You're a Real Genius

A line of ten entered the Second Squad dormitory.

Sparta and the eight recruits stood ramrod straight while their captain paced before them, sizing them up.

This did not last long. The captain stood before the nine of them with his hands behind his back and began his lecture.

"You are quite fortunate to have passed the coming-of-age assessment."

"This proves that you possess the qualifications to become great Viltrumite Warriors."

"You will become the Empire's sharp blades, conquering territory after territory for the Empire."

"I am your captain, Jayce."

"Over the next ten years in the Recruit Company, tempered by the battles to come, I believe you will all become powerful Viltrumite Warriors."

"Now, starting with you, state your names in order from left to right."

Captain Jayce pointed at the blond male Viltrumite standing at the far left of the line.

The blond Viltrumite immediately straightened even further, stared ahead, and said:

"Reporting, sir. My name is Kaden."

Jayce nodded lightly, shifting his gaze from Kaden to the second person.

"Reporting, sir. My name is Eddie."

"Digger."

"Brighton."

"..."

When it was Sparta's turn, he stared ahead with a resolute gaze, standing as straight as the other recruits. His voice was loud and firm.

"Reporting, sir. My name is Sparta."

"Good. You all look spirited."

Jayce listened to everyone's introductions with his hands behind his back.

His gaze swept across them one by one before finally settling on Sparta.

"Recruit Sparta, step forward."

Hearing this, Sparta froze briefly, but he did not dare delay and stepped forward.

"Reporting, sir. I have stepped forward."

The other recruits turned curiously to look. Sparta was not the only one wondering; they were equally curious.

Why had the captain singled Sparta out?

Jayce walked up to Sparta, and their heads were nearly touching.

Sparta's gaze, which had been fixed forward, lowered slightly.

Wasn't this distance a little too intimate?

"Is your father Colonel Eric?"

"Yes, sir."

"I have reviewed your file. It is excellent. So excellent that I once doubted its authenticity. Recruit, answer my question. Did your parents falsify this file?"

"Reporting, sir. If you say the file is fake, then it is fake. If you say it is real, then it is real. Everything will be according to your arrangements."

In this nation with no concern for personal relationships, Sparta's words were undoubtedly a devastating weapon.

And clearly, those words had struck right at Jayce's heart.

"Unbelievable. That is the most satisfying answer I have ever heard. Sparta, you are a true genius. Your intelligence absolutely surpasses that of most Viltrumites. In the future... you will definitely become a civilian general."

"Return to the line."

Sparta raised his hand in salute, turned, and returned to the formation.

Listening to their exchange, the recruits grew even more curious.

Just what kind of coming-of-age assessment result could make the captain think the records had been falsified?

Could it be... that he had killed his parents during the assessment?

His parents had ended up being assessed by him, rather than the other way around.

As soon as that thought occurred to them, the way everyone looked at Sparta changed.

Naturally, Sparta had no idea what they were thinking. He only felt uncomfortable under their stares.

"There are not many requirements in the Recruit Company. You only need to remember the following points."

"First, always be loyal to the Viltrumite Empire."

"Second, always be loyal to Emperor Algor."

"Third, absolutely obey the Emperor's arrangements and orders."

Sparta blinked in the formation. That was it?

These three requirements did not seem difficult to carry out. Even a dog on a leash could manage them.

He had thought the Military Department was some terrifying den of danger. He had not expected it to be this simple.

But Jayce had not finished speaking. He continued:

"There are no training requirements in the Recruit Company."

"In fact, the coming-of-age assessment is the final training of your lives."

Hearing this, Sparta's expression remained calm. Whether the Recruit Company had training or not, he would train in private on his own.

The universe was full of ever-changing dangers. He needed to become stronger; only strength truly mattered.

The other recruits, on the other hand, had already begun to stir. They did not enjoy training.

When they could enjoy themselves in peace, who would want to suffer for no reason?

"However!"

Jayce suddenly raised his voice, and the recruits instantly tensed.

"When you carry out missions across the universe in the future, you will encounter all kinds of unimaginable enemies."

"Perhaps you will be alone then, isolated and without help. The strength in your hands will be the only weapon capable of saving you."

"Do not wait until death is upon you to wonder why you did not train properly."

Sparta agreed with those words. No one knew what the future held. The more strength one had, the greater one's hope of surviving.

Anyone could deceive you, but the strength in your hands never would.

Though the recruits said nothing, their eyes revealed the truth.

Most of them had not taken Jayce's warning to heart.

Who were they? Viltrumites!

The name Viltrumite represented the strongest race in the universe.

No matter how powerful other races might be, in their eyes, they were nothing more than tiny ants.

This innate pride and arrogance was practically carved into every Viltrumite's bones.

Jayce took in everyone's reactions, but he said no more.

Even if they died while carrying out missions, they would only have themselves to blame.

"Choose your own beds. Dismissed."

Jayce turned and strode away without another word.

Once he had left, Sparta's tense body gradually relaxed, and he let out a breath.

Just then, Brighton came over and asked curiously, "You're... Sparta, right? What earth-shattering thing did you do during your coming-of-age assessment for the captain to praise you like that?"

Several others quietly gathered around as well, wanting to find out the truth.

Sparta turned his head to look at Brighton, the brown-haired recruit who was a little shorter than him.

Without showing any reaction, he took half a step back and widened the distance between them.

He was not used to being overly intimate with strangers, especially when the other person was male.

Jayce did not count. A higher-ranking officer could crush you with his authority.

"I did nothing. Just like all of you, it was a normal, standard assessment."

"Tch, who are you trying to fool?"

Brighton looked disdainful. With both hands behind his head, he walked off to the side while muttering, "Fine, don't tell me. It's not like I wanted to hear it anyway. What are you acting so high and mighty for?"

Seeing that they would not get the answer they wanted, the others scattered.

Sparta frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on Brighton's retreating back.

What was with that attitude? It was as if Sparta owed him something.

It was as though Brighton had eyes on his back. He immediately turned around and provoked him.

"What are you looking at? Want to fight? I'll take you on. You think I'm afraid of you?"