace also insisted so she as well got registered automatically.
Zeku left them with a commanding officer and affiliated them with the other cadets. While Quiante still clueless looked at her surroundings and saw that it was too crowded that it jumbled her senses. Her head became dizzy and her eyes swirled by the environment of the green people. Whilst Candace beside her tried to make her calm but it seems it is not working due to the noises that is so deafening to the ears. By and by, the commanding officer called their attention and immediately they lined up on five.
Quiante being not focused got trapped in the line and unintentionally belonged to the group. She was at the center and this unable her to move out from the cluster. Not long and the commanding officer shouted the go signal and everyone started running. Quiante still hesitant was pushed by Candace at the back so she would not block the following cadets trailing at her back. They consistently run on a thirty kilometer sprint and stopped on the peak of a hill to do the hundred squats and push-ups. Then after which, they run again to another thirty kilometer dash going back to the martial camp. Quiante was heavily panting and was covered in sweat. And she almost lost unconscious by the abrupt rigorous training that she had. But with her strong will and determined personality, fortunately she successfully completed the work out for the day.
TRASH YOU ZEKU!!! YOU LYING BLEETING JERK!!! I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS!!! (Quiante thought)
Time passed and the sun begins to set. The training session ended and everyone was then dismissed. Quiante sat on the ground and could no longer bear the aching of her body. Candace helped her out and took her to a chair. Quiante so helplessly worn out pulled off her boots and found her feet swelling. And Candace feeling pity about her cast a health restoration spell at her and immediately she regained her full consciousness.
When it got dark, Candace invited her to go by the hot spring after dinner. Together they dined in with Lilliane and Lieutenant and after which they went directly to the hot spring. They took off their clothes, washed their bodies, put on the towel and dived on the water. Everybody had their fun and Quiante finally had the peace of mind. Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, were Zeku, Major, and General. There the three of them are having a private bath and a peaceful rest.
"Colonel, I heard you reclaimed your ex-fiancee is this true?" Major curiously asked.
"Yes." Zeku directly answered.
"And she's cadet Quinatessette, right?" Major confirms.
"Correct!"
"Oh, that pretty shorty you recommended to me last afternoon, boy?" General asked.
"Yes, Sir…"
"(Laughs) No wonder you two seems too close to each other, huh."
"Absolutely, General…"
"So, did she also accept your proposal?" Major follow up.
"Of course, why wouldn't she. Wasn't I the dreams of the beautiful women, Major?"
"No doubt about that, Colonel. I know anywhere you go girls always come flocking at you. (Sighs) How I wish I could be like you Sir. My betrothed wife wouldn't even let me see her face plus, she would even violently queered at me over the phone (sighs)."
"(Laughs) You're a coward, Major! (Laughs)" General mocked Major's incompetency.
"So, when will you be marrying Colonel?" Major continued.
"Sooner or maybe soonest,"
"Are you sure about that, boy?" General interrupted him.
"Of course General, your boy's the man wasn't I?"
"(Laughs) Love the confidence, son! (Laughs)"
"I wonder how you'll do the confession in real life Sir, because it seems way too easy in the movies, right?" Major brought up the topic.
"Nah, don't think about it too much Major. Just say the words, I Love You and then, Will You Marry Me..."
"I WON'T!!! I SWEAR I'LL NEVER MARRY THAT BIG HEADED PSYCHO!!! HE'S THE WORST!"
"Wait, isn't that your fiancée Colonel?" General suddenly asked.
"(Sweat drops) I uh… ahem… you must be mistaken General. But that was not my…"
"FIANCEE!? I DON'T GIVE A HELL ABOUT ENGAGEMENT PEOPLE. THAT MR. ALMIGHTY GRAND ARCHDUKE BIG HEADED PSYCHO IS A DOPE! PERIOD."
SH*T QUIANTE! JUST WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GOSSIPING BEHIND MY BACK, YOU BLABBER MOUTH!!!