"But what is a General doing here in this isolated border town?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing in curiosity as his eyes scanned Haalf.
A smile played on his lips as he leaned forward on the bench, resting his arms on his thighs. "That's precisely why I should be here... because it's a border town," he replied with lively energy, his voice infused with enthusiasm.
"Truthfully, I am here to find recruits for the army," Haalf answered.
Lloyd's mind buzzed with curiosity. 'I anticipated him saying he was on vacation, but I never expected him to be out recruiting. And why is he even personally recruiting? He's a general,' he pondered aloud.
Lloyd's perplexed expression deepened, and he leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "But isn't that task beneath your position as a general? Shouldn't someone else handle the recruitment process?" he inquired, his skepticism evident in the quirk of his eyebrow.
A warm smile spread across General Haalf's face, creasing the corners of his eyes. He straightened his posture, leaning back confidently on the bench. "I'm here to find a student who can learn under my tutelage and eventually succeed me," he explained.
'Finding a monster to replace him? Haha! That's gonna take him a hell of a time,' Lloyd chuckled inwardly.
The man's confusion softened into a contemplative expression as he watched the general.
A glimmer of excitement danced in Haalf's eyes, and his hands clasped together, fingers intertwining. "I've already found one such individual," he shared, his voice filled with pride.
'Already? Is there someone in this isolated border town with enough talent to surpass him?' Lloyd was amazed that there was already someone present who could fulfill Haalf's requirements.
"Who's the lucky fellow?" Lloyd asked, his curiosity piqued by the mention of someone special being chosen by General Haalf.
A mischievous glint sparkled in Haalf's eyes as he met Lloyd's gaze. A grin spread across his face, and he leaned in closer. "You're interested, aren't you? Well, that's you, kid," he revealed, his voice brimming with confidence.
Lloyd's eyes widened in astonishment, his jaw dropping slightly. "Wait, me? Why?" he stammered, struggling to comprehend the unexpected revelation.
'Wait! Why did he choose me? I know I have powerful talent, but I don't think he would think I am of any use anymore since I am so weak now,' Lloyd thought to himself, flabbergasted by his answer.
Haalf's expression softened, and he reached out to place a reassuring hand on Lloyd's shoulder. "You have stopped training because of the trauma caused by the death of your parents," he began, his voice tinged with empathy. "But it would be a shame to let a talent like you rot away in this place."
Haalf continued, his voice firm but encouraging, "I can see that you have picked up your sword again. You don't look like have the eyes someone who has given up on everything."
"You may lag behind compared to your counterparts," Haalf admitted, his tone honest yet filled with conviction. "But with proper rigorous training under my guidance, I have no doubt that you will catch up and even surpass them within a year."
Lloyd's mind raced with conflicting thoughts and considerations as he weighed the tempting offer presented by General Haalf. He couldn't help but feel cautious, sensing that there might be a catch hidden beneath the surface.
"Kid, do you accept my offer and become my student? I will train you and provide you with every resource you need," Haalf asked, his gaze fixed intently on Lloyd, awaiting his response.
Lloyd's brows furrowed as he contemplated the implications of the offer. His mind churned with doubts and uncertainties. "Will I have to join the military academy?" he asked, his voice laced with apprehension.
A brief pause followed as Haalf met Lloyd's gaze with a steady look. "Yes, you will be a trainee at the Military Academy, and you will have to abide by its laws," he answered truthfully, his tone conveying the seriousness of the commitment.
'Not the Military school! It would simply mean strangling all my plans and jumping off to my death,' he sighed.
Lloyd's heart sank as his suspicions were confirmed. The catch he had anticipated was now laid before him. The realization weighed heavily on his mind, as he knew that enrolling in the academy would mean sacrificing his freedom. The rigid rules and regulations would bind him, preventing him from pursuing his own plans.
'Although becoming a trainee in the military academy won't be bad for me since my instructor will be none other than Haalf, but the problem lies in its rules...'
'Its rules simply mean sacrificing your freedom. Once I join the Academy, I can't leave unless I become or fail to become a soldier, and it takes 2 years of training to become a soldier... And that's too much because I won't be able to do anything about the plans I have created, and that will decrease my already nonexistent chance of survival,' he thought to himself.
As he processed this information, he couldn't ignore the allure of having General Haalf, the renowned Butcher of Laspovk, as his instructor. The opportunity for unparalleled training and mentorship beckoned to him, promising growth and transformation. But at what cost?
Lloyd reminded himself of the risks and sacrifices involved. His survival in a world teeming with challenges already seemed impossible, and losing his freedom could further diminish his chances. Reluctantly, he acknowledged that the offer, however enticing, was not worth the potential disruption to his own path.
With a heavy heart, Lloyd mustered the courage to decline. "Thank you, General Haalf, for your offer," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "But as much as I appreciate the opportunity, I must decline for now. However, I hope this offer will still be available in the future."
General Haalf nodded understandingly, his gaze filled with disappointment. "I understand, Lloyd. And yes, the offer will be there for you in the future."
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Btw, you can join the discord server if you want to see the image of characters of this novel like Alaya, Lloyd/Axtrav, Haalf, etc.
Discord: https://discord.gg/QyWy85y3G4 :)