Chapter 63: Military Training Camp

Leon leaned forward and shot toward the dummies.

The first dummy swung its sword.

Leon ducked beneath the blade and spun on his heel.

Slash!

The dummy froze. A moment later, its upper body slid off and crashed to the floor.

One down.

Two more dummies thrust their swords toward him at once.

Leon leaped forward between them and spun. A flash of steel swept through the air.

Three dummies were instantly cleaved in half. Sparks and crackling circuits erupted from their bodies before the lights in their eyes dimmed.

Whoosh!

Another sword whistled through the air, aiming straight for his neck.

Leon casually raised his own blade and blocked the strike with ease.

Clang!

Before the dummy could react, his sword flashed again.

Its head flew off.

Leon moved like a dancer amidst the remaining dummies. He weaved between incoming attacks effortlessly, his footwork smooth and precise.

Slash!

Slash!

Slash!

One dummy after another fell apart. In less than twenty seconds, all ten dummies lay scattered across the floor.

Silence filled the training hall.

Jessica had been holding a file in her hand.

Flap!

The file slipped from her fingers and landed on the floor with a crisp sound.

She stared at Leon in disbelief.

Even Stanley remained silent. ’His class isn’t high,’ Stanley thought. ’Yet I’ve never seen someone wield a sword so smoothly like that. Is he really not from Summitas Valley?’

Leon lowered his sword and walked toward Stanley.

"Was that convincing enough, sir?" he asked. "Can I get a license now?"

Stanley looked at him carefully. "Those sword techniques... where did you learn them?"

"Is that important for getting a license?"

"No. I’m simply curious."

Leon shrugged. "I practiced on my own." ’Why is it so damn difficult just to get a hunter license?’ he thought inwardly.

"Hahahaha!" Stanley burst into laughter. "On your own, huh?"

He shook his head. "I don’t know whether you’re telling the whole truth or not, but either way, you’ve done well."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "If you truly learned all of that on your own, then you’re exceptionally talented." He paused. "But if you didn’t, and you’re simply hiding the source of your training, that’s fine too. It’s never wise to reveal every card in your hand."

After a brief silence, Stanley continued.

"Now, regarding your hunter license... I’m afraid I have some bad news."

Leon’s heart sank slightly.

"I can issue you a hunter license, but I can’t assign you a class. The assessment machines don’t work on you."

"What?" Leon’s brows furrowed. "Then does that mean I can never become a hunter? Or that I’ll be stuck in the lowest class forever?"

"Let me finish first," Stanley said calmly. "Don’t get worked up so quickly."

Leon quieted down.

"We can’t assign a class without official assessment data. The Hunter Association doesn’t have the authority to bypass that rule."

Stanley folded his arms. "But, the military does."

"The military?"

"Yes. You can participate in their training camp. Based on your performance there, they can directly assign your class. The military possesses that authority."

Leon’s eyes lit up slightly. "I was already planning to join that camp. But don’t I need at least an F-Class Hunter License to apply?"

"You’re well informed." Stanley nodded approvingly. "But let me clarify something. You don’t need an F-Class Hunter License to apply. You need the strength of an F-Class Hunter to survive the recruitment process. And judging by what I just witnessed, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with that."

"Really? No license required?"

"Yes." Stanley nodded. "Six months from now, when the training camp ends, you’ll surely get your hunter license registered."

Leon fell into deep thought. ’Isn’t that actually better? Even many renowned hunters start their careers through military training camps before officially joining the Hunter Association.’

Leon looked up and bowed slightly. "Thank you very much, sir. I’ll do my best to get selected for the camp."

Stanley stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I’m looking forward to seeing you alongside other hunters in the future. Raiding dungeons. Protecting humanity."

"Thank you, sir." Leon nodded. "I’ll take my leave now."

He gave one final respectful bow before leaving the training hall.

The door closed behind him.

For a few moments, neither Stanley nor Jessica spoke.

Then Jessica finally broke the silence. "He’s a cultivator, isn’t he?"

"Yes."

"Then he’s definitely from Summitas Valley."

Stanley shook his head. "I don’t think so. My instincts tell me he wasn’t lying. And why would he even lie in the first place? After all, it’s not unprecedented. People from Summitas Valley occasionally descend into the outside world and show interest in worldly affairs.

"But they always said they couldn’t cultivate outside Summitas Valley. That’s why the few who become hunters never stay long. They spend a month or two here before returning to the valley."

Stanley fell silent. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. After a while, he finally spoke. "Even if he’s from Summitas Valley, there is no problem. But..."

He turned toward Jessica. "Have someone keep an eye on him."

"Yes, Grandpa."

Meanwhile, Leon returned to the cafeteria.

The moment Jenny spotted him, she hurried over. "Brother, did you get it?"

"Not yet." Leon shook his head. "I have to join the military training camp first. After that, I’ll receive my hunter license."

"What?" Jenny’s eyes widened. "That long?"

"Yeah. It’s a real hassle." Leon sighed. "But there’s nothing I can do. The assessment machine didn’t work on me."

"What a dumbass machine," Jenny grumbled.

Leon immediately reached out and pinched her cheek.

"Ouch! Ouch!"

"You’ve been getting way too bold lately," Leon said with a straight face. "Looks like I need to teach you some manners when we get home."

"Let go of me, Brother! It hurts!"

The two siblings continued bickering as they left the Hunter Association and headed home.

After dinner, Leon lay on his bed with his hands behind his head.

"Looks like I’ll have to attend classes for the next few days. College finals’ results are a must to apply for the military training camp."