MIGHT AS WELL BE OP-Chapter 395: Lieutenant Anthony

Anthony trailed silently behind Corporal Daniel.

After reaching a certain point, the two ascended into the sky, eventually descending onto a secluded island.

As Anthony moved forward, curious gazes fell upon him, his lack of a military uniform made him stand out immediately among the soldiers.

Yet he paid no mind to their stares.

His footsteps remained composed and unhurried, as if utterly unaware of the attention he drew.

Still, none dared to question him.

It was clear enough, he was being escorted by Corporal Daniel, the right hand of Colonel Vazeryth.

That alone told them everything they needed to know.

They came to a halt before a large, imposing door.

"The Colonel is inside. I won't be accompanying you"

Corporal Daniel said curtly, turning on his heel and walking away without waiting for a response.

Anthony stared at the door for a fleeting moment.

'I wonder what he wants'

He thought silently, then reached out and opened it.

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The instant he stepped inside, a tremendous pressure crashed down upon him,an overwhelming presence that might have staggered a lesser man.

But Anthony remained unfazed.

He advanced with the poised grace of an emperor, his movements calm and assured, until he came to a stop before the Colonel.

"Private Anthony, at your service, sir"

He declared, delivering the standard military greeting drilled into them during their first year of training.

In the military, one always introduced themselves by stating their military rank first, followed by their first name, a tradition rooted in discipline and hierarchy.

Anthony stood tall, his posture flawless.

His left hand rested neatly behind his back, while his right was placed firmly over his chest in salute.

His spine was straight, his shoulders squared, his bearing a textbook example of military composure.

"No need for all that formality with me"

Colonel Vazeryth remarked, his voice matter of fact.

"Within the military, the salute and posture hardly matter. As long as you're respectful and follow orders, that's all that's required"

It was a truth well known among the ranks.

Most soldiers didn't place much weight on salutes or rigid formality, especially when they were familiar with those of higher rank.

Take Corporal Daniel, for example, he rarely offered a salute to Colonel Vazeryth.

And Colonel Vazeryth, in turn, seldom saluted Grand Marshal Alaric.

Familiarity bred a certain casualness between them.

The only time salutes were offered was when others were present, a mere formality to maintain appearances.

"Can you guess why you were called?"

Colonel Vazeryth inquired, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips as his gaze fixed on Anthony.

A subtle shift in Anthony's posture followed.

He stood tall, his hands neatly clasped behind his back.

'Seriously, is there not a single person in this military with any sense of design?'

He thought, his eyes scanning the Colonel's plainly furnished office.

His expression remained impassive, as always, before he responded with deliberate calm, never wasting a moment.

"I assume this concerns my power and abilities"

He stated, his voice composed, speaking with the respectful tone of one accustomed to their place within the hierarchy.

"Indeed, it's because of your abilities. After all, encountering someone at the Peak of the Ecliptic Rank at the age of nineteen is quite the anomaly. And to top it off, you've been fighting across realms with such ease. Don't you think that's unusual?"

Colonel Vazeryth said, his smile widening as he observed Anthony.

Anthony's response came with a steady, unwavering calm.

"I don't concern myself with the age at which others reach what rank"

He replied smoothly, his tone as respectful as ever.

"It's of no consequence to me"

His words carried the same grace and poise, untouched by the Colonel's pointed remarks, as if the conversation itself was an exercise in formality.

"I didn't realize you were this arrogant"

Colonel Vazeryth remarked, his tone tinged with amusement.

"Though, I suppose I had my suspicions, given the way you looked down on everyone during your training"

Anthony remained silent, his expression unchanged, calm and impassive.

Since Colonel Vazeryth hadn't framed it as a question, Anthony saw no reason to respond.

Let the Colonel think what he wished; it was of little concern to him.

"The more I see you, the more I like you"

Colonel Vazeryth said, his voice carrying an unmistakable note of something.

For the briefest of moments, Anthony's normally expressionless face faltered, a subtle frown appearing before quickly returning to its neutral state.

Of course, the shift didn't go unnoticed by Colonel Vazeryth.

"I'm sorry, sir"

Anthony replied swiftly, his tone flat and matter of fact.

"But I don't swing that way, and I'm also underage"

'Is this the novel cliché where an old cow tries to eat young grass?'

Anthony's thoughts spun, his gaze briefly flickering as Colonel Vazeryth's smile twisted into something far darker, an almost predatory grin.

The atmosphere grew heavier as Colonel Vazeryth's grin stretched ever wider.

Then, suddenly—

"HAHHAHA! When did I ever say I wanted you in my bed?"

Colonel Vazeryth bellowed with laughter.

"I admire you as a soldier. Who wouldn't want a talented subordinate? Watching you panic was rather amusing, it's been a while since I've had a good laugh"

His laughter echoed through the room before he cleared his throat, his expression shifting back to something more serious.

"Well, that's settled then. Now, to the real reason I called you here"

The smile faded from Colonel Vazeryth's face as his voice grew stern.

"Private Anthony. Due to your remarkable achievements during the Starborn Tournament, the military is hereby awarding you the rank of Lieutenant, in recognition of your accomplishments"

Anthony was taken aback, the news hitting him harder than he anticipated.

He hadn't expected the military to bestow a rank upon him.

Advancement through such ranks was only granted through extraordinary military feats, and to skip ranks entirely was a rare honor.

Without hesitation, he snapped into a salute once more.

"I humbly accept and will not disappoint the military"

He responded swiftly, his voice steady.

"I told you, there's no need for all that saluting with me"

Colonel Vazeryth replied with a chuckle, his stern demeanor softening as his smile returned.

"What you achieved borders on the impossible. While I wouldn't say it was obvious you'd be rewarded, the orders came from above. The Lieutenant Rank, though, hardly seems a fitting reward for such an accomplishment. Still, the higher ups probably think you're too young, too inexperienced, to be promoted beyond this. After all, you're the first soldier to rise from the Private Rank to Lieutenant in a single day"

At Colonel Vazeryth's words, Anthony's response was simple and composed.

"Thank you, sir"

"New arrangements will be made for you by tomorrow, as the day is nearly over"

Colonel Vazeryth continued, after a brief pause.

"I advise you to head to the Military Library and familiarize yourself with some of the basics, military facts and history"

He added, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

"I will, sir"

Anthony replied without hesitation.

"The military has high hopes for you, Lieutenant Anthony"

Colonel Vazeryth stated, his voice firm.

"Don't disappoint us. Most of all, don't die, that would create a great deal of unnecessary headaches. You're dismissed"

The finality in the Colonel's words was unmistakable.

Anthony nodded respectfully, then turned toward the door.