fynovel Chapter 934: Enlistment Center (2)
Chapter 934: Enlistment Center (2)
Chapter 934: Enlistment Center (2)
The lady's eyes gleamed with fervor as she spoke. "Well," she said, her voice tinged with excitement, "you must go alone from now on. The person inside the office will help you get through the enlistment process."
As the lady spoke with fervor, her eyes gleaming with zeal, Erik couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over him. He maintained a composed face, concealing the perplexity swirling within him.
Observing her fired-up demeanor, he couldn't shake off the nagging thought that she should have been aware of the true nature of the Blackguards.
Erik found it puzzling, even disconcerting, that someone could be so enthusiastic about an organization he knew harbored dark goals.
Yet, he kept his thoughts to himself, offering only a neutral nod in response. In the end, he had no proof she knew what he knew.
"There is a lot to sign; I'm warning you." A smile, bright with enthusiasm, spread across her face.
Erik nodded at her. "Thanks," he said, grossed out by the situation, and then entered the office.
He walked into the spacious room, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a magnificent view of the city.
There was a holographic computer on a wooden desk, projecting colorful, three-dimensional graphs and diagrams that a serious-looking man in a military uniform was studying.
There were also lists of names, and other information Erik didn't really care about since it was for sure about other under scrutiny candidates.
When Erik approached, the man raised his head. "You must be our recruit," he said, gesturing to a chair opposite him. "Have a seat."
He sat down while the gentleman consulted a tablet on his desk.
"Let's get the enlisting process started, shall we? I'm Marshall Caldwell, head of recruiting. We can begin with some paperwork. I need your full name, date of birth, and previous military experience."
It wasn't like they didn't already have this information. But they wanted to see what "Ben Fink" was going to say. Was he going to lie? Was he going to overestimate or underestimate himself?
From Erik's answer, a lot of things might change.
Erik took a moment to plan a response. His only thoughts were about the fact that the man in front of him was a Marshall from New Alexandria's army.
This man, a Marshall, served as a deskman for the blackguards. It made little sense, and how could he accept that degrading role? He was a fucking Marshall!
"Ben Fink, sir," he said.
"Well, private Fink, this is the situation."
The Marshall began explaining the various forms Erik would need to fill out regarding duties, payroll, and administrative details.
He listened while also studying the Marshall's demeanor. He was having trouble understanding how such a high-ranking person within a nation's army could do administrative work for the blackguards.
Of course, with duty came different kinds of jobs, yet the situation didn't sit well with Erik, as it only showed the power that the scoundrels had over this country.
Caldwell's tone was firm, yet not unkind, as he addressed Erik. "All right, Ben," he began, his voice carrying a sense of authority tempered with a hint of reassurance. "As a potential new Initiate, you are now in a probationary period during which you'll be evaluated."
Erik observed a slight furrow forming between Caldwell's brows, indicating a seriousness underlying his words. It was evident that Caldwell took his role seriously, his demeanor reflecting a sense of duty to uphold the standards of the Blackguards.
"A veteran blackguard will mentor you," Caldwell continued, his expression softening slightly with a hint of encouragement, "ensuring you understand our procedures and show potential for advancement, but you will also be required to study independently."
Erik noticed a subtle shift in Caldwell's demeanor, a faint tightening of his jaw suggesting a measure of expectation placed upon Erik.
With that, Erik left the office, his mind racing with what he had gleaned from the man's mind.
These guys did next to nothing. The only things he was aware of were procedures and information about some of the mentors. Mainly what they liked, how they were, how they
carried themselves.
From what Erik saw, the blackguards enforced very strict measure to make it so that no one could reveal anything worthwhile. Only the higher ups and the strongest among the blackguards were going to have more information.
Ben Fink's identity suddenly became too significant to ignore. He needed to get a respectable
rank within the organization and do it fast if he wanted to find what he was searching for.
When Erik left, he found again the woman who had let him in.
"Have you finished with the enlisting process?"
"Yes, I was just talking to Marshall Caldwell."
The woman looked pleased. "That's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you. The Marshall only
meets with the most promising new recruits."
Erik fought back a scowl. "Thank you. Did you perhaps have been waiting here this whole
time?"
The woman nodded. "It's my responsibility to assist any new members. The Blackguards take such exceptional care of their members, right? They truly value each individual and want to
provide the support needed for all to succeed."
Erik held back a derisive laugh. The effects of propaganda were strong on this woman.
"That's good to hear."
"It is, right? Well, let me know if you have any questions," the woman told him. "I'm happy
to help."
"Thank you; I appreciate it."
"This way now..." Erik started following the woman. He didn't know where she was bringing him. In the meantime, he thought about her words and gave a slight shake of his head.
The nonsense the woman spouted about the Blackguards made him cringing. Though he
supposed it was expected from someone so deeply under their spell.
"Where are we going, exactly?"
"I need to show you where you will take your assessment."
"Ah... Thanks, I guess." After some time, the two arrived in a small room. There was a single desk with a chair and a
computer.
"That's the device you will need to use to pass the test. Whenever you feel ready to take the
test, come here, find me, and let me know."
"Understood."