Chapter 3 - Strong And Compatible

"But why?..." the man doing the interview on this person was really in a state of confusion.

"Because... I want to be of use?" She also seemed unsure of her answer. And because of that, everything wasn't making any sense for the interviewer.

"Let me get this straight!... you retired a week ago from the 2nd Armored Brigade, but now you're back and applying for a position in the Special Infantry Troops?!"

She smiles at him and nods. "Yup! That is correct."

"Okay, I admire your bravery and voluntary application for the position in that special troop. But as we all know, when everyone was a newly recruited soldier, we were all forced to take that special compatibility test to acquire that shifter weapon which allows us to be a part of the special infantry troop."

"Yes, and?"

"Only 1 out of 3000 gets a decent result from compatibility test, and whoever gets lucky to pass the test is immediately assigned to that special troop. And you see, you were assigned to the Armored Division because you're not qualified to be a part of that special troop." The interviewer seemed really exhausted trying to explain it to this girl in a very simple way for her to understand.

"Ahh, is that so..." she seemed really clueless so the interviewer badly wanted to roll his eyes at her, but he still forged a kind smile to remain composure as that how a gentleman should be.

"Yes, so do you still want to continue this application? If so, I can recommend you to another division if you don't want to be a part of any armored division. We also have the airborne division, and the regular infantry battalions." He said.

Though the woman just had to repeat her answer. "I want to be in the Special Infantry Troop please."

"Gah! Did you not understand my explanation earlier!?" Who cares about being a gentleman, this interviewer thought. He wants to kick her out already as their conversation is getting nowhere.

"Right, about that... I am qualified to be a part of that special troop." She defended.

The interviewer raises an eyebrow, totally done dealing with bullshit. "Oh really? How so?"

The woman stood up and showed her right leg. "W-Woah! Just what are you trying to do here!?" He asks.

"Please take a closer look, especially over here." She pointed at her calfs, and there the interviewer noticed. "N-No way! Is that!?"

Now that he saw, she smiled as she got to prove herself. "I passed the compatibility test and got a shifter weapon installed on my right leg. I can join the special troops now, right?"

"Y-Your... your name! State your name again!" The interviewer demanded.

"Eh? It's on my application form, but okay! My name is Claire Duvent."

After that, the interviewer requested to have the Captain of the Special Infantry Troop to look into this matter. Claire was immediately sent to the office of the Captain for inspection. The first thing she noticed was the heavy atmosphere that surrounds the Captain of the special troop.

The Captain looked really strict and serious, and it felt like making a wrong move will make him mad. "I am Wright Hemsworth, the Captain of the Special Infantry Troop. I take it that you're Claire Duvent?—"

"Yes, sir." She answered.

"—the crazy bitch that wants to be a part of my special troop." It's as if Claire stepped on the wrong foot when she responded too early. She avoided eye contact but remain standing in a confident manner.

"...alright, you said you have a shifter installed on 'ya? Show me." He demanded.

"S-Sir yes, sir." She simply showed her calf where the shifter was.

"Why the fuck is the shifter there?" Captain Wright found it unusual for a shifter weapon to be located on a lower part of the human body. "Shifters are either put on the arms or shoulders, there's no way you can wield a shifter by your leg!! Tell me, why is it installed on your leg!?"

Claire couldn't think of an answer. "I'm sorry, but... that's just where they put it... I'm not really sure why it's there."

The Captain sighed. "...no. Just no. There's no way you can be a part of my troop."

This alarmed Claire and tried to protest. "W-Wait! Please don't reject me, I can still be useful in your troop! I swear!!"

"Are you kidding me? Even a child would understand that a 'no' is a 'no'. Don't be so stubborn and get out of my office!!"

Claire seemed that she wasn't planning on going without accomplishing anything. She forced her way on the Captain of the Special Infantry Troop. "Please listen! I swear, I'll do anything! Please make me a part of your troop!"

"You are already rejected! Why do you want to be a part of it so much!?" The Captain is started to get pissed off.

"Because I can! And I will become a part of it!"

"You little shit!—"

"Please, I'll even prove—" without any warning, the Captain used his shifter and morphed it into a spear which almost stabbed Claire on the face. It was missed on purpose, almost like a threat with a murderous intent. "Get the fuck outta here."

That kind of threat would normally make people piss their pants and have them run away, but Claire had those balls of steel in defying the Captain's threatening demand—except she's a girl. She inhaled deeply before continuing calmly. "If you would let me, I can prove that I'm worthy to be part of your troop."

Her bravery was admired by the Captain, but she was still annoying to him. Captain Wright sighs and gave her a challenge. "Fine. Show up by the training grounds tomorrow afternoon. Beat me, and then I'll let you in my team."

"...and what if I can't beat you?" She asked.

Captain Wright scoffs. "Then that might be the end of your career in the military, maybe even your life."

When Claire left the Captain's office, she rejoiced with the chance she was given. Just what is her motive in joining the Special Infantry Troop?