Chapter 26 - The Principal

    (Rodova Military Academy, The Administrative Building)

    The principal of Rodova Military Academy, Retired General Alric Dainhart, sat behind his desk, skimming through the latest intake reports with a calm, impassive gaze.

    As a former Universal Government General, Dainhart was a man of discipline and experience.

    Though in his sixties, he remained as imposing as ever, with broad-shoulders, neatly combed gray hair and deep blue eyes.

    His years on the battlefield had earned him scars, but it was his mind, not his body, that made him truly formidable. He was a strategist first, a leader second, and a bureaucrat only because necessity demanded it.

    *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

    A crisp knock at the door broke his focus.

    "Enter," he said without looking up.

    The door slid open, and Major Silver Paige stepped in, his posture straight as he saluted.

    "Sir."

    Dainhart glanced at him before setting the report aside.

    "Major," Alric acknowledged, before continuing with his question. "What do you think about this year''s batch of recruits?"

    Major Paige lowered his salute and took a step forward. "This year''s batch seems to be the best in the past five years, with some really strong talents popping up."

    "Any security threats this year, sir?" Paige asked, shifting the conversation to a more pressing concern.

    Dainhart glanced at him before leaning back slightly in his chair.

    "Nothing out of the ordinary... but there are a few suspected Evil Cult sympathizers trying to slip through," he admitted, his tone carrying a note of irritation.

    Paige''s expression darkened.

    The Evil Cult—as the Universal Government had branded them—remained one of the greatest threats to law and order in the universe.

    It was no secret that they actively sought to infiltrate government institutions, planting brainwashed young talents within their ranks to destabilize both the Universal Government and the great clans from within.

    This was precisely why every government-aligned institution—especially military academies—enforced rigorous background checks before admitting students.

    For a Military Academy, allowing an Evil Cult sympathizer to slip through was more than a simple failure. It was the worst possible lapse in judgement.

    They were a cancer, spreading insidiously, poisoning minds with heresy and rebellion.

    "But," Dainhart continued, his voice unwavering, "tomorrow''s aptitude testing will sort them out."

    A slight smirk tugged at the edge of his lips.

    "For no one can evade the background check."

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    /// A/N- This bonus Chapter is sponsored by patron bukli_ajrullai via supergift, please thank him in the comments for the same ///