The final round of testing would not take place at the Military Academy. After offering the remaining students some words of comfort, Adjutant Locran left Free City University with Femi, Soren, and the others.
The students left behind hung their heads. No one needed to tell them what kind of opportunity they had missed.
The instructor who had seen Femi off returned to the students and stood before them.
They expected a furious tirade. Instead, the instructor sighed and said, "I don't blame you. I was shocked too when Femi told me about the Political Commissars. Only the most elite, most loyal Legions qualify to do something like that—and dare to. Anywhere else, it wouldn't be surprising if adding more Political Commissars tore a Legion apart."
"But don't fucking think that means you're off the hook!"
The instructor's sudden roar made quite a few students flinch. The Graduates, though, were used to it. They had even missed it a little.
"You're the worst group of students I've ever taught! Look at Adam and the others. How did they manage to catch the Legion Commander's eye? You feel wronged? You've got the nerve to feel wronged? Get back there and write me a thousand-word essay about what happened today! Think hard about where you went wrong!"
Meanwhile, the Incubus emerged from the dim Theater, turned around, bought another ticket, and went back inside.
It was only because the Incubus had to carry out Lady Biross's mission. Absolutely not because this little thing called Magic Film seemed... a bit... perhaps... maybe... possibly... probably... interesting.
At the Hellfire Legion's Camp, five hundred-strong formations stood on the parade ground.
Femi and Adjutant Locran stood before them, facing the five they had brought back. "This is the final test."
"Each of you will personally