Chapter 66: Theodore's promise!

Once he confirmed that Vincent wanted to hear the good news first, Theodore exposed a pleasant smile and said, "The good news is that you are selected for the newly implemented newly enlisted student nurturing plan as you scored the highest in the entrance examination held in the city under my jurisdiction."

As soon as he said those words, Vincent's ears perked up in interest, and he said, "Instructor, can you explain it in detail?"

Instructor Theodore continued, "Since you wish to learn more about this matter, I will tell you about it. First off, you need to know that there are four military academies. There is one in each world's connecting space that connects Earth with four different worlds."

"I already know about it," Vincent interrupted. "My uncle is a retired soldier that has spent a fair amount of time in the world's connecting spaces completing missions. He has explained a lot about those places to me. I know that the military academy I am about to join is located in New Hope City established in the world's connecting space. I also know that it's supported and funded by the Great Royal Ambrose Family and Mighty Avalon Empire which was once ruled by the unforgiving king of time."

Vincent already knew that the world's connecting space that had opened in the Cloud Tower City—a city created around a hundred years ago—connected Earth solely to the world of Lorena. He also knew about the three others, two located in the greatest city on Earth where people from all nations dwelled and one in Vinland.

"Great!" Theodore wasn't offended that Vincent interrupted him. He was rather happy as he didn't need to explain everything now. "Since you already know, I won't beat around the bush. A fair portion of the resources we obtained this year will be used to nurture the most talented newly enlisted students and you are one of them. You will also be granted special privileges and a lot of items and materials that will help boost your strength as long as you use them appropriately."

Hearing his words, the eyes of Vincent glistened in a thoughtful glitter. "I understand." In the very next second, he asked, "Instructor, is that the reason why this year's entrance examination was harder compared to the previous years?"

"Yup, that is indeed the case. You see, we don't have a lot of resources to waste on untalented and unmotivated peoples. That's why the failure rate this year was purposely increased to above 70%!"

Immediately after, Vincent asked once again, "Instructors, what kind of privileges and resources will I be getting?"

As soon as he said those words, Kayle arched forward and said, "There's a lot of them. We will tell you about it afterward."

"I am fine with that," Vincent said. It was hard to curb his curiosity, but it's not like he could force words out of the instructor's mouths. Anyway, he was immensely happy that he had given his all in every turn and won such a wonderful chance. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been selected as he wouldn't have garnered any intention of the higher-ups.

"Are you ready to hear about the bad news?" Theodore asked after a moment as he looked at Vincent with an expression of seriousness.

"What's the bad news?" Vincent asked with a calm expression.

"There were a lot of people against letting you partake in the nurturing program. It can be attributed to the fact that although it says you are a nobility on the papers, you weren't born as one of them. It is also because of the selfish and greedy desires of various instructors that wanted to steal your chance from you and give it to someone else for certain benefits. However, I and a few others managed to curb their arguments by outlining everything you are best at."

At this point, Theodore Roosevelt looked deeply at Vincent with a meaningful gaze.

"Nevertheless, you aren't completely out of the red line. The chance you've been given is envied by many. These people might do anything plausible to undermine you and your efforts in every way possible each time they are given a chance to put you off the nurturing program."

As soon as he said those words, the expression on the face of Vincent turned grim, instantly turning the atmosphere heavy.

"Is there a chance that these people will try to harm or kill me?" Vincent hurriedly asked as his life depended on the reply.

"I guess even someone as stoic as you can show a different side once there's a possibility of your life being threatened," Kayle said as she looked at Vincent without any intention to hide the slight smile on her face.

"Haha, it's not like that." Theodore said, "They won't be able to actively discriminate against you even if they wanted to. You should know that although you weren't a high-born the day you were birthed, your current status bears more importance than one."

"Your parents are heroes of the federation that sacrificed their lives for multiple races. Furthermore, they died without a corpse. What do you think will happen once the heroes' child who couldn't even properly bury his parents is discriminated against by others for no good reason?"

While digesting what he said, Vincent's eyes squinted and a moment later, a thoughtful expression took place on his face. He said, "They will face a massive backlash. The public will criticize them and the Earth Federation will be forced to take a stand against them. They will likely lose their face and job to pacify the public's anger!"

The number of commoners that dwell in the federation far surpassed the nobles and royals. Their words mattered a lot as it carried a huge amount of one, a power in quantity that far surpassed quality.

Furthermore, the common public opinion was bound to sway in Vincent's favor if news about him getting treated unjustly ever surfaces.

"You are intelligent, indeed!" Kayle praised.

"It's as you think it to be. To be more specific, it's similar to the cancel culture trend that's widely spread on streaming platforms. A streamer gets canceled once his misdeeds pop up. At such times, popularity or status doesn't matter. Similarly, an instructor will lose his qualifications to teach in the military academy if he is considered unworthy by a majority of people."

Kayle continued in her melodic voice, "There's a lot of way of that happening. One of them is unjustly treating a student like you. After all, you are in a unique position."

As he was in a favorable position, one in which no sane person would actively act against him for no reason, Vincent calmed down.

However, he was not able to stay calm as immediately after, Theodore's words poured cold water over his head, "It's too soon to be relaxed. They can't do anything against you under the light of day, but the same can't be said for the darkness of night. Though I don't think someone will specifically make a life-threatening move against you as a majority of them are too prideful for their own good, and consider it below them to kill or assassinate a student for small benefits."

His words did little to assure Vincent and he looked at the instructors with a deep pondering gaze.

"Doesn't your words mean that the lesser majority will try to harm me?" Vincent said as all trace of calmness faded from his face and his eyes and one of his cheeks twitched uncontrollably. 

"Well, I will personally give them a visit on your behalf and warm them to not harm a single hair on your head. If they still have the guts to make a move against you, I promise on my name and honor that I will do everything in my power to stop these people from trying to harm you. It does not matter who they might be as whoever acts against you will meet an appropriate punishment. That I also promise!"