Steve spoke up after hearing the details.
"Commander, how sure are we that they won't just kill him instead of taking him prisoner? And how strong are the Ferans? Why haven't the Holts just killed them already?"
Arkas exhaled, then smiled.
"We don't have exact details on the Ferans' strength. It's a group of eight to ten, but what the Holts plan to do with them is unclear. Our best guess? They're keeping them alive for a reason, probably to use them against the Empire in some way."
He tapped the table.
"As for killing you instead of capturing you? That won't happen. You're a probationary elite unit member, my unit member. If they kill you, they'll have to answer to me, and the Holts won't risk drawing my attention like that.
Their best option is to capture and imprison you, then release you when the time is right. It's a hidden base, so even if it's exposed, they can just deny it."
I nodded slowly. It made sense, but that still left the question of how I was supposed to get captured.
Arkas smirked.
"Now, how you get captured is just as important. You know King Holt, right? You're going to piss him off. Humiliate him. Annoy him to the point where he wants you dead.
When he finally reaches that breaking point, we'll send you on a mission to the East Continent. He'll pull strings to make sure you're captured. He's got enough standing in the family to arrange it."
I blinked. That was… unexpected.
'I have to act like a villain? Never thought I'd see the day.'
Arkas leaned forward.
"And if that doesn't work, you'll take a different approach. You'll 'stumble' onto their base during a mission. They'll capture you either way."
I processed the plan.
It was risky, insanely risky. There were too many ways it could go wrong. I only had one question left.
"Commander, there are stronger soldiers in the army. Why not send them? Why are you sending me?"
Arkas's eyes sharpened.
"Because I can. Because I'm giving this opportunity to you. Yes, I could send someone else, but I'm placing my bet on you. This is how you become the strongest in the world, not just by killing Abominations and leveling up, but by facing real challenges, making real enemies, and coming out on top.
Once you complete this mission successfully, the Holts will see you as their enemy."
His voice grew firm, cutting through any doubts I had.
"The question is : do you have the guts to take it?"
That lit a fire in my chest. If this old demon was willing to risk a war over me, then I could damn well take a fifty percent chance of survival.
I nodded.
"So when do we start?"
Arkas smiled.
"Good. I expected no less from you. The mission will begin in a month or two, depending on several factors. I need time to arrange backup, set up an official mission to send you to the East Continent, and gather more intel on the captured Ferans.
In the meantime, don't waste a single second.
Focus on getting stronger. Use the training facilities as much as you can. If you need anything, contact June, she has full authority to provide you with whatever you require. As for your training sessions, join if you want, but you're free to train on your own."
He leaned back.
"I have some rewards coming your way for your recent performance, but I'll swap them for something that better suits your talent. And you can skip the inner unit competition, everyone knows you'll place first. But you will attend the inter-unit competition. I still need that promotion to Unit 01."
I nodded, satisfied with the plan.
That gave me at least one to two months to prepare.
The moment Steve stood up, I knew what was coming.
"Commander, I want to join Billion on this mission."
I turned to Arkas, waiting for his response. His eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
Steve took a deep breath.
"Commander, I believe I can contribute to the mission. More than that, Billion is my friend, I can't just stand by while he takes on a suicide mission alone. I know he's strong, and his talent gives him an edge, but I can keep up. I need my own opportunity too. And this, this mission with the Ferans, it feels like one."
Arkas stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"You're not strong enough."
Steve immediately responded.
"But I can be. I noticed that you use lightning, and I'm trying to become a fast swordsman. If you train me for the next month, I'll prove myself."
Before Arkas could reply, Edgar grinned.
"Say yes, or they'll blackmail you, Arkas."
'Damn this old man.'
Arkas tapped the desk a few times, then finally answered.
"Level 30. That's the minimum I want you to reach before the mission. I'll test you at the end. If you pass, you go. For training, talk to June, she'll guide you."
I grinned, tempted to give Steve a high five, but with two old fossils watching, I kept my hands to myself.
Arkas turned to me.
"The mission will be dangerous, Billion. Take it seriously. We don't know how long you'll have to stay captured, so prepare yourself as best as you can. Now, you're dismissed. Report to me after you've gotten your class, I need to have a conversation with Steve."
I nodded and stood up. After saying my goodbyes to Edgar and Steve, I left the room.
Stepping outside the commander's office, my mind churned with everything I had just learned.
Missions like this were meant for official soldiers, yet I had been given the chance to take one on. It was dangerous, but I couldn't deny the excitement. Now, everything depended on how well I could prepare.
Deciding not to waste time, I headed straight for my room to check my class options.
As I stepped out of the building, I spotted North sitting on a bench outside.
'Hmm? What's she doing here?'
I walked up to her.
"Hey there."
She looked up and smiled.
"Oh, hi, Billion. Did your meeting with Grandfather end?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. How did your meeting with the vice commander go?"
North leaned back against the bench, stretching her arms with a satisfied sigh.
"The vice commander said she'll have my bow ready by tomorrow. I gave her the exact specifications I wanted, so it should be perfect."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Perfect, huh? You're really putting a lot of thought into this." Crossing my arms, I tilted my head at her. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were picking out a life partner."
She blinked at me, confused.
"What?"
I smirked.
"I mean, you're being so careful, making sure it's just right, that it suits you perfectly. The only thing missing is a vow to cherish it forever." I sighed dramatically. "Gotta say, I'm a little jealous. I thought I was your favorite future teammate."
North smiled.
"That's not the same thing!"
I chuckled.
"Oh? So if it's not that serious, then what? Just a temporary thing until something better comes along?"
She narrowed her eyes, finally catching on to my teasing.
"I'll have you know, I'm very loyal."
I grinned.
"Good to know. Guess I'll have to make sure I stay at the top of your list, then."
She huffed, looking away, but I caught the small smile she was trying to hide.
Just to be sure about something, I asked, "By the way, where's Mark? I got the feeling that day that he kinda likes you."
North's head snapped toward me.
"Mark? No. He doesn't. We've just been friends for so long that it might seem that way."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure? Because I could see it pretty clearly. He's into you. You know, if you like him, you can tell me. I'm a great secret keeper."
She pouted and crossed her arms.
"Billion, I see exactly what you're trying to do. Keep this up, and you might just get an arrow in that mouth of yours."
I raised my hands in surrender.
"What? I'm just curious."
She scoffed but smiled, shaking her head.
A couple of minutes later, Steve walked out of the office, and we headed for our rooms.
My own destination: to get a class.