My Worth
By the end of the day, there were only six soldiers left. Adam and Bryan included.
("There were a lot less than I thought.") [Adam]
Those who failed were immediately kicked off site. All that was left was the six lined up.
"At ready!" [Senior Officer]
Hearing his command, everyone straightened themselves.
"From now on, you all will be stuck together whether you like it or not! Each of you are the very best out of those who failed! The cream of the crop!" [Senior Officer]
He paced back and forth.
"That means you all have to work harder than anyone else! Tomorrow onward will start your real training! As for the rest of today, select a tent and pick a leader! Then, practice S.O.P. before 0800!" [Senior Officer]
("S.O.P?") [Adam]
Stuck in his thoughts, Adam missed the rest of the officer's speech.
"Dismissed!" [Senior Officer]
The officer left, leaving the six soldiers to stare at each other.
"...Does anyone want to start with introductions?" [Bryan]
"You first." [Arrogant Soldier]
It appeared that the very first person to pass the obstacle course wasn't very friendly. He had brown hair with a buzzcut, along with a small scar dividing his right eyebrow.
"I'm Bryan. How about you?" [Bryan]
"Howard." [Arrogant Soldier]
He then looked at Adam.
"And you're Adam, I assume?" [Howard]
Adam raised a brow.
"I only said my name during the first day. I'm surprised you remembered it." [Adam]
"I tend to remember things I find interesting." [Howard]
"Oh? Is it because I'm good looking?" [Adam]
The others just stared at Adam.
"...You're strong. I can tell." [Howard]
"You can tell? What about the others?" Adam]
"Nothing worth mentioning." [Howard]
"I can't let that one slide." [???]
The only female soldier stepping in. She had her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, and she did not look happy.
"Do you know how hard we worked to get here? I won't let you talk down on us." [???]
"...And you are?" [Bryan]
"The name's Alice. The one who's going to be the leader of this group." [???]
"I refuse. You're too weak." [Howard]
"What was that?!" [Alice]
The two were already at each other's throats. Seeing that, Bryan had to step in.
"H-Hold on! Let's wait until the other two introduce themselves!" [Bryan]
The last two were the soldiers who Adam helped. As everyone turned to them, they also glanced towards Adam.
"What? Aren't you going to say your names?" [Adam]
The two of them hesitated until one of them stepped up.
"I'm Leo. I think Adam should be the leader." [Leo]
"Huh?" [Adam]
Somewhat confused, the other stepped up.
"I'm Robert. You guys can call me Rob if you like. I also think Adam should be the leader." [Robert]
Howard and Alice looked dissatisfied.
"I should be the leader." [Howard]
"What right does Adam have?" [Alice]
Adam raised his arms as if to surrender.
"Wait. I don't want to be a leader though." [Adam]
"Then who do you suppose should be the leader then?" [Alice]
"Bryan." [Adam]
Bryan's eyes went wide with surprise.
"M-Me?!" [Bryan]
"If that's the case, then I will also nominate him." [Robert]
"I second that." [Leo]
Howard raised his hand.
"Hold on. What are everyone's abilities?" [Howard]
Adam went silent.
"...What does it have to do with anything?" [Adam]
"Abilities are power. I'm sure you have a high level one considering how mine is reacting." [Howard]
"Huh? What is your ability?" [Bryan]
"Level 6 Combat Rating. I can assess a person's strength and can get a general grasp of their weaknesses." [Howard]
"...That sounds pretty overpowered." [Krino]
"It would be a different story if it was just being able to assess a person's strength." [Astos]
Howard turned towards Adam.
"Now that I've said mine, how about you say yours?" [Howard]
"Level 1 Compression." [Adam]
Most of them gasped.
"Level 1?! You shouldn't even be here!" [Alice]
Adam gave her a glare.
"What of it? Even with my level 1 ability, are any of you here certain you can defeat me? Ability level doesn't determine a person's worth." [Adam]
Howard and Alice gave him a disgusted look.
"Of course I can defeat you." [Alice]
"Perhaps my ability was malfunctioning." [Howard]
Adam snapped his fingers.
"You know what? I just had an idea. Let's have a brawl to see who gets to be leader." [Adam]
"I agree." [Howard]
"As do I." [Alice]
Bryan immediately raised his hand.
"I forfeit." [Bryan]
Quickly following behind, Leo and Robert did the same.
"What? You're going to back out like this?" [Alice]
Leo and Robert took nervous glances at Adam.
"I don't think I'd win." [Leo]
"You guys can have fun. I'm not joining." [Robert]
Howard scoffed.
"This is going to be easy." [Howard]
Alice, Adam, and Howard faced each other as the others backed away.
"May the best man win." [Adam]