"..."
Watching Aren walk off like that, everyone, including Zephyr and the other instructors, was left frozen in place.
Not scared.
Not shocked.
Just... stunned.
There was only one question echoing in everyone's mind: "Off work? On duty? Since when did being a marine turn into a nine-to-five job?"
The sudden silence at the harbor naturally drew curious looks from people farther away who did not know what had just happened.
Then Zephyr suddenly burst out laughing, his booming voice shattering the quiet. "Hahahahaha! Just like Lockby said, every detail. This is exactly what he described. Still, that makes things even more interesting."
With the expression of someone who had just discovered something amusing, Zephyr turned his head to look at Jero, who stood nearby with a helpless face, one hand over his forehead. "Hey, brat named Jero. Back at your 88th Base, how did that guy Lockby try to discipline this kid?"
Hearing Zephyr call him, Jero was momentarily taken aback, then quickly straightened up and saluted. "Yes, sir! Base Commander Lockby did try to discipline Aren. But because... because..."
At that point, Jero's expression twisted into something hard to describe, yet he still forced himself to continue, "But because he could not beat Aren, he just let him do whatever he wanted after that."
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Zephyr roared with laughter again, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and excitement as he stared at Aren's retreating back. "That bastard only told me he took a swing at Aren and had a fight with him. He forgot to mention he lost. In that case... we will adjust the assessment a little."
Zephyr took a step forward and suddenly bellowed, his voice rolling over the harbor like thunder. "All trainees from other marine bases who are entering the Marine School of Justice, listen up. From this moment, your first assessment begins. Your task is to snatch the folded cloak from Aren's hands.
"As for you, Aren, your objective is to protect that cloak for five minutes. If you last longer than that, you pass your assessment. This is your trial as a special recruit, and it is also the entrance test for every other trainee here. Moreover, if anyone manages to defeat Aren during this time, they will take his place as the new special recruit."
Silence fell again.
Those on other parts of the harbor who did not know what was going on simply watched in curiosity.
But the trainees who had already reported, as well as those who had just disembarked and were about to report, all turned their heads at the same time, their gazes locking instinctively onto Aren.
Bang.
A marine captain trainee wielding twin blades stomped down, the air beneath his feet erupting as he launched himself toward Aren like a fired cannon shot.
His twin swords were already out of their scabbards at the very instant he moved.
With one person rushing forward, the rest had no reason to hesitate any longer.
In the blink of an eye...
Bang, bang, bang.
The air beneath the feet of marines all around the reporting area exploded one after another as they sprang forward, every one of them charging straight at Aren.