"Why did you leave the service?" Bagnell asked gently.
"Reporting, sir! I was injured!"
"Injured?" Bagnell suddenly asked, "Was it an injury to your Perception?"
"Yes, sir!"
"That explains it." Bagnell nodded. An injury to Perception not only lowered all its attributes, but also severely hampered its potential for growth. After a moment's thought, he asked, "What's your current Perception strength?"
"Reporting, sir! Intermediate fourth level." Jiang Liang remained expressionless.
"Good. Starting today, you'll serve as captain of one of the squads," Bagnell said.
"Yes, sir!" Not the slightest ripple of emotion showed on Jiang Liang's face.
Bagnell then selected four other outstanding Card Adepts to captain the remaining four squads. He divided the 405 Card Adepts into five squads, each with twenty-five combat units of three Card Adepts apiece. He personally commanded the remaining ten combat units, naming them the Elite Group and appointing a group leader.
The five captains and the Elite Group's leader received the best compensation, while the Card Adepts in the Elite Group were paid substantially more than ordinary squad members.
Next, Bagnell directly announced a series of assessment methods, rewards, and penalties. Their compensation would be tied directly to their assessment results; whoever performed best would receive better compensation. Places in the Elite Group were not fixed. Anyone who performed well could join, while existing members could be displaced at any time. Moreover, if a squad member made it into the Elite Group, their captain would receive an additional reward.
These measures instantly sent the Card Adepts' enthusiasm soaring. They had come to earn money in the first place. Who wouldn't want better pay?
The captains also threw themselves into their work, urging their squad members to train.
This immediately took a considerable burden off Bagnell's shoulders.
Although these Card Adepts were improving at