How did I end up here? I asked myself as I sat at the round table reserved for generals' meetings in Yinzhou. Three of them were holograms, their faces mere projections, and the only person physically present was General Lin Feng. Despite this being our first in-person meeting, he'd insisted I take the seat normally reserved for his fellow generals, my sensei's seat.
I haven't even been officially appointed, yet they treated me as an equal. Naturally, their discussion centered on me.
"So," a wise voice from one hologram General Diushi of Yinzhou began, "what are your thoughts, Jiang's successor?"
He was asking whether I accepted the inheritance of General Jiang's position. My sudden appearance had disrupted the planned promotion exam. Legally, my claim was rock-solid, but the other candidates might resent it. That was the crux of their debate.
"If I'm honest," I said, leaning back, "the simplest solution is to register me as a candidate so I can sit the exam. But since that's a hassle, can we just skip it and appoint me directly? Frankly, I don't mind if I became a public enemy"
Becoming a general was never my dream. But honoring Sensei's final wish was non-negotiable.
General Lin Feng nodded. "Very well. We'll add you as our fifth candidate. You'll take the exam alongside them, show your skills and put their minds at ease. I'm confident you can handle it."
"Sounds fair," I replied automatically then blinked. Didn't I just say I wanted a direct appointment? Did I just agree to take the exam? Wait, wasn't I trying to skip that part? …Whatever, less paperwork this way.
Oh well. If this keeps everyone happy, I can live with it.
*
I stepped out into the corridor for fresh air and found a quiet corner.
"So, what do you think of Bailou's successor, Lin Feng?" asked another hologram General Tian Fang of Yinzhou Shengdao.
"Why ask me? You've met him too," Lin Feng replied.
"Sure but I want to feel his aura. You're the only one here who can sense energy in person."
Lin Feng frowned. "I couldn't detect a thing. He hid his aura completely. If I didn't know who he was, I'd have taken him for any ordinary civilian."
"!?" General Melfina of Yinzhou Huanghui gasped.
"He concealed himself that well? Even with your extreme sensitivity failed?" she pressed.
"Exactly. The ability to mask one's energy so perfectly shows supreme control. I'd say he's on par with Ballack the Grand Magus."
"Tch… So he really is that monster Bailou raised," Tian Fang muttered.
"Isn't it good to have such a strong candidate?" Melfina shot back.
"He's far too young, and his skills are already above average. Does that strike you as normal? Name one young soldier with that talent and having a regular personality."
Melfina fell silent, a faint headache flickering across her features.
"Enough," the wise hologram interjected. "He was raised by Bailou like a son. If he has issues, it's on us Bailou's old comrades to guide him now that he's gone."
Silence settled over the room, heavy with unspoken grief.
"If there's nothing more," Lin Feng said, "let's adjourn. I need to prepare for the promotion exam."
One by one, the holograms blinked out. As Lin Feng rose to leave, his sleeve brushed Bailou's letter off the table. A small note fluttered free.
"!? Another message?" Lin Feng murmured, picking it up. His calm mask cracked as he read the title:
"Things to Be Aware of When Dealing with Gai Matera."
*
I wandered the central building, looking for Tianluo and Zhuge with no luck finding them. The entrance map showed a direct link to the central library. I still needed answers, so I warped there. Not because libraries are perfect nap spots, honestly… well, maybe a little.
*
Clang! Clang!
At the training grounds, Tianluo and Zhuge Yanquan sparred.
"Even as an adventurer, you haven't lost your edge," Yanquan said, brandishing a fan forged from solid steel.
Tianluo sighed and glanced at Yanquan's sleeve torn from a clean strike.
"…Okay, I'll take that back. You've gotten sharper," Yanquan admitted with a forced grin. "With skills like that, you deserve Jiang's general seat."
Tianluo sheathed his sword. "I have no interest. Adventuring consumes all my energy. I don't want more burdens."
"Tch, you just don't want military life," Yanquan teased.
"Better suited for someone else, anyway."
"Don't tell me you mean… Gaia Matera?"
Tianluo nodded.
"General Lin Feng only told me to fetch him. Who is this guy, exactly?"
"The man Jiang Bailou raised and taught herself."
Yanquan's eyes widened. "You're kidding?" He glanced around; no one else was near. "He's Jiang's direct successor?"
"That's right."
"…Good news. And bad news," Yanquan said.
"The good part I get. What's bad?"
"Next month is the exam to replace General Jiang. Since she left, her four deputies have been covering her duties and they're all candidates."
"So if Gai is her successor, he'd normally be appointed outright. But because he didn't replace her at the time, the deputies filled the spot."
"Exactly so by rule, Gai should take the seat immediately."
"But that'll stir up division. He's an unknown who just appeared."
Yanquan shrugged. "Don't worry. That's why they called him in. They'll sort it."
"Hope so," Tianluo said, sheathing his sword. "Time to head back Gai's probably done by now."
*
Inside the central library, I drifted into a dim corner and promptly fell asleep among the dusty tomes.
When I awoke, I was in total darkness.
"Where am I?" I murmured.
A voice replied from the shadows: "Not a kidnapping, if that's your worry."
I froze. A figure slid into view, a tiny skeleton, glowing red eyes, draped in a black cloak.
"If this isn't a kidnapping, then what is this place? And who are you?" I asked calmly.
"It's my subconscious realm. While you slept, I drew your consciousness here. I have no name, humans call me a Relic."
"Relic… Wait, are you the Planet Heart from Matera that entered my body?"
The little skeleton nodded.
My heart pounded. This was only the beginning.