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  After leaving the office, I went to my scar-eyed centurion to report in private. And after reporting everything, Erock didn't have a surprised look, likely expecting this turn of events.

  "Okay, since it has come to this, I will gradually give you more responsibilities and arrange for you, and I will even train you myself. However, if you funt or brag, causing demoralization among my men, I will kick you out of my century, and you can forget about promotion. Is that clear?" Erock sternly said.

  "Yes, Sir!" I saluted, acknowledging the order.

  "I'm not stupid enough to commit career suicide!" I inwardly thought.

  If there was one thing that an employer hated, it was his worker bragging. This is because, when an employee bragged, other employees would grow jealous and question the employer's partiality.

  I already noticed some dissatisfied looks among the men. Who among them didn't serve for several years, spilled sweat and blood during training, and worked hard or even risked his life to earn his keep? For an incompetent greenhorn to cut the line and get immediately promoted was a good way to make me the public enemy.

  And so, to get promoted, I needed to show my talents to the point where a promotion is expected. But, for now-

  "If I can't get promoted, then I shall progress until I am!"

  I still had plenty of room for growth. For one, my Breathing Technique was still a long way from reaching the limit, and I still didn't promote my Legionary css to the next level. I could also grow as a Sentry, and a Clerk also has reted abilities I can work on. I could also use this time to sharpen my academic skills, perhaps by finding a scribe and learn from him. And st but not least, the Progress System required some time to run in the background for me to enjoy its benefits. The higher the prestige, the faster I improve in real life!

  "I have the talent and the opportunity, so now, all I need is time and hard work! I'll work hard so I can have a good life!"

  And so, my life as a Legionary became harder yet more fulfilling.

  .

  .

  .

  Five months ter-

  Erock watched a young man standing on a thin yer of snow, covered in steam, with a flicker of reddish aura on his body, the sign of reaching the Elite Warrior realm and manifesting Fighting Aura outside the body.

  Naturally, he was looking at Apollox, the unassuming, rather short, and unimpressive-looking young man, whom he was about to promote to a Clerk.

  Over the past five months, he personally watched and groomed this budding talent, seeing his rapid growth every day. He absorbed knowledge like a sponge, and his abilities as a soldier already rivaled the best veterans in the 1st Cohort, including the Principales. Even in administrative duties, he was already exceptional.

  By all means, Erock more than once asked himself if Apollox was already on the level of a Junior Centurion. And now, he has the answer. Not only was he at the level of a Junior Centurion, but he was also approaching the level of a Senior Centurion!

  "Is this a once-in-a-decade prodigy like myself? No, this is clearly a once-in-a-century prodigy!" Erock's eyes flickered with astonishment, admiration, and disbelief.

  Ten months. In only ten months, a recruit from the most humble origin, without any special resources or prior training, using the most basic breathing technique avaible to all legionaries, has reached the theoretical limit of the technique, breaking through to the esteemed realm of Elite Warrior. Even he took three years!

  To put it in proper perspective, most legionaries, after five to ten years of service, usually reached the General Warrior realm. Those who diligently practiced every day and had a hint of talent could even reach the Veteran Warrior realm at around 15-25 years of service. Hence, the naming of the first three Warrior Realms was Junior Warrior, General Warrior, and Veteran Warrior.

  However, becoming an Elite Warrior was different. This wasn't a matter of hard work anymore, especially when using the lowest-level Legionary Breathing Technique! Most of the Junior Centurions were not Elite Warriors, let alone regur Legionaries.

  In the entire legion, there were only three dozen Elite Warriors at most, with merely a handful of Extraordinary Warriors, including himself. Hence, they were accordingly named Elite and Extraordinary. And all of them, without exception, were Centurions.

  Moreover, Principales and above received a higher-end breathing technique when they took office, since it was just that difficult to practice the Legionary Breathing Technique to completion, and it was fundamentally limited. Of course, that wasn't to say there were no benefits in mastering the lower-level technique. On the contrary! Practicing the low-end technique makes higher-end techniques easier to practice. In fact, noble scions first practice the Legionary Breathing Technique when young before starting a more advanced technique. Of course, they had ample assistance from the best teachers and medicinal baths that helped loosen the bottleneck and advance faster.

  And since Apollox has completed the Legionary Breathing Technique, he will achieve twice the results with half the effort, and he is certain to reach the Extraordinary Warrior Realm like himself!

  "He might even one day reach the Epic Warrior realm like that scary codger... If he lives that long, that is." Erock warily thought.

  Shaking his head from those dark thoughts, Erock switched his thoughts to other, more urgent matters.

  "Now that he broke through so quickly, those noble scions will surely try taking him as a subordinate, tempting him with immediate benefits. However, that would also be the end of his career. He would only amount to a noble guard dog instead of a proud wolf."

  Just as he was thinking about his, his deputy, Vocu, approached him with a wry smile.

  "Sir, I am afraid that keeping him as a regur soldier is no longer an option. No Principales will have the courage to command him. At least, I don't."

  Erock wasn't surprised. Vocu was a Veteran Warrior, soon to be promoted to Junior Centurion. With that said, most Principales were General Warriors and Veteran Warriors, with none being an Elite Warrior. When he himself became an Elite Warrior, he was already an Optio with some battle merit, which catapulted him to Centurion within 3 years. However, his case was the exception, not the norm.

  In the Roman Legions, the Centurion and Principales needed to lead by example, being the best of the best. Having an excellent soldier was something every commander wanted. However, when the soldier was better than the commander, the regur soldiers would start drawing comparisons, which was bad for morale and the commander's image.

  Erock, as a Senior Centurion and Extraordinary Warrior, could still command Apollox with confidence, but Vocu didn't dare! And if his deputy didn't dare, then...

  "I can't keep him in my century." Erock understood.

  Unless he immediately promoted Apollox to a Principales, making him his deputy, it would cause dissent within his century, a nightmare for any commander.

  Usually, that meant moving a capable soldier to a stronger Century, such as the 1st Cohort. The problem was that he was already in the 1st Cohort! How was he supposed to move someone when there was no better pce?!

  Hence, the only solution was to promote Apollox! Apollox was competent enough for Erock to feel confident in promoting him directly to a Tesserarius. After all, a Watch Commander was well within Apollox's ability. But then came the problem... merit.

  With only 10 months under his belt, unless he proved himself somehow, such as performing well in a skirmish, how was he supposed to promote him without him serving for at least another 6 months?! And this was already the fast-track promotion path! Normally, a Tesserarius was selected after at least 3-5 years of service!

  Even worse, the legions were not prepared to handle such abnormal situations.

  Thinking of this, Erock felt a headache coming.

  "Damn Bureaucratic Nightmare. I need to speak with the scary codger. Otherwise, if we forcefully prevent his growth, he will become disgusted and make the mistake of joining the nobles. Knowing them, they might even act today!" He inwardly cursed.

  Thinking up to that point, Erock didn't waste time, striding with wide steps to the young talent he raised.

  .

  .

  .

  "He broke through..."

  "Unbelievable..."

  "How old is he again? 19?"

  "A 19-year-old Elite Warrior..."

  "There is no way he isn't getting promoted after this..."

  I heard these murmurs around me, but I ignored them. Instead, I continued reguting my energy. Finally, when my energy stabilized-

  "Phew... I reached the Elite Warrior Realm!" I breathed a hot breath of steam, my eyes shining in glee.

  "My months of hard work finally paid off!" I happily thought.

  In the st five months, I was a true-blue workaholic.

  I trained harder and more diligently than everyone. I learned harder and more thoroughly than everyone. I gave up my leisure time to work more. I endured the most discipline among all the soldiers.

  For these past five months, if there was a role model for an ideal soldier, I was it. No, perhaps, I was even above that.

  Accordingly, several factors within the system have changed.

  Ally Score: 15 -> 25(You are a proud legionary of the 1st Cohort, enjoying the backing of the most veteran of the 17th Legion's army. After months of tireless work, personal strength, and talent, you left your fellow soldiers no room for doubt that you were born for something more, and you only needed sufficient merit to be promoted.)

  Military Multiplier: 10 -> 30(The Senior Centurion of the 5th century of the 1st Cohort is grooming you, correcting your mistakes behind the scenes, giving you invaluable insights, greatly improving your military experience.)

  The Military Multiplier immediately improved, and Erock's consul was very helpful to me. Meanwhile, the Ally Score gradually improved over the past five months, and I feel like I earned it myself.

  Meanwhile, about five months ago, I earned the new Css, Clerk, and the ability, Administration.

  Clerk:

  A small bureaucrat in a rger bureaucratic system, handling the paperwork and administration required to maintain an empire's function.

  Hint: A necessary css for all administrative roles, including politicians, generals, and even kings and emperors.

  Administration:

  Manage record-keeping, documentation, and general office tasks with fluent accuracy.

  Bonus to administrative csses.

  Hint: While it might not give a bonus to other roles, it is a crucial requirement!

  Being a lowly Clerk was surprisingly important. I honestly never imagined a mighty Emperor was also a clerk... of sorts. Anyway, I didn't have too much time each day, only a few hours. However, I still improved both of them greatly. If I left the army, I was confident of scoring a job as a clerk.

  Additionally, the Sentry Css and the Sharpened Senses ability rapidly improved. While I couldn't see as well as I did during a clear day, the fog and night hindered me less.

  Of course, that wasn't all. The important part was that my Legionary Css evolved. Not once, but twice!

  First was the Senior Legionary, whom I reached only a week after my talk with the prefect. It requires Legionary lvl 10, the General Warrior realm, and Strength lvl 50, Military Drills lvl 35, and Battle Tactics lvl 25. Upon acquiring it, I obtained the ability Combat Endurance.

  Senior Legionary:

  Senior Legionaries are formidable heavy infantry. They are strong, disciplined, and good at formations, but most importantly, their years of marching made them enduring war machines on the battlefield.

  Hint: 10 times harder to level up compared to Legionary

  Combat Endurance:

  Long days of marching many miles under the hot sun and cold snow have tempered your endurance.

  Bonus to Military Csses.

  About 5 weeks ter, thanks to my increasingly amazing multipliers from abilities or otherwise, I managed to fulfill the requirements for Veteran Legionary.

  For this, I needed to be a Veteran Warrior, have Strength lvl 100, Military Drills lvl 60, Battle Tactics lvl 50, and Combat Endurance lvl 40. After obtaining it, I obtained a new ability, Fighting Experience.

  Veteran Legionary:

  Veteran Legionaries are among the most fearsome Heavy Infantry in the world, to the point that many compare them to direwolves. Although they function best in a formation, they are also formidable combatants in their own right.

  Hint: 10 times harder to level up compared to Senior Legionary

  Fighting Experience:

  Through countless days of shedding sweat and blood on the training field and battlefield, you have learned how to dispatch your enemies with brutal effectiveness while sustaining fewer injuries.

  Bonus to Military Csses.

  Both of these csses and abilities have made my wealth of abilities more comprehensive. Now, after leveling them up for several months, I could endure marches better, and I was even better in combat than the Centurion's deputy! Although beating the Senior Centurion was impossible, I was second only to him in the Century.

  And now, more than ever, I was also an Elite Warrior, the 4th Warrior Realm. After being around long enough, I learned that, in the army, only around three dozen reached this realm, all of whom were Centurions, usually Senior ones. Above them was the Extraordinary Warriors, and above that was the Camp Prefect, who reached the Epic Warrior. Erock was apparently a prodigy who reached the Extraordinary Warrior realm in his early 30s and was currently in his mid-30s.

  In any case, besides the obvious benefits I gained, such as the Realm Multiplier and faster simutions, I was now among the powerhouses of the 17th Legion. And this led to an obvious problem.

  "I can't stay as a rank-and-file soldier anymore. No sane Centurion would accept it." I understood.

  Even if Erock were stronger than me, if I had a stronger realm than his deputy, then it would cause dissatisfaction within the century. This could usually be resolved through a promotion and transfer. However, I cked the merit for a promotion to a proper Principales, and could barely become a specialist.

  On the one hand, I was too good, and on the other hand, I cked merit. I honestly didn't know what would happen. However-

  "Increasing my realm is always a good thing, and I wouldn't halt my advancement for such minor concerns. At most, they will find me another way."

  And indeed-

  "Apollox! Follow me to the Camp Prefect, now." Erock approached me and ordered with a heavy tone.

  "Yes, Sir!" I saluted him.

  I knew that I was now likely going to receive a promotion of sorts. The only question was what.

  "Let's see what the old bastard has to say..."