萝莉社

Things did not end there since, with a single command from Cain, the helmet also began to modify the Nullity Armor’s appearance, making it resemble a standard mercenary.

Cain did not know why but the moment the red helmet covered his face, he felt a sense of peace that was hard to describe.

‘How odd. It is as if I can show a different part of myself.’

Unknown to Cain, inside his soul dimension, the crimson sphere that was his Alter-Ego began to tremble. It did not last long, and Cain was unaware of it, but something happened inside it.

After a moment, Cain sent another command, and the helmet vanished, turning the Nullity Armor to its original appearance. He intended to use it for criminal activities, so he could not go around showing it.

Cain was delighted with the helmet and looked at the virtual screen with its information.

‘Red Hood. A good name.’

The military truck drove at full speed toward the Imperial Lightning Military Fort, and Cain did not waste a minute. He used Embryonic Breathing to enhance his recovery speed, focusing on his mental powers as he needed to be in peak condition for the next task.

.....

It did not take long for the military truck to enter the fort. Cain got out of it before walking away.

—

There was a group of young cadets near the gate that led out of the cadet section. Most were at Level 2, and some were at Level 1.

It was easy to decipher from their clothes and demeanor that none of this group came from a Noble Family. They were all commoners with decent enough talent to pursue a promising career in the military.

Their goal was to reach the Pillar of Trials and test their strength. Of course, none expected to enter the Cadet Ranking, but measuring their power was always good. It could show their strong and weak points so that they could work on them in the future.

“That is why we came here, Sir.” A young woman with tan skin and defined muscles spoke respectfully to the old man guarding the gate.

She seemed to be the group’s leader, and her cultivation was the highest of all, reaching the later stage of Level 2.

Oliver showed a small smile as he saw the fighting spirit in the cadets. He especially valued those from humble backgrounds as they made him remember his younger self.

‘Young and full of courage. Some of these little brats have the potential to reach Level 7; with some help, they could grow to become rising stars.’ Oliver was already making plans for these young cadets. After they left, he would send the word out, ensuring that the other vice-captains and captains help them.

That solidarity made many people in the Godslayer Humankind Empire see the military as their family, especially those from humble backgrounds who did not have to choose between forming part of the Imperial Military Force or their own families’ forces.

Just as Oliver was about to give the cadets some encouraging words and let them pass through the gate, he saw a figure in the distance.

The cadets were surprised to see Oliver’s eyes open wide before rising from his meditative position and adopting a respectful stance. None of them knew the strength or status of the old man, but they were sure it was high, so they were surprised that he acted like that.

Some of the cadets guessed that an influential person was coming toward the cadet section, so they all focused on the gate leading toward the fort’s central area.

“Welcome, Young Lord.” Oliver clasped his hands and performed a small bow.

The cadets were shocked to see that the one that provoked such a reaction from Oliver was not a big shot from the Imperial Military Force but another cadet that was walking toward them.

“There is no need to call me like that, and much less bow toward me. I understand why you do it, and I appreciate your respect, but I don’t like to see elders bowing to young people.”

The one that spoke was a young man with black hair and green eyes wearing an impressive blue robe.

“You... you are Cain Laurifer!” One of the cadets could not help but shout as he saw Cain, making the eyes of all the others glow with interest and awe.

A few months ago, Cain Laurifer was just one of the many talented cadets in the Collapsing Lightning Military Academy. Still, there was nothing truly remarkable about him.

Although he had made a name for himself by showing a Late Wave Champion’s willpower, taking the N°1 position in the Pillar of Mind, none of the cadets understood the true meaning of strong willpower as they knew nothing of the Ego Eternal Path of Power.

However, everything changed in the past few weeks after displaying a speed and destructive power worthy of the N°1 position in the Cadet Ranking.

It did not take long for rumors about Cain to begin circulation, like how he almost killed one of the teachers and the amazing military skill that allowed him to lead one hundred men against thousands of Wave Beasts.

The most famous legend around Cain was his involvement in the killing of an Atrox Wave Champion!

Cain turned toward the cadets and smiled at them before nodding. He had no idea who they were since they had different classes, and he was not precisely the sociable type, but there was no reason to show coldness toward a group of future comrades.

“Good day to all of you.” Cain greeted the group before turning back to Oliver.

“I need to pass. Open the gate, please.”

Unlike the other cadets, who needed to state their purpose before leaving the cadet section, Cain did not need to say anything else for Oliver to wave his hand and open the gate.

“Do you need company, You.., Cain?” Oliver corrected his words mid-way. He would never show this type of deference toward a scion from a Noble Family, but Cain was the core disciple of his teacher, one of the strongest life forms in the entire Collapsing Lightning Sector.

“No, thank you.”

Cain did not say anything else before arcs of lightning covered his body, and he flashed away.

The cadets saw Cain run into the fort’s central area, and their eyes were full of admiration.

Their reactions were quite common, as the Godslayer Humankind’s culture valued strength above all things, and Cain Laurifer was the strongest cadet in the Imperial Lightning Fort.

“So that is Cain Laurifer. He is around the same age as us, but I hear he can easily kill Level 4 Wave Warriors. And according to the rumors, he is also a commoner.”

The same cadet that shouted Cain’s name before spoke again, and those last few words made the eyes of the other cadets glow with excitement.

If someone from a humble origin could reach such a high level, would that not mean they could also do it?

“Do not let rumors get over your head. I doubt that someone so amazing as him could be a commoner. He might have hidden his background so people would not approach him with false intentions.” The young woman that led the group poured cold water into the cadets’ spirits. She was not trying to be cruel but did not want them to chase impossible dreams under false information.

Actually, she had also grown excited the first time she heard the N°1 Collapsing Lightning Cadet came from a humble background, but now that she saw him, his demeanor was too striking. When she saw Cain’s eyes, it was like looking at a man that had been groomed from birth to rule.

“Cain Laurifer is an orphan. Regarding backgrounds, Cain’s was as humble as you could get.”

The cadets turned toward Oliver as those words reignited their dimmer spirits.

“Is that true?” The group’s leader spoke with shock in her voice. She found it hard to believe that an orphan could have that royal aura.

Oliver was not fond of gossip, but he saw the light in the cadets’ eyes when they heard about Cain’s background. Talent was important, but the will to rise and an objective to follow were just as essential in your cultivation path.

“Cain Laurifer is an orphan that came to the Collapsing Lightning Sector, and at that point, he was nothing more than a newly advanced Level 1 Astral Wave Warrior. That young man had no wealth when he arrived at the military academy, but he never allowed his origin to dictate how high he could rise, and neither should you.”

A large smile appeared on Oliver’s face as he saw the burning fighting spirit in the cadets.

‘Good, very good.’