Chapter 366: New recruit

"Isn’t that my long-lost sister?" Jimmy said excitedly as he approached Veronica and the few officers standing behind her.

Veronica nodded politely. "Sir Jimmy. I hope you are in good health."

The man’s arm fell limply to his side before he straightened himself and reached out for a handshake. "Don’t even talk about it. I am inches away from my grave."

Veronica hummed. "I thought you loved teaching cadets about their responsibilities, and sparring was your second-favorite hobby?"

He had mentioned time and time again that, if given the choice, he would stop going out to hunt monsters and devote himself entirely to training cadets. His ideal future was one where he could secure the next generation’s strength and never have to risk his life in the wilderness again.

So when he was assigned the task of training the newly awakened, Veronica had assumed he had finally acquired his dream job.

But...

"Not with so many, Veronica... not so many." Jimmy wiped at his eyes, though there were no tears to wipe away, his exaggerated gesture perfectly conveying the suffering and pressure he had endured. "And these people aren’t young enough to be easily manipul... I mean, influenced. They ask questions, and then they ask even more questions."

Veronica sighed. "It must be tough. However, once they realize that what they’re training for will ultimately protect them and their loved ones as well, they should settle in."

Jimmy suddenly flinched. "You sound quite experienced in this. What do you..."

"I decline."

With a curt nod, Veronica refused the offer before he could even finish. Jimmy’s shoulders immediately slumped in disappointment.

Just then, Veronica added, "Well, I have brought another student for your unit."

She shifted slightly to the right, revealing the golden-eyed boy standing quietly behind her.

Jimmy hummed, curiosity flickering across his face. "Strange. I couldn’t sense his presence until now. Are you sure he’s newly awakened?"

Veronica remained composed. "He awakened more than a week ago, but he deliberately kept himself hidden until recently without even knowing. Perhaps the skill he awakened allows him to conceal his presence."

Jimmy rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he leaned toward the new recruit, studying him in silence.

The boy appeared to be in his early twenties, with a vibrant pair of eyes and an unusually upright posture. Yet despite standing directly before him, his presence was so faint that it was almost as though he were barely there at all.

A faint smile touched Jimmy’s lips as he extended his hand.

"Name’s Jimmy. Your new teacher."

The boy nodded and accepted the handshake. "Kyle."

"Kyle, huh? Nice name." Jimmy gave him an approving nod. "Well, as long as you’re here, your name will be..."

He tilted his head toward his secretary, leaving the rest unsaid.

The secretary immediately understood and answered on his behalf. "Code 302."

Veronica’s expression shifted in surprise.

It had been a little over sixteen days since everything had begun to change, yet in that short span, three hundred people had already awakened?

And these numbers were in just Guhang. There were many other countries, especially in the northern continent which has always been the hub of Nightwalkers.

The growth rate is insane...

She couldn’t help but glance at Kyle.

Who could possibly have guessed that the reason behind this sudden surge in awakenings was standing right in front of them?

Jimmy said, "For now, follow my secretary. She’ll show you to your quarters and guide you through your routine checkup."

"Sir?" His secretary raised a brow, seemingly surprised to have been entrusted with the task.

Jimmy extended an arm toward Veronica and said, "Someone my junior personally came to escort. Surely, he must be a special one."

Kyle narrowed his eyes for a brief moment.

Was he already under suspicion? Well, surely, someone Veronica herself coming to see off would appear a little strange.

He drew a shallow breath, then glanced at Veronica. Seeing no indication that anything was amiss, he quietly followed the woman.

Veronica watched his retreating back for a moment before Jimmy’s voice drew her attention.

"Now, since you’re here, won’t you accompany me for a cup of coffee?" He seemed rather excited now.

Veronica slowly nodded. "Sure, sir. I need to discuss a few matters with you as well."

Jimmy grinned and dismissed the other officers with a casual wave before he and Veronica made their way toward the cafeteria.

As she followed him, Veronica cast one last glance in Kyle’s direction.

Please... let everything go smoothly.

...

As the woman led him deeper into the building, she introduced herself.

"My name is Mira. You can call me that. The place I’m taking you to will be your quarters for as long as you’re a trainee here. You may have to share it with another trainee, so you’d better make sure you get along with them."

Kyle gave a faint nod. "Understood... But what exactly will I be doing here? I was told I would be taught how to use my powers."

’I think that sounded natural.’ he inwardly thought.

Mira’s reaction gave him the reassurance he needed.

"Don’t worry. You’ll receive your own terminal, and your schedule will be available on it. Just don’t use the terminal for personal matters or browse anything that could get you into trouble later. Everything here is under surveillance."

Kyle hummed in understanding.

As Mira continued explaining the rules and routines, they eventually reached the underground facility. The vast area was already occupied by other cadets, some wandering through the corridors, others gathered in small groups and chatting, while a few sat alone in quiet contemplation.

They were all grown adults, each still coming to terms with the extraordinary changes they had recently undergone. Some looked bewildered by their newfound abilities, while others carried an unmistakable excitement, eager to discover just how far their powers could take them.

Kyle’s gaze swept across the facility and soon settled on a few individuals who stood out from the others. Several had scars across their faces, while their crude manner of speech and rough demeanour suggested they were not ordinary civilians.

Criminals, perhaps.

He had heard from Ethan that even criminals were being released from prison, provided they awakened and agreed to use their newfound powers in the service of humanity.

Apparently, the sudden appearance of awakened individuals had forced the authorities to reconsider even those they had once deemed irredeemable.

Soon, they arrived at a room, and Mira stopped before the door.

"Here are your quarters. Your supplies will be delivered within the hour, and your first briefing session will be held tonight. Dinner is served in the common hall, while any other details, big or small, will be listed on your terminal. Any questions?"

Kyle shook his head.

Mira nodded in response before taking her leave.

Kyle adjusted the strap of his bag and turned toward the door.

He sighed the moment he saw the person already waiting inside.

Of course.

Shaking his head, he stepped through the doorway.

And in the very next instant, he found himself standing before what looked like an angel.

Or rather, a woman with angelic wings.

She had short crimson hair, a pair of equally crimson eyes, and a cocky smirk playing across her lips. Her arms were folded confidently across her chest as she hovered a few inches above the ground, looking down at Kyle with undisguised contempt.

"I don’t know what country you came from, boy, but you should understand one thing. If you’re going to stay here with me, you’d better learn who the boss is."

Kyle hummed and nodded. "Understood."

With that, he simply stepped past her.

It didn’t take him long to locate his bed. Of the two, only one remained untouched, its blanket neatly arranged and its pillow still in proper shape.

Kyle placed his bag beside it and decided to freshen up.

He had barely taken a step when the woman’s voice stopped him.

"Do you think you can just walk past and ignore the boss?"

Kyle drew another deep breath before turning toward her.

"What was I supposed to do besides silently showing my respect?" He plainly asked.

She was clearly taken aback by his response, apparently not having considered that he had been showing respect in his own way.

After a moment, however, she crossed her arms again and lifted her chin.

"Introduce yourself as well."

"Kyle."

He spoke the name without hesitation. It was the name he had chosen...or rather kept it on Amanda’s demand.

The woman gave an unimpressed huff.

"So, you’re not from any clan, huh?" Her crimson eyes narrowed in clear amusement as she looked him over. "Then you should show me even more respect. I am the sole heiress of the Klaus Clan. Elena Klaus."

"..."

It couldn’t be...right?

°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been enjoying the story so far, make sure to drop a comment or review to help the future readers and keep me motivated.