Chapter 158
Thirty minutes later, Corey’s military issued vehicle rolled to a stop in front of a vast estate nestled in the heart of Regalhold’s city center.
Gilded letters were carved into the towering gates: The Lysander Family.
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This was the ancestral home of the Lysanders–one of Regalhold’s Five Great Clans–and also the designated venue for tonight’s event, where the top- tier families would be selecting candidates for their Hundred–Man Unit recommendations.
Corey stepped out of the vehicle, his face still clouded with displeasure.
He hadn’t expected it. It wasn’t often he extended a personal invitation to a junior–yet not only had Raven refused it, she’d practically thrown it back in
his face.
As he approached the gate, a second car pulled up beside his.
The door opened, and out stepped Caleb, still visibly pale from having been put through hell all day by Raven. Even now, he hadn’t fully shaken off the nightmare of her training.
But despite the exhaustion, the powerful aura he carried was undeniable.
Corey instinctively paused mid–step.
Then Caleb spotted the insignia on Corey’s chest and froze. The military crest–that meant something.
He immediately straightened and offered a crisp salute. “Commander.”
Corey gave a slight nod and was just about to walk on when something made him pause. Without warning, he placed a hand on Caleb’s shoulder.
Years of training kicked in–Caleb instinctively pivoted to the side and twisted Corey’s wrist into a counter–grip. But as soon as he realized who he was dealing with, he released the hold and stepped back, clearly about to apologize.
Corey, however, simply raised his hand to stop him.
“A reaction time like that,” he said with a low chuckle, “and at your age? Impressive. You’ve got potential.”
Caleb saw the glint of approval in Corey’s eyes and immediately replied, “Thank you for the compliment, sir.”
“What’s your name?” Corey asked, now smiling.
“Caleb.”
“You here for the Hundred–Man Unit recommendation?” Corey asked.
“Yes, sir,” Caleb answered truthfully. One of his comrades had tipped him off about the event. He had some time, so he thought he’d take a shot at it.
“Well then,” Corey said with a grin, “from now on, you’ll be working under me. I’ll see to it you’re granted a confirmed slot in the Hundred–Man Unit.”
Caleb blinked. “Confirmed?”
There was such a thing?
“You doubt I have the authority?” Corey’s smile faltered slightly, clearly remembering what happened with Raven not long ago.
“No, sir. Not at all,” Caleb said quickly. He straightened again and saluted with genuine respect. “It’s an honor to have your recognition. I promise I won’t let you down.”
He wasn’t sure even with Raven’s support if he could pass the final selection. But with this? With a guaranteed position he could finally breathe.
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Chapter 158
More importantly, this was a general recognizing him personally. This was more than a nomination. It was a backer.
Corey’s smile returned in full.
‘Finally, he thought. ‘Someone who knows how to accept an opportunity.”
“Seems I’m luckier than I thought,” Corey said. “I hope you’ll prove yourself. Show her what she threw away.”
“Her?” Caleb asked, confused.
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Corey’s smile turned sharp. “Yes. Just now, I offered the same opportunity to another recruit–far less skilled than you, by the way–and she questioned my authority. She asked whether I even could give a confirmed slot.”
As he said this, there was no denying the satisfaction in his tone. In truth, part of him was actually glad Raven had rejected the offer. The way he saw it, her arrogance had made room for a better candidate–and now he could rub it in.
But Caleb stiffened.
Wait… had he just said Raven?
“You gave her that kind of opportunity, and she didn’t just decline… she doubted you?” Caleb’s voice dropped a few degrees.
Corey sighed, exaggerating the slight. “Unfortunately, yes.”
Caleb’s expression darkened. His jaw clenched. “Unbelievable. I didn’t know the military still had people who couldn’t recognize blessings when they’re handed down from the heavens.”
He looked Corey in the eye and declared, “Don’t worry, sir. If I get into the Hundred–Man Unit, I’ll train harder than anyone. And if I ever see her again… I’ll make sure she regrets ever stepping foot in this world.”
But just as those words left his mouth…
From the corner of his eye, Caleb saw someone approaching.
A familiar figure had just stepped down from a nearby vehicle, moving calmly in their direction. It was Raven.
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