Chapter 124 — The Recruit Test
S.C. 1511 — Early March
Foosha Village Outskirts — Western Forest Path
The sun had just begun warming the treetops when Ren returned to the forest path with Zemo trotting beside him.
The morning was quiet, the mist still clinging to the ground.
Ren wasn't nervous.
But he wasn't relaxed either.
Today wasn't a food drop.
Today was something else.
A test.
Not to evaluate strength.
Not intelligence.
Not loyalty.
Those came later.
Today's test was simple:
Honesty.
Patience.
Discipline.
Qualities Ren valued more than raw ability.
Zemo flicked his ear, sensing Ren's focused mood.
---
Setting the Test
Ren stopped at the third drop location—the same spot where Arlen had left a stone arrangement yesterday.
He crouched and placed a small cloth bundle on the ground.
But inside wasn't food.
He opened it to check one last time:
A small, plain knife (not KEA, just an iron tool)
Two bread slices
A note with a single charcoal line:
"Take only what you need."
Not instructions.
Not a demand.
Just a quiet measure of character.
Zemo sniffed the knife curiously.
Ren tapped his head.
"No touching. It's for the test."
Zemo huffed.
---
Waiting
Ren hid behind a large tree several meters away—close enough to observe, far enough to avoid being noticed.
Zemo crouched beside him, tail silent, body still.
Minutes passed.
A bird chirped overhead.
Leaves twitched.
Wind hummed.
Then—
Footsteps.
Soft ones.
Light. Careful.
Too careful to be an adult.
Ren held his breath.
---
Arlen Arrives
Arlen emerged from the bushes, scarf pulled high, eyes scanning the area with practiced caution.
He spotted the bundle immediately.
But he didn't run toward it.
He didn't grab it in excitement.
He approached slowly.
Cautiously.
Thoughtfully.
He knelt beside the bundle and opened it.
Ren watched every small movement:
No greed.
No rush.
No panic.
Arlen read the note.
Then he stared at the items for a long, silent moment.
---
The Choice
Arlen picked up the knife.
Ren's heart tensed.
Would he…?
But after examining the knife briefly, Arlen placed it back inside the cloth.
Carefully.
Respectfully.
Then he tore half a slice of bread and wrapped it in his scarf pouch.
Not the whole slice.
Not both slices.
Just half.
Ren let out a slow exhale.
Arlen folded the cloth again, making sure it looked neat—almost exactly as Ren had placed it.
Then he did something Ren didn't expect:
He placed a small stone inside the cloth.
A marker.
A message.
A silent "thank you" again.
---
The Test Continues
Arlen stood up and scanned the trees.
Ren and Zemo remained perfectly still.
After a moment, Arlen whispered to the empty forest:
"…I'll come back tomorrow."
Then he turned and walked away, quietly disappearing down the worn path leading toward Gray Terminal.
Ren watched until Arlen was fully gone.
Only then did he rise from behind the tree.
Zemo stood too, tail wagging slightly as if to say, He passed.
---
Ren's Evaluation
Ren knelt beside the bundle and inspected its contents.
The knife remained untouched.
The bread slice was partially taken—but not excessively.
The cloth was neatly folded.
And the small gratitude stone was now inside.
"…Perfect," Ren whispered.
He opened his notebook and wrote:
Recruit Test — Arlen
• Did not steal knife
• Took minimal food
• Left a gratitude token
• Showed restraint
• Showed respect
• Showed awareness
• Passed honesty test perfectly
Ren closed the notebook, feeling a warmth in his chest.
This wasn't some heroic moment.
Not a dramatic rescue.
Not the start of a rebellion.
Just one boy showing kindness and control despite hunger.
And that was worth more to Ren than anything.
---
Returning Home
As Ren and Zemo walked back toward Foosha, Ren whispered quietly:
"Arlen… you're the first one."
Zemo barked softly.
Ren smiled faintly.
"One day, you'll help me build something safe.
Something stable.
Something that belongs to people like you."
Zemo nudged Ren's leg comfortingly.
Ren looked up at the sky through the trees.
The future wasn't here yet.
But it was moving closer.
---
End of Chapter 124