122 Circle of Punishment and Reward
Zeras’s gaze searched around the room looking at the EIA officials who were seated so high up and were rendered speechless for some seconds.
‘Um, why do they have to sit up so high?”
“This young one has seen the Officials, but I know very well, I’ve offended you all…” Zeras said as he automatically got one of his knees.
“Oh, in what way have you offended us?” The Man at the highest table and directly facing him asked with an interesting expression on his face.
“On the way to the mission, I was less careful and ended up crashing the spaceship…” Zeras said with a downcast expression.
“Oh, about that it wasn’t your fault. Isn’t it the fault of the Abyssal creature?…”
“No, it’s my fault. I could have been more careful. Secondly, the officer asked me to stay put in the forest and not leave but I disobeyed, I broke an order from an official…” Zeras said causing the expressions of the officials to harden.
It was true in the EIA, that breaking orders, no matter your position, was an almost unforgivable thing.
“And why did you that? I believe someone like you should be smart enough to know that’s a very grievous thing to do…”
“I’m very well aware Officers, but I also couldn’t help it. All the rest of the New Cadets are working hard at the battlefield supporting the officers but I’m lying on a tree in the forest and resting. It’s the guilt of being useless. I felt I was more of a burden to the EIA than anything. That’s what chased me off the tree. That’s why I thought, no matter what small way, I’m also going to show my usefulness. I’ll prove my usefulness to the mission.
Now when I think of it. It was a harsh and stupid decision as I ended up endangering the mission than ever.
I ended up making a grave mistake and even dragging the princess to the Malevolent Sea.”Zeras said his voice laced with heavy guilt and regret.
“Well, that’s definitely irrefutable…” Commander Leviron said looking down at his wrist.
“Hmph, you’re lucky the princess possesses a protection Artifact, or you would have been immediately reduced to bones…” One of the officers said as Zeras raised an eyebrow.
‘A protection Artifact?’
A smile appeared on his face as he knew Princess Diana just saved him from the problem of the EIA asking him how he managed to survive in the Malevolent Sea.
“That’s true Officers. I ended up endangering my own life too. No matter what the punishment is, I’m willing to bear it officers. The mission was a disaster solely due to my decision. Everything was fully my fault…” Zeras said before remaining quiet on his knees as the Officers looked at each other, unable to come to a decision.
How would they teach him a lesson when he already knew well what he had done? Besides they all knew, even though the mission was endangered. It was also a success due to his act. Besides, he also created a good impression on them.
Most Cadets would have been more than comfortable simply sitting and doing nothing. But the boy actually got out of his comfort zone to support the EIA officials.
Besides he admitted the mission was endangered and never mentioned it being successful due to his decision. It showed he was one who truly felt guilt and was not arrogant like anyone his age would have been.
He had done a very brave act that none would have ever done if they were in his shoes.
Zeras who was bowing suddenly felt a massive amount of pressure slam down on him causing both his knees to immediately slam down on the ground as his head was bent with so much force they slammed down on the ground causing a crack to appear on the ground.
Blood immediately poured off his slowly closing wounds as the bandages became completely covered in red.
Zeras clenched his throat tightly in his hands as he discovered the air around him was no more and he could no longer breathe.
“Arck, Argh, Archh…” He repeatedly shocked on his breath as blood poured out of his body feeling a horrifying amount of pain wracking around his body.
“The most grievous offense in the EIA is disobeying orders. No matter the reasons, there’s no excuse for disobeying orders. Do you understand?” The Stern voice of the chubby officer echoed out to Zeras who had veins wriggling out of his body as he repeatedly slammed his hands on the ground.
The pressure slowly disappeared as Zeras felt the air coming back once again and he sucked in as rapidly as he could.
“COUGH, COUGH, COUGH…”
The female Officer present in the room suddenly raised her hands as she stretched forward and a gigantic ball of green energy appeared in the air before rapidly shooting towards Zeras.
Zeras who was convulsing on the ground in a coughing rage suddenly felt something slam into him and enter his body.
A system notification immediately popped up…
[A healing genetic ability has been used on The Host…]
[Host is too weak to cancel the effects.]
[Ability will now take effect…]
[Congratulations, Host HP has now been completely recovered.]
[All Host’s energy has now been regained.]
[All Host’s injury has been recovered.]
[Host is now back at 100%]
Zeras looked at the notification as he felt all the pain suddenly disappear.
Slowly standing up, the bandages around him suddenly faded to dust as Zeras looked at his once again spotless skin.
“Thank you officers for being lenient…” Zeras said bowing respectfully as he heaved a sigh of relief within him.
He knew he was off the hook for this…
“We knew you really put the mission in danger but it is also irrefutable you helped save the mission which would have been no doubt lost.
You could say you’re a hero in this mission too. Since all heroes are rewarded, the EIA has decided to reward you too.
There are two most noticeable rewards which will be stated here directly, as for the other perks, they will be sent to your watch…” One of the side officers said.
Zeras watched as the Commander slowly stood up.
“From today on, you’re no longer an EIA New Cadet but promoted to the first position position of an EIA official…” Zeras stood there numbed as he watched a small bag appear mysteriously I’m front of the commander as it slowly floated towards him.
Zeras grabbed onto the bag pack as he gently opened it with shaking hands and saw a new pair of uniforms in it. A uniform of a true EIA official.
“I…I..”
“Secondly, you’ve been chosen to represent the EIA in the Celestial Titans Cultivation Ruins that will be opening in the next two months. You’ll be participating with the future successors of the Nine Families and representing the EIA. All the other Perks will be sent to your watch. Now get going, the spaceship has been waiting for you for almost three hours now…” Commander Leviron said as Zeras just stood there unable to comprehend what was happening but just got in a bowing position before standing up and heading for the exit.
“What an interesting young lad…” The Commander said as the officers also gave an approving nod.
Only they knew just how much the EIA gained in this mission.