The next day, Vlad reported at the Military Training Facility situated at the western end of the 3rd layer of their stronghold in the early morning. Today was going to be his first day as a recruit in the military and he would officially begin his journey on the plan he made to dominate this kingdom.
Thousands of vampires varying in age were gathered in the training facility that was akin to a fortress in itself and spanned 2 kilometers in total circular perimeter.
Given the size, it could easily facilitate at least 3 thousand soldier recruits without a problem.
Under the guard's instructions, Vlad was sent towards a particular section of the fortress which was dedicated to testing and training people under the age of 30.
He then lined up after hundreds of boys and girls who seemed around the same age as him.
This department and its instructors were the ones who trained rookies based on age and gender as physiology played a part in their training methods.
Also, many people had different talents based on their Blood Awakening and had stigmatas leading towards a particular Path.
But for now, all of them were starting from the bottom so they were mixed and those who showed potential towards a particular path would be sent later to different profession groups as per the rules.
"Alright then, all of you will be given a wooden sword and will be given a chance to launch an attack at a stationary target made of metal.
This target has magic imbued in it and will show the results in terms of combat power and how much damage can your best strike do." said a female red-haired instructor whose entire body was covered in red leather armor.
She currently stood on a high platform in open ground and her gaze shifted towards the rows of recruits who stood in lines.
"All of you will get to make 3 strikes. The number displayed from each hit will be added to your record.
And this same test will carry on for all weapons that will be provided to you soon.
The higher the score… The better the results." she declared openly.
"And the top 35 scores will be added to a special squad. This squad will not only receive training from lieutenant-level officers once a week, but they will also get 40% more money after they complete the training in 2 months.
They will also receive a recommendation for better positions once they officially join the military.
So if you want to build yourself a promising future in the military… this is your last chance." she iterated while exuding a chivalrous aura.
Finally after a while, the testing started as 10 rows of recruits used their wooden swords at the humanoid-shaped black metal puppets.
One after another, numbers started displaying at the center of their chest like runic symbols as soon as the attack was completely absorbed.
The limit being a thousand at best.
Finally, when Vlad's turn came…
Whoosh!
His figure flashed in an instant and he appeared in front of the puppet the very next second.
Slash!
Clink!
His wooden swords slashed the puppet, almost making it fall on the ground despite it being very heavy.
981.
That was Vlad's first strike result.
Startled!
Many people who saw this were startled and even the female vampire instructor had her eyes widened in disbelief.
Vlad hadn't even used any of his stigmatas and this result was displayed from the very first strike, gathering the eyes of many among the recruits.
983, 987.
The next two attacks also showed impressive results.
Vlad ranked in the top 10 for sword weapon testing. Although few others tested better than him with higher scores… this was just the beginning.
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3 Hours Later.
"What kind of monster is he?" the female instructor wondered.
This time, many other instructors also stood beside her.
As for the other recruits… even those who scored better than Vlad were left speechless.
Why?
Because even though they showed great skills and potential in their choice of weapons… None of them could compare to this freak of nature.
Because he was in the top 10 ranks for all the weapons!
Whether it was using swords, halberds, spears, polearms, maces or even archery; Vlad consistently showed surprisingly good results as if he trained in all of them for years.
[Fools! I was one of the strongest fighters in many weapons and combat techniques after training myself for centuries.
Did you think I achieved world domination without having the skills for it?
These are not even basic level skills for me.] thought Dracula while hiding his disdain.
It was like a Sage Magician being forced to sit among Rookies who couldn't even cast a simple fireball.
Hence, he displayed impeccable mastery for all the weapons he was given.
Obviously, although he couldn't display the Blood techniques of his previous life and his current body was too weak to display his peak form… this was more than enough to garner everyone's attention.
As for why Dracula decided to go with this approach when too many people paid attention to him?
Because he wanted to show himself as someone with great potential even as a rookie and join the squads for Ghostblade warriors and Assassins as soon as he could.
Besides, having people looking towards his progress would also mean that anyone with malicious intent wouldn't openly target or lord over him.
Because unlike the other departments… Nobles and prestigious people had to maintain their faces in the military. If they acted like a bunch of cliche young masters wrongfully exercising their authority on the soldiers…
Their own prestige and honor would be questioned, tainted, and then used against them; especially during times of war when everyone was trying to gain military merit and recognition by the top echelons.
This was the reason he wasn't afraid of making big waves instead of hiding and covering in shadows like some background character.
Besides, this was a common behavior because that's why many people joined the military in the first place.
So if he had the talent and skills for it… there was nothing wrong with putting it on display.
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In the evening, the assessment was finally complete.
Vlad ranked number one with the highest score among the recruits with great promise.
As promised, the instructors chose 35 children around his age for the special squad.
Dracula already knew the reason behind the existence of this squad.
This was done deliberately to make others envy this special squad and work harder to get there as they would earn 40% extra money and wages as soldiers after they complete the training.
After he was finally done for the day… Vlad was suddenly surrounded by all 5 instructors who helmed the testing routine today.
All of them had only one thing in their mind.
"I want him on my team!"