"All of you here are Marine Corps cadets. Many of you may already know me, but for those who don't, I feel it's necessary to introduce myself. My name is Dalmatian. I am a Rear Admiral of the Marine Headquarters and the officer in charge of this youth training camp." The broad-shouldered Dalmatian emerged from the entrance and stood before the gathered crowd on the training ground.
"I don't care whether you came here voluntarily or were brought by someone else. But now that you're here, you must follow the rules." Dalmatian's tone was calm but firm. "Let me make this perfectly clear: outside status, family background, or rank means nothing here. Even if you are a fleet commander, to me, you are no different from anyone else."
"Here, you are just a cadet in the youth training camp. Nothing from the outside world will grant you special privileges."
"You don't need to try to get close to me. I know some of your parents may know me personally, even be friends with me, but if anyone tries to use that to gain favor, I promise you will regret it."
Dalmatian's words drew some playful expressions from the children. Indeed, some of them had encountered him before. The Marine Headquarters is huge, and it was inevitable that some cadets here had ties to him.
The reason headquarters chose Dalmatian to lead the camp was clear: his uncompromising attitude toward duty.
No matter who your parents are, once you step into his territory, you follow his rules be you dragon or tiger, the hierarchy is absolute.
"Of course, I can also assure you that if you graduate successfully from my youth training camp, your efforts will be well rewarded. Your hard work will not be wasted."
"Carrot and stick. Works every time," Rayk thought, growing more impressed with Rear Admiral Dalmatian. This man clearly commanded respect.
Dalmatian scanned the assembled cadets and addressed them directly. "I will give you a chance. A chance to back out. My training is designed to turn you into elite Marines. It will be grueling, exhausting, and painful. You may want to quit along the way, but then it will be too late."
"If you fear hardship, exhaustion, or pain, step forward now. You are allowed to withdraw. But if you stay, there will be no second chance."
Most of the cadets were children, ranging from five or six to no older than ten. Yet pride ran through them, and at this point, no one dared step back. Dalmatian's question effectively removed the last escape route.
"Good. It seems none of you are cowards," he said, satisfied, before taking a thick attendance book from his assistant and flipping it open. "Next, I will call your names. When your name is called, respond with 'Present.'"
"John "
"Here!"
"Benjamin "
"Present!"
"Berry "
"Tina "
"Here!" the little girl answered, full of energy.
"Sean "
"Present!" said a boy who carried himself with quiet confidence.
"Hanks "
"Here!"
"Rayk " When Dalmatian called his name, Rayk subtly glanced downward, careful not to be obvious.
"Present!" he responded.
Rayk's attention was divided; while he answered, he also observed the others. Some names caught his interest immediately.
A silver-haired boy known as "Smokey."
Another, a hooked-nosed child named Drake.
And a girl named Sadie, who seemed unusually mature for her age.
"'White Hunter' Smokey… 'Red Flag' X Drake… Sadie, chief warden of the Deep Sea Prison in Advancement City… What an interesting bunch," Rayk mused, a smirk curling at his lips.
If little Tina were placed beside him, the scene would be even more lively and amusing.
Over the next twenty years, these names would rise to prominence, stepping into the spotlight to become influential figures in their generation.
Beyond the few most notable, there were others just as formidable: Sean, a user of the Rust Fruit and a swordsman's bane; Binz, empowered by the Verdant Fruit, a future Marine officer; and Berry Good, a user of the Bean Fruit. All had unlimited potential as cadets.
In the world Rayk knew, each would prove their abilities. He no longer viewed these cadets as mere background characters, as one might in a comic. His prior knowledge now served only as guidance, not a reason to underestimate anyone.
"But if I can't assert myself even here, how can I rise to fame in this world?" Rayk whispered, narrowing his eyes, voice to himself alone.
No arrogance, but unwavering ambition. Rayk was here to stake his ground. He had pushed himself to the limit before, and now his goal was clear: dominate this youth training camp, ensure no peer overshadowed him, and rise to be the most remarkable among them.
"All right. Attendance is complete. I've memorized all your names."
As Rayk steeled himself to assert control over the group, Dalmatian closed the attendance book and addressed everyone.
"In this one-year youth training camp, the only thing you need to remember is obedience. Those who disobey orders will face far greater hardships than those who obey. I can tell you that now."
"Today is your first day, so there will be no formal training. Later, the soldiers will arrange accommodations and other necessities. Actual training begins tomorrow."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Louder! I can't hear you."
"Yes!!!"
"Good. That's all. You are dismissed."
With that, Dalmatian turned and walked away, hands clasped behind his back, leaving the cadets to their own thoughts.