Officer Jason leans forward on his chair and locks eye contact with Rhys, as if trying to peer through the boy's soul, to strip away any lies before they could be spoken. The room went silent for a few seconds, and the only sound that could be heard was the ticking of the wall-mounted clock.
"So tell me, Rhys, why do you want to join the military school of Celestria? Considering your age... You are quite too young for admission. Still, you went as far as to get the signature from your orphanage's director and even performed exceptionally well in both written and physical evaluations. That's not something we see every day from someone who is a no-name and doesn't have any titles.
Being calm, Rhys answered in an unwavering tone.
"I don't want to join the school, but I have to."
Officer William smirks at that reply. He was the youngest of all three, and rather than being strict, he looked more curious.
"I know where I stand in this society, a no-name orphan, and if I want to survive without rotting in the gutters or being sent to the front lines as disposable trash, I have to become something more. And something 'more' in this empire means being a weapon that's too valuable to waste."
There was no ambition in his eyes and no begging in his voice, just the harsh reality from someone who has seen it.
Officer Joyce takes an interest as she hears Rhys's reply. She was a stern woman in her late 40s with grey hair tied back in a tight bun.
"You are very self-aware for someone your age. But such talks don't come unless and until you have seen and killed."
Joyce commented.
Rhys looked at her steadily.
"With all due respect, ma'am, I know what it takes to survive, and if my survival means learning to kill... then yes. I will learn quickly."
Jason leans back on his chair as he hears the answer. He tapped his finger together, thoughtful. He'd heard several repeated answers from hundreds of recruits - duty, glory, honor- but this one? He was different.
He wasn't looking for any glory but a way of survival and a way not to die forgotten.
Jason said with his voice harder -
"You do realize that being in this School doesn't guarantee protection. If anything, you will be under more pressure. Once the results fall out, most of the nobles will try to crush you, and most of the officers will want you gone once you speak out of line."
Rhys nodded.
"Let them try."
The confidence in his voice stated that he knows how to walk away with a win in a fight, no matter what.
Being curious, Officer William finally chimes in.
"Let's say we admit you to this school, and after graduation, you do work for the military and rise through the ranks. What then? What does someone like you want in the end?"
Rhys paused just for a heartbeat and then looked in William's eyes.
" ********* "
Rhys's answer silenced the room for once. Even Joyce, who is usually unreadable, seemed to shift slightly in her seat.
Jason gives one final look down at Rhys's file. His fingers rested on the Red stamped 'Recommendation from Anna Parker' and the line beneath it stated :
' High-performance candidate. Dangerous potential.'
He closed the file and looked up.
"The results will be declared tomorrow. Dismissed."
Rhys stood, gave a short nod, and turned to leave. As he reached near the door, Jason spoke one last time.
"Rhys"
He stopped and looked over his shoulder.
"The system itself is built to keep people like you from rising. The nobles will try to bury you, and the school won't be easy either. Try to not fail and survive till the end."
Rhys gave a small smile - barely there, more like a flicker of disdain for fate itself. And with that, he left unspoken, without saying anything.
The moment the door shut behind him, silence reigned. Then Joyce muttered.
" Looks like a storm is coming."
Jason exhaled slowly while his eyes were still on the door.
"No. A warhound just walked in."