CHAPTER 41: EX 41. DEPLOYMENT DAY

Deployment Day.

In the Federation, it wasn’t just a milestone—it was a rite of passage.

Every trial taker, regardless of background or brilliance, was bound to serve. Noble or common, genius or average, there were no exceptions. The purpose was clear: to grow stronger by facing the demons clawing at the borders. It was the Federation’s unshakable truth—strength was forged at the frontline.

Even the Kaels, one of the more respected noble families, weren’t exempt. Leon’s father, Darian, served. His mother, Selena, had her own decorated past. Valeria, his sister, was a fierce presence in the military’s Intelligence Division. But they held high ranks now—positions earned through blood, grit, and war. That privilege granted them time, influence and freedom.

Leon had none of that. He was starting at the bottom. No shortcuts. No handouts.

Still, he wasn’t the least bit bothered.

In fact—he welcomed it.

"It Won’t take long before I rise through the ranks," he thought as he stood in front of the Kael estate’s main house. "Not with the power I have now."

A sleek military vehicle hummed quietly in the driveway, waiting to take him to the deployment site at the capital. Only newly enlisted cadets were allowed entry—no family or escorts. This was the Federation’s law and for once, it seemed to work in his favor.

That is... until his mother latched onto him refusing to let go.

"I can’t believe my son is leaving me!" Selena cried dramatically, squeezing Leon in a bear hug that ignored his considerable strength.

"Mom—! I’ll be a criminal if I don’t go" Leon grunted, squirming to free himself.

Selena sniffled, still refusing to let go. "That’s fine, sweetie. We’ll run away together. No one will hurt my baby while I’m around."

Leon froze.

He was afraid that his mother wasn’t joking.

He shot a pleading glance at his father. "Dad, help me."

Darian, who was suspiciously quiet until now—most likely considering the escape plan himself—cleared his throat and said, "Honey, Leon needs to go. This will help him grow stronger."

Selena sighed, reluctantly loosening her grip. "I know... but I still don’t want to see him get hurt."

Valeria, who had been watching the chaos with crossed arms, finally said something. "I don’t think it’s Leon you should be worried about. It’s the poor demons that have to face him."

Selena blinked, her sorrow gradually being replaced by realization. "You’re right. I almost forgot how monstrous my Leo is."

She turned back to Leon, cupping his cheeks. "Just... try to take it easy on the other cadets, alright? Let them keep a little of their pride."

Leon chuckled. "I’ll try my best."

Selena smiled. "That’s good enough."

After that he moved to embrace Valeria, who pulled him into a firm hug without saying much. Her grip alone said enough.

When Valeria finally let go he went to his father—Darian, who placed a hand on his shoulder. "The battlefield is where you carve your place in this world as a soldier but before being a soldier you are still a Kael never forget that."

Leon nodded. "I won’t."

After finalizing his goodbyes with his family, he stepped into the waiting vehicle the door closing behind him, sealing the moment.

As the car began to pull away, he looked back at his family—his mother still dabbing her eyes, Valeria standing tall, and his father giving a silent nod.

Leon didn’t wave. He didn’t need to.

He just leaned back in his seat, eyes forward.

The real journey had just begun.

****

The military car cruised smoothly along the paved road, its engine humming low as the Federation’s capital began to rise on the horizon like a steel giant cloaked in banners and watchtowers.

Leon leaned against the window, arms crossed, blue eyes narrowed as the scenery blurred by.

"I wonder if Elizabeth has left yet..."

The thought came unbidden, but not unwelcome.

They hadn’t spoken much over the past few days. She had been too focused on training—and he, well... he’d been a little busy with surprise arrests, demon followers and saving himself from a prison cell.

He sighed and glanced ahead.

The reason they were heading to the capital instead of directly to the border was simple: it was for the Selection.

Every year, before official deployment, the Federation gathered all new trial cadets in the capital to determine their military placement. Not just by rank or power—but by branch.

There were two core divisions in the military structure:

The Attack Branch, which pushed the warfront and invaded demon territory.

And the Defense Branch, which protected the Federation’s inner borders and regions.

If this was earth, common sense would make most cadets chose the defense branch because it was the safer path.

But here in the Federation?

Common sense didn’t apply.

Nobles raised their children with a singular mantra: Honor lies in bloodshed, not in safety. Being assigned to the Attack Branch wasn’t just prestigious—it was practically a badge of glory. The more dangerous the battlefield, the more respect one earned.

And the Federation made sure that system stuck.

Attack Branch officers were stronger, better equipped, and more influential.

Defense officers were often overlooked, even mocked.

Leon had seen it firsthand. The bias was deep-rooted, passed down from generation to generation. Cadets didn’t want safety—they wanted recognition.

And Leon was no different because he also wanted to join the Attack Branch.

But not for glory or pride.

But for two other reasons.

And the first was simple it was power.

After his arrest, Leon had realized something. While his growth was impressive compared to others, it still wasn’t fast enough for him. Not anymore.

What he needed now was absolute strength—the kind that puts one above the system. And he believed that kind of power could only be forged in the crucible of real war.

The battlefield.

And the Attack Military was the only place that could give him that.

The second reason... was Elizabeth.

She was strong—he knew that better than anyone.

But that didn’t stop the urge to protect her.

She was his woman, after all.

His fists clenched slightly in his lap.

"I have to be there... to protect her."

He wouldn’t say it aloud—not even to her.

But the decision was already made.

But because of this growing reluctance of cadets to join the Defense Branch, the Federation had implemented a centralized "Selection" process in the capital.

The car began to slow as towering gates appeared ahead.

The road to war was finally opening.

And Leon was ready to walk it.

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A/N: Although the defence branch doesn’t receive as much care as the attack branch they still have the resources to defend the Federation’s territory. But the soldiers of the attack branch are just stronger in combat.

But you guys can give your thoughts in the comments and thank you for reading

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