But even so, these nine least capable boys should still stand out in boot camp, belonging to those who the various units would vie to have when replenishing their ranks.
After all, even those who had undergone [Soldier Badge] system training in boot camp are generally at T5 level. These nine boys had at least reached T4.
The remaining 141 would all be supplemented into the special combat brigade.
Before this, the special combat brigade had only about a hundred people and was in dire need of new recruits.
Out of the 141 added, at least they were T3 level, consistent with the current level of special combat soldiers; there were also 47 who had reached T2 level, which was much stronger than the average special combat soldier.
Thus, the strength of the special combat brigade was replenished to about 230 people, barely forming two special combat battalions.
It was precisely because the eliminated boys could be put to immediate use that Gu Hang selected boys aged between 16-18 when screening candidates below him.
Although boys of this age group still had room to grow and would still be considered as junior soldiers in the troops, colloquially referred to as "child soldiers."
But as long as it wasn't child's play.
Of course, everyone else in this group of boys was incidental, the crucial ones were those three chosen children.
Gu Hang now looked forward to their future with great anticipation.
Peleites Anatole came from the Green Valley Region; he was the son of a serf.
As a youth, he had a relatively good nutrition because his mother was slightly attractive and had a special relationship with the plantation owner's family.
His father must have known about it early on, but kept silent; for a long time, Anatole himself was unaware.
He occasionally heard whispers and rumors, but he brushed them off as mere silly insults from other boys during fights— at least, that's what he told himself.
But this year, disaster struck, and the plantation disbanded. His father decided to head north, taking his family of five—including his two younger sisters— to seek refuge.
Their family had good luck, reaching the Beiqing Valley Region just as the refugee camp was established. Contagious diseases hadn't spread there, and after a short stay in the camp, they were relocated to the Central Province and settled in Weixing City.
It was during this transition that he overheard a quarrel between his parents.
The gist of it was his mother lamenting their challenging life, questioning why they hadn't followed their old master, which resulted in his father calling her shameless. In turn, she furiously retorted, arguing that if not for her, how could his father, with just farming and the meager pay from their master, provide for the family...
Anatole didn't want to think about those things anymore.
In any event, although his parents hadn't split up yet, the family atmosphere had turned very sour since that quarrel.
Both his parents had secured an E5 classification and gone to work in different factories; he and his two sisters were allocated E2 and E3 classifications, respectively, and even had the opportunity to attend school.
Family life had improved significantly—they had a place to live, enough food to eat, and a warmer, more hopeful future.
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He didn't understand why, after life had gotten better, the same parents who had never mentioned those things before suddenly erupted into such a quarrel?
During two months of his parents' cold war, the day finally came when people with red hats visited the school to select "the most promising boys," and he eagerly signed up.
On one hand, it was a cool thing to do; on the other, he wanted to leave his home.
He didn't know how to solve the family conflicts, but avoiding them was a more comfortable option.
Many of his classmates were weeded out after simple tests, with very few passing, but he was one of the few.
After being selected, the red hats visited his home. His mother, upon hearing that her child would be taken away, wept bitterly, unwilling to let it happen. His father too, with trembling hands, forced a smile asking if it was possible not to go, if there were any other options.
They didn't know what might happen to their child after he left; instinctively, they didn't want Anatole to leave just as life was getting better.
According to his father's plan, after studying for a few more months, seventeen-year-old Anatole could join him at the military factory producing artillery. Although the work was hard, he would start as a stable E5 level and with seniority could steadily advance for a secure future.
Why wasn't that visible path a good one?
Truth be told, seeing his parents who had been cold toward each other for months suddenly clinging to one another, united in opinion, made him even more certain of his decision.
If his departure could improve the relationship between his parents, then that would be great.
But if staying would be better, well...
No, there was no staying.
He heard the conversation between the red hat and his parents.
The red hat, with a very stern attitude, made it clear that this was a conscription by the Alliance—failing to follow the conscription policy was a serious violation of the law, subject to severe punishment.
Then, softening his tone, he gently explained the Alliance's policy. He described that being a soldier, unlike being forced into service by a landlord or other settlements, came with a rank, benefits, and allowances, and was even better than the average worker—it was a promising future.