Long Overdue Reward
On the day they completed their training, Floch led the group of nearly fifty low-ranked demons directly from the training grounds to the administrative building.
The building wasn't far from their barracks, but the sight of a large group of low-ranked demons marching in formation behind Floch naturally attracted attention.
The mid-ranked demons lingering near the building noticed them immediately.
When they recognized Floch at the front of the group, along with the fresh batch of low ranks behind him, looks of understanding crossed their faces.
One of them stepped forward, glancing at Xaren's group as he addressed Floch with an amused grin.
"Floch! Running your crazy wing training again, huh?"
The comment drew a wave of realization through the low ranks. This wasn't the first time Floch had subjected new low ranks to the gruelling training they had just endured.
The mid-ranked demon shook his head and continued, his tone half-joking.
"Most batches finish up in a month, but you took what—five extra weeks this time?
Seriously, it's just teaching them how to fly and use their wings as magic catalysts. Why do you drag it out so long?"
Floch raised a brow at the remark and replied with a question of his own.
"The real question is why you take so little time to do it. Is it because you can't be bothered to teach them properly?"
His words drew a few chuckles from nearby demons, but there was no denying the truth behind them.
Most of the mid-ranked demons, all of which had higher military ranks, didn't bother to put in much effort when training the lowest-tier soldiers.
Instead, they handed off the work to other low-ranked demons, preferring to supervise from the sidelines.
Floch was one of the few who actually taught and trained them.
"You lot just skim the surface since you couldn't be bothered to care too much. But I teach them thoroughly.
That's why, despite always taking longer than you, I've never been reprimanded for it."
The mid-ranked demon scoffed but had no rebuttal. Floch's words were true.
Despite pushing back schedules by a full month every time he trained a batch, none of the High-Ranked demons ever called him out for it.
It wasn't because they didn't notice; they were well aware of the delays. Instead, it was because they tacitly approved of Floch's methods.
Reminded of this fact, the other mid-ranked demon merely sighed, shaking his head in resignation. Eager to steer the conversation away, he waved dismissively and spoke.
"Just go and get these guys their new gear already."
Floch smirked, brushing him off.
"I was planning to without your reminder."
With that, he turned and led the group to another section of the administrative building.
This was where their proper demon army uniforms awaited them—far better than the rugged training clothes they had worn for the past two months.
Inside, they were handed three sets of uniforms, each bearing the insignia of their new military rank, 'Private'.
Along with the uniforms, they received three pairs of combat boots and standard-issue weapons, including two main weapons, daggers, and partial armour designed to layer over the enchanted fabric of their uniforms for extra protection.
For Xaren and Ilya, who already had Runeblades and magic pouches stocked with potions and coins, those Runeblades were to be their primary weapons, while the standard-issue gear would serve as spares.
Once the distribution was complete, Floch called out four names—Xaren, Ilya, Carack, and Bjorn.
"You four, with me. The rest of you, back to your barracks."
The selected group followed Floch to yet another section of the administrative building, where they encountered a familiar face.
A mid-ranked demoness, the one who had outfitted Xaren with enchanted clothes on his first day, was seated behind a desk. She looked up as they entered, exhaling an exasperated sigh.
"Finally, you're here," she muttered under her breath, then yanked open a drawer and retrieved several rolled-up parchments, unceremoniously tossing them toward the group.
They caught them reflexively, and as they examined the items in their hands, she added with a dry tone.
"Your rewards for killing that giant two months ago. You should've received them back then, but this idiot—" she gestured toward Floch "—dragged you straight into training before I could get these to you."
The demoness's sharp glare settled on Floch as she finished her complaint, and the fire demon turned his gaze away, attempting a poor whistle that fooled no one.
Rolling her eyes, she plucked a key card from her desk and flung it at Floch's head. When he caught it before it could hit, the demoness clicked her tongue.
"That's the key card to the special training rooms. Let them go use those souls in there."
Turning her attention back to Xaren, Ilya, Carack, and Bjorn, she added a stern warning.
"Don't open those parchments until you're inside the special rooms. Unless you're in the mood to get bullied by stronger low-rank demons who want to snatch those souls from you."
The four of them nodded silently, quickly tucking the parchments into their bags, hidden among their uniforms and boots.
Without further delay, Floch led them out of the administrative building. Their destination: the special training rooms where they could safely use the souls.
◇ ◇ ◇
The souls they had been rewarded with were those of low-rank angels around their level, with a few from existences 10 to 20 levels higher.
The absorption process wasn't quick or easy—it took the group an entire day to fully absorb the energy in those souls, ending with their stat levels increasing significantly.
For Xaren, his durability, which had lagged behind the rest, finally caught up, reaching D+, while his health and agility inched closer to C-.
The next day, after their morning drills and breakfast, they were herded onto a large bus. To Xaren, it was a curious, elongated version of the cars he had seen around the base.
Their destination was the Outpost where their new unit was.
Floch, however, did not accompany them. His job ended when he was done teaching them how to use their wings.
He passed the group off to a Lieutenant, who would oversee their transition into active duty.
And like so, Xaren's group was relocated to a new Outpost, where dozens of other new low-rank demons from across the continent had already been stationed for over a month.
◇ ◇ ◇
Floch yawned and stretched as the long bus carrying his latest batch of recruits disappeared down the road.
With his task finally complete, he turned back toward the administrative building.
He spotted one of his friends nearby and was just about to sling an arm around their shoulder when the nearby space door in the lobby activated.
From it stepped the figure of the High-Rank demon Naephas. At the sight of him, Floch and his friend quickly bowed and greeted him in unison.
""Gooday Sir.""
Naephas turned when he heard them, and upon spotting Floch, he raised a brow.
"Oh, are you finally done with your batch?"
"Yes, sir," Floch replied with a nod.
"Good. Come with me," Naephas instructed, already moving toward the staircase leading to the top floor where his office resided.
Floch followed silently, his feet thudding against the polished floor as they ascended.
"Your batch hasn't been on any missions yet. The others who completed their wing training a month ago have already been on one or two missions and have fought one or two battles.
Long story short, your group is weaker than the current average."
Floch gave a quiet nod, acknowledging the critique without protest. Naephas continued.
"While it can't be helped, it wouldn't do us any good to let them stay weaker. I'll assign them missions to improve their skills and get EXP."
Naephas reached out into empty air and space distorted, revealing the entrance to his subspace. He then grabbed some files from inside and tossed them towards Floch who caught them deftly.
"One of those missions doesn't involve direct combat for the most part, but it's the most important of the lot.
I'll leave it to your discretion to select the right demons for that one. For the others, review the records of those in your batch and choose those capable of handling the tasks and battles outlined."
"Understood, sir."
After Floch nodded, Naephas was about to dismiss him, but he hesitated, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"Since a few of those under Lord Xynax's watch are among them…"
He raised a finger and traced a magic sigil in the air, giving it physical form before sending it floating towards Floch.
"Once you've finalized your selections, attach this seal to the proposal sent to the Central Outpost. It will ensure the highest priority is given to it."
Floch bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude. As the Highest Ranked demon present, any document bearing Naephas' seal would be fast-tracked without question.
"I'll be expecting results, Colonel Floch."
Floch's eyes widened slightly at Naephas' use of his full rank, but he quickly recovered, snapping a salute.
"Yes, General."