Before Asher could proceed, a group of warriors training nearby turned their attention toward him. Their gazes lingered, filled with curiosity and perhaps a hint of challenge. Among them was a tall, muscular man with sharp features and an air of command. His golden armor and the insignia on his chest marked him as a high-ranking warrior, possibly a commander in the outer area.
The man approached, his steps purposeful. "So, this is the Magnus elite who's been assigned to the outer area," he said, his tone laced with mild amusement. "I'm Ardyn. Rank A, and one of the overseers for this sector."
Asher regarded him with a neutral expression, neither intimidated nor overly friendly. "Asher Magnus. Rank E, but I'm sure the ranking system doesn't tell the whole story."
Ardyn chuckled, his sharp eyes studying Asher closely. "Confident, aren't you? I hope you can back it up. We don't have room for slackers here."
"You'll see soon enough," Asher replied coolly, his tone even.
Ardyn smirked, clearly intrigued. "Good. We'll be watching. Welcome to the outer area, Asher Magnus. Prove yourself worthy of the name."
With that, Ardyn turned and walked away, his group following close behind. The tension in the air dissipated slightly, but the unspoken challenge lingered.
As Ardyn left, a woman approached Asher. She had golden hair tied neatly in a bun, striking blue eyes, and was dressed in sharp business attire. Her presence exuded authority and professionalism.
"Asher Magnus, come with me. I'll explain the rules and regulations here," she said.
Asher nodded and followed her.
"First of all," she began, "once you're settled in, you must always be prepared to be summoned at any time. The invaders can strike without warning."
"Second," she continued, "you are now just a soldier here. When you see your superiors, you will salute them—like me."
She turned to face him, and Asher immediately placed his right hand over his chest, just above the Magnus insignia, and bowed respectfully.
Laura nodded in approval. "Good. At least you understand discipline," she said.
She then gestured to a nearby area where several teenagers around Asher's age were gathered. Many appeared disheveled, and even the girls wore tattered skirts, with their faces marked by exhaustion.
"They're the undisciplined ones who thought they could act however they pleased," Laura explained, her voice stern. "Their punishments are visible for all to see. Some of the girls are only partially clothed because they disregarded the dress code or failed to follow basic etiquette."
Asher's gaze swept across the group, noting the stark contrast between their treatment and the order maintained elsewhere in the camp.
"We don't have tolerance for insubordination here, not even for the girls," Laura added, answering the silent question lingering in Asher's mind.
Understanding the harsh standards of the outer area, Asher said nothing, choosing instead to absorb the lessons from this exchange. Laura motioned for him to follow as she continued to explain the rules, ensuring he understood what was expected of him in this unforgiving environment.
Asher followed Laura further into the camp, the atmosphere around them growing more intense. Soldiers marched in strict formations, their faces hardened by experience. The occasional burst of activity—whether from training drills or emergency preparations—only reinforced the seriousness of the environment.
Laura led him to a modest but clean barracks where several individuals, all clearly seasoned warriors, were gathered. She gestured toward an empty bed. This chapter is updated by Novel~Fire. (n)et
"This will be your quarters," she said. "Keep it tidy and functional. No personal luxuries are permitted beyond what is absolutely necessary. You're here to fight, not to live comfortably."
Asher nodded silently, placing his few belongings down on the bed.
Laura continued, "You'll be assigned to Squad Alpha-17. Your squad leader is Captain Renard. He'll brief you on your upcoming missions and daily responsibilities."
Just as she finished speaking, a tall, muscular man with sharp green eyes and a rugged face approached. His uniform was immaculate, adorned with the insignia of a seasoned officer.
"Magnus?" he asked, his voice rough but commanding.
"Yes, Captain," Asher replied, standing at attention.
Renard gave him a once-over, his gaze appraising but not unkind. "You've got the look of someone who's been through a few skirmishes. Good. But don't think your name or your bloodline will earn you any favors here. In this squad, everyone proves their worth through action. Clear?"
"Crystal clear," Asher responded, meeting his gaze confidently.
Renard gave a small nod of approval. "Good. Meet me at the training grounds in twenty minutes. We've got work to do."
As the captain walked away, Laura turned back to Asher. "One final thing," she said. "This isn't the Periphery anymore. Mistakes here won't just cost you your pride—they'll cost you your life. Remember that."
Laura turned her gaze to Emily, her tone firm but respectful. "You can return to the Magnus Camp and resume your duties there, but Asher is required to remain here. This is his assignment now."
Emily nodded without hesitation. Despite Laura only being an A-rank, Emily knew better than to question the hierarchy. In the military, rank on the battlefield wasn't solely determined by power but by authority and position. Laura's rank as a commanding officer here superseded Emily's standing as an elite, at least within this context.
"Understood," Emily said, her voice calm as she glanced at Asher. "Take care, young master. Remember, I'm just a message away if you ever need assistance."
Asher offered a small nod in return, appreciating her unwavering loyalty.
Laura, satisfied with the exchange, added, "Good. Now that's settled, let's focus on ensuring Asher integrates into this camp properly. He'll need discipline and readiness to face the challenges ahead."
With that, Emily gave a final glance at Asher, a flicker of concern crossing her face before she teleported away, leaving him in the hands of the outer area's command.
Asher turned back to Laura, who had already started walking away. "Come on, Magnus. There's no time to waste. Your training starts now."
Her sharp tone made it clear: there would be no special treatment here. Asher had stepped into a new world, one where his lineage and potential wouldn't shield him from the harsh reality of war.