Heir Of Chaos

Chapter 60: Rankings

"Thank you all for participating but alas, not everyone is worthy of being at the very top. These are the results."

As he uttered those words, a heavy silence fell on the recruits. All conversations ceased immediately.

It didn’t matter how engaging the discussions were, it simply couldn’t compare to the value of the information about to be passed.

Dale was sure that weaker friendships would crumble if the gap between friends were too much. It could even lead to jealousy.

’It seems as though making friends is a double-edged sword.’

General Malcolm tapped on his tablet screen, then tore his eyes off it, looking at them.

"Each test served to check a different value that is integral to serving the nation. The first test was one on free, liberal will.

Granted, I gave you an instruction to wait for me and left you for half a day. I never mentioned the time I would spend away and despite knowing that you still had more tests coming up, some of you decided to stay standing, draining your energy.

While there were no explicit instructions for you to rest, there were also none for you to waste your resilience."

He paused and his face fell into a heavy frown.

His eyes scanned the majority of them with disappointment.

Dale watched as his eyes landed on him and his friends. ’Interesting.’ The test was an evaluation of one’s ability to make judgments for themselves.

By refusing to rest — either by pride or fear of disobeying an imaginary instruction — they had shown that they couldn’t think for themselves.

’Yes, compliance is an invaluable skill in the military but ultimately, decisions have to be made by ourselves for ourselves.’ That part measured initiative.

General Malcolm continued.

"The second part was also as disappointing. I cleverly dissolved the teams to see how you’d react and you reacted as I predicted.

Old teammates turned against one another just to rank a little higher. What will you do in battle where rewards are based on involvement and merit? Will you betray your fellow soldiers just to aid yourself? Pathetic."

Every sentence the war veteran spoke was set out to remove a sense of superiority from those who felt they had done well.

Some old team members turned to their friends feeling embarrassed now that their acts had been called out.

Dale, meanwhile, was still in a bit of thought. ’This is the second one where we unknowingly did what was required.’ It was almost like they were meant to pass.

He smiled to himself. If they did end up as the top five, he wouldn’t beat himself or worry over it.

The better resources would be worth the jealousy and if he noticed it was culminating to a dangerous level, then he would let someone in a lower rank beat him.

Truly, the system of allowing challenges would work in his favor. He would first use as many of the resources as he could.

While he wasn’t sure, there was a chance that a greater amount of information would be available for higher rankers.

Even if he lost his rank and fell to the bottom, the military couldn’t remove his knowledge.

’I mean they might be able to. Better not jinx myself.’

General Malcolm’s frown deepened until veins bulged on the side of his head. It was so visible that Dale could swear he was seeing it pulse along his heartbeat.

"The last test was what allowed some of you to gain any sort of edge over another." The recruits started mumbling to themselves.

Dale raised an eyebrow, ’Those odd questions?’

"FOCUS!!" General Malcolm yelled, breaking Dale out of his thoughts and startling the recruits.

"Do you not see the level of your failure and incompetence?! We are quickly advancing into a war with soldiers as cunning and devious as anything you’ve ever encountered before.

Their recruits have plans upon plans, where in case of failure, they can still kill half of you. Yet what do we have? This disgraceful display."

His voice dropped a few octaves, becoming menacingly low. "If I had my way, you’ll all be sent as cannon fodder. Maybe at least you’ll make them waste some of their weaponry."

The recruits in his year bent their heads low. His words had clearly struck a nerve as was intended.

Dale, nor his friends, flinched. Feeling bad wouldn’t change anything, only action would. In battle, a mistake made that didn’t cost you your life is a learning experience.

It would be foolish to treat the assessment as any different.

General Malcolm’s frown vanished and he turned to his screen. "The first... or rather, in last place, Ru Sern." A girl with curly blonde hair fell on her knees, crying. A Dormant.

One by one, names were being called. Some barely reacted, expecting the outcome. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

A few even celebrated being higher up the ranks than they expected.

"In 10th place, Gustav Rose." General Malcolm spoke with calm indifference.

Gustav turned to Dale from the crowd and waved at him as though making a point of how useless the entire assessment was.

"In 9th place, Dale Green." Dale was a little stunned to hear his name so soon. In all honesty, he had expected to be at least amongst the top 6.

’Well, I didn’t do too well in the battle royale.’ That was what undoubtedly dropped his position.

Also, there was the fact that the main reason he had lasted so long in the said battle royale was that he relied on Gary’s forcefield.

Individual strength was as crucial as team effectiveness.

General Malcolm went on with his list. In the end, Austin ended up being number 5.

Sarah and Gary were 4th and 3rd respectively. Naturally, Trevor was number 1 and not without a good reason. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Now that he had finished announcing the ranks, a more familiar expressive flame lit behind the General’s eyes.

He stretched a little and spoke to them. "Now, who’s ready to see their accommodations?"