Chapter 57: Training Camp
'So, identifying a Dimension that's not too dangerous can unlock a new feature! I can send my clones inside, huh? But that note... Fragment Core? The Dimension also had a name and it's different from the Small Insect Colony#111222. Is it a higher Dimension than it?'
Compared to the shock and awe his fellow new Energy Refiners were experiencing as they took in the interior of the military fortress that looked just like a small city with all of its establishments in place, Aldrin's mind was wandering about the IDLE Database's new feature.
The mysterious program instantly detected the Maintained-type Dimensional Rift as soon as his eyes caught sight of it.
It's enclosed by clear walls and a roof in the middle, much like how a big fountain would be placed in the middle of a town square becoming an easily noticeable structure.
There were soldiers and Metadomes stationed around it. They're guarding the only entrance and access to the stable Dimensional Rift.
Looking at it from his perspective, the Dimensional Rift even looked like a normal gate or passage at this point because of how they built a huge door in front of it, stopping anyone who probably would try to sneak past the guards. Only by opening that door would everyone get access to the path leading to the Dimension beyond it.
Because of years of efforts maintaining the Rift, the tide of Rift Monsters that should come out from it had stopped. Instead of that, Energy Refiners operating their Metadomes were lining up to gain entry. They're not part of the soldiers or Energy Refiners affiliated to the fortress but just people who wanted to venture inside, making use of the opportunity to earn a fortune.
Consequently, those leaving the Dimension with Metadomes bearing different degrees of damage were also queueing behind the door.
Just like that time at the Southern District's disaster. If he hadn't caught sight of the Rift spewing out the Rift Monsters, it wouldn't notify him about it being a dangerous Dimension and advise him to leave its vicinity.
'I still haven't finished the Small Insect Colony. But having something new like this is making my hand itch to try and see what kind of surprise IDLE Database will show me. It says to conquer it is to capture the Fragment Core... but there's no information about what a Fragment Core is!'
Aldrin minimized the system messages and checked the Idle Adventure mode where his four clones were doing their best to blitz every squad and group of ants or spiders they would meet.
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While the transport vehicles continued on their way to the location of the Joint Rookie Training Camp where they would stay for a month, the group of Metadomes that escorted them stopped and parked inside the military fortress' hangar to record their entry and identity.
Among the Metadomes from the City Hall, one particular man jumped and left the place after recording his information.
He's none other than the same man that's responsible for the disaster as well as the one sent to locate the whistleblower before anyone else could find him.
Through the spy planted by the organization he belonged to, he managed to get the position of being an escort for the new Energy Refiners. Without any new leads as to who among those kids was his target, he could only play the role of a member of the City Hall Guards.
A few minutes later, after following the road that the transport vehicles took, the man arrived at the location of training camp.
He didn't enter it but instead, observed the place. The five transport vehicles were parked outside the camp area.
Even from afar, his eyes began scanning the 50 or so new Energy Refiners that were being lined up by the ten instructors at the open field.
'Too bad, I arrived a bit late. I should've been one of the Instructors. That way, finding that bug will be easier.' He shook his head in disappointment. Either way, he already planned on infiltrating the camp as one of the many Energy Refiners who would give a lesson to the rookies as their training progressed. That way, he could closely observe them and find out who he needed to silence.
'Do you think by sending it to that Mayor will save your hide? Wait until I find you." Once again a sinister smile flashed upon his face.
Before he could be detected by the instructors, he pretended to be someone passing by the training camp.
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"Listen up! Your Instructors will be the same face in front of you until the end of the camp. Follow their guidance and strive to become a full-fledged Energy Refiner. What all you guys learned up until now is nothing compared to the experience that you will acquire here. If there's any question, ask them for an answer. Dismissed!" The chosen Camp Leader among the 10 instructors announced after the distribution of trainees to each of them ended.
Even though there were 10 Instructors and they split the students among themselves, they still had to elect someone who could take that role.
With more than fifty trainees, each instructor got five or six under them.
At the moment, Aldrin, who was handpicked by Janet, remained in front of her while four Energy Refiners from the other organizations lined up behind him.
Those who weren't specifically picked to be kept by their instructor were shuffled or better yet, raffled on which instructor they would land.
And surprisingly, as if they forecasted it before, the trio of Frederic, Irina and the egoistic guy Clark were among the four in Janet's trainees. The last Energy Refiner is a short woman with glasses from Frostland.
"You five. Introduce yourself and state your Combat Assessment Result."
After bringing them away and finding a spot in the wide field in front of their supposed training quarters where they placed their luggage earlier, Janet shouted in command while maintaining an authoritative posture, clearly different from how she carried herself before arriving here.
Being the older one and the one handpicked by Janet, Aldrin started the introduction.
Since he had no chance to further investigate the new feature in the IDLE Database and the new Dimension at the moment, he put it at the back of his mind.
"Aldrin Fallwater, Support-type."
"Caroline Lightbearer, Defense-type."
"Irina Heinen, Attack-type."
"Frederic Colard, Attack-type."
"Clark Knight, Defense-type."
After they finished their introduction, Janet appeared to be nodding her head as her playful eyes once again scrutinized their forms.
She's the one who facilitated all of the new Energy Refiners' Combat Assessments because of her previous post so there's really no need for her to know. She's just doing it to let them get to know each other. Furthermore, she's a bit lazy to do an actual instructing job.
Even if she promised her uncle that she would do her best, she didn't really have it in her to be too dedicated to it.
"Two attack-type, two defense-type and one support-type. Isn't this a great team?!" Irina exclaimed which was followed by a nod by everyone, including Aldrin.
Although it's a lot better if three were attack-type, it wouldn't hurt them to have two who could protect. In any case, just like what Aldrin learned when he took the Assessment, it wasn't final. Even those deemed as defense-type could also excel in other areas.
"Familiarize yourself with each other, starting today until the end of the Training Camp, you five are one team. Even if we're going to evaluate you one by one, your final standing in this camp will still depend on how well you work with other Energy Refiners." Janet said before leaving them to their own devices to let her trainees talk amongst themselves.
The same as them, the other teams under each instructor began creating their own circles as they sat down on the ground.
Aldrin then noticed that Janet along with the other instructors convened inside the building that serves as the Training Camp's Quarters.
With Janet gone, Aldrin, the trio and Caroline copied the other groups as they sat down in a circle to talk about each other's specialty as an Energy Refiner.
Apart from Aldrin, the four hadn't been enlightened with a Concept yet. However, they already had their desired path.
Hearing their aspirations as an Energy Refiner made Aldrin feel as if he's possibly taking everything lightly.
He has the IDLE Database. Even if he didn't devote some time to sit in one place and draw in the surrounding Dimensional Energy for a refining session that all Energy Refiners do, he's still progressing at a relatively quicker pace than everyone.
After contemplating about it for a while, he eventually shook his head inwardly.
'It's my cheat. Rather than mull over what a normal Energy Refiner does... Doing what only I can do will further benefit me. If they're in my shoes, they'll also be doing the same. Benefit from it. Later, I better check that new Dimension and see if I can earn more IDLE Points from it. I can't afford to just lay low. I have to continue progressing as well. That way, no one can threaten me or those close to me.' He thought before turning his focus back to their conversation.
By the time the five finished talking to each other and knowing each other's strong and weak points, Janet and the other instructors returned to their respective trainees. In their hand, a rectangular tablet device.
"Alright, the time has come for all of you to pick your first Concept. Come forward one at a time and I'll show you your choices. You all have three days to freely spend on gaining enlightenment. If you can do that, I'll commend you but if not, no worries, you won't be kicked out if you failed to gain initial enlightenment with your chosen Concept. You can cram it on the following days. Also, you'll undergo some physical training every morning. I can't have you become like dried twigs who will break upon being stomped upon." Ending her words with a meaningful smile, Janet then called Aldrin to pick his chosen Concept.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone