MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 395 395: Lieutenant Anthony

Anthony trailed silently behind Corporal Daniel.

After reaching a certain point, the two ascended into the sky, eventually descending onto a secluded island.

As Anthony moved forward, curious gazes fell upon him, his lack of a military uniform made him stand out immediately among the soldiers.

Yet he paid no mind to their stares.

His footsteps remained composed and unhurried, as if utterly unaware of the attention he drew.

Still, none dared to question him.

It was clear enough, he was being escorted by Corporal Daniel, the right hand of Colonel Vazeryth.

That alone told them everything they needed to know.

They came to a halt before a large, imposing door.

”The Colonel is inside. I wonʼt be accompanying you”

Corporal Daniel said curtly, turning on his heel and walking away without waiting for a response.

Anthony stared at the door for a fleeting moment.

ʼI wonder what he wantsʼ

He thought silently, then reached out and opened it.

The instant he stepped inside, a tremendous pressure crashed down upon him,an overwhelming presence that might have staggered a lesser man.

But Anthony remained unfazed.

He advanced with the poised grace of an emperor, his movements calm and assured, until he came to a stop before the Colonel.

”Private Anthony, at your service, sir”

He declared, delivering the standard military greeting drilled into them during their first year of training.

In the military, one always introduced themselves by stating their military rank first, followed by their first name, a tradition rooted in discipline and hierarchy.

Anthony stood tall, his posture flawless.

His left hand rested neatly behind his back, while his right was placed firmly over his chest in salute.

His spine was straight, his shoulders squared, his bearing a textbook example of military composure.

”No need for all that formality with me”

Colonel Vazeryth remarked, his voice matter of fact.

”Within the military, the salute and posture hardly matter. As long as youʼre respectful and follow orders, thatʼs all thatʼs required”

It was a truth well known among the ranks.

Most soldiers didnʼt place much weight on salutes or rigid formality, especially when they were familiar with those of higher rank.

Take Corporal Daniel, for example, he rarely offered a salute to Colonel Vazeryth.

And Colonel Vazeryth, in turn, seldom saluted Grand Marshal Alaric.

Familiarity bred a certain casualness between them.

The only time salutes were offered was when others were present, a mere formality to maintain appearances.

”Can you guess why you were called?”

Colonel Vazeryth inquired, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips as his gaze fixed on Anthony.

A subtle shift in Anthonyʼs posture followed.

He stood tall, his hands neatly clasped behind his back.

ʼSeriously, is there not a single person in this military with any sense of design?ʼ

He thought, his eyes scanning the Colonelʼs plainly furnished office.

His expression remained impassive, as always, before he responded with deliberate calm, never wasting a moment.

”I assume this concerns my power and abilities”

He stated, his voice composed, speaking with the respectful tone of one accustomed to their place within the hierarchy.

”Indeed, itʼs because of your abilities. After all, encountering someone at the Peak of the Ecliptic Rank at the age of nineteen is quite the anomaly. And to top it off, youʼve been fighting across realms with such ease. Donʼt you think thatʼs unusual?”

Colonel Vazeryth said, his smile widening as he observed Anthony.

Anthonyʼs response came with a steady, unwavering calm.

”I donʼt concern myself with the age at which others reach what rank”

He replied smoothly, his tone as respectful as ever.

”Itʼs of no consequence to me”

His words carried the same grace and poise, untouched by the Colonelʼs pointed remarks, as if the conversation itself was an exercise in formality.

”I didnʼt realize you were this arrogant”

Colonel Vazeryth remarked, his tone tinged with amusement.

”Though, I suppose I had my suspicions, given the way you looked down on everyone during your training”

Anthony remained silent, his expression unchanged, calm and impassive.

Since Colonel Vazeryth hadnʼt framed it as a question, Anthony saw no reason to respond.

Let the Colonel think what he wished; it was of little concern to him.

”The more I see you, the more I like you”

Colonel Vazeryth said, his voice carrying an unmistakable note of something.

For the briefest of moments, Anthonyʼs normally expressionless face faltered, a subtle frown appearing before quickly returning to its neutral state.

Of course, the shift didnʼt go unnoticed by Colonel Vazeryth.

”Iʼm sorry, sir”

Anthony replied swiftly, his tone flat and matter of fact.

”But I donʼt swing that way, and Iʼm also underage”

ʼIs this the novel cliché where an old cow tries to eat young grass?ʼ

Anthonyʼs thoughts spun, his gaze briefly flickering as Colonel Vazerythʼs smile twisted into something far darker, an almost predatory grin.

The atmosphere grew heavier as Colonel Vazerythʼs grin stretched ever wider.

Then, suddenly—

”HAHHAHA! When did I ever say I wanted you in my bed?”

Colonel Vazeryth bellowed with laughter.

”I admire you as a soldier. Who wouldnʼt want a talented subordinate? Watching you panic was rather amusing, itʼs been a while since Iʼve had a good laugh”

His laughter echoed through the room before he cleared his throat, his expression shifting back to something more serious.

”Well, thatʼs settled then. Now, to the real reason I called you here”

The smile faded from Colonel Vazerythʼs face as his voice grew stern.

”Private Anthony. Due to your remarkable achievements during the Starborn Tournament, the military is hereby awarding you the rank of Lieutenant, in recognition of your accomplishments”

Anthony was taken aback, the news hitting him harder than he anticipated.

He hadnʼt expected the military to bestow a rank upon him.

Advancement through such ranks was only granted through extraordinary military feats, and to skip ranks entirely was a rare honor.

Without hesitation, he snapped into a salute once more.

”I humbly accept and will not disappoint the military”

He responded swiftly, his voice steady.

”I told you, thereʼs no need for all that saluting with me”

Colonel Vazeryth replied with a chuckle, his stern demeanor softening as his smile returned.

”What you achieved borders on the impossible. While I wouldnʼt say it was obvious youʼd be rewarded, the orders came from above. The Lieutenant Rank, though, hardly seems a fitting reward for such an accomplishment. Still, the higher ups probably think youʼre too young, too inexperienced, to be promoted beyond this. After all, youʼre the first soldier to rise from the Private Rank to Lieutenant in a single day”

At Colonel Vazerythʼs words, Anthonyʼs response was simple and composed.

”Thank you, sir”

”New arrangements will be made for you by tomorrow, as the day is nearly over”

Colonel Vazeryth continued, after a brief pause.

”I advise you to head to the Military Library and familiarize yourself with some of the basics, military facts and history”

He added, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

”I will, sir”

Anthony replied without hesitation.

”The military has high hopes for you, Lieutenant Anthony”

Colonel Vazeryth stated, his voice firm.

”Donʼt disappoint us. Most of all, donʼt die, that would create a great deal of unnecessary headaches. Youʼre dismissed”

The finality in the Colonelʼs words was unmistakable.

Anthony nodded respectfully, then turned toward the door.