Chapter 54: Goal

After a long training, Noel finally returned to the training ground with the rest of the trainees.

It seemed they had an important announcement. Even Shale straightened his back and wore formal clothes as if he was receiving someone with a high rank.

To everyone's surprise, a middle-aged man walked to the platform. The man had fierce and sharp gaze that could send chills down one's spine with just a single look. His muscular body was even excluding an aura that made them feel they were just a hopeless prey.

Noel recognized him because he was the most important person in this fort, the commander, Oscar.

Unlike the pity or gentle expression he showed in the past, Oscar didn't seem to want to give any differential treatment to the trainees.

After taking a glance at all the trainees, Oscar opened his mouth, speaking with his deep, gallant voice. "I am the commander of this fort, Oscar. I congratulate you for finishing the test with flying colors. Although it's unfortunate that people died in the last outbreak, it's impressive that you didn't fall into the same pit in the last test.

"With this, I've recognized you to have graduated from the trainees introduction class. Now, you shall become the Junior Soldier of my Demon Banner Army.

"If you want to become a full-fledged soldier, you have an objective that you'll need to complete within one year. Shale will give you the full explanation later.

"What I want to say here is that... The number of our soldiers might not be high, but..." Oscar paused as he took a deep breath before shouting with all his pride. "...our soldiers are elites! They have the strength of a hundred if not thousands of men! Why?

"Because we'll pour our resources on each of you and give you the best training we can provide.

"What we provide is the power to fight a hundred demons! Spiritual Energy! You've collected ten Demon Crystals with the first test. We'll teach you how to induce the Spiritual Energy from within the Demon Crystals.

"This is the use of Spiritual Energy!" Oscar raised his right hand as a blue-colored flame coming out.

The flame stunned the trainees. Even though they had seen Spiritual Energy from Anna and Noel, they only saw the particles.

However, Oscar condensed flame with that Spiritual Energy. "Spiritual Energy can be used for many things. Strengthening your muscle, thus enhancing your strength and speed. Giving an explosive boost on your foot so that you can jump higher or faster. Anything!

"Including a powerful attack like this." Oscar punched upward, releasing all the flame on his hand.

However, the small flame that came from his fist suddenly erupted and turned into a giant tornado.

Even if they were far away from him, they could feel the intense heat from it. They thought they would be burned alive if they came closer to this flame.

"This is what you'll learn in the next one year while accomplishing your mission. I know that most of you don't have any literacy skills, but we'll also provide you with the basics so that you can read and write. This is a must!

"All the detailed information shall be explained by Shale later. He'll become your mentor for one year. Prove to us that you can become an elite soldier. I wish you luck." Oscar ended it with a nod as he turned around, leaving the platform or even the training ground.

Not a single of the trainees clapped their hands or even moved. But it was clear that the flame in their heart was ignited.

If they were employed by a local noble or an imperial army, they might not be taught Spiritual Energy. But in this place, they would become the most elite soldiers in the entire kingdom. There was no one who didn't get excited from such a tempting future.

They swore in their hearts.

"I'll survive."

"I'll complete this training."

"I'll become an elite soldier."

Noel's expression was serious this whole time as he had an entirely different reason for completing this training. He just wanted to get stronger to have his revenge.

As long as he could get stronger, he could help more people and gain people's affections. In the future, there would be a chance for an uprising. This would be his revenge.

After seeing off the commander, Shale walked to the platform and said, "I shall be explaining your tasks in one year.

"There are three main things you need to clear within a year. First shall be your basic literacy. We often have a record of your mission and journey, so it'll be easier if you can read and write.

"The second task is to learn basic application of Spiritual Energy. I believe you've seen what a Spiritual Energy can accomplish. The reason we're elites because all our soldiers can use their Spiritual Energy unlike any other army. We're here to fight demons, so don't misuse this power! As long as you're in the right, our army will back you up!

"Last but not least, you have to complete ten missions from us. They're divided into two, solo mission and group mission! You're not an elite soldier just because you're strong! You're an elite soldier because you have good judgment skills and powerful strength.

"If you just take your training as it is, you'll become strong, but you won't be wise. We won't limit your creativity... That's why you'll be the one to judge your own schedule. When and where will you go for a mission? Will you take a single mission or two at once? That's entirely up to your decision making.

"Just to remind you that if you haven't completed five Solo Missions and five Group Missions within one year, you'll be expelled from the army. Any questions?!"

Shale looked at the junior soldiers in the training ground.

Surprisingly, one of them raised their hands, asking, "Sir! I have a question. Don't you think it's still beneficial for us even if we don't finish the missions? With such a skill set, we can be paid high from other lords? You're not planning to kill us or something?"

Shale shook his head. "The answer is simple. What we'll be teaching you is a basic. You might be able to live a leisure life with what you learn from this place, but you won't become the elite among elite. In fact, your true training will start after completing all these tasks.

"There are many of our soldiers who retire from this place and become the head knight of noble households. It's them who are begging you to stay in their house. Can you see the privilege now? It's you who will choose them, not the other way around. They might even marry their son or daughter to you and make you a noble! You can become a stronger knight in their territory if you don't accomplish the missions, but that will be all your achievements. You won't be able to climb to an even higher place!"

Shale's statement shocked everyone as they never thought about this. Becoming the head knight or even a noble? It was a truly shocking privilege.

Those who wanted to join this army already had a high ambition but when learning about the potential, they realized they didn't aim high enough. With this fire igniting their desire, they clenched their fists and swore. "I will make it."

Shale smiled after seeing their expressions. "Now then, I'll explain the details."