Chapter 206 — Bram and the Birth of the Iron Guard
S.C. 1512 — Late Noon
Hidden Island — Northern Training Grounds
The distant clang of metal echoed through the growing Iron District.
Dozens of newly built steel racks lined the perimeter.
Training dummies reinforced with Titan-wood stood ready.
And trampling footsteps thundered across the dirt field like a stampede.
Bram stood at the center of it all—
Broad shoulders.
Increasingly muscular frame.
Two meters tall and still growing.
Eyes burning with determination.
He was no longer just a laborer.
He was Captain Bram, commander of the Meridian Group's heavy combat unit:
The Iron Guard.
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1. The Iron Guard Takes Shape
"MOVE! FORM UP!"
Bram's deep voice thundered across the field as fifty recruits snapped into formation.
Most were former refugees:
starved, broken, forgotten.
But today their chests were broad, muscles firm, breaths strong—
Thanks to Ren's S-Type Strengthening Serum.
They were no longer weak.
Bram paced in front of them, boots thudding like a hammer.
"Listen up! Iron Guard is not brute force.
Iron Guard is discipline.
Strength means nothing if you can't control it."
He pointed to a thick Titan-wood pillar.
"Today, we train how to hit."
The recruits braced.
Bram inhaled slowly—
Bull Variant muscles tightening, amplifying raw power.
His arm flexed, veins rising across his forearm.
He punched the pillar.
CRACK!
The thick wood splintered… not shattered.
Controlled force.
The men swallowed hard.
Bram nodded.
"That is how you strike without breaking your own bones."
"Now it's your turn!"
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2. Ren's Visit — Evaluating Bram's Progress
A soft ripple of air warned Bram before Ren even arrived.
Ren approached quietly, Zemo trotting beside him.
Bram straightened immediately. "Boss!"
The recruits froze with fear and awe.
Ren looked at the cracked pillar, then at Bram.
"That was good control," Ren said calmly.
Bram puffed with pride.
"Been practicing what you taught us—force distribution, foot stance, shoulder alignment…"
Ren nodded and moved closer, arms behind his back.
"How's your body adapting to the Bull Variant?"
Bram's brow tightened.
"Bone density increased. I feel heavier. Stronger. But… hunger is killing me."
Ren almost smiled.
"That's normal. Your metabolism tripled. Eat more."
Bram's voice lowered.
"Boss, I'm not complaining but… if I don't eat at least six full meals, I feel like dying."
Ren made a mental note:
Bull Variant → high-calorie requirement.
Need new food production plan.
"I'll have the agriculture team increase output.
You're not allowed to starve."
Bram saluted.
"Yes, Boss."
---
3. Iron Guard Combat Test
Ren gestured at the recruits.
"Show me their progress."
Bram grinned.
"Alright, you heard him! Pair up!"
The recruits formed groups.
Bram demonstrated the next drill:
"Bull Charge Technique — controlled sprint!"
He sprinted forward—
The ground shook—
Dust exploded under his heels—
He stopped inches from a training dummy…
Without losing balance.
The men stared, speechless.
"Now YOU try!"
Groups sprinted one by one.
Ren observed, tapping his foot rhythmically.
"Shoulders too stiff."
"Lower your center of gravity."
"Don't clench your jaw. It slows your reaction."
Bram corrected their posture physically, nudging shoulders and hips.
"Boss, should I show them the second form?" Bram asked.
Ren nodded.
"Yes. Let them see their next goal."
---
4. Bram's Bull Rising Form
Bram stepped back.
Took a deep breath.
His muscles tensed.
His legs bent low.
Veins pulsed along his arms.
He stomped the ground—
BOOM!
A shockwave of dirt lifted around him.
He launched forward—
A blur of massive force—
A living battering ram—
And collided with a reinforced Titan dummy.
CRACK—CRUNCH—BOOM!
The dummy flew backward, smashing through two more.
The recruits were stunned.
"That," Bram said, rolling his shoulders,
"is only HALF of what Boss wants me to reach."
Ren observed calmly.
"Your force control improved.
But your recovery stance after the strike needs work."
Bram nodded.
"Yes, Boss."
Even in triumph, Bram listened like a disciplined student.
---
5. Leo Arrives — Light Meets Heavy
Suddenly—
A shadow dropped from a rooftop beam.
Leo landed lightly, wings spread for stabilization.
"Bram! You forgot the meeting!"
Bram blinked. "What meeting?"
Leo pointed at Ren dramatically.
"The one where Boss wanted us to learn cross-style counters!"
Bram groaned.
"Oh no… Boss, please tell me I don't have to fight him today."
Ren nodded.
"You do."
Leo grinned wickedly.
The recruits backed away instantly.
---
6. Light vs Heavy — The Demonstration Fight
Ren raised a hand.
"Begin."
Leo moved first— Fast, agile, weaving like wind—
Bram braced.
Leo dove low.
Bram swung…
Missed.
Leo jumped onto Bram's shoulder and flicked his forehead.
Bram roared.
"That tickled!!"
Leo sprinted away laughing.
Recruits cheered.
"Captain Bram! He's too fast!"
"No, Leo! Beat him!"
"Don't let the big guy win!"
Ren watched closely.
Leo's movement created air whips.
Bram's steps shook the dirt.
Wolf-fast reflex versus Bull strength.
Bram charged— Leo glided— Bram pivoted faster than expected— Leo gasped—
Bram grabbed his leg mid-air.
"Gotcha!"
Leo's eyes widened.
"WAIT—WAIT—WAIT—NOT THAT—!!"
Bram spun and gently tossed him onto a grass pile.
Leo landed with a soft poof.
Bram smirked. "Speed is good.
But if I catch you—it's over."
Ren clapped once.
"Good. That's enough."
Both fighters bowed.
---
7. Official Founding of the Iron Guard
Ren stepped forward.
He placed his hand on Bram's shoulder.
"You're not just a fighter anymore.
You're a commander."
Bram swallowed hard.
Ren raised his voice so the whole training ground heard:
"Bram, today I formally recognize the Iron Guard."
Recruits straightened with pride.
"You will forge the frontline of Meridian.
Builders. Defenders. Warriors."
Bram clenched his fists.
"I won't fail you."
Ren nodded.
"And I expect the Iron Guard to reach 150 members by next season."
Bram's eyes widened.
"150… Boss, that's—"
"You'll train them."
Ren stepped back.
"Because you can."
Bram inhaled deeply.
Then turned to his men—
Voice roaring across the field:
"IRON GUARD!!!"
"YES, CAPTAIN!!"
"TO YOUR POSITIONS!!!"
The training ground shook as they ran.
Ren smiled faintly.
The Iron Guard had been born.
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End of Chapter 206