[Outside Northern Military Training Center]

A hand burst through packed snow, fingers clawing at the frozen surface.

Damian pulled himself out of the drift, his entire body shaking as cold seeped through his clothes.

"Fuck... I’m freezing..."

The words came out between chattering teeth as he brushed snow from his hair and shoulders.

’What the hell am I doing here?’

His mind felt groggy, thoughts moving slowly like they were wading through mud.

Then everything that had happened came rushing back.

The figure shrouded in darkness, the choice offered and rejected, the axe named God Slayer, the cryptic warnings about betrayal.

’So it wasn’t a bad dream after all... All of that really happened.’

A helpless smile tugged at his lips as he stood there in the snow for some time, the absurdity of the situation settling over him.

Then he pushed himself to his feet, boots crunching in the snow.

’Forget it.’

His hands brushed more snow from his clothes.

’I’ll have my answers one day. Dwelling on mysteries I can’t solve right now is pointless.’

He started walking toward the gates, but another thought surfaced, darker and more urgent.

’The Hooded One knows about me now.’

His steps slowed fractionally.

’Before, I was just another talented human. But after becoming the Chosen One...’

His mind raced through implications and potential responses.

’I think it’s better if I just stay inside portals with rank limitations for a while...’

He resumed walking, the training center gates growing closer.

’Those absurdly powerful beings won’t be able to enter them.’

Then another thought occurred to him.

’I wonder if my reward for the Mind Tower assessment can be exchanged for something else.’

His eyes tracked toward the military buildings ahead.

’A willpower treasure is valuable, but there might be other things that would help me more right now.’

He reached the gates and stepped through, disappearing into the training center grounds.

****

[Training Grounds]

General Icarus and General Zara stood side by side in their pristine military uniforms, the massive dome of the survival test arena looming behind them.

Dozens of candidates stood at attention in front of them, arranged in rough formation.

Icarus began walking slowly among them, his boots crunching in the snow.

"When all of you arrived here, I told one thing to each and every one of you."

His voice carried clearly across the field despite the wind.

"That this training center exists to forge warriors capable of matching giant geniuses in single combat."

He paused, letting that statement settle.

"It means we don’t expect you to lead soldiers on the battlefield. Your job isn’t commanding battalions or managing military operations."

His cold eyes swept across the assembled candidates.

"Your only purpose is the elimination of the elite forces of the enemy. Anyone who can turn the tide of battle through individual power."

Snow fell around them as his words hung in the frigid air.

"So can someone tell me which department of the military specializes in exactly that?"

Sicar Verratoux’s hand rose immediately, his pink hair catching the dim light.

"Military Police, sir."

"Correct."

Icarus stopped walking, turning to face Sicar directly.

"Can you elaborate on the responsibilities of the Military Police for those who might not be familiar?"

Sicar straightened, his voice coming out clear and measured.

"The Military Police handle all special operations requiring elite forces rather than standard battalions."

He paused, organizing his thoughts.

"They’re responsible for identifying and capturing traitors within military ranks, investigating crimes committed by awakeners in service, and ensuring Officers don’t turn against the Federation."

His tone became more serious.

"They also handle infiltration missions into enemy territories, gathering intelligence on other races’ military capabilities, and conducting assassinations of high-value targets when necessary."

Faces around him grew grim as the implications settled.

Sicar continued without prompting.

"Beyond that, they maintain internal security during wartime, prevent information leaks to enemy forces, and execute awakeners who’ve been convicted of crimes severe enough to warrant death."

He met Icarus’s gaze.

"The Military Police are the Federation’s sword pointed inward as much as outward. They protect humanity from external threats and from itself."

Silence fell across the field as candidates processed what they’d just heard.

Icarus nodded once, acknowledging the comprehensive answer.

"There are also many secretive responsibilities that even I don’t have access to."

His expression remained neutral, giving nothing away.

"But from the responsibilities Candidate Verratoux just outlined, all of you can clearly realize the importance of the Military Police to the Federation’s survival."

He began walking again, his pace deliberate.

"The rank structure of the Military Police operates independently from standard military hierarchy. At the top is the Director, who holds the same authority as the Supreme Marshall and the Chairman."

His hand gestured as he spoke.

"Below the Director are two Vice Directors, both SS rank. Beneath them, all ranks are determined by contribution to the Federation rather than simple power levels."

His voice became more clinical.

"The hierarchy descends from Arch-Inquisitor, to Chief Inquisitor, to Special Inquisitor, and finally to standard Inquisitor."

He stopped walking, turning to face the entire formation.

His expression became grim, something heavy settling across his features.

"Recently, the higher-ups have made a decision regarding all of you."

The candidates shifted slightly, attention sharpening.

"You will all be designated as prospective Inquisitors. Starting today, you’ll have access to Military Police training resources, specialized skills, and weapon arts that aren’t available to standard military personnel."

The words hit like a physical blow.

Whispers exploded across the formation immediately.

"Wait, we’re becoming Inquisitors? Just like that?"

"I heard the MP only recruits specific geniuses after years of service..."

"Their resources are supposed to be the best in the entire military... Top-tier skills, advanced weapon arts, treasures that can’t be obtained anywhere else..."

"This seems too easy... What’s the catch?"

Regulus leaned toward Sicar, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"The military’s really being generous here."

He let out a low whistle.

"Never thought they’d hand out Military Police access for free like this."

Sicar’s expression remained grim, his pink eyes tracking across the assembled candidates.

"For them to be this generous, it can only mean one thing."

His voice came out quiet but carrying terrible certainty.

"Inquisitors are dying at a faster pace than they can be replaced."

Silence fell between them as that implication settled.

Icarus’s voice cut through the murmurs.

"Since the Military Police operates under a squad system, and we likely don’t have much time before full-scale war breaks out..."

He gestured toward Zara.

"I will be dividing you into squads of ten with one squad leader among them. You need to get to know your teammates and learn to work together effectively."

Zara stepped forward, pulling out a data pad.

"General Zara will now announce the squad assignments."

Zara’s voice carried clearly as she began reading names.

"Squad One: Rendall Kane as squad leader, with..."

Her voice continued, listing candidates and their assigned positions.

"Squad Two: Thalia Bones as squad leader..."

The process continued, candidates organizing themselves into their assigned groups as Zara worked through the list.

Soon, only ten people remained without assignments.

Zara’s eyes found the tablet again, reading the final squad composition.

"Squad Ten..."

She paused, her gaze lifting to find specific faces in the crowd.

"Senior Sword Demon, Torin Barke, Regulus Blackwood, Sicar Verratoux, Helena Crane, Kaelen Hayes, and the Hollow Sisters."