In July of Marine Era 1496, at the Officer Training Camp in Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Ortolan stood at the classroom podium.
Admiral Zephyr stood beside him, watching Ortolan with a gratified expression. In his hands was a Marine Justice Cloak, its shoulder epaulets bearing the rank of Rear Admiral.
"It has been an honor to be your teacher and witness your growth, Bane Ortolan," Admiral Zephyr said with a warm smile.
That was right. Today was Ortolan's graduation day from the Officer Training Camp. By his reckoning, he had studied here for a little over a year, graduating first in his class as the top student of this cohort.
By comparison, Gion, the one closest to him, would likely need another month and a half or so before she could earn enough credits to graduate.
That was right. Although the vast majority of their classmates were already fully qualified to graduate and had earned enough credits, no one intended to leave early. They were all elite Marines and wanted to max out every credit before graduating.
Otherwise, with the time advantage Momonga and the others had accumulated in the Marines before this, Ortolan would not have been the first to graduate.
"It is also an honor to be your student, Teacher Zephyr. Thank you for taking care of me over the past year," Ortolan said politely.
After more than a year together, Ortolan had developed deep feelings for Zephyr as his teacher. He could clearly sense Zephyr's favoritism and care toward him. Whatever the reason for it, that was simply the truth.
Teacher Zephyr had excellent character and a strong sense of justice. Ortolan had once believed that Zephyr insisted on stepping down as a Marine Admiral because he genuinely wanted to devote himself wholeheartedly to education, and because his