Old John: I Don't Understand

After undergoing rudimentary but systematic education, he came to understand just how expensive and rare the supplies he used were. He also gained a deeper understanding of how worthless his former life had been.

Even if they sold off a hundred thousand, or even a million Underhivers, they still would not be able to buy a single dose of Gene-seed.

At the same time, he realized that the important figure he had seen before had not lied. This truly was an ordinary, grueling job.

On the scale of the galaxy, that important figure in his eyes was no more than an ant. No, he should have been dust.

Yet that left him with an agonizing sense of extreme division. If even the important figures in his eyes were dust, then what were he, an Underhiver, and the countless people of the Underhive?

Before receiving an education, he had thought gang members were important people and mob bosses were the heavens. But now, if he wanted to, a few words from him could crush those people to death.

But that only made him more confused. Since even he could do such things, what about the great angels... no, the Astartes Brothers? What about the even greater Chapter Master of the Astral Claws Chapter?

Why did they not wipe out those gangs, instead watching the Underhivers suffer?

Did they enjoy it? Then what had those earlier construction projects been about?

Old John could not understand. The instructor had not taught them anything about this, and he did not dare discuss such blasphemous questions with anyone else. He could only keep them buried in his heart.

Then he learned that those who performed well could not only remain at the training camp, but might also be selected for the Astartes Reserve and have a chance to become a great Brother Astartes.

That gave him a goal.

Perhaps, perhaps if he became an Astartes, he could ask other Astartes, even the Chapter Master, and find the answer to this question?

Driven by that belief, Old John did not, like most of his peers, collapse into bed after completing his daily training and studies and sleep for a full eight hours.

Instead, he cut down on his sleep, trained extra whenever possible, and asked the instructors to teach him more.

At first, the instructors did not think much of it and merely dealt with him perfunctorily.

But after this continued for a month, and Old John's physical fitness, tactical skills, and examination results all ranked among the best, the instructors' impression of him improved greatly.

They also knew that someone this relentless would definitely remain behind and become their colleague, so they began giving him a little extra instruction.

Much of what the instructors taught had little to do with the examination requirements, but for Old John, a genuine country bumpkin, even some of the instructors' common knowledge was entirely new to him.

Only then did he learn that there were aircraft capable of flying beyond the sky, Titans dozens of meters tall, and all kinds of Astartes Chapters...

Yet this knowledge could not answer his doubts. Still, he confirmed one thing: the Astartes really were assessing them and considering selecting reserve recruits from among them.

That made him train and study even harder, hoping to become an Astartes and answer his questions.

His efforts had not been in vain.

His outstanding results allowed him to remain at the training camp and become an Auxilia Instructor.

At the recruits' graduation ceremony, Old John stood among the ten people at the very front, receiving commendation from an Astartes.

When the ceremony reached the awards segment, Old John went onstage with the others and looked down at the boundless formation of two million people below.

Although his doubts remained unanswered, the sight still made his heart surge.

This was a pinnacle unlike any he had ever experienced in his life, though ever since he had begun answering labor requisitions, nearly every day had been a pinnacle he had never experienced before.

Clad in Ceremonial Power Armor and draped in countless decorations, the Astartes held a medal case and awarded each of the ten outstanding Auxilia the "Outstanding Auxilia Representative" medal.

This medal had been specially designed by Huron. Its prestige could not compare to the Empire's medals, but it was more than enough as a symbol of Auxilia honor.

A sense of ceremony was still important. Although Huron had removed or altered quite a few absurd rituals, he had not changed rites such as the armor-bestowal ceremony for Astartes recruits. On the contrary, he attended such ceremonies whenever possible to encourage the recruits.

After awarding a medal to each person, the Astartes would offer a few words of praise.

When it was Old John's turn, he awarded the medal and praised him at the same time. "Outstanding performance, soldier. Keep it up. I look forward to the day you become a Battle-Brother."

These ten were essentially destined to become Astartes, because their unyielding will over the past two months had earned the recognition of everyone in the Chapter.

"Yes, sir!" Old John gave the Aquila, his face somewhat excited as he looked at the towering, magnificent Astartes.

After the awards were presented, the Astartes looked toward the formation below and encouraged them. "Today is your graduation day. As the first batch of Chapter Auxiliary assembled by Chapter Master Huron, I hope that in your future posts, you will fulfill your duties conscientiously and live up to the Chapter Master's expectations."

He paused briefly, then shouted, "For Chapter Master Huron! For the Astral Claws Chapter! For the Emperor!"

"For Chapter Master Huron! For the Astral Claws Chapter! For the Emperor!" The formation below erupted in a thunderous roar.

After the graduation ceremony ended, most of the two million people were assigned to oversee the construction of the Starch Factory, freeing the Chapter Serfs who had been forcibly drafted.

Then the establishment and title of "Chapter Serf" were completely abolished, with everyone incorporated into various new organizations. For example, there were the army, air force, and Space Force instructors of the Chapter Auxiliary, technicians who followed Techmarines in developing technology, and so on...

The preselected second batch of four million people immediately entered the training camp and began training.

After the previous two million Auxilia entered the infrastructure projects, overall efficiency rose considerably again.

These people could read, write, listen, and speak, and they possessed broad knowledge. Their Personal Terminals no longer needed to guide them through every tiny detail, only providing general steps and reference answers.

At the same time, managing several hundred people was no difficult matter for an Auxilia member, which also greatly improved the thoroughness of administration.

Throughout this process, the Auxilia accumulated management experience through practice, preparing themselves to take on greater responsibilities later.

At the training camp, Old John looked at the newly arrived Auxilia recruits and felt somewhat moved. He had not expected to become an instructor so quickly.

As a permanent member, Old John not only had to teach recruits, but also continue his advanced studies while training and studying toward becoming an officer or an Astartes.

Among the first batch of Auxilia, around ten thousand remained behind. They were the best of the best, outstanding in every aspect.

Like Old John, these people taught recruits while continuing their advanced studies.

They received one dose of Gene-seed every week until their physical enhancement reached its limit.

After that, based on their performance in teaching and advanced studies, they would be assigned to either the Astartes Reserve or the Elite Boarding Squad.