You're a Real Genius

A line of ten entered the second squad's dormitory.

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

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

"You're lucky to have passed the coming-of-age assessment."

"This also 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 future battles, 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 firm gaze and stood as straight as the other recruits, his voice loud and forceful.

"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 each of them before finally settling on Sparta.

"Recruit Sparta, step forward."

Sparta was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, 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 curious as well.

Why had the captain singled Sparta out?

Jayce walked up to Sparta, their heads nearly touching.

Sparta's previously forward-facing gaze lowered slightly.

Wasn't this distance a little too intimate?

"Is your father Colonel Eric?"

"Yes, sir."

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

"Reporting, if you say the file is fake, then it is fake. If you say it is genuine, then it is genuine. Everything will follow your arrangements, sir."

In a nation devoid of social niceties, Sparta's words were undoubtedly a devastating weapon.

And those words had clearly struck straight into Jayce's heart.

"Unbelievable. That is the most satisfying answer I have ever heard. Sparta, you are a true genius. Your intelligence far 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, then turned and returned to the formation.

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

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?

Making it his parents' assessment instead of his.

As soon as that thought arose, everyone looked at Sparta differently.

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, remain forever loyal to the Viltrumite Empire."

"Second, remain forever loyal to Emperor Algor."

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

Sparta blinked in the ranks. That was it?

Those three requirements did not seem difficult to follow. Even a dog tied to a leash could manage them.

He had thought the Military Department would be some kind of deadly den, but it was actually this simple.

But Jayce was not finished. He continued:

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

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

Hearing this, Sparta's expression remained calm. Whether the Recruit Company offered training or not, he would continue training privately on his own.

The universe was full of danger. He needed to become stronger, because only strength truly mattered.

The other recruits, however, had already begun to stir. They did not like training.

Who would willingly suffer when they could enjoy themselves in peace?

"But!"

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

"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 support. 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. Every bit of additional strength meant a greater chance of survival.

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

Though the recruits said nothing, their eyes made it clear.

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

Who were they? Viltrumites!

The very word Viltrumite represented the strongest race in the universe.

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

This innate pride and arrogance seemed carved into the bones of every Viltrumite.

Jayce took in everyone's reactions, but he said nothing more.

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

"Choose your own beds. You are dismissed."

Jayce turned and strode away without another word.

As he watched him leave, Sparta's taut body gradually relaxed, and he exhaled a breath of stale air.

Just then, Brighton came over and asked curiously, "Your name is... Sparta, right? What earth-shattering thing did you do during the coming-of-age assessment for the captain to praise you?"

The others quietly gathered around as well, wanting to find out.

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

Without showing it, he stepped back half a pace and put some distance between them.

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

Jayce did not count, of course. Rank crushed all beneath it.

"I did nothing. Just like you, I went through a normal, routine assessment."

"Tch, who are you trying to fool?"

Brighton looked disdainful. He placed both hands behind his head and walked off to the side, 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 dispersed in a noisy rush.

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

What kind of attitude was that? It was as though Sparta owed him something.

It was as if Brighton had eyes in the back of his head. He immediately turned around and came back to provoke him.

"What are you staring at? Want to fight? I'll oblige. You think I'm afraid of you?"