Despite adapting and improving the army's techniques, sharing his insights, and outperforming all expectations, Baines never once smiled.
The higher-ups noticed.
His silent demeanor wasn't just a mystery anymore; it had become an enigma. Still, they couldn't demand answers. Asking why someone wasn't happy didn't sound right, not in a military as disciplined as this, and definitely not asking a recruit, for that matter.
So, they sent others to gather information. But nothing.
Even the talkative one who got the most of Baines's attention got nothing from him.
On the ninth day since his entrance, Baines was promoted from a recruit to Battlefield Commander. The youngest and the fastest ever to achieve such a rank. This was the first rank given in the army to those going up the leadership ladder, and it was usually earned after a decade of service.
Without surprise, his fame on the last front almost blew out of proportion, and it came with a new nickname: Young Sun Commander.
His achievements further robbed the other recruits.
By the twelfth day, over 50% of the recruits in the combined training had perfected their training, with 2% of that number learning the battle formations and commands, and by the fifteenth day, 40% were ready to officially move to the main barracks as soldiers.
Of the 40 percent, sixty percent were 3rd stars, twenty percent were 4th stars, and Baines, being the sole 5th star, was considered next to be moved.
Word had it that this was the most talented the last front had gathered in the past 100 years.
On the last day, a little party was thrown for those moving to the main battlefield.
Well, calling it a party wasn't the right word for it. They were told what to expect in the main camp, the higher-ups they would come across, and the code of conduct. Afterwards, they were allowed to have their last drink before hell.
As others jubilated on their progress, one person was indifferent, and he turned out to be the most celebrated of them.
Until the end of the training, which was to last months, Baines never spoke to a single person.
It didn't mean his stay throughout was smooth. On a particular day during his meal, a certain arrogant person decided to mess with him.
No instructor discovered what exactly happened, and Baines wasn't punished as a result; however, the recruits kept their distance after that day.
They were of the mind that he wasn't doing anything wrong, so why disturb him?
At the end of the short party, the graduating recruits saluted their superiors before retiring to prepare for their next day.
…
It was already the next day.
For some, it was just another day, and for a select few, it was a new beginning.
"Finally," Baines muttered, staring at his reflection one last time while facing the mirror.
He tried to recall how the training days passed, but he stopped.
It infuriated him so much that he was in so much pain, and some people were actually having the best times of their lives. And sadly, there was nothing he could do.
At least going to war against the outliers could relieve him a little of the pain. After one last glance, he pulled his scarf over his mouth, picked up his sword, and left his room.
Upon reaching the central training ground, he sighted the thousands of recruits neatly lined up, ready to move to the main battlefield.
He couldn't help but stare longer at the army before him.
There was a certain desire in him to have this kind of army. The feeling that whatever he commanded and they would obey without a word.
'Will I ever?' He let the question hang as he moved between the army.
Several recruits still had varying expressions seeing him; however, his commanding presence couldn't be taken from him.
As a battlefield commander, he was already higher than all these recruits and would be so after the march to the main camp. As the leading figure, it was his role to lead the march to the main barracks.
The recruits were expecting some words from their commander, and most talented, however, maybe it wasn't so shocking anymore.
Without a word, Baines began the march, leaving the recruits to follow behind him.
There were no instructors or commanding officers present to monitor or watch them. There wasn't even anyone to see them off, but they knew they were being watched.
As the most talented of the bunch, a lot was expected from them.
They weren't going to another training ground. No, it was the real battlefield.
This was where the main fighting, strategies, and formations they had practiced and trained would come into play.
In this place, survival wasn't determined by the elites. No, survival was through grit.
As they crossed the boundary of the training grounds, they were greeted with another scene.
A thicker stench of blood than the training ground, more accumulated snow in the surrounding, and several powerful auras that hung in the air, as if telling them that this wasn't a playground.
As if proving to them, from the entrance, they were already sensing 5-star masters.
At that moment, Baines realized.
If he was a special thing in the training grounds, here, he was as common as these men. His only advantage over them was, he was younger.
Baines' march stopped just before the entrance of the main camp.
The rule was to wait until they were received by the main camp. And, surprisingly or not, a high-ranking official was here to receive them.
'6th star High Commander Dinkret.' Baines muttered, recalling the information that had been passed on to them.
He had a tall and slim stature, white hair that was neatly packed to the side, and donned elaborate military clothing. His snow cloak seemed more like a cape rather than to beat the cold.
One would ask. Why was a high commander here to receive them?
Normally, he wouldn't even be present. The answer was obvious.
Baines' existence had become too significant to ignore, especially after the backing of a Malakar.
With one final step, the new soldiers halted before five figures in ornate uniforms and saluted most respectfully.
At that moment, all eyes, including Dinkret's, landed on the forefront of the incoming recruits, on a singular person, Baines.
They had heard the rumors, his achievements, and now he was standing before them.
'Good temperament. Great talent. But those eyes…' Dinkret noticed. Just like the panel Baines had faced, High Commander Dinkret could read him from his appearance.
At the moment, he could see Baines looking at him; however, it was like he didn't even put him in his eyes.
'We should try and find out the reason.' After the final thought, he said in a clear voice,
"I accept you into the Last Front." Then he turned to leave.
Then came the unexpected—
"Show respect!" resounding voice, telling them to salute.
"The Darkan family has arrived!"