A month passed in the blink of an eye.
At six in the morning on September 1, the clamor of the undead outside the city gradually faded, and the city welcomed a new day.
Outside the Armaments Department, a crowd of high school sophomores had gathered for military training.
"Boss, I asked around. This year, our school's been assigned to the Lintong Military Region," Sun Rui Zhi said excitedly. "I wonder if we'll get to see a Super Level Mage in action!"
"Maybe," Xu Fang replied.
The Lintong Military Region was Fei Jiao's territory. Xu Fang didn't believe there was no connection between the two.
Everyone there was young, and they all went to the same school, so they chatted away happily.
"Quiet!"
Qian Kuan stood before the crowd, his face stern. "What kind of behavior is this? This is the Armaments Department, not a marketplace!"
The students immediately fell silent. King Qian's reputation was well known.
Seeing them quiet down, Qian Kuan nodded in satisfaction and continued:
"Your teachers have probably told you that every city has a Safety Zone. Areas beyond the Safety Zone are places where Demon Beasts may appear. Until you're capable of dealing with them, leaving the Safety Zone means certain death!
"Our Ancient Capital is no exception. The Demon Beast empire in the Qinling Mountains and the endless undead are both forbidden territories for humanity. Even a Super Level Mage can't come and go as they please!"
Super Level?
Even Forbidden Mages wouldn't dare!
Xu Fang knew the truth, unlike the others. The Demon Beast population in the Qinling Mountains was a branch of the Kunlun Demon Empire, the largest Demon Beast empire in China and the seventh largest in the world.
There was no need to even mention the undead. They came from the Huaxia Undead Empire. Each of the Eight Directions Undead Lords under the Ancient Throne possessed the strength of a Great Monarch or higher. An ordinary Super Level Mage would be walking straight into a death trap.
Thinking about it, Xu Fang couldn't help admiring the powerful figures of the Ancient Capital. They'd managed to put down roots in such a harsh environment.
No wonder Shi Zheng's hair was so thin, and Fei Jiao had a crew cut. They'd probably lost it all from worry.
"Every day, the Hunter's Alliance, the Magic Association, and the other major magic families send people to patrol and set up defenses. They absolutely won't let a single Demon Beast enter our human residential areas.
"But our current force of Mages is limited. No, it's far from enough!
"So you must shoulder this responsibility!
"While your peers are still sleeping in their dorms, or getting their first taste of blood with the help of a whole group of experts, you must fight alongside the Military Mages to protect the Ancient Capital!
"Tell me, are you ready?"
"We're ready!" The students were at the age when their blood ran hot. Qian Kuan's words sent their spirits soaring, and they shouted at the top of their lungs.
A few military trucks were parked farther away. The veterans smoked and chatted, and when they saw the scene, they all laughed in unison.
"Just like when I was young. They haven't changed a single word."
"I got all fired up just like that back then. I didn't even go to Gudu Academy—I signed up for military school instead."
"Bullshit. If Gudu Academy had accepted you, you'd have rushed over to enroll!"
"How many of them do you think'll piss their pants this year? I'm guessing—Company Commander!"
The veterans, who'd just been making fun of the students, lowered their heads in front of the company commander, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Why'd you stop laughing?"
He Ming looked at them expressionlessly. "Keep laughing. Pretend I'm not here."
As if anyone would dare pretend you weren't here...
The veterans grumbled to themselves but didn't dare say it out loud. He Ming was an Intermediate Mage with two elements fully mastered, a ruthless man who could tear a Warrior-level Demon Beast apart with his bare hands. Even the most seasoned soldier wouldn't dare provoke him.
With the students watching, He Ming didn't say much. If they'd been in the barracks, they'd have been running ten rounds of ten spells at maximum output on the spot.
Qian Kuan spoke for over twenty minutes, covering all the things they needed to keep in mind.
It was six-thirty by the time He Ming led a group of veterans over to the students.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is He Ming, and I'm your new recruit company commander. My primary element is Wind, and my secondary element is Light. We'll start roll call now. When I call your name, step forward and answer 'Here.' Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Oh yeah!"
"Protecting civilians is everyone's responsibility!"
The students called out all at once, their responses a jumble.
He Ming's expression didn't change. The students hadn't officially been handed over to him yet, so they weren't his soldiers. Once they got to the barracks, he'd have plenty of time to teach them.
"Roll call!"
"Wang Zi Chen!"
"Here!"
"Mao Kang!"
"Here!"
He Ming's voice was low and brisk, like a rapid drumbeat. The students instinctively stopped chattering and answered one by one as he called their names.
Roll call ended quickly. He Ming called eight names in total, including Xu Fang's.
"You'll temporarily serve as assistant squad leaders. We'll make changes later based on the undead rankings." He Ming checked the time, closed the roster in his hand, and glanced at the squad leaders. "The rest is up to you. Move quickly."
The squad leaders shouted out the names of their squad members.
Xu Fang was assigned to Class 8. Its squad leader was none other than Qi Lao San, who'd shared a boxed meal with him outside the Ancient Capital that day.
"Hey, little brother, we meet again. I wanted to have a drink with you that day, but I couldn't get through to your phone no matter what."
Qi Lao San grinned. "This must be fate. You can't fight it! Don't worry. Once we reach Lintong, I'll personally take you onto the battlefield. I guarantee you'll rack up undead points!"
Seeing Xu Fang chatting so happily with Qi Lao San, the other students in Class 8 felt a little disgruntled.
They accepted the other seven assistant squad leaders without complaint. Among the students of Ancient Capital No. 2 High School this year, only those seven had mastered Level 2 Beginner Magic.
But Xu Fang?
A transfer student, and a pretty-boy to boot, suddenly placed above them?
The students of the Ancient Capital were proud. After all, they'd grown up behind the city walls, with alarms constantly ringing out. The pressure had made them far stronger than students their age elsewhere.
For example, a Primary Mage who'd just learned to cast spells might make it into the top class in Bocheng, but at Ancient Capital No. 2 High School, they'd only be average.
Everyone coveted the assistant squad leader position. It wasn't just a stepping stone to a top academy; it could also earn them a huge amount of resources.
Xu Fang noticed their displeasure and realized he'd acted inappropriately—but so what?
You're upset with me, so I'm supposed to change? I'm not your damn father!
"Everyone's here. Get on the trucks!" Qi Lao San called out. The group climbed into a military truck with a canvas cover.
The truck had plenty of room. They could stretch out, or even lie down and take a nap if they wanted.
The students were far too excited to sleep. Only an idiot would nap now. They crowded around Qi Lao San, asking him questions left and right.
"Squad Leader, I heard Spirit Essences are worth a lot. If one drops, do we have to hand it over?"
"Hand it over? No way. If you can get one to drop, it's yours."
"Squad Leader, how do they calculate our undead points? Could they miss any?"
"Hey, you've got guts, kid. I'm a Level 3 Beginner Mage, and even I wouldn't claim I could kill so many that the record keepers couldn't keep up!"
As he spoke, Qi Lao San glanced at Xu Fang. If you counted that monster, maybe it really was possible...
Another student asked, "Squad Leader, does our army have standard-issue Magic Tools?"
Before Qi Lao San could answer, the others started mocking him.
"What are you dreaming about?"
"What kind of pose would you need to make to dream up something that beautiful?"
"Magic Tools are so expensive. Why would they give them to new recruits like us?"
The student realized he'd asked a stupid question, gave an awkward laugh, and fell silent.
But just then, Qi Lao San drawled, "Who says they won't?"
Everyone: "!!!"
Before you continue