Level 1 Warrior

Ange bid farewell to Jada and returned to his own infirmary tent. Sitting on the bed, he circulated his qi force once more to heal his body. After several days of effort, Ange's injuries had completely recovered. At this time, the entire 39th Regiment was in a state of recuperation.

After recovering, Ange decided to go and see Regiment Commander Richard. Ange's retirement date was less than a month away, and he hoped to get his application in early. When Richard saw Ange's retirement application, he enthusiastically invited Ange to continue serving in the 39th Regiment, stating that even if he didn't serve the Duchy, he could hold a position in his own corps with a certain rank.

However, continuing to serve conflicted with Ange's own plans. He already had other ideas in mind, so he politely declined Richard's invitation. Richard did not show any displeasure at being refused; instead, he readily stamped Ange's retirement application with his seal. He then informed Ange that he would also need to take the application to the command post to get their seal, and that the 39th Regiment would always welcome Ange back.

"Thank you for your understanding, Commander," Ange said gratefully.

"You've always been an excellent warrior," Richard smiled. "No matter what path you choose, remember, this will always be your home."

After finding the command post, Ange explained the situation to the staff. After the staff checked Ange's application and verified his identity information, they also stamped Ange's application with the command post's seal.

"Please be sure to keep this application safe," the staff member advised. "We will report your retirement application to the military headquarters and the Duchy for the record."

The staff member continued, "After retirement, you will need to return the equipment you received from the armory. This equipment belongs to the Duchy, not to individuals."

This news surprised Ange. He had always thought that once the equipment was issued, it was his. He hadn't expected to have to return it after retirement. Ange nodded, indicating his understanding.

"Alright, I will return the equipment as per regulations," Ange said.

The staff member nodded with a smile. "Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I wish you all the best in the future. If you have any questions, feel free to come to the command post for consultation at any time."

Ange bid farewell to the staff member, pondering his post-retirement arrangements.

Ange went to the armory again to inquire about the process for returning equipment. The armory staff told him that he didn't need to return it immediately, as long as he returned it before his retirement departure. Even if the equipment was damaged, it still needed to be returned. However, they also informed Ange that he had the option to buy out the equipment.

"Your double-edged battle axe requires 11 Black Magic Crystals, and the arm shield requires 9 Black Magic Crystals. As for the iron armor, you only need 10 gold varks to buy it out," the staff member said.

Ange was immediately astonished by the price. Nearly 20 Black Magic Crystals meant killing 20 Foul Spirits, which was a very difficult task for many. The price for the gold vark was acceptable, but Ange felt that the defensive capabilities of the iron armor were only average, far inferior to the black armor worn by formal warriors.

He pondered for a moment and decided not to make a decision yet, keeping the information in mind. After all, he still had time before his retirement to consider whether to buy out the equipment.

"Thank you for the explanation," Ange expressed his gratitude to the staff member. "I will consider it carefully."

"No problem. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us anytime," the staff member said friendly.

Ange nodded and left the armory. Back in his tent, he once again thought about his future plans. Although the equipment was expensive, he knew that his experiences and gains on the battlefield during this time had helped him grow a lot. In the future, no matter what path he chose, he would be responsible for his decisions and strive for them.

After dealing with the various matters related to his retirement, Ange finally had time to focus on his physical condition. During this period, he felt that his recovery speed was significantly faster than before, and his strength and physique had also improved noticeably. This change was particularly evident in combat; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to last so long.

To verify his feelings, Ange decided to measure his strength. He found a large boulder, one he often moved when he was responsible for loading ammunition for the catapults in the Logistics Regiment. Each stone weighed about 150 kilograms, and it used to require the cooperation of others to move. Now, Ange tried it and was able to lift it with ease.

Ange estimated that his strength should be able to easily lift 200 kilograms, with an upper limit of around 240 kilograms. This increase in strength far exceeded that of ordinary people. In terms of physique, Ange's recovery ability had also been significantly enhanced, which was particularly evident in his rapid recovery.

"It seems that my training and combat during this period have brought me considerable progress," Ange thought to himself. He understood that the improvement in his strength and physique was not only due to his diligent training but also the result of constantly pushing himself in battle.

Ange knew that this change was not just physical; his mindset and willpower had also been honed and improved through combat.

However, Ange couldn't be sure if he had broken through to Level 1, so he specifically went to find Jada.

Ange told Jada that he felt a significant improvement in his strength and physique compared to before, but he wasn't sure if he had reached the level of a Level 1 Warrior. After listening, Jada asked Ange to stand up and throw a straight punch forward with all his might. Ange followed the instruction and threw a punch forward with force, producing a whistling sound as his fist cut through the air.

Ange asked Jada in surprise what this was. Jada explained, "Level 1 Warriors far surpass ordinary people in strength and physique and can break through certain limits. The speed of your punch creates a slight sonic boom due to friction with the air, indicating that you have broken through conventional physical limits and embarked on the path of transcendence."

Ange felt both surprised and moved upon hearing this. He had never expected to reach such a level through combat and training. Jada continued, "Becoming a Level 1 Warrior is not just about increased strength; more importantly, you have developed superior physical abilities and combat effectiveness. From now on, you need to continue improving your skills and combat experience to go further on this path of transcendence."

Ange nodded, his heart filled with new motivation. He knew that becoming a Level 1 Warrior was just a new starting point, and there would be many more challenges and opportunities awaiting him in the future. He said to Jada, "Thank you for your guidance. I will continue to work hard and live up to this new strength."

Jada smiled and patted Ange's shoulder. "You will surely succeed. I have faith in you. Remember, strength is just a means; how you use it is the key."

Ange didn't bother Jada further. After saying goodbye, he returned to his barracks. After working so hard for so long, he had finally become a Level 1 Warrior, and his heart was filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Ange lay on his bed, contemplating the path of a warrior. He guessed that the warrior's path was a process of constantly breaking through human limits. If Level 1 Warriors broke through the limitations of ordinary people, could Level 2 and Level 3 Warriors reach even more incredible realms? For example, the ability to unleash shockwaves with a single punch.

Amidst these thoughts, Ange's mind was filled with anticipation and questions about the future. He imagined himself on the battlefield, using his greater strength and skills to defeat enemies and protect his comrades. Gradually, these fantasies made him feel tired, his thoughts blurred, and he finally fell into a peaceful sleep, full of hope and expectation.

After hearing what Jada had said the previous day, Ange decided to revise his training plan, especially his strength training. He chose to use heavier stones for lifting exercises to further enhance his strength.

In the early morning, Ange went to the training ground and found several larger stones. These stones were much heavier than the ones he used for training before. Ange took a deep breath and began his lifting exercises. With each lift, he tried his best to maintain stability and control his breathing and posture to ensure he wouldn't get injured.

As time passed, Ange felt his muscles enduring increasing pressure, but he didn't give up. Instead, he challenged his limits again and again. With each completed lift, he felt his strength gradually increasing.

In addition to strength training, Ange also intensified his training in other areas, including speed, endurance, and combat techniques. He knew that becoming a Level 1 Warrior was just a new starting point, and to be invincible in future battles, he had to constantly push his limits.

After several days of arduous training, Ange clearly felt a significant improvement in his strength. He was full of confidence and anticipation for his future path as a warrior and was determined to continue working hard in the upcoming training to become a higher-level warrior as soon as possible.

In his spare time, Ange was also considering his post-retirement arrangements. However, the most important thing at the moment was whether to buy out his current equipment. If he wanted to buy it out, he would need to acquire at least 20 Black Magic Crystals before his retirement.

To obtain Black Magic Crystals, he would need to return to the battlefield, which left Ange in a dilemma.