Creak—!
The steady hum of rolling wheels was the only sound accompanying Case as he advanced through the silent streets.
He can feel the gazes of some houses' windows that seemed to look in his direction, clearly questioning how a kid is wandering the streets at this time.
But that was exactly why Case knew it was the perfect time to move—everyone was still too busy adjusting to the world's new reality.
Just as he had in the past, their family has remained hidden behind the walls of their home, offering false and temporary security.
Case doesn't want to repeat the same mistake since to save his family and the Earth's future, he had to take the spotlight, knowing teensy bits of the occurrences moving forward.
Creak—!
Case continued pedaling his bike, only resting when he needed to, such as drinking water or taking a shit in a nearby open store then proceeded to pedal his bike yet again.
That cycle was the only thing Case did before he found the place where he could start the Earth's Camp.
Case slowly approached a huge building ahead with a huge sign that says [Primary Evaluation]
The Earth's Camp can be divided into two assessments.
The first assessment is called the Primary Evaluation, where the government and some hidden people under Auralex can directly hand-pick a recruit from certain places where these assessments are held.
The second assessment is called the Final Evaluation, where people that was picked from the primary evaluation will undergo training and be evaluated to see if they are suited to be part of First Earth Space Exploration.
Primary Evaluation will be a task that Case could excel in since he already knows the contents of the assessment.
As long as there wasn't much change in what he already knew, Case was confident moving on to the second assessment.
When that moment arrives, Case has only one mission, and that is to uncover the turning point that led to Earth's downfall.
Because the First Earth Space Exploration failed miserably.
No one came back from that expedition, confusing the High Table and even Auralex himself.
That's why Case was eager to join in, changing that course of events in a way he had planned it.
If he was successful pulling it off, he'll achieve a lot more and can move on to his next actions.
It didn't take long before his pedaling came to a stop. He reached the front doors of a huge building and entered.
Upon walking a few more steps into the lobby, he was able to spot a few people inside.
Gazes were cast on him, and he looked back. Some looked intimidating while others were desperate.
But more importantly, there was one reaction that mixed their emotions, and it was fear.
Each of them had their own reasons for being there, including Case, which is why he didn't bother questioning who they were or what they were doing. He simply moved to the side and stood in silence.
No one talked to each other. Everyone quietly bided their time, and even Case decided to sleep.
He was so comfortable with not being disturbed since this was already part of Antavon Kingdom's authority.
Everyone who entered the establishment came to the same realization the moment they saw the otherworldly weapons stationed inside.
With only basic human instinct, one could realize how rash actions could result in something bad.
Half a day later, the batch from that building exited.
From the room at the front, which appeared to serve as the assessment area, a woman with two antennae on her head emerged and made her way to the lobby, where others waited patiently.
She announced, "The Seventh Assessment of the Cross District will begin soon. Please be ready."
What she said only meant that the assessment that Case would undergo would be the seventh in their town. People had already come to this district to assess themselves.
'Thank goodness…'
Case felt relieved upon realizing that his knowledge hadn't failed him.
The Primary Assessment isn't just operating in their district. The High Table was already recruiting people from all over the place to join the Earth's Camp via this assessment simultaneously.
And each district will only accept one person whom they deem suitable for the Earth's Camp.
If memory served him right, Case recalled that the first person accepted from Earth's Camp was from the Philippines. It happened during the Thirtieth Primary Assessment.
People only learned of their acceptance when it was announced that the district where they underwent assessment had finished.
Hence, when someone goes through the Primary Assessment, they must give their best shot.
'Piece of cake,'
Everyone began to ready themselves as the group from the Sixth Assessment exited the lobby. Most looked dejected, while a few wore confident expressions, unaware they hadn't passed either.
As the lobby made buzzing sounds, Case continuously looked at the woman who was their observer for the assessment.
She recognized this woman.
Tall, petite body structure with a piercing gaze and cold aura, having the demeanor of a true commander.
She was no other than the fourth captain under Auralex's tutelage, Captain Velez.
Case continued looking in her direction, and it didn't take long for Velez to notice his presence.
They didn't exchange words as their gaze was enough to gauge a bit of the stranger's dispositions.
Velez could already sense potential in the cadet. There was a quiet mystery in their gaze that drew her in, sparking a subtle sense of anticipation for what the newcomer might become and provide.
On the other hand, Case shivered upon remembering how Velez's pretty face was hiding a lunatic underneath.
A killing machine that will destroy planets according to Auralex's orders without a second thought.
She loves the act of killing and the deaths that come along with it so much that she thirsts for it every second.
As for why Case wanted to look at Velez despite the fact knowing her portfolio, he wanted to let her interest be directed at her.
After all, no one in this lobby batted an eye at her, not even her underlings would dare to do that, which values the respect of rank.
But Case screw all of that.
He didn't want respect from them.
His goal was to raise his 'value' to a level so high that no one from the other districts could even compare.
After all, that was the plan from the very beginning.
Once she confirmed that no one remained from the previous assessment, Velez gave the signal for her men to close the door.
Then, curling her lips upward, Velez finally announced, "Please enter the lobby. The Seventh Assessment of Cross District will now commence."