MIGHT AS WELL BE OP - Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Cafeteria
The man reacted the instant Vazeryth vanished, springing into action with practiced efficiency.

With a swift motion, he retrieved a device and summoned the healers, who wasted no time in tending to the wounded.

As they moved with urgency, weaving restorative energy through broken bodies, his gaze lingered on Anthony, silent, assessing, before he turned back to his duties.

Amid the sea of fallen warriors, only he and Anthony remained standing.

“Which monster would be joining the ranks this time?”

He mused, striding forward with purpose.

With swift precision, he issued orders to have those who had fainted loaded onto a ship and returned to their respective homes.

Once the unconscious had been evacuated and the wounded restored to health, the man spoke again.

“You will be taken to a place of rest before the real test begins. Follow me”

Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode forward.

Within minutes, they arrived at another building.

The man gestured toward it briefly.

“You may choose any room here. A cafeteria is located below for those who require nourishment”

Then, without so much as a glance back, he ascended into the sky and vanished.

There was no need to entertain questions.

They were mere recruits, candidates yet to earn their place.

Why waste time on those who might never stand among their ranks?

Anthony moved with effortless grace, his steps unhurried, his demeanor unshaken.

None noticed that Vazeryth’s overwhelming presence had left him completely unaffected, but then again, they were far too occupied, battling for their very survival.

Without a word, Anthony strode into the building, his movements deliberate.

He made his way to the elevator, pressed the button for the topmost floor, and waited, his expression unreadable.

_______________

In a simple office containing only a desk and three chairs, Vazeryth sat, reviewing the files before him.

Though it might have seemed like the military had simply gathered recruits at random and brought them to their base, the reality was far more meticulous.

Every enlisted individual had been thoroughly examined, every detail of their life scrutinized and recorded.

Much like the Academy’s process, but the military took it to an even more extreme level.

They would uncover everything, what you ate, how many times you suckled at your mother’s breast as an infant, the way you snore at night, the friends you keep, even your mana net history.

Nothing remained hidden.

Every detail was sampled, dissected, and laid bare before their eyes.

They understood that despite such exhaustive scrutiny, many recruits would still fail the military assessment.

But that was of no concern.

What if, among them, a spy lurked, one who intended to infiltrate, plant something, and slip away under the guise of trail failure?

The military took no chances.

Vazeryth tapped his finger against the table, his thoughts drifting back to Anthony.

“Interesting kid”

He murmured, reaching for Anthony’s file.

Though Michael had registered Anthony for military recruitment less than twelve hours ago, the military had already uncovered every detail they could about him.

Of course, Anthony was well aware of this.

His Perfect One skill wasn’t just for show. He had recognized the military’s surveillance immediately, but instead of resisting, he had simply allowed them to proceed, unbothered.

Vazeryth flipped open Anthony’s file, his sharp eyes scanning the contents.

Name, age, cultivation rank, achievements, each detail was meticulously recorded.

His past battles were highlighted, listing his opponents’ ranks, his abilities, and even the unique nature of his eyes.

Of course, not everything about Anthony’s abilities and skills had made it onto paper.

Some things simply couldn’t be quantified.

Seeing Anthony’s absurd rank at just eighteen, Vazeryth had deliberately intensified the pressure, tripling the force that even a prodigy at the Ecliptic Rank should have struggled to endure.

Yet, Anthony hadn’t so much as flinched.

A grin formed on Vazeryth’s lips.

“Truly, he is the son of those two”

Leaning back, he closed the file with a quiet snap.

“I wonder how he will perform tomorrow”

__________

Anthony stepped into his room, it was nothing extravagant.

Plain colored walls, a simple bed, and a modest table with a chair tucked beside it.

Functional, but unremarkable.

He sat on the bed for a moment before pulling out his phone, dialing his father’s number to give an update on his journey so far.

The call rang for a while before disconnecting. No answer.

Unbothered, he tried his mother next.

Once again, silence.

Anthony exhaled, shaking his head.

“Sigh… Are they always this busy whenever they’re at the military, or what?”

He muttered to himself.

Anthony rose from the bed, stretching slightly.

“Might as well check out the cafeteria. Let’s see how military food tastes”

As he stepped out of his room, a sudden thought struck him.

“Speaking of which… how have I lived in this world for eighteen years and never tasted dragon or phoenix meat?”

Lost in contemplation, he walked down the hall, his curiosity piqued.

Then, with a shrug, he pushed the thought aside.

“Well, that’s a matter for another time”

With that, he continued on his way.

As Anthony stepped into the cafeteria, he was greeted by the bustling atmosphere of recruits already sampling various dishes and food.

The air was filled with chatter as groups formed, some composed of recruits from the same races, all huddled around tables and discussing the military with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

“To think the military has already eliminated some people and the recruitment test hasn’t even started”

“What do you expect? This is the military, the first and last line of defense in the world. Their standards are obviously sky-high”

“I thought I was going to die when that soldier appeared. Isn’t his presence a bit too overwhelming? I wonder what his cultivation rank is”

“He’s obviously at the Sovereign rank”

“I hope he isn’t too strict with the test tomorrow”

“Do you think there will be a written test? I don’t know any of the military’s history or facts”

“This isn’t a school. I’m sure there won’t be any written exams”

Their discussions flowed around him as he walked through the cafeteria, the murmur of their voices blending into a constant hum.

Many of the topics remained the same, centered around the looming test and the intimidating presence of the soldiers.

Anthony approached the counter, placed his order, and received his meal.

After eating, he observed his fellow recruits as they continued their animated discussions, their voices blending into the background.

Once he finished, he stood up without a word and made his way out of the cafeteria.

A yawn escaped him as he walked down the hallway, his mind already drifting toward rest.

With nothing else to occupy his time, he decided there was no better way to pass the hours than to sleep until the test began the following day.