Supreme Magus novel Chapter 367

When the mail arrived, everyone rushed to open their own envelope to discover their final scores. Most rejoiced, but some cried in despair. Among the girls, only Nhilo had been evaluated fit to become a soldier.

The other two and Liwell were forced to choose between becoming members of the administrative department or return to their civilian life. The rest of the unit had received a passing grade. Vipli and Nhilo were the only ones promoted to Non Commissioned Officers.

Nobody was surprised when Lith’s grade was confirmed to be an M. What unsettled him was that, while for the others it was required to report to Sergeant Tepper, Lith had been summoned to Commander Berion’s office.

Aside from his score, the letter didn’t report any further detail.

"Don’t worry, I’m sure there’s a good reason for this." Vipli tried to reassure Lith. "It would make no sense making me an NCO and keeping you as a Private."

"Thanks. I hope you are right." Lith patted Vipli’s shoulder before going to the Commander’s Office.

’If I have to spend a year and a half starting from scratch, I might as well quit and they know it.’ Lith thought.

’What could have gone wrong? Did I fail the psychological evaluation? Either that or I’m being punished for the crystal’s disappearance. I can’t think of any other reason to kick me out with such an underhanded ruse.’

Lith’s paranoia once again took the wheel, painting himself into a corner before he could even reach Berion’s door.

"Welcome, Mage Verhen. I didn’t expect you so soon." The Commander’s polite manners didn’t surprise Lith.

’If he knows my family name, then he probably wants to avoid me making a scene.’ He thought.

Commander Berion was a man in his early thirties. He was almost as tall as Lith, standing 1.8 (5’11") meters tall with pitch black hair and eyes. His pale blue uniform could barely contain his muscular body, giving each of his movements an impression of strength.

Lith gave him a salute, which the Commander returned before inviting him to sit down.

"Let’s get straight to the point, Mage Verhen." Lith didn’t like the Commander’s flat tone, nor the fact Berion kept referring to him as a civilian mage.

"You are an outstanding individual. Alas, you are far from perfect. Your performances are controversial at best. You didn’t develop any kind of bond with the members of your unit nor with your commanding officer."

The Commander handed Lith several complaints about him filed by the other Cadets and even by Tepper during the past months.

’I should have let them die in those woods.’ Lith inwardly thought in outrage.

"Your psychological evaluation says you are emotionally detached and manipulative. In the light of all the circumstances presented to me, I can’t make you an officer. You are unfit to lead even a small unit."

Lith gritted his teeth, waiting for the final blow.

"At the same time, you have broken every record of this and many other camps. You also risked your life to save your unit when you could have just run away. No one would have blamed you for leaving them for dead in such an impossible situation.

"Your bravery earned you gratitude, admiration, and provided the army with plenty of materials for our R&D department." This time the Commander handed to Lith commendation letters from the Sergeant and his peers, asking Berion to ignore their previous complaints.

"This is why I’m promoting you to first Lieutenant."

"I thought you said I’m unfit to lead." The sudden turn of events left Lith in a daze.

"Tell me more about the Rangers." Lith replied, making Berion smirk for a split second. _{freёwebnovel.com}