My career aspirations have come true.

At the teacher's command, the commotion in the square quickly subsided.

Fang Yu walked to the front and loudly announced the end of the assessment.

"Graduates who have successfully passed the assessment, please gather in the auditorium later. Representatives from the Legion will sign your employment contracts there."

"The remaining students can stay in the square to participate in the recruitment of logistics positions. Specific details will be explained by a specialist later."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the square instantly split into two distinct parts.

The graduates who passed the assessment beamed with joy, a hint of superiority radiating from their glances around.

Most of the graduates who were unable to participate in the assessment hung their heads, their faces full of disappointment and dejection.

Their hopes of being recruited were dashed, and even if they were lucky enough to eventually enter the Legion's logistics department, their prospects and status were far inferior to those of frontline personnel.

One exam pushed the classmates, who had been classmates for four years, onto completely different paths in life, and they may never cross paths again in the future.

"Let's go, to the auditorium."

Lin Ze patted Liu Hao, who was still in a daze, and took the lead in walking towards the auditorium.

Liu Hao snapped out of his daze and quickly followed.

When they arrived, they found that more than a dozen tables had been set up on both sides of the auditorium, with a person in a star-blue military uniform sitting behind each table.

School teachers are guiding graduates to sign contracts in an orderly manner.

Lü Kui was among them.

Upon seeing Lin Ze, he immediately revealed a complex expression.

Just ten days ago, he thought Lin Ze would most likely fail at the job change, but unexpectedly, Lin Ze not only successfully changed jobs, but also won the title of top graduate. It's no exaggeration to call him a dark horse.

He misjudged the situation.

Lin Ze had no time to notice Lü Kui's complicated gaze. He had barely taken two steps into the auditorium when a legion officer led him to a small conference room at the back of the auditorium.

Pushing open the door, there were already quite a few people inside.

Tang Wangshu, Zhuang Yi, and Pei Xuan were sitting upright on the sofa, while Pan De and several legion examiners sat in the main seats, clearly waiting for him.

When Lin Ze entered, Tang Wangshu and Zhuang Yi both smiled at him in a friendly manner.

Only Pei Xuan remained indifferent, not even lifting his eyelids, as if he hadn't seen him at all.

"Please sit down."

Pande had a warm smile on his face and gestured for him to sit in the empty seat.

He only spoke slowly after Lin Ze was seated.

"According to regulations, graduates who pass the graduation assessment of the vocational college will be awarded the rank of private or private first class based on their performance."

"Those who perform exceptionally well in the assessment and have already been promoted two levels can be promoted one level and awarded the rank of Private First Class."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four of them, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

"Among this year's graduates of the Second Academy, only the four of you meet the requirements for being awarded the rank of Private First Class. Congratulations."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the four people on the sofa lit up with joy.

Although a private first class is still considered a private, he is only one step away from becoming a warrant officer. Once he gets over one more hurdle, he can join the ranks of non-commissioned officers.

Compared to ordinary privates, their starting point was significantly higher.

More importantly, this special rank conferment will bring them more attention within the legion, and they will also receive many implicit benefits on their future promotion path.

"This is the employment contract. Take a close look at the terms, and if there are no problems, you can sign it."

Pan Dechao gestured to the officer behind him, and soon four contracts were handed to the four men.

Lin Ze took the contract and carefully read it word by word.

The contract is mostly filled with standard clauses, all the same, except for the exceptionally generous benefits.

Not only can they enjoy free housing provided by the legion, but they also have a base annual salary of 600,000.

Even if they never get promoted in their entire lives, they can still live a life far more comfortable than the average person.

But what Lin Ze really cared about was the military merit exchange clause in the contract.

This is a core benefit unique to the Legion.

Members can earn military merits by completing various tasks, which can be used to exchange for rare cards and artifacts that are hard to find on the market.

This is the fundamental reason why countless people are desperate to join the legion.

Lin Ze was no exception.

After confirming that there were no problems with the contract, Lin Ze signed his name without hesitation and handed it back.

Tang Wangshu and the other two quickly completed the signing process.

"In addition, as is customary, the top graduate of each college will receive a minor merit award upon joining the military and will be recorded in their military merit file."

Pande added.

Upon hearing this, Tang Wangshu and Zhuang Yi looked at Lin Ze with a hint of envy.

A hint of jealousy flashed in Pei Xuan's eyes.

"Alright, all the formalities are done. You can go back and rest now." Pan De waved his hand. "Report to the Central District Branch at the same time tomorrow morning. We will assign you specific work units then."

The four agreed in unison, got up, and left the meeting room.

As soon as they returned to the auditorium, Zhuang Yi quickly approached Lin Ze with a warm smile and extended his hand.

"Let me introduce myself, this is Zhuang Yi from Class 5."

"I know you, the sword genius of the academy." Lin Ze smiled and extended his hand to shake his hand.

Zhuang Yi shook his head with a wry smile: "Don't tease me. Compared to you, the chief who can single-handedly defeat five stone fangs, my achievements are nothing. You are the one who is truly hiding your true strength."

Tang Wangshu also came over and asked curiously, "Lin Ze, you just used a draw sword slash, right?"

"That's right," Lin Ze readily admitted.

Upon hearing this, Tang Wangshu's gaze towards him immediately took on a strange tinge.

She knew all too well how rare excellent skills were among professionals.

Many experienced professionals at levels 4 and 5 are still using ordinary-level skills, but Lin Ze is only level 2, yet he has already mastered the top-tier offensive skill, Draw Sword Slash. It's really intriguing how he did it.

However, Tang Wangshu knew how to keep her distance and didn't press the matter further. Instead, she cleverly changed the subject and chatted with Lin Ze and Zhuang Yi about their plans for joining the company.

Pei Xuan, who was not far away, watched the three chatting happily, pursed his lips, and turned to leave alone.

......

The Third Academy.

Just as Sun Youyu reached the entrance of the cafeteria, her cell phone rang in her pocket.

She took out her phone, and after seeing the caller ID, a bright smile immediately appeared on her face. She quickly pressed the answer button.

"Brother, have you finished your assessment?"

"It passed? That's great! I knew you'd be fine!"

"Top graduate? Really... Dude, you're amazing!"

Chen Han, who was standing to the side, looked surprised as she listened to her words.

She wasn't surprised that Lin Ze passed the assessment, but winning the top spot among the graduates was simply too unbelievable.

After all, she had heard Sun Youyu mention that Lin Ze was worried about changing jobs a few days ago.

No matter how you look at it, he shouldn't be the top graduate.

While she was still in a daze, Chen Han's own phone rang, and she quickly answered it.

"Uncle Chen, what's the matter?"

"What? Are you sure it's him?"

"...Okay, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Chen."

Sun Youyu, who had just hung up the phone, was about to share her joy with her friend when she noticed Chen Han's strange expression and asked in confusion, "Xiao Han, what's wrong?"

Chen Han hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Zhao Feng is dead."

"Dead?" Sun Youyu was stunned.

"Yes, just this morning, he was reportedly stabbed in the street after leaving a bar all night, and the killer still hasn't been found."

"Serves you right!"

Coming to her senses, Sun Youyu's face instantly lit up with a look of satisfaction.

For the past three months, Zhao Feng has forced her to stay away from home, leaving her to live in fear and anxiety in the academy, even worrying day and night that her brother will be retaliated against.

Now that bastard is completely gone, the huge weight that had been hanging over my heart has finally been lifted.

Seeing the joy on her friend's face, Chen Han felt a sense of unease.

Not long ago, Lin Ze asked her to find out where Zhao Feng frequented, and now Zhao Feng has died on the street. It's too much of a coincidence.

However, when Zhao Feng got into trouble, Lin Ze was taking his graduation exam and had a perfect alibi, so it couldn't have been him who did it.

Is she really just overthinking things?

As Chen Han was pondering to herself, Sun Youyu suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the school gate.

"Forget it! We're not going to eat at the cafeteria today. Let's go find my brother and have a big meal to celebrate!"

"Okay, I got it. Slow down."