"Solaris Empire: Second Expedition II"

Rat Calendar, Year 2026

6th Day of January, Tuesday Morning to Afternoon

The Main Capital of the Western Continent, the Solaris Empire

The streets of the Solaris Empire's Main Capital were bustling with activity. Merchants called out to potential customers, and armored knights patrolled the roads, maintaining order. The grand buildings, decorated with golden banners, reflected the empire's power and wealth.

Accel walked through the city, dressed in the formal attire provided at the teleportation hub. Despite his preference for more comfortable clothing, he had gotten used to it after a few hours. His destination was the Solaris Reach Organization's Main Hall, where all volunteers for the Second Expedition were required to report.

After passing multiple checkpoints, he finally arrived at a massive building with a tall, arched entrance. The Solaris Reach Organization's Emblem, a golden sun over a black shield, was engraved above the doors.

Registration and Entry Test

Inside, dozens of people stood in line, filling out forms at registration booths. Swordsmen, archers, magic casters, and even support-based classes like alchemists and engineers were present. Everyone here had come with the same goal—to join the expedition.

Accel moved toward an open registration desk. A male receptionist (Male A), dressed in a military uniform, barely glanced at him before handing over a form.

"Fill this out and proceed to the testing hall."

Accel nodded and quickly wrote down his details. Instead of listing the Archivist System, he wrote the Swordsman System as his class. He kept his abilities hidden—there was no reason to reveal more than necessary. Once done, he handed the form back. The receptionist skimmed through it before stamping it with approval.

"Proceed to the testing area. Next!"

The Testing Hall

The testing hall was an open-air training ground behind the main building. Several examiners observed the participants, all dressed in high-ranked officer uniforms. Weapons of various types were lined up, and several groups of recruits were already undergoing trials.

A female officer (Female A) stepped forward. She had a sharp gaze and a commanding presence.

"All volunteers must pass three tests: Strength, Stamina, and Endurance. Those who fail will be rejected. No exceptions."

She gestured toward a large stone pillar embedded with magical inscriptions.

"The Strength Test requires you to strike this pillar. The higher the number, the better your evaluation."

One by one, the recruits stepped forward. Warriors swung their swords, mages used force-enhanced attacks, and archers struck with reinforced arrows. Some performed well, while others barely met the minimum requirement.

When Accel's turn came, he stepped forward, drawing the practice sword provided for the test. Taking a deep breath, he controlled his power carefully—not too weak, but not strong enough to raise suspicion.

With a swift strike, his sword hit the pillar.

[STRIKE POWER: 680]

Murmurs spread among the crowd. It was a solid score for a swordsman. Accel stepped back as the officer marked his results. She gave a brief nod, satisfied with his performance.

Stamina and Endurance Tests

Next was the Stamina Test. The recruits were required to run five laps around the massive training ground within a set time limit. Those who failed to complete the laps fast enough would be disqualified.

Accel paced himself, neither leading nor falling behind. By the final lap, he had plenty of energy left, unlike others who were visibly exhausted. The officer took notes before moving on to the final test.

The Endurance Test required standing inside a magic circle that emitted waves of pressure. The longer a person endured, the higher their score.

Recruits stepped into the circle one by one. Some collapsed within a few seconds, while stronger warriors lasted for minutes.

When Accel entered the circle, the pressure pushed down on his body like a massive weight. However, compared to the monsters he had fought before, this was nothing. He stood motionless, calmly waiting as seconds turned into minutes.

The officer eventually signaled for him to stop. "You pass."

Final Evaluation

After the tests, all recruits were gathered. A male officer (Male B) holding a clipboard read through the results.

"Those who passed will be divided into three divisions: Frontline Combat, Tactical Support, and Research Teams. Those who fail will be dismissed."

He glanced at the list and continued, "Step forward when your name is called."

Names were read one by one, followed by their assigned division. When Accel's name was called, the officer raised an eyebrow.

"Accel Winchester. Division—Frontline Combat."

A few nearby recruits glanced at him in surprise. The Frontline Combat Division was the most dangerous role. Those assigned here would be the first to engage enemies. Most frontline members were seasoned warriors or high-ranking adventurers.

The officer looked at Accel. "You're a swordsman, correct?"

"Yes."

The officer nodded, marking something on his list. "Then prepare yourself. This is no place for the weak."

Accel didn't respond, only giving a slight nod. He had chosen the frontline for a reason. He wanted firsthand experience in the expedition, not a passive role. What the others didn't know was that he possessed multiple combat skills—swordplay, shield techniques, and even magic attacks. But he had no intention of revealing that yet.

The briefing continued, explaining that the expedition would depart in three days. All recruits were expected to report to the Solaris Reach Organization every morning for additional training and preparation.

As the meeting concluded, Accel glanced around at the other recruits. Some looked confident, others nervous. He could already tell that many wouldn't survive long in the upcoming expedition.

With his acceptance confirmed, he left the testing grounds, heading toward the designated barracks where recruits would stay until departure.