"An imitator?"Leon blinked, a look of surprise spreading across his face when Mikael uttered a word that had never crossed his mind."Yes. He ... didn't change his name. His first name is genuinely his own. But ... I'm sure he's one of General Avery's admirers. He probably wants to become a palace soldier because he idolizes General Avery."Leon fell silent for a moment, thinking it over.When he realized that this explanation made the most sense out of everything Mikael Summer had displayed, Leon accepted Sean Henley's analysis."General Avery has countless admirers throughout our kingdom. It's no wonder someone would idolize him so much that they'd go out of their way to learn everything about our War General.""But he ....""If someone truly admires another person, many of them will do whatever it takes to learn everything they can about that person," Sean concluded without hesitation.Leon nodded, now completely agreeing with Sean's opinion."You're right, Vice General Henley!"H

Dilon did not say another word.Arion raised an eyebrow and asked again, "Dilon, are you really willing to lose your life just because ....""That's nonsense. I wasn't accusing him," Dilon interrupted. With that, he left Mikael and the others, heading toward the area where the second session would be held.Hans and Ayden exchanged glances before rolling their eyes at Dilon's cowardice.They resumed walking in the same direction, though at a much slower pace than Dilon and his group.Along the way, Arion glanced at Mikael and asked, "Mikael ... you're not really going to report him, are you?"Mikael could hear the concern in Arion's voice. Wanting to reassure his friend, he replied, "Don't worry. I ... wasn't serious when I said that. Well ... even though a punishment like that does exist.""Really? You're not going to report Dilon?""No. Let's just pretend it never happened. We'd better focus on the second session instead," Mikael said.Hans scratched his nose, growing increasingly ne

Mikael Avery, who was currently inhabiting Mikael Summer's body, paid no attention to the insults directed at him.He merely glanced at the two trees planted about ten meters away before giving a slight nod to the palace staff member.The staff member, who had assumed the young man would back down, was visibly surprised.However, he quickly regained his composure and raised a flag to chest level, preparing to begin the test.Once he saw Mikael raise his weapon and narrow his eyes, the staff member lifted the flag and blew his whistle, signaling the official start of Mikael's timed attempt.The moment Hans, Arion, and Ayden saw Mikael begin firing, they immediately turned their attention toward their friend.The other candidates also became captivated by his performance. Even those in the middle of their own turns found their concentration broken as their eyes drifted toward Mikael.Mikael started with the orange tree, which stood about three meters tall. It took him only a few seconds

"As if he believed he had successfully shaken the young recruit's focus, the palace staff member said confidently, "If I were you, I would never think of them as friends. I'd see them only as enemies who must be defeated.""During the selection for new palace soldiers, having friends is useless. It will only make things harder for you when you have to face them directly," he added with unwavering confidence.Instead of being influenced by those words, Ayden calmly shifted his gaze back to the two trees before him and raised his weapon.As though he was already prepared, he spoke before even declaring his readiness. "I need them. Without them, I probably wouldn't be standing here with the confidence I have today."The palace staff member was momentarily stunned. However, when he saw the sharp determination in Ayden's eyes followed by a slight nod, he raised the flag and blew the whistle.With astonishing speed, Ayden launched his attack at the ten targets attached to the two trees appr

Ayden moistened his lower lip before quickly replying,"But... this is only the beginning. Besides, who knows? Maybe they actually can do it, but they were just too nervous to shoot properly."The twenty-year-old looked at the three men he already considered friends, even though they had only met that very day.Hans was about to answer, but Arion was faster."Ayden," he said quietly, "if a recruit can't control his nerves, how is he supposed to survive on the battlefield?"Ayden was about to argue, but Arion continued before he had the chance."I know you're going to say this is only the beginning. But you also need to understand that these are the basic skills every prospective palace soldier is expected to have. I think this system is fair."He paused briefly before adding,"Shouldn't every citizen already know about these requirements before applying to become a palace soldier?"Listening to the exchange, Mikael felt immensely relieved.The recruitment system he had designed in his