Cadet Yang Cheng was in-charge of guarding a blockade. He was an intern for the Trogan Militia.
The Guild was mostly affiliated with military schools and academies around the world. Those were where the majority of their officers came from. But the Trogans do accept internships from selected universities of each country as well.
Yang Cheng was actually in an awkward position. He was still a Tier 1 Mage and was not supposed to be admitted into a university. Fortunately, he was granted a partial admission status. He only had to achieve a breakthrough before the next entrance examinations.
That was why he applied for an internship, he believed that he only lacked practical experience to reach the next Tier. Thankfully that was indeed the case, under the guidance of a very talented Captain he had now reached the peak of his current Tier.
But he was now having second thoughts about his goal. The Trogan Militia gave ample compensation even for an intern like him. He was also awarded merit points based on his performance evaluation. If he gathered enough merits during his missions, he could be recruited into a full-time officer!
However obtaining a full admission to a university would be good as well. The resources that he could gain from such an institution could also propel his cultivation to greater heights!
Yang Cheng was now nineteen years old. He was at the point of his life where he had to decide on which path he should take. And this troubled him for quite a while now.
"Stop daydreaming, cadet. We're still on duty."
Private Pailong had pulled his thoughts back to the present. He was a senior officer that was assigned to look after Yang Cheng. He was around forty years old. Although he was also stuck at Tier 1, he was still determined to attain a breakthrough.
Yang Cheng ---Erm, since he was on duty, he should be calling himself Cadet Cheng. He smiled wryly. He then tried to divert the issue to something else.
"Sir, why did you let that inspector pass before?"
Private Pailong harrumphed when he heard the question. He seemed to be displeased upon remembering that scene. He answered,
"Because he insisted on going. Why stop someone who was foolish enough to chase his own death?"
"But what if he really is an officer of the Hyugan Nation? Wouldn't that get us into trouble?"
"Nonsense. The notification was a fake."
Private Pailong said in certainty. But Cadet Cheng was still worried. The Hyugan Nation was also an international organization. If they found out that the Militia had disregarded the safety of one of their inspectors, they could pursue this matter into court.
Though this matter would become political rather than personal, Private Cheng could still be affected by such incident. For example, the merit points he would receive in this mission could be reduced.
Private Pailong seemed to have noticed his worries. The senior officer then added,
"Worry not, cadet. The Captain would surely deal with the trouble. And besides, if the Hyugans were indeed foolish enough to dispatch a low-levelled Tier 1 for an inspection, they should not blame us for the consequences."
An Inspector was supposed to be a peak Tier 2 at the very least. How could someone that was even weaker than Cadet Cheng had been assigned for a crucial position? Basing from his university uniform, he was probably an intern as well. What kind of agency allowed an intern to become an inspector though? Were they still hiring?
Cadet Cheng shook his head. That young man was just around his age. So perhaps he had abused his background to gain some advantages. The privileged sure was annoying!
Private Pailong had probably concluded the same. This explains the displeasure in his expression. They both decided to not talk of the matter any further.
But deep inside, Cadet Cheng would be willing to trade anything just to see that inspector burn.
A few hours had passed after that scene. The guard assignment had been uneventful afterwards. There were some curious residents who asked on what was happening. But Cadet Cheng explained the situation briefly. No other citizen insisted on passing through. The sky was rumbling a little while the evening approached.
Cadet Cheng was about to yawn in boredom when,
"Surging flames!"
He exclaimed. He had sensed the rise of fire elemental energy within the area. He was a Mage after all. And he was planning to develop his skills to posses the fire element similar to their Captain. That was why he was quite sensitive in that particular energy.
"Let's go!"
Private Pailong responded. They decided to leave their post.
"Those flames are from the Lieutenant! An emergency might have occurred!"
He added as they ran towards the direction of the fire. He had spent more time with the platoon. So he could definitely recognize the skills of the higher-ranked officers.
They met the other four officers who were blockading the other streets along the way. A female intern ran closer. She had twin tails holding her brown hair.
Cadet Cheng was 168 centimeters tall. While the female intern named Ling was a head shorter than him. Although she was from a different university, they had met during several missions in the past. She asked,
"What do you think the problem could have been?"
"No idea. But for the Lieutenant to unleash skills in the outside world, it might be something urgent."
"Oh? You can tell that the energy came from the Lieutenant?"
"Absolutely."
Cadet Cheng smiled confidently. He even mimicked their female Lieutenant while answering. Even though that information actually came from his senior office, he had to show how impressive he is. Especially in front of her!
Private Pailong seemed to have heard their conversation. But instead of reprimanding him, he remained silent. He even raised his right thumb in secret.
The senior officer was indeed a cool person.
However,
"Huh, so you've been attentive to Lieutenant Alshura... I guess that can't be helped right? She's strong, has a high rank, and very beautiful. There's no way you won't fall for her. Unlike me, who is just a Basic Healer."
Cadette Ling looked down and lowered her shoulders. She seemed to be feeling sad all of a sudden. Private Cheng panicked. He hurriedly said,
"N-no, no you misunderstood... I was just..."
Cadet Cheng stammered. He did not how to explain that he just wanted to impress the female intern. He tried to ask his senior officer for help. But the officer ran faster. Why?
"Pfft. Relax I'm just messing with you."
"Haha..."
Cadette Ling giggled. He felt relieved. At least---
Drip.
A drop of rain landed on Cadet Cheng's forehead. Several drops then drizzled the area. A light rain was falling on the officers as they ran. This was coupled with a few rumblings in the sky.
"Everyone! Let's hurry up!"
Private Pailong ordered. He was the oldest amongst all the officers present. And since everyone was on the same Tier, he presided on taking command. They hastened their pace until they reached a certain area.
Cadet Cheng was surprised with what he saw. He blurted out,
"Inspector Kang?"
The other officers were surprised too. How come such a young man was holding their lieutenant? But when they heard Cheng calling him inspector, their surprise turned to disdain.
"You! What have you done with Lieutenant Alshura?"
Pailong was first to react. He then noticed the remnants of some kind of corpse near the inspector. He raised his guard as he slowly approached.
The young man raised his head. He seemed to have recognized the senior officer. He then said,
"Ambulance! Call an ambulance quickly!"
He ordered as he looked at each officer present. But no one followed. How could such a low-leveled Tier 1 order them around? They refused to listen to him.
"The jig is up. We know that you are not an inspector! Surrender now or else!"
Pailong rushed off. He clenched his fists. He then activated his skill.
"[Battle Boxing]!"
2nd Lieutenant Adled had once praised Officer Pailong before. He said that if the senior were to train diligently, his skill could further develop into the stronger version called [Battle Square].
Although Cadet Cheng has never admitted it, he admired and respected the efforts of his senior. He was a living proof that anyone could work hard on the transmigrated world.
You can never be too young or too old to cultivate.
This was the lesson he learned by staying with the senior during his internship. Perhaps that was also the reason why Senior Pailong was triggered by the young Inspector Kang. He could not accept that such a pampered kid could be so privileged. That he was assigned to a position higher than someone who was giving their best to make ends meet.
"Shut up! [Enchant]: Lightning Fang!"
Inspector Kang raised his right hand. A small dimensional gate had emerged in his palm. The rumblings in the sky responded. A lightning strike hit the young man!
But he then threw his right hand forward. The surge of lightning rushed towards Private Pailong. The senior officer was unable to defend. He was blown off and crashed to the ground.
One hit! Senior Officer Pailong was defeated in one hit!
Cadet Cheng could not believe this. The senior officer was the closest among their group on reaching Tier 2. And yet he was defeated just like that.
"Is there anyone else who dare speak their mind?"
The young inspector asked. He was like a Tyrant that oppressed those who challenged his authority. No one answered. Everyone was still shocked with what they saw.
"Then move! Get me an ambulance!"