I Just Wanted to Buy Bread, Not Get Dragged Into a Military Interview!

The first day of training started way too early by Deren's standards.He dragged himself toward the main field, eyes half open, hoodie still over his wrinkled cadet uniform, and a half-eaten egg sandwich in his left hand.

"You sure you're allowed to eat that during morning formation?" Ryn asked flatly.

"If I wasn't, they would've confiscated it by now," Deren replied with a yawn. "Besides, breakfast is important."

Kael stood beside them, practically glowing with enthusiasm."I already stretched for an hour! We've got to be ready! This is the day we prove ourselves as humanity's future heroes!"

Deren looked at Kael like he was from another dimension."You and I clearly live in different realities."

At the front of the formation, a broad-chested instructor with a voice like thunder began the orientation.

"Welcome, new cadets! Starting today, you're no longer mommy's little angels! You are the foundation of civilization—the final shield of humanity!If you can't handle pressure, step aside before the Core blows you up from the inside!"

Some cadets looked nervous.Deren just chewed his sandwich slowly.

Core explosion? Nice. Sounds like the perfect excuse to stay away from dangerous equipment.

"We'll start with Core synchronization tests. Those who fail... tough luck. Those who pass... proceed to the next session."

First session: Basic Core Synchronization Test.

Each cadet was given a pair of standard Core gloves and a metal orb simulator.The task: transfer Core energy from the glove into the orb and activate it.

"This is easy!" Kael said as his orb lit up in a bright blue glow.

Ryn completed it calmly, his energy flow perfectly controlled.

Deren stared at his orb with disinterest.

"…So I just send energy into this thing?" he asked the supervising technician.

"Yes. Focus through the glove and transfer it into the orb."

Deren sighed, placed the orb on the ground, sat cross-legged, took a short breath——and dumped the energy in all at once.

—BOOM.

A small explosion burst from the orb, followed by a puff of white smoke.

Technicians panicked instantly.

"Overload?! But that glove has a limiter!""Energy reading: transfer completed in 0.4 seconds. That's... not normal!"

Deren raised a hand."Sorry. I… don't know where the throttle is."

Kael stood with his jaw dropped.Ryn stared at him with a 'is he faking it or is this real?' look.

The instructor walked over.

"Name?"

"Deren. Tech division. I… do repairs."

The instructor eyed him for a long moment."Starting today, you're in additional Core control classes."

"Wait, that means I have to… do extra training?"

"Correct."

Goodbye, afternoon naps...

That evening, Deren sat under a large tree in the back area of the academy, trying to nap while avoiding Kael (who kept asking to spar) and Ryn (who silently watched him).

"You know, Deren," Kael said, plopping down beside him, "if you got serious, you could totally become a Rank-A cadet in no time."

Deren replied without opening his eyes,"My life goals are simple: don't die, don't starve, and don't get involved."

"That's… sad but honest," Ryn murmured.

Deren raised an eyebrow."See? Ryn gets it."

From a distance, a man in dark glasses observed them while speaking quietly into his communicator.

"Target spotted. Core synchronization off the charts. Do not engage. Continue surveillance."

The world believed Deren was a key figure in a new technological revolution.

But in truth…he just wanted to buy some bread. And sleep. Preferably without being bothered by the world.