The sun had just begun to rise, painting the Qin Empire's training grounds in gold and crimson. The surviving recruits, all battered, exhausted, and still trembling from the Heart Mirror trial, were gathered in the central courtyard. A palpable tension hung in the air, every pair of eyes fixed on the elevated platform where Colonel Zhang and the senior officers had assembled.
Colonel Zhang stood at the center, the sharp sunlight glinting off his dark armor. Beside him were the two Captains — Jade-haired Captain Lin Mei, her gaze icy yet precise, and the glaive-wielding Captain Huang Kai, whose presence alone radiated authority. Four Lieutenants and the twenty Sergeant Majors formed a semi-circle behind them, their expressions unreadable.
The Colonel raised one hand, and the crowd fell silent.
> "Recruits," he began, voice firm yet commanding. "The trials have concluded. Out of over two thousand participants, only a fraction have survived all four stages. Those who stand here now are the strongest among you."
He gestured to the surviving recruits — sixty-seven souls remaining from the original mass. Murmurs spread through the crowd, some in disbelief, some in quiet awe.
> "Of these, only the most outstanding will receive the empire's limited positions. Two Sergeant Major ranks. Ten Sergeant ranks. Fifty Corporal ranks. Today, I will announce the names of those who have earned their places."
The Captain Lin Mei stepped forward, reading from a luminous scroll:
> Sergeant Major Ranks:
Alaric Vardar
Alex Vardar
The courtyard erupted in stunned whispers. Names like ours carried weight now — and it was obvious. Both of us had outperformed every other recruit by clear margins, excelling in every aspect of the trials. Even seasoned instructors had been left in awe of our coordination, mana control, and mental fortitude.
We stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Colonel Zhang. His eyes met mine first, piercing, as if weighing the measure of my soul. Then he turned to Alex, his gaze softer, yet still intense.
> "Vardar brothers," he said, voice carrying over the courtyard, "you have demonstrated abilities that even some officers would envy. Your positions are guaranteed, and with them come privileges, responsibilities, and the expectation that you will lead with strength and honor."
The two Sergeant Major positions came with immense rewards: command over fourteen soldiers each, priority access to the core resources of the empire, a house within the central district maintained by imperial staff, and a monthly stipend of ten gold coins. For most recruits, the wealth alone was staggering; for us, it was the freedom to cultivate without hindrance.
Captain Huang Kai stepped forward to announce the Sergeant ranks, each carrying a distinct flavor:
> Sergeant Ranks:
Huo Jin — Flame qi specialist
Lian Rui — Master of spatial mana
Chen Wei — Brute force strategist
Zhang Yu — Speed-focused qi user
Feng Tao — Dual-path novice
Ming Lei — Resilient defender
Liang Hao — Precision fighter
Yan Shu — Versatile combatant
Gabriel Kane — Cunning blade master
Darian Voss — Strategic tactician
The recruits who hadn't ranked were sent to the Corporal slots, where they would continue their training and may still earn promotions if they distinguished themselves in the field.
Colonel Zhang raised his hand once more. Silence fell instantly.
> "I have personally observed the two Vardar brothers throughout these trials," he said, voice measured. "Their speed, strength, coordination, and clarity of thought are extraordinary. They are men who will shape the future of this empire, and I will be watching their progress closely."
A murmur of respect swept through the crowd. Other recruits glanced at us with newfound awe, some with envy, others with cautious admiration.
Alex and I exchanged a glance. There was no arrogance in it, just recognition. We had come far, survived the unthinkable, and now held positions that would allow us to grow stronger within the empire — not for titles, but for the power we would need to achieve our true goals.
The Colonel concluded:
> "Take your positions. Those assigned Sergeant Major ranks will lead your squads with diligence and intelligence. Others, heed the lessons of these trials. The empire rewards not the timid, but the daring."
As the ceremony concluded, our appointed squads were assembled — fourteen men each, already trained and disciplined. I could see the potential in each of them, their eyes bright with hope and determination.
Alex leaned close. "It begins, Alaric. This is where we will truly sharpen our strength."
I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility and opportunity settle on my shoulders. "And soon, we'll be ready for what lies ahead. The outside world… it won't know what's coming."
With that, we turned to our squads, preparing to lead them, train them, and carve our path through the Qin Empire.
Above, Colonel Zhang's gaze lingered on us one last time — sharp, calculating, and approving. In that moment, it was clear he saw not just two recruits, but future legends in the making.
And somewhere deep inside, both Alex and I knew: this was the first true step toward reclaiming our power, our destiny, and the vengeance that still burned quietly in our hearts.