CHAPTER 168: ADVANCED TRAINING TEST

After a while of basic training with the Mech Suits, the Grandmaster had decided to have the Sovereign Protocol soldiers get advanced training.

"Based on the plan we have worked on, there will be two teams when the Sovereign Protocol arrives on Earth," the Grandmaster said.

Royce and Kael were there with him in a large living room, cradling glasses of wine as they conversed.

"So when we take on the advanced training, we will be dividing the groups into two as well. Royce Nexuson, you will be in charge of the first team, and Kael, you will be in charge of the second team," the Grandmaster added.

Royce and Kael nodded after exchanging glances.

Well, after their little showdown the other day, they both hadn’t been getting along, and their beef had gotten more tense.

Royce now hated Kael even more, and to make it even worse, the people’s love for Kael alone continued to grow, and it was only making Royce boil in jealousy and anger.

At some point, he would feel like bashing Kael’s skull right when he had the chance, but he knew that he wouldn’t even be able to do it in the end.

When they settled at the training camp at the edge of the city, the Grandmaster went ahead to make a speech before they commenced the advanced training.

"As you all know, the time to revive Earth is near, and it would be impossible without all of you," the Grandmaster began.

"I have seen your works, your potentials and capabilities, but we all know that it wouldn’t be enough to take on this journey."

The crowd nodded.

"So, after the basic training with the Mech Suits, we are going to have the advanced training, which will be the second to last training the Sovereign Protocol army will undergo before setting up for the journey to revive Planet Earth."

"But before we go on, I would love to ask you all... Are you ready?!"

"YES, GRANDMASTER!" The arena echoed at once, as if a thunderstorm had struck.

Yet, the Grandmaster decided to go again.

"Are... You... Ready?!"

"YES, GRANDMASTER!!!"

He felt the readiness even more this time, as a wide smile appeared on his face.

That kind of feeling wasn’t felt every time.

He had been waiting for this moment all his life, and now that it had finally come, well, he was more than pleased.

"The advanced training is surely going to be more difficult than the basic, and it will most definitely be a test."

A session of murmurings rose the moment they heard that from him, but behind those murmurs and mumbles were some strong, gallant reactions that screamed "Bring it on!"

Without wasting more time, he continued.

"Note that anyone who doesn’t pass the advanced training test will be left out, and will not be part of the Sovereign Protocols anymore."

Almost everyone gasped, knowing the weight of that.

Everyone in Nexus believed that being among the Sovereign Protocols who would revive Earth was a blessing and a legendary achievement for their soul.

The Grandmaster had made them believe strongly that wiping out every damn thing on Earth, both living and non-living, was the only way to revive Earth, which they termed as a dying world.

A world filled with weak-minded people... An ordinary world that needs to be revived into something like Nexus...

This was what the people in Nexus had been taught, and they had believed it with all their hearts.

"So, I would advise you to do your best. For the sake of your blessings, and for the sake of the revival of the Dying World," the Grandmaster added.

"There are going to be two groups in the advanced training test. One group to Chosen One Royce..."

A loud "BOOO" rose at the mention of his name.

Royce’s jaw dropped at once.

"And one group to Chosen One Kael."

Once Kael’s name was heard, it turned into a loud cheer that had even the Grandmaster chuckle in amazement.

Kael, who wanted to make Royce feel more anger, waved at them before turning to wink at him, observing his reaction.

"Do well, Sovereign Protocol army, and good luck!"

Later that day, Royce and Kael had to settle at the base and register the soldiers that would be joining their group.

Even before the numbers were recorded, the crowd on Kael’s side of the base already showed that he had the majority, even by a wide mile.

Royce, at some point, couldn’t get himself to focus. The fact that Kael was getting all the credit, even to the point of conducting training tests... It was already worrying...

Royce feared that soon, he wouldn’t even be getting any person on his side.

After the registration, Kael recorded up to a hundred thousand soldiers on his side, and Royce? Only twelve thousand.

They had a meeting with the Grandmaster that same day, where they submitted the reports of the registration.

The Grandmaster appeared impressed with Kael, and at that point Royce began to notice that it wasn’t only the people who were idolising Kael, the Grandmaster was also getting captivated as well.

"All right. You can leave now," the Grandmaster was open to let them leave after their meeting.

However, Royce offered to have a talk with him.

"Grandmaster, can I speak with you for a moment in private?" Royce asked.

"Sure..." The Grandmaster didn’t hesitate.

Kael only shrugged with a proud smile and left the room, and then...

When Royce was about to speak, the Grandmaster suddenly cut him off.

"I know what you want to say, Royce. I have always known what you are seeing and thinking."

Royce flinched, stunned.

"Grandmaster... Uhh... I..."

"It’s normal. Human nature, especially the ones from Earth. They envy those who do better than them, and the darkest minds can go extra miles by trying to eliminate them," the Grandmaster smiled.

At that point, Royce was completely dumfounded, knowing that the Grandmaster was actually saying the truth.

The fact that he could read his mind left him in both fear and shock, and he was completely still as the Grandmaster spoke.

"You see, Kael is getting all the praise because of how he impressed the people. You didn’t impress them the way he did, so it’s normal for them to cast you aside."

"But that doesn’t mean you should spend time envying him. That’s stupid," the Grandmaster scowled.

"Why not make them love you again? Find a way, win their hearts..."

Royce got captivated as his eyes glinted... Until they didn’t.

"And if you can’t, you can just live with it and accept it that way."