Chapter 494: Ceremony Day (2)

Chapter 492

It took a few minutes to locate the hall in this wide, expansive base that was like a mini city within a city.

Luckily, the cohort were able to arrive at the hall in the nick of time, where they could see several Vanguard members walking inside, dressed in uniforms that were ironed and clean to perfection.

The cohort stood at the entrance of the hall, taking deep breaths as they stared at the glass double doors.

Ray stared at the backs of his cohort, who were taking deep breaths like they were mustering the courage to walk into their new lives.

"Oh, seven hells, move away." Ray pushed through their midst as he hurried towards the door.

The cohort stared at him with shocked expressions as the boy pushed past them and stood directly in front of the door, watching it push open on its own.

’Automatic, eh? Nice.’

Seeing as Ray was going to leave them there, the others hurried after him—refusing to be left behind.

And just like that, the cohort walked into the hall together, like one happy family.

The hall they walked into was quite enormous.

The enormous hall stretched across a wide-open space, its polished floor extending uninterrupted from the entrance to the far end of the chamber.

Tall metallic walls rose on either side, decorated with large Vanguard banners and insignias that hung motionlessly beneath the high ceiling.

There were no chairs or tables anywhere in the hall, leaving the entire floor completely open and unobstructed. The spacious area was large enough to accommodate hundreds of people standing shoulder to shoulder.

At the far end of the hall stood a broad raised platform, elevated several feet above the main floor.

A series of steps led up to it, while the back wall was adorned with the emblem of the Vanguard Order. Several podiums had been arranged across the platform, providing a designated space for high-ranking officials to stand and address the gathering.

Bright overhead lights illuminated the hall, reflecting off the polished floor and metallic walls. Despite its immense size, the chamber carried a solemn atmosphere, with every feature of its design emphasizing order, authority, and military grandeur.

And this enormous hall wasn’t empty one bit.

It was filled with people—Vanguard members chatting with one another.

Some Sergeants spoke with their squad members, and the air was filled with laughter, chatter, and voices, making the hall bustling—almost like a marketplace.

The moment the double doors opened and the cohort walked inside, the chatter slowly died down as all eyes navigated towards them, as if their presence alone was magnetic.

But contrary to what the rest thought, Ray noticed that the gazes weren’t directed at the whole group but at him specifically.

Different eyes sized him up like he was a predator, while some looked at him like he was prey.

He could almost feel each of their intentions towards him.

’That one wants to rip me up.... Hmm.... This one is in awe, huh?’ Ray mused silently as he didn’t back down from the staring contest he was being faced with.

"Let’s go," Van whispered towards the others, especially Ray.

Lingering for a second or two, Ray finally moved along with his friends.

Even as he walked away from the door, eyes were still following his every movement until he and his friends stood at an empty side of the hall.

"Arrogant." A Vanguard member whispered to his comrade standing beside him.

"I wonder why the jury decided to allow filth like him into our ranks."

"Shh.... Don’t whisper so loudly. He could hear us," another breathed quietly.

Ray shook his head.

’Dumbasses, I can hear each and every one of your words with perfect clarity.’

But he couldn’t care less about what other people thought about him as he stood with his arms folded across his chest.

All they could do was snicker behind his back—not like they were gutsy enough to come face-to-face with him and speak trash.

He wouldn’t even need to raise a finger before his friends dispatched the speaker.

.... It would seem as if his friends were bodyguards of sorts.

He chuckled silently.

And then,

The moment the clock struck twelve, a small door close to the raised platform opened up.

The atmosphere changed drastically as all eyes drifted towards the approaching figures walking into the room.

There was a man out front, dressed in the Vanguard’s exo-suit. The only difference was that his robe wasn’t green but brown like the earth.

Two stars rested on his shoulders as he walked with a calm gait.

His shoulders moved powerfully with every step.

Standing at six feet tall with curly brown hair, the man didn’t look a day older than thirty-something.

His curly brown hair was framed in a bowl cut, while his black eyes tracked the hall with brutal efficiency.

Taking note of every single presence in the hall.

Walking behind him, the cohort could see Captain Ella, Captain Raze, and one other man who looked to be a Captain too, judging from the single star on his shoulder.

Today, Captain Raze didn’t carry his usual sleepy look.

A single yawn didn’t escape his lips as his tired eyes shone with respect and determination.

The Captains looked professional today.

’So that’s the Vanguard General, huh?’ Ray’s eyes settled on the man out front, who was beginning to climb the platform with the Captains following after him.

Soon, the Captains filed out and stood on each side of the General, with the last Captain standing behind the man with his hands held behind his back in a professional posture.

The General’s eyes calmly swept across the hall until they landed directly on Ray and his cohort.

During the trial, the General hadn’t been there because he was on another planet, sorting some issues out.

But he definitely did watch the livestream, and so it didn’t take more than a second to recognize Ray.

The Tribrid unconsciously shuddered inwardly as he stared at those black eyes, unmoving from his body.

’Wh-Why can’t-can’t I read his eyes? It’s as if he bears no intentions?’

Tearing his gaze away from Ray the next second, the General looked at the quietened hall for a moment before opening his mouth and speaking,

"Good morning, great Order."

"Good morning, Sir!" The Vanguards all replied with a respectful salute.

Three fingers pressed against their chests while they slammed one leg against the ground.

Ray and his cohort stared awkwardly, and it wasn’t just them. He noted that about three more people in the crowd looked awkward, as if they hadn’t expected this.

Which meant that they were just like Ray and his friends....

.... Aspirants who were new to the Vanguard.

".... For those who don’t know me, I’m General Luther Shields. And now, let the induction ceremony begin!"