On the night before the tests started, four months after I started training, I concluded the life of Recruit #6 and checked the Life Evaluation.

  Life Evaluation: The Strongest Recruit in history, who can best a regur Centurion combat-wise, is still a Recruit, albeit an absurdly powerful one.

  "The strongest recruit, hah? Well, just as it said, it is still a recruit. Oh well, let's see how far I progressed after these four months of training."

  With a thought, I started the next Game Avatar's life and checked it out.

  Life Progress:

  Simuted Life: Recruit #7Age: 18 years and 224 days.Expected Lifespan: 69 years and 69 days.Warrior Realm: 2Magician Realm: 0Current Time Progression Speed: 4 Simuted Years/ 1 Real-Life Day.

  Csses: Recruit lvl 62 (407)(In Progress) [Click to Expand]Abilities: Concentration lvl 37 (250), Productivity lvl 24 (250), Meditation lvl 34 (250), Academics lvl 12 (250), Strength lvl 50 (374), Muscle Memory lvl 22 (250), Military Drills lvl 23 (250), Legionary Breathing Technique(Bck Grade) lvl 33 (200), Tempered Energy Pathways lvl 33 (200)Happiness Multiplier: 32.16x [Click to Expand]Strength Multiplier: 6.1x [Click to Expand]Military Multiplier: 3.69x [Click to Expand]Warrior Cultivation Multiplier: 1.99x [Click to Expand]Realm Multiplier: 4x [Click to Expand]

  Hint: Try your best on the tests! Make sure to get assigned to the best pce!

  "I sure will!" I mentally replied to the system hint.

  Finally, I went to sleep.

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  Starting the next day, I underwent multiple tests.

  On the first day, we marched 20 miles in full gear and carrying heavy backpacks. And then, after a brief rest, trekked an additional 24 miles in a forced march.

  On the second day, we were tested on our swimming ability in full gear, our ability to construct and dismantle a fortified camp, and our ability to maintain weapons and armor.

  On the third day, they tested our formations, unit cohesion, throwing Pilums, and sparring. I was matched up with a tough guy named Danirel, the second-best recruit who was also a General Warrior, and fought him. Honestly, I barely even knew the guy, but he fought me as if his life depended on it. It almost made me feel sorry for beating him in the sparring match. Almost.

  On the fourth day, they tested our literacy. While I can't say I am now a schor, I can now proudly say that I am well-read. At least, I can read and write a letter or report, and I mastered addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables! Neat!

  While literacy isn't explicitly required for a soldier, we were expected to be well-read and good with numbers. It was especially important for those who wanted to get promoted.

  On the fourth day, we gathered in the early morning in the fort's square, wearing full armor and our bags prepared for travel.

  Standing there with straight backs, we looked at our white-haired Cohort Commander, Alezand Thoms Adit, as he evaluated us, fnked by the other five Centurions.

  "When you came here, you were civilians. But now, you are remade into Legionaries, the protectors of the Empire! Say your oath with pride!" Adit solemnly spoke.

  "I swear to put my life on the line in the service of the New Roman Empire and the Emperor during my term of service of 25 years!" I swore out loud along with the rest.

  Adit smiled.

  "Good! And don't forget that oath! Now, Legionaries, you will be reassigned to your new Cohorts!"

  After saying this, Pax and the other deputies walked over to their respective recruits.

  When Pax went to us, he looked at us with a bright smile.

  "Congratutions, recruits. I was honored to be your instructor. Now, then..."

  Pax locked his gaze on me, his smile widening as he handed me a parchment.

  "Congratutions, Apollox. You have completed your training at the top of this batch and have been reassigned to the 1st Cohort! You shall start heading there today, and these are your papers. Make us proud!"

  "Thank you for your training, Sir!" I saluted him, also smiling.

  Being sent as a fresh recruit to the 1st Cohort was the same as being on a fast-track path for quick promotions. Obviously, I was happy.

  Pax nodded, satisfied, and then turned to the others, handing them papers.

  "The rest of you will stay as a unit and will be reassigned to the 4th Cohort. Good luck!"

  "Thank you for your training, Sir!" The others saluted without compining.

  After all, in my squad, I was the only one who reached the General Warrior Realm. The rest were only Junior Warriors.

  Soon, the ceremony came to an end, and fellow teammates immediately approached me.

  "Congratutions, Apollox!"

  "The 1st Cohort! You will make it big!"

  "Good job, Apollox! You made our 6th group proud!"

  "Now we will have something to boast about!"

  "Remember us, little guys, when you become a Centurion, yeah?"

  To this, I smiled.

  "Thanks, everyone. I wish you all the best in the 4th Cohort."

  After some chatter, I learned of the reassignment of several others.

  Of the trio who were originally with me, Xandr and his 3rd group would remain in the 10th Cohort, Erik and his 5th group would be in the 7th Cohort, and Bouwen was being individually reassigned to the 3rd Cohort since he reached the General Warrior Realm by the end of the training.

  On that note, Danirel got reassigned to the 2nd Cohort, which is considered the 2nd best in the legion. However, while he tried to conceal it, he still looked rather bummed out. If he were one of my borer friends, he would likely drown his sorrows with booze and cheap prostitutes right now.

  However, all this wasn't that important. What was really important was that I finally graduated from being a Recruit! I was now a Legionary!

  Legionary:

  After months of rigorous training, you became the most basic rank-and-file heavy infantry of the New Roman Empire, protecting the Empire and its borders and conquering foreign people and nds. While not the best duelists, they are undoubtedly renowned warriors and highly disciplined soldiers.

  Hint 1: An upgraded version will be unlocked when you level up this css and several reted abilities enough in Real Life.Hint 2: This css is 10 times harder to level up than Recruit.

  Additionally, this came with a new Military Ability.

  Battle Tactics:

  Creating and revising battle strategies sharpen your tactical mind and ability to function as a soldier and commander.

  Increases Military Css leveling speed.

  It was a distinct ability from Military Drills, and it only affected Military Csses, not abilities. But it was still a welcome addition, especially since Legionary needed 10 times more experience.

  Without any hesitation, I activated Legionary and renamed the Game Avatar as Legionary #1.

  With that out of the way, I retook a mental stock of my current belongings.

  The annual sary of a regur Legionary is 300 Silver Denari. Hence, I earned 100 silver denari while training, and along with the other 75 I received upon enlistment, it totaled 175 denari, which wasn't an insignificant amount. However, most of the one-time bonus was used to purchase my Gdius, Lorica Hamata(chainmail armor padded with gambeson), helmet, shield, and two Pilums. Additionally, 20% of my sary was directly deducted for food, and on top of that, money for clothes, tools, equipment maintenance, and other necessities.

  In short, I only have 60 Denari left on me. Luckily, it was more than sufficient for reaching the 1st Cohort, which was a day's march from here. As for going alone... who said I am alone?

  Exiting the fort, most of the recruits, over a third, formed a rge group that marched on the east road, and I, Bouwen, and Danirel were part of it.

  This wasn't a coincidence, as the Castra Stativa of the 17th legion was there, having the 1st to 5th cohorts permanently stationed inside. Other, less senior cohorts stayed in adjacent forts to cover a rger area and support one another in case of an invasion.

  What kinds of enemies awaited there? In the southeast, we always cshed with the Sniestein Empire, and in the northeast were vast nomadic grassnds, where horse-riding barbarians often came to raid us. And don't even mention the north, which was full of barbarian tribes! Skirmishes happened all the time, and vilges from both sides were often caught in the crossfire.

  Guarding against them was the 17th legion's purpose, so I had to know my enemies, after all.

  And so, our group walked under the midsummer sun, which was partially shaded by the tree canopies on the roadside.

  At sunset, we arrived at a rge, square-walled castra, strategically situated near a wide river. Around it, a rge settlement organically grew, providing supplies, services, living quarters, and entertainment for soldiers, craftsmen, artisans, and their families.

  From here, I could see a small dock with some ships, an amphitheater, and rge farms. I already estimated that over 20,000 people lived there, potentially more, and only about 3,000 were stationed soldiers.

  The castra and town served as both a garrison and a wall against foreign invasion, and also as a trading hub. While we had skirmishes with the Sniestein Empire and the nomadic tribes, we also conducted trade with them. Of course, there were risks of raids, so they built a second, less-fortified timber wall around the outside settlement as a buffer against invaders, giving enough time for them to evacuate to the inner walls of the castra.

  Passing through the outer town gate was simple for legionaries like us. All we had to do was identify, and they let us in. But the castra was different. It was even more heavily manned than the 10th Cohort's fort, and the guards looked more elite.

  To enter, we needed to dispy actual transfer papers, state our reasons, etc. Luckily, it seemed like they already expected our arrival, so they didn't make trouble for us.

  Bidding farewell to the others, I headed to the 1st Cohort's barracks and soon met the Camp Prefect, promoted from a Pilus Primus and 3rd in command of the legion, Canus Lucius Primanus. After all, he needed to assign me to my new century and unit.

  Inside an office full of charts, maps, scrolls, and military decorations, I stood before the camp prefect, who appeared like a seasoned, strong warrior past his prime, but with sharp eagle eyes. On his slightly worn but enchanted Lorica Segmentata, I noticed several dents and ssh scars, and his bald head was marred with three cross-crossing scars, including one that took half his ear and damaged his neck. And this doesn't include his arms! He was even missing two fingers on his left hand.

  Honestly, I don't know how he survived such horrendous wounds yet still serves in his old age. But one thing is certain. He didn't lose his edge. Not only that, but he had this oppressive air about him, as if I were in a room with a lion or tiger. He is, hands down, the most intimidating man I have ever met.

  Of course, this didn't matter. What mattered was that, now, he was my commander, and I am his subordinate.

  "Legionary Kyris Damiran Apollox has seen the Camp Prefect, Sir!" I saluted him.

  "At ease." Primanus waved his hand and smiled like a kindly old man, his oppressive aura disappearing like a popped bubble. "So you are the promising recruit, hah?"

  "I did score first among my batch," I confidently said, indirectly accepting the praise.

  "Accept praise when being praised, but don't brag or be meek about it. Otherwise, I can kiss goodbye any hope of promotion." I thought.

  As I expected, the old commander's smile broadened.

  "Not bad. You are already an Advanced General Warrior, I see. How quickly do you think you will reach the Veteran Warrior realm?" The prefect asked.

  "Within a month, Sir." I honestly replied, doing an inner calcution.

  "I reached lvl 33 five days ago, and I need to reach lvl 50 to become a Veteran Warrior. At my current rate, I can safely reach the Veteran Warrior within two weeks, let alone a month! I just said it as buffer time."

  But while I was thinking that, the old commander gave me a curious look.

  "Aren't you afraid you will get stuck in the bottleneck? You know, most of the Legionaries in the army don't surpass the General Warrior Realm, and some are stuck at the Junior Warrior Realm for life. Even for talents like you, being stuck at the peak of the General Warrior Realm for a year or two is normal."

  After he said that, I couldn't help but feel speechless.

  "Wait a moment... now that I think about it, I never had a so-called bottleneck. I just followed my instincts and broke through."

  Hence, I honestly replied to the commander with a wry smile.

  "Apologies, Sir. I never experienced a bottleneck, so I only gave an estimate on when I reached the peak of my realm."

  The commander squinted his eyes, making me feel nervous. Finally, after a long look, Primanus rexed his gaze, his calm smile returning.

  "Okay, since you are so confident, let's make a small wager. A Tesserarius(Watch commander) in the 5th Century is about to get promoted, and his position is now contested. If you can break through within a month, I will give you his pce. But if you can't... I will withhold your promotion for the next three years."

  Hearing this, I immediately straightened my back and saluted.

  "Thank you for the opportunity, Sir!"

  "Okay, report to Centurion Erock in the 5th Century's barracks. Dismissed." Primanus waved his hand.

  Exiting the room, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face, wanting to ugh out loud.

  "Bread from the sky! Hahaha! The Tesserarius, second to the Sigil Bearer and Optio, is exempt from bor and enjoys 1.5 times the sary! I am on a fast-track promotion path!"

  With a cheerful heart, I headed to my new barracks.

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  Inside the office, Primanus watched the closing door with thoughtful eyes.

  "If he isn't the real deal, three years of being a regur soldier should lower his ego. But if he isn't all talk..."

  Thinking about it, Primanus tapped his table in thought, a strange smile forming on his lips.

  "A young and promising soldier from a humble origin and good character on a fast-track promotion path, and a bachelor to boot... although he is a bit short and pin, marrying her to a junior officer will at least secure her future."