"Welcome to the 17th Legion's 10th Cohort, recruits! I am Alezand Thoms Adit, the Pilus Prior, and most senior Centurion and commander of this Cohort." The decorated, older centurion spoke, holding his helmet at his side.

  He then scanned us with eagle eyes, as if looking for weakness, before continuing to speak as his red cape flowed with the wind.

  "As some of you might know, the 10th Cohort is the most undermanned, inexperienced, and weakest of the ten Cohorts comprising a legion, and for good reason, too! It is the training ground for fresh recruits like you. In here, we will break the civilian habits out of you and reforge you into Legionaries. During the next four months, you will hone your minds and bodies, and based on your performance, you will be assigned roles, some more advantageous than others, such as becoming Immunes or being assigned to the most prestigious 1st Cohort, where it is easiest to get promoted. Who knows, there are some rare cases of recruits becoming Centurions in three years."

  After he said that, my eyes immediately lit up.

  "Promotion! No manual bor! More money! Better prospects!"

  Others from a background simir to mine might not fancy such ideas, being content with serving a full term. But I was different. While those silver-spooned assholes had a better starting line... I had many lifetimes to make up for it!

  At this time, Adit continued speaking.

  "You will now be divided into six groups of eight, a contubernium, based on your background and skills, and assigned to one of the six Centuries, where the veterans will teach you. Selection will start now."

  After saying this, an Optio, the second-in-command of a Centurion, called out.

  "All of those who reached the Junior Warrior Realm or have Veteran Parents, step forward and get in a row."

  Immediately, the twelve veteran kids stepped forward, chests puffed and proud. However, the Centurions and other legionaries looked unimpressed, merely noting them.

  Immediately, the Optio walked forward and, from right to left, tapped their shoulders.

  "One, two, three, four, five, six, one, two, three, four, five, six. Remember those numbers and go to the side." The Optio said, pointing at the side.

  The veteran kids seemed to have anticipated something like this, unsurprised, and walked to the side, already gathered in six sub-groups.

  The Optio then did simir things, calling out everyone by profession.

  "Those born to Hunters, step forward."

  "Bcksmiths, step forward."

  "Farmers, step forward."

  "Butchers, step forward."

  "Medics, step forward."

  "Skilled Builders with proper education, not unskilled borers such as brickyers and handymen, step forward."

  When he called builders, I thought it was my time to shine, but I quickly realized how wrong I was. While I worked in construction, I was only an unskilled brickyer and simple handyman, never allowed to learn the proper trade. If I were a professional builder, I wouldn't live in a cramped and dangerous apartment with several smelly co-workers to save money.

  And then, the hammer struck as I understood how disadvantaged I was.

  "Everyone else, stand in a row."

  "Fuck!" I inwardly cursed, knowing I likely had the worst start possible.

  However, I still stood in the row, being st. And soon, the Optio continued the selection.

  "...One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six. Go to your groups."

  Feeling bitter in my mouth, I walked to the sixth group, standing right at the end, with two veteran kids standing in the front.

  While menting my inadequate background, the deputy returned to the Pilus Prior's side and spoke.

  "From here on out, each numbered group will form a contubernium, and you shall sleep, eat, learn, and train together for the duration of your training, and very likely for the next 25 years, so do try getting along."

  After saying this, he and five other Optios walked to each group and called.

  "First group, you are assigned to the 1st Century!"

  "Second group, you are assigned to the 2nd Century!"

  "Third group..."

  "..."

  "..."

  "Sixth group, you are assigned to the 6th Century! From here on out, I, Hendrix Bekn Pax, shall be your drill instructor. Is that clear!?" The man said, looking at all of us with stern eyes.

  "Yes, Sir!" We saluted.

  "Good. Now follow me. We need to get your training gear and arrange your living quarters. We start training tomorrow."

  .

  .

  .

  From there, we received our training gear, which included a wooden gdius and a rge wooden shield, each twice as heavy as the real things. And worse, these things actually cost money! I had to buy it with my bonus, and if I broke them, I needed to repair or repce them.

  Finally, we were led to our room, which was basically a cramped cell with four bunk beds. But at least the beds were slightly better than I am used to... Which didn't mean much.

  As we entered, without even saying a word, the two veteran kids took the two lower beds closer to the entrance, while the other two, a hunter and a bcksmith, took the other two lower beds. This was the unsaid hierarchy imposed on us from the start, and they knew their worth, so they acted accordingly. The other three and I, who were all farmers or borers, gave each other a wry smile, and each chose a bunk bed.

  "Well, I am used to hardship, so I guess that is my only advantage... For now." I thought as I pced my gear in a corner.

  We then ate dinner(Made by camp followers). Honestly, I knew they often ate dairy and meat, but that was the best and most nutritious meal I had eaten for a long time. We then washed up quickly and went to sleep.

  However, my sleep was a bit unusual, as I meditated instead of sleeping. A hidden benefit I discovered in meditation was that it reduced my sleep requirements and restored my physical condition a bit faster. Posture didn't matter, but breathing and thinking did, so I could do it while lying down.

  While meditating, I casually checked the Game Avatar's progress and made several pleasant discoveries.

  Wealth Score: 4(You are civily-dressed, bathed, well-fed, and sleep on an individual bed, even if in a small shared room and on the top bunk.)

  The Wealth Score doubled directly! And there were no more hurtful lines! Additionally, the Ally Score finally changed!

  Ally Score: 3(You are now a recruit in a Legion, meaning you have some military backing and support. However, you are also the lowest rung, even among recruits, and you are begrudgingly tolerated out of circumstances and not respected at all.)

  From 1.2, it changed all the way to 3! It was a huge improvement!

  It didn't even mention my friends, but I guess it made sense. What could three borers who live far away do compared to a Legion? But it also pointed out the obvious, which was that I was currently among the losers. I was honestly helpless about it.

  But at least the score improved, meaning the Game Avatar can advance several times faster!

  Another item worth noting was the Strength Multiplier. Although it decreased due to losing access to the gym and disgusting tonic, it increased again, even more than before!

  Strength Multiplier: 5x(Access to nutritious food, training gear, and brutal military instructors greatly increases your Strength Gain.)

  And there is even a new multiplier, one that I didn't expect.

  Military Multiplier: 3x(You are currently undergoing military training under rigid and brutal military instructors, increasing the leveling speed of military-reted csses and abilities.

  Normally, this multiplier would be useless to me... But-

  "I gained a new Css and Ability!" I excitedly thought.

  Csses:

  Common: [Click to Expand]

  Military:

  Recruit: lvl 4(Now in Progress)

  Since I made that oath, I obtained and switched to this new Css. Now, after running for over a day, it already reached lvl 4 even without the bonuses! I couldn't help but eagerly wait to see what level it would reach in a month and how much it could help me.

  Additionally-

  Abilities:

  Essential:

  Concentration: lvl 70(80) (In Progress)Productivity: lvl 20(20)Meditation: lvl 65(80)

  Combat:

  Strength: lvl 13(131)Muscle Memories: lvl 0(60) (Locked, Strength lvl 30 required)

  Military:

  Military Drills: lvl 0

  I received a new ability called Military Drills. What it did was simple- multiply the Military Csses' leveling speed by 1% per lvl. Once both Concentration and Meditation reach lvl 100, I pnned on entirely ignoring the Strength ability and alternating between upgrading Productivity and Military Drills before continuing to level Concentration and Meditation. After all, these two abilities were my bread and butter. And even if I focus on Strength again, the prestige was already at lvl 131, meaning I improved 14.1 times faster in real life than I originally did. By the time this training ends, I reckon I will be as strong as a full legionary who served for several years!

  What mattered now was to improve my training as a recruit and, more importantly, increase my Realm!

  "I hear that we will learn the Warrior Training Technique tomorrow. I hope it can also register as a Css or Ability..."

  With that hopeful thought, I continued my silent meditation, achieving a bit of inner peace as night quickly passed.

  The next day, in the early morning, we went to the training grounds with our new training gear, where our instructor, Pax, stood.

  "Okay, recruits, listen up! Today, I shall teach you the standard Legionary Breathing technique of the New Roman Empire. It is a low-level technique that all legionaries are expected to learn, and by the end of your training here, you are expected to become Junior Warriors. Of course, some of you already achieved it beforehand." Pax said, gncing at the two veteran kids.

  The two puffed their chests with pride, but I only rolled my eyes, not caring.

  Not caring about our thoughts, Pax spoke.

  "The Legionary Breathing technique can help you reach all the way to the Veteran Warrior realm. If you somehow become a General Warrior by the end of the training camp, you will get Junior Officer qualifications, or you can be reassigned to the 1st Cohort as an elite seedling. As for becoming a Veteran Warrior... That is the realm of all Centurions. However, you shouldn't dream about it in the next few years."

  However, his words ignited a curious light in my eyes.

  "If I reach the Veteran Warrior realm during boot camp... what would happen?"

  While I was fancying that strange thought, Pax spoke.

  "Now, make sure to pay attention! If you have any questions about the technique, ask them after I expin and demonstrate."

  After saying that, I concentrated all my focus on him, keen to learn.

  I saw Pax perform a stance before finally starting to breathe in and out in a special rhythm. He did this for about ten minutes and stopped, his forehead slightly sweaty.

  "That was it for my demonstration. Now, try to copy me, and I will assist each one of you on how to do it so you won't injure yourselves."

  And so, we started copying him for an hour before, finally, after I became sweaty all over and ruddy, and my lungs burning, we were given a break. Even the veteran kids, who were already Junior Warriors, were no exception.

  "Don't be discouraged. For most, it takes a month or two to get to understand the technique. Additionally, it takes time to temper your Energy Pathways. You will get the hang of it, sooner or ter." Pax gave a rare moment of encouragement, seeing us all tired.

  I just idly nodded, not paying attention to him. Instead, my eyes were locked on two new abilities that appeared.

  Abilities:

  Essential: [Click to Expand]

  Combat: [Click to Expand]

  Military: [Click to Expand]

  Warrior Cultivation:

  Legionary Breathing Technique(Bck Grade): lvl 0Tempered Energy Pathways: lvl 0

  "FUCK YES!"