Alex hurried to his next course, Basic Training. It has been some weeks since his rank had been upgraded to C, and with it came a multitude of changes. Now, he relished the privilege of having his own room and the freedom to choose from a variety of courses.
However, amidst these upgrades, Alex found himself grappling with the elitism pervasive among the upper echelons of society. Despite his elevated status, he couldn't shake off the impression that those in higher ranks were still the same: aloof, arrogant, and excessively self-assured. The warmth and camaraderie he had experienced among the F-Ranks were something he yearned for—a stark contrast to the haughtiness of the elite.
Hence, despite the raised eyebrows and whispered judgments, Alex persisted in attending Basic Training with the F-Ranks rather than opting for the C-Rank course. To some, his decision seemed foolish, but he remained steadfast in his belief that he was learning just as much, if not more, from his peers in the lower ranks.
As Alex arrived at the training hall, he scanned the room and spotted his old dorm mates gathered off to the side. "Hey, how's everything going, guys?" he greeted them warmly.
"It's all good, still relishing the grub," Tom replied with a wide grin.
"Oh, don't get me started on food, you're making my stomach rumble," Chloe chimed in with a smile. Alex couldn't help but notice Chloe's increasing fondness for indulgence in recent weeks. "I guess a balanced diet can really change people," he mused to himself. However, he refrained from mentioning the exquisite quality of food he now received as a C-Rank, delivered straight to his room.
Alex followed through the familiar routine of the training session, with Lieutenant Smith's authoritative voice barking out orders as usual. Despite his promotion to a C-grade rank, exhaustion still weighed heavily on him, reminiscent of his days as an F-Rank. The only noticeable difference was that he could endure a bit longer now.
Taking a seat, Alex began to harness the ambient essence around him, a practice ingrained into every trainee. However, instead of directing it towards his rune for refinement, he diverted it into his muscles, utilizing it to invigorate and rebuild them after the rigorous training. It was a technique taught to all, a method of utilizing rune essence to facilitate strength-building.
This practice wasn't just exclusive to Alex; it was a fundamental aspect of training for all aspiring Runemasters. It was common knowledge that the average F-Rank Runemaster possessed strength levels nearly ten times greater than those who hadn't awakened a Rune, highlighting the transformative power of mastering rune essence manipulation.
Lt. Smith stared at Alex with contempt, his thoughts filled with frustration at what he perceived as a wasted opportunity. "The kid has been given a second chance to progress further than most, and he chooses to waste it here with F-Ranks," he mused silently to himself, struggling to comprehend Alex's decision.
"What are you doing?" Lt. Smith's voice cut through the air, standing above Alex as he sat with his eyes closed, recuperating.
"Recovering, sir," Alex responded, opening his eyes to meet Lt. Smith's gaze.
"No, what are you doing?" Lt. Smith's tone shifted, his expression a mix of seriousness and slight confusion. Seeing Alex just staring back with a dumbfounded look, he pressed on, his voice betraying a hint of frustration and concern. "What brings you here? Why don't you associate with people of your rank? Are you driven by guilt, or perhaps you're being bullied and can't handle it? What do you aspire to achieve in life? What do you hope to accomplish? I've never encountered anyone so ungrateful. You've been handed a new lease on life. Why squander it? Why linger here with those beneath you?"
Caught off guard by the barrage of questions, Alex's mind raced to find coherent answers. "I... I guess I just feel more comfortable here," he stammered, his gaze flickering uncertainly. "It's not about feeling bad or being bullied, sir. It's just... I don't know... I find a sense of belonging with them, you know?" His voice trailed off, unsure of how to articulate the conflicting emotions swirling inside him.
Lt. Smith looked at him like he was an idiot. "Ok so what do you want in life, why join the military academy." he asked Alex
As Alex pondered Lt. Smith's words, memories of his past flooded his mind. He didn't know why he had joined this academy; at first it was the desire to change his life, to escape the despair that had engulfed him after his parents' departure. For so long, he had searched for them, only to end up in a bustling city far from home, struggling to make ends meet in a cramped apartment. But everything changed when he awakened his Rune and began his training. The surge of power coursing through his veins awakened something within him—a hunger for power unlike anything he had ever experienced.
With a determined gaze, Alex met Lt. Smith's eyes and spoke with conviction, "Power. I want power."
Lt. Smith nodded slightly, acknowledging the resolve in Alex's voice. "Well, you're not going to get it here," he remarked bluntly.
Despite Lt. Smith's dismissal, Alex hesitated. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling of empathy for the F-Ranks and his old dorm mates. He believed he could grow stronger here, among those he had come to care for. "I can get power here," he mumbled, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Go watch some battles between the C-Ranks later and come back tomorrow if you still think you can find your power here," Lt. Smith instructed before turning away, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts. The challenge hung heavy in the air, echoing in Alex's mind as he contemplated his next move.
That reminder of the academy's leader board system resurfaced its exclusivity from D-Rank and above reflecting the hierarchy ingrained within society. Below, the lower ranks appeared as mere pawns in the grand scheme orchestrated by influential families. It wasn't the government that wielded true power; rather, it was these dynasties imposing their agendas upon humanity.
As the gravity of Lt. Smith's words settled upon him, Alex felt a surge of determination. He would show that strength was not confined to arbitrary rankings. With a newfound resolve, he pledged to confront both the external battles ahead and the internal ones within himself.
Lt. Smith's words reverberated in Alex's mind as he departed from the training grounds, shutting out the world around him. Ignoring the chatter of onlookers, he made a beeline for the arena designated for battles, driven by a burning curiosity to witness first hand the prowess of those in higher ranks.