Airplane

"Although it appears to be a truly reliable way to cultivate, I still can't believe it was stuffed into the gear. Such valuable content shouldn't be dwelling somewhere in a piece of armor" Kevin said with some doubt, "I should probably take a look at how the army trains their soldiers before deciding whether or not to cultivate by using this scroll."

After some thought, Kevin finally decided to put the scroll back in his backpack and bury it deep inside.

It doesn't matter if the scroll is real, Kevin would still be in trouble if someone saw its contents.

"Nonetheless, since there's nothing else to do, I'll join the army immediately," Kevin sighed before taking the backpack in his hands.

Since the frontlines were overseas, the whole transportation to the army was quite complicated. Soldiers had to go through a check-up, which would prove their identity, and only then would they be sent towards the frontlines.

The transportation was simple, people were sent by an ancient machine called an "airplane", or some important characters would sometimes be lucky enough to be personally transported by the different types of god power users.

"Fortunately, the airport was restored, otherwise I would have had to drive to the next town" Kevin pushed the door aside as he looked into the lonely room from the side, "I can't believe I've been in here for 5 months"

Kevin closed the door, not bothering to lock it since he wouldn't be coming back.

Taking out the phone, Kevin dialed a number and rented a taxi. Although the distance to the airport was an easy walk, and taxi fares were more expensive after the incident, Kevin had enough money to let himself for such treats.

After only a few minutes of waiting, the taxi had already arrived and Kevin hopped in the back seat without much thought.

"Where to?" asked a mature voice from the front.

"To the airport," Kevin replied as he adjusted his seat properly.

"Are you going to the front by any chance?" the mature voice spoke up again, finally managing to pique Kevin's interest as he glanced at the seat in front of him.

The driver was a rather old man with a black beard that hid almost all of his features, leaving only two deep, abysmal eyes.

"Indeed," Kevin answered before turning back to the window.

"That's good, my son, Markus, is departing today as well," the man said before continuing, "You'll probably be in the same group, I'm sure you will become good buddies"

"We'll see," Kevin smiled, seeing the wide grin on the man's expression. However, deep down, Kevin couldn't help but feel sorry for this father.

War is the place where only the fittest survive, and even if you are powerful, there's always a stronger enemy on the other side.

This is also the second reason Kevin wants to join the military. Only in the critical moments can the human powers truly enchant.

Kevin also wants to add some new beings to his collection and the military, where dying is so common, is the best place for him.

The man didn't talk anymore and just started the engine, beginning to ride towards the destination.

While driving, Kevin glanced through the window. The earlier completely broken buildings have already been rebuilt, with only a few still having a few cracks.

Honestly, it seemed like nothing had happened five months ago, but the completely silent streets showed that it wasn't that simple after all.

With 30 percent of the town dead, most people didn't dare to stay in this city anymore and headed south, thinking that a similar outbreak of monsters might occur again.

'Sophia...' Kevin thought before closing his eyes to get some rest before leaving.

.

.

.

.

"We have arrived," the man in the front seat spoke, immediately waking Kevin up as he inspected the surroundings.

Seeing the already different view from the window, Kevin nodded and took out some money.

"No need, young man, serving the country can already be considered payment," the man said.

"I know how hard it is to earn money in times like these. Please take it," Kevin replied. No matter what time is it, Kevin never liked getting free favors.

"By the way, I won't need any of this money in the military," Kevin continued to pursue until the man finally nodded and just took his deserved money.

"Good luck, young man," the driver said while smiling.

Kevin smirked back and hopped out of the car as an incredible view opened up to him.

Bluish waves hit the gray rocks, which scattered around the area, creating a strange yet peaceful symphony coupled with a deep blue ocean that filled the entirety of Kevin's pupils.

A slight breeze fell on Kevin's face, causing it to redden.

'This is the first time I've seen the ocean in its full beauty,' Kevin smiled before waving to the driver one last time and moving forward.

Kevin moved right towards an enormous building that took up the entire area right next to the ocean. The building reached the frightening height of a skyscraper with see-through windows.

Since Kevin's vision had improved after advancing to the superhuman stage, he managed to notice numerous people dressed in military uniforms scattered around the area.

Proceeding further, Kevin was finally noticed by someone.

"Another newcomer? Today's bunch is larger than expected," a mature voice sounded from the front as Kevin inspected the incoming person. It was yet another soldier, dressed in a brown uniform and a large helmet that hid his features.

'Why is he wearing a helmet?" thought Kevin before continuing to listen to the soldier.

"Give me your hand," the soldier extended his hand forward.

Kevin did as he was told to, knowing that this was part of the investigation.

As both their hand touched, a shiver went through Kevin's body, it felt like some sort of parasite lurked through his veins.

"Although the mana is still unstable, you have indeed reached the superhuman stage," the soldier said before continuing, "What is your name and the school you graduated from?"

"Kevin Gray, Hiroshima High School," Kevin replied.

"Hiroshima High School is still under reconstruction. I'm asking what school did you graduate from?"

"I haven't graduated yet," Kevin said while taking something out of his backpack.

"After the incident, every student was moved to another town to finish their education, even the orphans were given enough money to move out. What do you mean you haven't graduated yet?", the soldier was getting more and more confused with each passing second.

"Look at this," Kevin finally found the white card and tossed it to the guard, who caught it with one hand.

'What is this...General Oda?' the more the soldier read through the contents of the card, the sharper his gaze became until he muttered:

"You may go"

The soldier stepped aside and, after returning the card, signaled to move on. Kevin didn't even question the soldier's actions, knowing the true power Oda holds and went ahead to the building.

After some time, Kevin was directly below the huge structure, looking at the big gate that was slowly and synchronously opening.

'Cool,' Kevin thought, seeing the insides of the already opened gate. Blue light fell on Kevin's face, slightly blinding him as he blinked a few times.

Kevin looked directly at the huge brown plane that seemed to be made of some high-quality material.

He was so memorized by it that he didn't even notice how numerous teenagers were standing below the airplane, whispering.

"Come in," a girlish voice forced Kevin out of his daze as he looked towards the source of the noise.

A mature woman with black hair and a rounded body, which was covered by a gray sweatshirt stood on the spot, signaling Kevin to go ahead.

Kevin simply nodded to her and moved towards the group, which consisted of at least 50 people. He eyed mostly those who gave off a menacing aura, such as a golden-haired woman, whose face couldn't be fully seen because of the dark robe, and a dark-haired boy, who occasionally glanced in Kevin's direction.

'Some of them are quite strong, but it doesn't seem that there is anyone from the university here' Kevin thought.

Although every cultivator must join the military after reaching the superhuman realm and serve for two years, there were many ways to extend the department.

One of the most common ways is to go to university. The cultivator spends some time there, learns new things, enchants his power, reaches new realms, and only after graduation has to face the obligation of going to the military again.

Kevin is pleased that there are no university students in this group, as they usually tend to be arrogant between the weaker people and start bossing around.

'But it's weird that there aren't any university people,' Kevin eyed the group again.

About fifty percent of cultivators would rather go to university first and only then to the military because they gain more power, meaning better chances of staying alive on the battlefield.

'Are they that desperate for blood? Kevin chuckled.

"If any more kids show up, tell them to come tomorrow," the woman spoke into the radio before turning her gaze to the group, "What are you waiting for? Get in!"