I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 51: 51: Evaluation.

Silver stood up. The energy flowing through his body still felt unfamiliar. The ape integration had changed something fundamental. It felt like upgrading the engine of a vehicle while keeping the same exterior. Everything felt stronger, smoother, and more responsive.

His room occupied nearly an entire floor of the eastern wing, having been used as his home together with his parents. No one had tried to claim it after their deaths.

This was one advantage of being a Ruddington. The previous Silver had enjoyed luxury while the current Silver simply found it useful.

The attached training area resembled a private gym. There were weights, exercise equipment, practice dummies, and a small indoor shooting range. Everything necessary for a young contractor.

Silver rolled his shoulders and then approached the weight rack. The heaviest training bar normally required assistance from ordinary people.

Silver grabbed it one-handed. He lifted it then paused mid-air.

”...Okay.”

That was different. Before integrating the ape, he could have managed it, but now it felt significantly lighter. Still, it had some weight to it, since it had been made with contractors in mind.

He lowered it carefully then increased the weight. He did this again and again until he was satisfied with what he wanted.

The hours passed surprisingly quickly. The ape tattoo responded to physical exertion. Each movement felt natural. The strength wasn’t explosive but steady.

Eventually Silver moved toward the practice area, sword in hand. His Beginner Swordsmanship skill remained exactly that.

Beginner.

It was useful and functional, but only for now. He was far from mastery. Even so, the difference between yesterday and today felt enormous.

The blade cut through the air repeatedly. He swung, then recovered, took a step, and turned. He repeated this over and over again.

The memories of his previous life combined strangely with the system skills. His military experience favored efficiency while swordsmanship favored structure. Together they formed something rough and incomplete, yet promising.

An hour later sweat covered his shirt. His breathing had deepened and his muscles burned pleasantly.

Silver stopped.

The room looked slightly damaged. A consequence of accidentally underestimating his strength.

Again.

The poor training dummy in the corner had suffered considerably. He would have to ask Sander for a replacement.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

”Enter.”

The door opened. Sander stepped inside carrying a meal tray. He immediately paused as his gaze traveled across the room.

Silver had done a number on the room. The destroyed training dummy, displaced weights, and sweat-covered young master. Something resembling surprise briefly crossed his face then it vanished.

”Young Master.”

Silver accepted the tray.

”Thanks.”

The meal looked excellent. Fresh meat, vegetables, and rice. It was enough food for several people but contractors consumed alarming quantities of calories. A fact that civilization had accepted long ago.

Sander placed the tray down then cleared his throat.

”The family gathering begins in one hour.”

Silver nodded. He’d been so focused on training that he lost track of time and had almost forgotten.

Sander continued.

”The Patriarch personally requested attendance from all qualified descendants. You cannot miss the meeting young master,” he said then mummbled to himself,” unfortunately”

Silver caught it and it sounded ominous. He sat down.

”What exactly happens during these meetings? How will grandfather determine who qualifies when all of us are still Tier one?”

Harold looked slightly confused then remembered that the previous Silver rarely paid attention.

”Normally?”

”Normally.”

”The Academy admission letters are distributed in accordance with the evaluation report. ”

Silver nodded. That was more straightforward than he thought.

Then Harold continued.

”Then candidates are evaluated.”

’Ah. There it is. There is really nothing simple’

”Evaluated how?”

Sander hesitated carefully choosing his words.

”The Academy possesses limited positions.”

Silver immediately understood. Getting into the academy was like a competitive sport for all new Awakeners.

Of course, humanity never changed, even after the apocalypse.

The Academy represented opportunity, resources, connections, prestige, and power. Everyone wanted access since not everyone received it.

Sander continued speaking.

”Each family receives recommendations. Internal rankings influence those recommendations.”

Silver leaned back. That was very interesting to him. The Academy admission wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.

The better the recommendation, the better the opportunities available afterward. One can get scholarships, mentorships, and special programs. Everything mattered in there.

Sanders’ voice lowered slightly.

”The Patriarch favors strong performers,” he said then smiled,” If you want to go to the academy, then you will have to be better than your cousins. There are only three opportunities in the family.”

He was quiet for a moment before a small chuckle left him.” One has already been taken.”

Silver could feel the veiled mockery but he pretended not to. He was left wondering who got that free pass.

Silver stabbed a piece of meat with his fork.

”What about Shawn?”

That question produced an immediate reaction. Sanders straightened with respect entering his expression.

”Genius.”

A simple answer, which he already knew. The academy part had been vague on the Ruddington Family side since they were forgotten the moment the protagonist left the Sanctuary.

Sanders continued.

”Young Master Shawn entered the Academy last year.”

Silver nodded. That was to be expected, he had forgotten he was still a student with the way he carried himself. Such a pity he died before he made it back.

”He’s currently a second-year student, ranked among the highest candidates our family has produced in decades. He is also ranked first among his peers in the academy.”

Silver had to admit that Shawn keeps getting more and more impressive. Since they got along, Silver didn’t want him to die for some ungrateful woman.

Sander smiled slightly.

”He’s returning tomorrow.”

Silver paused. ”Oh?”

Sander nodded. ”The Academy grants period leave. During this period, the students also participate in an annual sanctuary assessment before going back.”

The major Sanctuaries constantly evaluated developing talent. A student couldn’t remain isolated forever.

Silver remembered the conversation in the yellow zone. Shawn had been searching for a second beast, which he got. It was clear he was done with whatever brought him back. If he were leaving tomorrow, how was he convinced to stay a little longer by Cruella?

Sander continued.

”The Patriarch will likely compare everyone against him.”

Silver nearly choked on his drink.

”That’s expected. He is the best of the best. Doesn’t he have the biggest chance of becoming the Patriarch?”

”You cannot talk about that young master. You never know the future.”

Silver’s expression became complicated.

”Right. I have other cousins who are also talented,” he said, his gaze meeting Sanders who smiled and nodded.

”Good.”

The room became quiet afterward. Silver focused on eating, his thoughts drifting. Today was really going to be busy.

[Reminder]

Date Scheduled: Today Evening

Silver immediately dismissed it. Sander noticed his reaction.

”Something wrong?”

”No.”

”Are you Certain?”

”Yes.”

After breakfast ended, Sander departed.

”You should prepare yourself, I’ll be back in half an hour to escort you.”

”Okay.”

The door closed and silence returned. Silver rose from his chair and then walked toward the window. The Sanctuary stretched beneath him.

Somewhere out there Ravenna was probably having a completely normal day. Meanwhile, he was preparing for an Academy admission letter evaluation.

Life remained strange.

His gaze shifted toward the reflection in the glass. The person staring back looked different now.

The old Silver had spent years chasing people, trying to earn approval and fill an emptiness. The current Silver possessed something else. A sense of direction, purpose, and future. The realization felt oddly satisfying.

Eventually, he turned away from the window. The meeting would begin soon and he had to prepare himself for whatever was to come.

Since it was never mentioned in the book, he didn’t know what the evaluation entailed but he hoped, it wouldn’t consume too much time.