After a series of comprehensive physical examinations, Kasjia was sent back to the Emperor's Children's recruit barracks.
The process of Space Marine augmentation usually lasts 5-10 years.
During this period, recruits are typically assigned to the legion's scout company, undertaking reconnaissance-related tasks.
It is only after the final surgery—the implantation of the Black Carapace—that a recruit will receive the power armor that will accompany them for life (except for the unlucky ones who end up in a Dreadnought), and become a full-fledged Space Marine.
Each legion's recruit training time and methods are different. And for the Emperor's Children, who pursue perfection in all things, the training time is even longer than that of a typical legion.
Not only does it include the essential training programs for a normal Space Marine, but even studying on Mars, court etiquette, art, and painting are compulsory courses for every Son of the Emperor.
Only when every recruit has received sufficient training, and every recruit can do everything perfectly, will they be given the responsibility of becoming a true Son of the Emperor.
Furthermore, with the legion's current depleted numbers and very few veterans left, the Emperor naturally did not put too much performance pressure on them.
This also allowed the Third Legion to stay safely in the rear and complete the preparations needed for the crusade.
Therefore, for now, Kasjia had to continue his training before he could officially enter combat.
"Go, Lucius."
"You're in for a treat. You get to enjoy our master's perfect cooking. I'm so—so envious of you."
"Envious my ass!"
Lucius was furious.
Although he was cursing, the sword in his hand did not dare to pause for a moment.
And the recruit across from him, swinging his training sword meticulously, was Sword Saint Arcur's new disciple, a newcomer of Terran descent.
Saul Tarvitz.
Lucius did not like him.
It could even be said that he was jealous.
But compared to that guy Kasjia, he was much more pleasing to the eye.
Contrast truly brings out the value of Saul Tarvitz.
"Who was it just now shouting that he would definitely win? Huh?"
"If you want to eat it so badly, why don't you go—!"
SMACK!
Just as he was about to argue with Kasjia, Saul's sword found an opening and landed squarely on his shoulder.
"I yield."
Saul Tarvitz's expression was calm, showing little excitement at defeating his opponent.
He merely took a few steps back and breathed a light sigh of relief, grateful that he had been spared the tragic fate of Arcur's dinner.
"Drink, Lucius."
"This is your—destiny."
Kasjia smiled, handing him a cup of liquid emitting a strange green glow.
"W-what is this?"
"Space Marine nutrient gruel. It's good for your physical recovery and growth."
Sword Saint Arcur said noncommittally.
"Drink up. Remember to tell me how it feels afterwards so I can improve the recipe."
Lucius's expression was bitter.
He tentatively leaned in and took a sniff.
Then, his handsome face immediately contorted in pain.
Although he was still just a recruit, nutrient gruel shouldn't be glowing green, right?
Huh?
"Not being distracted by external factors is a prerequisite for becoming a qualified duelist," Arcur said impatiently. She seemed very dissatisfied with Lucius's performance just now.
"A bet is a bet, Lucius."
Lucius tremblingly took the cup. He glanced again at the viscous liquid glowing with a strange green light, then looked up at Sword Saint Arcur.
But unfortunately, he could not see even a trace of pity in her eyes.
He was doomed today.
"Fine! I'll drink it!"
He showed the courage of a man facing death, and downed the entire cup of liquid in one go!
"Gurgle, gurgle..."
"Urgghh, ahhh—"
"...Ah."
His eyes immediately rolled back, his limbs went stiff, and he lay on the ground, twitching a few times like a maggot.
He dead.
"Stop faking it. Get up and continue training."
Arcur kicked the motionless Lucius lying on the ground irritably.
"If you're not up in three seconds, you'll be drinking this again tomorrow."
Hearing this, the latter immediately leaped up with extreme speed.
A standard military posture, a determined gaze.
And the fear of tomorrow's tragic fate, which spurred him to rise and be resurrected, to continue serving the Emperor!
In the three months that Kasjia was undergoing his modification, such fights and farces had been a constant occurrence between the two new recruits, Saul and Lucius.
Saul's talent for swordsmanship was also extremely high, but he was a guy who didn't like to show off.
But under the threat of their mentor Arcur's dinner, he had no choice but to bring out his true skills to face his opponent.
There was no reward for winning, but there was a penalty for losing.
Therefore, in the duels between the two of them, Lucius had always lost more than he won.
Until Kasjia completed part of his modification and returned to Arcur to continue his training.
The newly modified Lucius was rubbing his fists together, wanting to get back at Kasjia for his previous losses.
It's one thing if I can't beat Saul Tarvitz, but I can't beat you either?
But unfortunately, he really couldn't beat Kasjia either.
The Emperor's special modification for Kasjia seemed to have made him faster and stronger than a typical Space Marine.
Although he was still a Space Marine with two hearts and three lungs, his actual combat statistics were already close to that of a nascent Custodian.
Written as Space Marine, read as Custodian.
Lucius, who had already had a hard time dealing with Kasjia before, was now completely outmatched.
This isn't fair!
Lucius had wanted to shout.
But having just downed a large cup of "nutrient gruel," he didn't seem to have much strength left to shout.
"Saul, Lucius, you two rest for a bit. Give the space to me and Kasjia."
"All three of you have good talent. Observe the changes in the sword moves carefully. The rest is up to you to comprehend on your own."
Arcur said, and then jumped into the training cage.
"Come up, Kasjia."
"Let me see your progress these days."
"Alright."
Kasjia smiled and nodded, leaping into the ring.
A storm of sword blows, accompanied by a pleasant clanging sound, exploded around the two of them.
Even though Saul and Lucius were both sword prodigies, the swordsmanship of the two before them was still dazzling.
The stalemate lasted for half a minute before Arcur finally knocked Kasjia to the ground with a single strike.
Half a minute.
Seeing this, Saul and Lucius's eyes sharpened.
Even though this was with the instructor holding back slightly, to be able to last for half a minute against Sword Saint Arcur Tona, in terms of combat ability, Kasjia already had the qualifications to become a company captain.
For a new recruit who had not yet been fully modified to achieve such a level, in the future, when he completed all his modifications and his swordsmanship had improved...
...how terrifying would his combat ability be?
"Continue?"
Arcur tilted her head up and asked, holding her sword.
"Continue."
There was no defeat in the eyes of Kasjia, who had fallen to the ground, only an endless fighting spirit.
To be able to fight with all his might against the strongest sword saint of the Great Crusade, even if he had to eat her cooking, it was worth the price!
"Good."
Although cold, she still showed a rare smile.
Deep within the Imperial Palace on Terra.
A stooped old man in a linen-colored robe, the sound of his psychic staff tapping on the magnificent marble palace floor echoed continuously.
The old man had found him.
"My Lord."
"Forgive my bluntness, but in my observation of Number Twenty-One these past few days, I have not found a single trace of psionic talent in him."
He had not sensed anything special about Kasjia.
Could it be that he was mistaken?
"That is normal. Do not worry, my friend."
"Before he truly awakens, his potential will continue to accumulate like a volcano."
"And when will this volcano erupt, my Lord?"
"Perhaps soon, perhaps never."
He replied.
"Just as that boy Horus awakened from a street urchin to a Primarch in an instant, to truly unleash his own strength, he still needs..."
"...a trigger, an epiphany."
"Hiss... it hurts so good..."
After a day of exhilarating training, Kasjia strolled leisurely towards his room.
"Huh? What's this?"
On the web between his thumb and forefinger on his right hand, there seemed to be a fine, golden-red crack that wasn't there before.
-------
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