Chapter 389: Invitation from the Military
"Hello, Examiner!"
Basalt was stunned for a moment, but he slowly landed beside Director Luo, acting as obedient as a lamb.
He had no choice; Director Luo was the person in charge of this assessment!
Not to mention, Director Luo was wearing a military uniform.
Basalt clearly saw the insignia on Director Luo's epaulets: a golden background adorned with two thin golden bars and four stars. This was the rank of a Senior Colonel.
A Senior Colonel was essentially a General-in-waiting.
As far as Basalt knew, field officers in the military were basically all Gym Leader-level trainers.
And the Senior Colonel before him was likely a top-tier figure among Gym Leaders, the kind who was just one step away from becoming a Master.
"No need to be nervous. I am Luo Ting, the director of this assessment. I've watched your performance since you entered the Secret Realm. Especially that final battle with Zayne Zhang—you fought very well, and won cleanly and decisively!"
Director Luo patted Basalt on the shoulder, acting quite familiar.
"You flatter me, Examiner!"
What else could Basalt do but smile foolishly?
"Not bad, not bad. Neither arrogant in victory nor discouraged in defeat. This mindset is very important."
Director Luo looked at Basalt with increasing satisfaction.
Unlike Zayne Zhang, who clearly became a sore loser and lost his temper at the end, causing his impression score with Director Luo to drop significantly.
Seeing Basalt continue to smile foolishly without picking up the conversation, Director Luo decided to ask directly, "So? Are you interested in serving in the military? Our military resources will definitely not disappoint you. I have absolute confidence that within five years, I can groom you into a Gym Leader-level trainer!"
"Serving in the military?"
Basalt's eyes lit up at first, as he knew that many of the Alliance's best goods were prioritized for military trainers. After all, military strength was the cornerstone of national stability. Soldiers risked their lives to protect the country, so enjoying the best supplies was only right.
But soon, Basalt shrank his neck back. "Enlisting?"
"That's right, enlisting as a soldier!"
Director Luo nodded solemnly. "At your age, it's the prime time to be a soldier. With your potential, coupled with the military as your backing, you have hope of advancing to the Master-level in the future. By then, you would be a General!"
As he finished, Director Luo's eyes shimmered with wistful longing.
His biggest dream in life was to become a General.
A Master-level trainer held a noble status in the Alliance. In the central government, they were big shots. If sent to local regions, they were equivalent to members of the provincial decision-making group, like high-ranking governors.
In the military, that rank corresponded directly to a Major General, commanding troops and guarding a region.
"A General?"
The corner of Basalt's mouth twitched slightly, though he cursed inwardly, "Damn, this old guy is pretty good at sweet-talking."
But it had to be said, Basalt's blood did boil a little upon hearing it. A real man should show his prowess on the battlefield; that was the thrill. especially since his Sandstorm team was indeed suited for unleashing power in large-scale battles.
The problem was, Basalt knew his own personality. He had been lazy since childhood; he probably couldn't handle being a soldier.
When Basalt voiced his concerns, Director Luo waved his hand. "If you really can't get used to life in the barracks, once you advance to the Gym Leader-level, you can become non-frontline combat personnel. By then, you'd be just like an ordinary public servant, just clocking in and out of work every day."
"Wait until I advance to Gym Leader-level?"
Basalt rolled his eyes internally. Wouldn't that take several years?
Basalt quickly came up with an excuse. "Sir, I'm only a freshman right now. My studies are important!"
"Studies don't matter. You can suspend your schooling first. The military will issue you a certificate. Later, if you want to study at the National Defense University, you can. Or you can return to your original school. It won't cause any delay!"
Seeing Basalt hemming and hawing, Director Luo suddenly glared. "What? You don't want to serve your country?"
"Serving the country, I am naturally a thousand, ten thousand times willing. It's just that I'm used to being lazy and undisciplined. I'm afraid that after enlisting, I'll become the rat dropping that spoils the whole pot of soup."
Basalt quickly denied the accusation. He dared not wear that heavy hat of unpatriotism!
Hearing this, Director Luo sighed. This was a helpless aspect for the military.
Many geniuses had unique personalities and tempers, but the military was a melting pot. No matter what you were like when you came in, you would basically come out the same shape.
After all, for a soldier, obedience is the first duty!
And geniuses were mostly mavericks. The two were incompatible!
This was why, despite the military having abundant resources, they rarely recruited geniuses from the outside; they could only select from within their own ranks.
Crucially, Basalt might not even look up to the military's resources right now. After all, Basalt had the legacies and gifts of Groudon, Celebi, and Xerneas. No matter how many resources the military had, they certainly wouldn't give a Legendary Pokémon's legacy to a new recruit.
In the end, even after Director Luo wore his lips thin, Basalt showed no sign of being moved.
Although Director Luo was extremely regretful, he couldn't force it.
However, before leaving, Director Luo strongly insisted on adding Basalt's contact information and expressed his hope that Basalt would reconsider. If he changed his mind, he could call at any time.
Basalt didn't refuse this. Having the contact of a big shot meant another path open; Basalt wouldn't turn that down.
"What a fine seedling!"
Watching Basalt's retreating figure, Director Luo felt dejected.
Leaving the Huangpu River, Basalt didn't go to the Assessment Center because he knew many people must be waiting there to ambush him. Given Basalt's performance, he didn't need to wait for the results to be announced.
As for the rank promotion registration, since he had passed the assessment, he could just find time to do the paperwork later.
He caught a taxi back to the urban area of Saffron City and got off in front of a secluded, unassuming little villa. The villa looked a bit old-fashioned but was very exquisite. Standing at the gate, Basalt could clearly see the many plants and flowers cultivated inside.
Basalt pushed the door open and entered. A large head with slicked-back hair immediately popped out from inside the building. It was Zhou Yuan, the person in charge of the Weather Bureau in the Southeast region, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.
Zhou Yuan looked at Basalt, then at the time on his watch, and exclaimed in surprise, "It's only 3:15 PM. Your Secret Realm assessment is already over? You... that was a bit fast!"
"It's all done!"
Basalt shrugged.
"It seems you performed very well. Just now, several friends from various clubs called me to ask about your situation, asking if you were a member of our Bureau."
Zhou Yuan ushered Basalt inside and said excitedly, "Even the supervisor of the Warlord Club called. That's a powerhouse club! Even they are interested in you!"
The clubs in the Alliance's First Division League were the top tier of professional clubs in the country.
But even among the top tier, clubs could be further subdivided.
Those standing at the very peak were called Powerhouse Clubs. Even by international standards, they were top-class. There were only a few in the entire national Alliance.
And Saffron City's Warlord Club happened to be one of them.
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you