The Recruit Camp

The newly built recruit camp appeared somewhat empty, and after a large number of construction teams left, the interior was deserted.

Inside the simulation training hall, however, there was some activity.

Lister found himself in a simulated starry sky, and the opponent he was fighting in front of him was none other than himself.

The two sides were locked in a fierce battle, exchanging various sword techniques in just a few seconds.

For the first time, Lister also felt the stinginess of the real damage in his swordsmanship.

Lister had lived alone in the new recruit camp ever since it was completed.

On the one hand, it allows for a full experience of the simulation training hall's functions, since it was almost never open to use during the Arcane Recruit Camp, except for the monthly exams.

Now that he owns the simulation training hall, as the top person in the military region, he can use it at will.

The only thing you need to pay is the high amount of credit points required when the venue is open.

On the other hand, it was Lister's further exploration of his own combat potential.

It was indeed a simulation training facility specially equipped for recruit camps by the Federation Military District.

You really do get what you pay for.

Compared to ordinary training grounds, where one can only hone and refine their own skills on their own.

The training facility here can simulate the star systems and planetary scenes of most formal civilizations, and even record the characteristics of life forms.

Of course, very few of the life forms recorded in these accounts are of Level 4 civilization, and there is absolutely no information about Hegemon.

Lister originally just wanted to experience the strength of life forms from various civilizations and races.

To his surprise, he unexpectedly saw the option of his own Merrick Civilization, as well as his own simulated life form, and immediately became interested.

My strength was recorded as Tier 11 by the arena, which should have been recorded during my time in the Arcane Recruit Camp.

Meanwhile, in the ranking of the most popular simulations, Lister's simulated life form was ranked 7th.

Since he became the first Quasi-Hegemon, more and more civilizations and life forms have become interested in him.

Inside the simulation training hall, his simulated lifeforms were no exception.

It can be said that in other civilizations, many people were tormented to the point of life and death by Lister.

Unless you completely suppress someone by relying on their rank, you can only fight at the same rank.

Even when Lister was simulating a life form, every strike could kill the simulated being.

Even now, he has become a nightmare for many new recruits in civilized military camps and for many officers.

In the current battle, Lister has also suppressed his own strength to level 11, and even lowered his four-dimensional attributes.

The very features that he previously found disadvantageous are now the ones he's most satisfied with in the simulation training facility.

It allows him to feel the pressure of combat, especially his understanding of his swordsmanship and fighting style.

"Bang~ Bang~ Bang~!"

Within a minute, there were hundreds of exchanges.

Only after receiving a notification from the outside world did Lister tighten his grip on the knife, his eyes narrowing.

The next instant, the swordsmanship became even more expansive and powerful.

With the absolute true damage amplified by the Robust Soul, his simulated form was instantly annihilated by his blade.

"Notification: You have defeated the simulated entity, Lister Merrick, and now belong to the Merrick Civilization."

"Notification: It has been detected that you already have a simulator record in the simulation training center. Do you want to update your simulator information?"

"No."

An eleventh-tier life form is enough for the new recruits in the boot camp to experience.

He was already too prominent in the Galactic Federation, and he didn't want to reveal too much information, especially about his combat strength.

Before my eyes, the blue light gradually faded and transformed into a beam of light.

The transparent ground slowly transformed into solid grass, and the shiny curved surface overhead also began to change.

The metal pieces gradually reverted to their staggered, diamond-shaped arrangement, and then the gate to the training hall in the distance slowly rose up.

Adrian and Tim, along with Zahn and Reck, walked in from outside.

"Is the new recruit recruitment over?"

Turning to look at Adrian, Lister hadn't paid any attention to recruitment since the players entered the arena.

Counting the days, it just so happens that today is the deadline, so I asked Adrian first.

"Yes, it just ended."

"A total of 330,000 new recruits have been recruited; I have sent the list to your email."

The fact that the first batch of recruits could produce 330,000 people is absolutely the highest record ever set for a newly established Civilization Army.

The Glimmer Civilization of Roland, for example, had only 90,000 soldiers when it first created its Civilization Army and recruited new recruits.

This was achieved after he had the Glimmer Civilization recruit talent well in advance, nearly fifty years ahead of time.

Not to mention established Arcane Recruit Camps, which now only recruit 40,000 to 50,000 new soldiers each year and don't deliberately recruit anything.

The total number of personnel is 330,000, but the large ships themselves, along with their escorts and destroyers, can actually absorb nearly 100,000.

The remaining personnel were distributed among small and medium-sized ships, as well as some planetary escort ships. Even after all that, the number of people was still not that large.

Of course, Lister understood, since the Merrick Civilization government was also recruiting talent.

It's a good thing that players are involved in the administration and governance of the various planets within the star field, and their numbers are equally large.

Just as Tim reported to him, the government-controlled star system has already recruited nearly 300,000 people, the vast majority of whom are players.

In remote areas of the star system, such as affiliated civilizations, the number of players is countless.

It can be said that the core forces that had been troubling the Merrick Civilization for so long were given a huge breather the moment the players logged in.

Many tasks, including resource gathering, can be carried out more efficiently.

"I understand, Tim, you and Adrian can go back now."

"Oh! By the way, Adrian, don't forget to attend the boot camp training later."

"Yes, sir!"

The two men saluted and left.

Only Zahn and Reck remained.

Zahn is already a major, while Reck, due to his years of decline, is still short of the major rank in terms of military achievements, so he is currently still a captain.

"I have changed your assigned units. The Merrick Civilization Army is still in its early stages and doesn't have many missions to carry out."

"It will be tough for you two to stay in basic training for another three years."

This is also a rather awkward point for Lister, as the newly established Merrick Civilization is not yet able to directly incorporate the original armies within the civilization into the Civilization Army ranks.

All members of the Civilization Army and the Central Army had to go through the recruit camp.

This is equivalent to being registered in the Federation Military District, which means that even Adrian needs to stay in the recruit camp for half a year before he can graduate early and obtain the rank of the Civilization Army.

As for the official commanding officers of the recruit camp, Lister could only transfer Zahn and Reck to serve as deputy battalion commanders, just like himself.

The sergeants on Ship A01 were temporarily assigned to handle equipment operation and logistics within the recruit camp.

"Sir! Please don't say that!"

"Anyway, they'll all be soldiers in our own army in the future, and we'll have a stronger bond with them if we train them ourselves."

Zahn quickly expressed his opinion, and that was indeed what he truly thought.

Most of the officers and sergeants trained in the recruit camp will continue to be led by him and fight in the Landing Operations Department.

It's like training your own people, so naturally you'd be happy to do it.

After many years in the military, this was the first time he had served in a leadership position in a recruit camp.

Over a hundred years ago, he was just a recruit undergoing basic training, and he was quite excited about Lister's current arrangements.

Like Reck, the knot in his heart is slowly fading away.

Serving as a leading officer in the recruit camp allows one to recall their own experiences from back then, and they are willing to do so.

After a brief chat, Lister returned to the main topic.

"Zahn, I saw the message you sent me earlier. It said the officer in charge, assigned by the Federation Military District, has arrived?"

"Yes, sir!"

"I've already arranged for him to be in the officers' quarters. Should I notify him to come over now?"

"Okay, let him know, but just change the location to the building where I live."

The officers' quarters are located on the west side of the simulation training hall, not far away.

The straight, wide avenue appeared even more deserted under the cover of night.

Of course, that's right now. Once the recruit camp officially opens the day after tomorrow and the new recruits actually enter the camp, everything should get lively.

Fewer than a hundred detached military officer dormitories were built along the route.

This is for future resident officers in the recruit camp.

Only officers of the rank of lieutenant are eligible for residency.

The sergeants in the regular barracks lived in a separate residential area, which was better than the students' dormitories, but at most they only had a single room, and the conditions weren't much better.

The further you go in, the larger the detached dormitory buildings become, and the more luxurious the facilities appear.

The Galactic Federation and its various civilizations have always maintained a clear class system and have never advocated the concept of equality for all.

As an assimilated party, the Merrick Civilization accepted all the common views and ideas of the Galactic Federation.

As a beneficiary of the current system, Lister would naturally not object.

He actually agreed with many of the Galactic Federation's ideas.

What truly displeased him was the Federation's excessively greedy exploitation and the subtle, layered harvesting of all life in the Federation.

Dormitory Building No. 001 is the most luxurious building in this dormitory area.

It occupies the largest area and is entirely constructed of nano-alloys used by Level 3 civilizations, with its surface flowing with inspiring aurora-like ripples.

It can adjust the light transmittance according to the weather and lighting conditions, and it still shines even at night.

The rooftop is also equipped with a WeChat gravity transmitter, which is currently activated.

If any unauthorized outsider enters, they will immediately be trapped in the anti-gravity levitation field.

Logically, this should be the accommodation area for the chief officer assigned by the Federation Military District.

After all, during the recruit training period, all reserve sergeants were under the direct jurisdiction of the Federation Military District.

Lister particularly valued those with high military ranks and strong abilities, but within the recruit camp, the greatest power still rested with the person in charge who had been appointed.

This, after all, represents the face of the Federation Military District.

However, this school officer was quite sensible and took the initiative to move into dormitory building number 002 on the very day he arrived.

He didn't dare to voice any objections to Zahn, who picked him up, which made Lister quite satisfied with the person in charge at the time.

When he led the two of them there, a man in military uniform was already waiting outside.

He was about 2.4 meters tall. When he saw the group, he showed no impatience at all. On the contrary, his eyes showed a hint of expectation and admiration.

"Colonel Lister!"

"My name is Naris Waters, Lieutenant Commander and Captain of CR131, Seventh Central Army Group."

"I've seen your information; I didn't expect you to be from the Seventh Central Army Group as well."

Did you participate in the last mission in the RT Star Region?

The leaders of the Civilization Army's new recruit camps are all selected and appointed by the Federation Military District from within the army group; both the Civilization Army and the Central Army are possible candidates.

Generally, apart from the new recruit camps of established level-three civilizations, most of them are commanded and managed by officers from other Civilization Armies.

The new recruits from the Merrick Civilization were not only officers from the Central Army, but also lieutenant colonels, which already demonstrated the importance the Federation Military District placed on them.

"I'm in!"

"Lister, I witnessed your duel with Kavin!"

"You truly deserve to be called the number one figure in the Federation's Quasi-Hegemon. If it weren't for your heroic efforts that day, we would all have died in that battle."

Naris's attitude and tone of voice were overflowing with respect and admiration.

Lister hadn't expected that the person who came would actually be one of his "fanboys".

No wonder he's so easy to talk to; he didn't even try to establish any authority in the recruit camp.

Let's come inside and talk.

After passing through three authentication points at the porch, the four of them entered the living room on the first floor of the house.

After quickly getting a few bottles of wine for the four of them and having a few drinks, Naris asked first.

"Colonel Lister, are there any recruits in the boot camp that you particularly favor?"

"Or are there other recruits from Level 4 civilizations?"

"If you need anything, I will definitely cooperate with you to train new recruits."

"There are no new recruits from Level 4 civilizations, and no Hegemon have been discovered yet."

"Major Zahn will compile the final list and send it to you tomorrow."

"Lieutenant Colonel Naris, you can handle the distribution of that special resource by selecting and issuing recipients according to the established standards."

As expected, Lieutenant Colonel Naris is truly considerate.

Although he was the one with absolute power in the recruit camp, he always acted in his own way.

Even the distribution of the most valuable special resources in the recruit camp was made based on his opinion.

However, Lister immediately refused.

No one with connections to Level 4 civilizations signed up for their new Merrick Civilization camp this time.

90% of the new recruits are players, so this resource will most likely end up in the hands of a top player.

It was all the same to Lister; he also wanted to see how he, as a variable, would be included in this life.

Will a Quasi-Hegemon emerge from among the players?

Inside the room, the four briefly discussed the previous conscription operation.

They were all people who had fought together, and they quickly became familiar with each other.

Two days passed quickly.

Countless players arrived at the training grounds of the recruit camp via dedicated airships.

With reminders from numerous soldiers, the soldiers lined up and waited.

Many players mistakenly believe that once they choose a faction, they can move around freely.

Surprisingly, there really is such a thing as special training in a recruit camp, and this novel experience is still very interesting to players.

Especially after Lister and his three companions, dressed in federal military uniforms, arrived, intense gazes immediately focused on them.

With his keen sense of the Killing Intent Wave, Lister immediately knew that the players were scanning him using the system.

Unsurprisingly, the result was all "???".

In almost every scene, Lister appears among the players at a rank that is almost impossible to scan.

But only the overall evaluation can be known.

[Overall Rating: SS-Rank (World-Ending Level) (This enemy is extremely dangerous!! Please move away immediately and avoid attracting any attention!!)]