“Status.”

===

Status

[Strength] (20.5)

[Endurance] (23)

[Agility] (24)

[Perception] (33)

[Magic] (6.2)

Talents

[Flexible Body] (null)

Titles

[Inheritor of the Aion Ring]

===

“I gained a lot.” Vincent inwardly smiled as he traced over his status. He put away the status screen and knocked on a door.

“Come in.” A gruff voice called out from within.

Vincent calmly entered. He had been at the training camp for a whole year, but this was the first time he ever entered this office. On the opposite side from him stood a tall man. He had the bearing of a general as he slowly turned around.

“Sir! Cadet Vincent, reporting for discharge!” Vincent straightened up as he gave a military salute.

“The Redwall kid? You’re finally leaving?” Aster lightly said. Over the past year, he had silently observed Vincent. Everything that he noticed pointed to the fact that Vincent wasn’t the type of person depicted in the rumors. This contrast had left him questioning the ability of his intelligence personnel. In the end, he had concluded that Vincent was just misunderstood.

“Sir!”

“Dispose of the formalities, Redwall Kid.” Aster motioned for them both to sit down.

“… Understood.” Vincent obeyed the man and sat down. When they were both comfortably seated, he asked, “Is there something you need to talk to me about, Sir?”

“Over the past year, I’ve been watching your progress.” Aster pushed forward a file towards Vincent. “You have grown a lot in the last year. Not only has your physical growth been observed but also your conduct.”

Vincent received the file and scanned through it. It was a very thorough file, noting his sleep schedule and even the amount of time he spent eating. Perplexed by the investigation, Vincent looked back up at Aster who gave a pained smile.

“My apologies. However, it was a necessary measure I have to take. After all, it was my niece that was in danger.”

After hearing those words, Vincent finally understood and felt some relief as well.

“It is understandable.” Vincent began to say. “If someone were endanger my family, I too would have done the same.” Vincent reasoned. Although he felt no attachment to the Redwall family, he thought of his mother Catherine.

“Hm.” Aster studied Vincent’s face for a short while later before bringing up another matter. “What do you think of our Corps.?”

“The Evergreen Rangers?” Vincent asked as he looked out the window. “It’s a great place. The people here are kind. However… I think that this kindness won’t be good to have in the future.” Vincent hinted at something as he spoke.

“I agree.” Aster replied as he also stared out the window. “They are only cadets, they haven’t finished their training. Once they finish their training, they’ll be deployed on exercises and patrols. They are a rowdy bunch and it takes a skilled man to lead them.”

“…” Vincent looked back at the general’s eyes which looked expectant. “You can’t mean…”

“Yes.” Aster stood up and opened up the door. Outside the door Halt had appeared and looked like he was eavesdropping. “Get your ass in here.”

“Hehe, ya caught me.” Halt revealed a toothy grin as he straddled on over to the table.

“I was just informing the Redwall Kid about recruiting him.” Aster repeated once more.

“W-wait.” Vincent held up his hand. “Why me?”

“Well for one thing, ya got talent, Kid.” Halt leaned back on his chair with his feet propped up.

“Kuhum, what he meant was that you have a knack for leading. Even though you started off rocky with the other cadets, they respect you for your skills. They fear you at the same as they respect you. That is a talent that not every leader has.”

“Well… That…” Vincent wasn’t sure how to reply to the praise. He was happy for being praised, but if he did acknowledge them it would look like he would accept being officially recruited. Recruitment was the last thing he wanted, because a big event would happen later that would nearly destroy the Evergreen Ranger Corps. Not only that, he still had a role to play. Although he wouldn’t go as far as to be killed, he still had to antagonize the MC a bit to allow the MC to grow.

“Ya don’t have to say anything, just nod and we’ll begin the procedures.” Halt said as he picked at his teeth.

“No!” Vincent abruptly stood up shocking the other two men. “I mean… I still don’t think I am ready for this.” Vincent meekly said as he sat down. In truth, he really wasn’t ready to be a troop commander. He was the youngest at the training camp; the average age of cadets was 20 with the youngest cadet aside from him being 18 years old.

“Hmmm…” Aster rubbed short beard.

“Well it’s your loss, Kid.” Halt seemed to understand Vincent’s meaning and shrugged. “Aster, I told ya the kid ain’t gunna accept.”

“*Sigh* I guess you’re right.” Aster relented as he shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

“What do you mean? Why are you two doing this?” Vincent asked.

“It’s not important, Kid. Ya can leave us adults to talk about adult stuff by ourselves.” Halt impatiently said as he shooed the youth out. Once Vincent was gone, Halt turned around and said, “So he ultimately didn’t choose this path.”

Aster weakly smiled, “It’s a shame. A once in a lifetime prodigy has escaped our grasp.”

“Ya could’ve just forced him ta stay.”

“That won’t do. A chained dog is more liable to turn around and bite you once released. Maybe it’s more appropriate to call it a wolf. Anyways, it’s better to befriend the wolf.”

“Ya got that right, Aster.”

“I should send a letter to my brother. He’ll want to know about the Redwall kid’s return.”

“Don’t forget ta tell your niece to get closer ta the kid.” Halt snickered.

“Shut up.”