Chapter 376:Report.

Chapter 376: 376:Report.

"It is worse." Silas folded his arms. "One of our investigators thought the beacon might have been attached to an abandoned vehicle because nobody believed the survivor would actually be driving toward us."

He looked at him.

"That would have been embarrassing."

Silas laughed.

"For us or you?"

"Both."

Commander Ward returned to his desk.

"You’re lucky."

Silver followed.

He expected the word to annoy him but it didn’t. Because he’d been lucky. Skills, the system, his Rank Two strength mattered, and the Mental Restoration Capsule mattered, but luck had mattered too.

The wrong tunnel could have killed him. One failed Short-Step could have killed him. One mistake against the queen could have killed him.

Silver sat on the comfortable chair, everything was comfortable to him at the moment.

"I know."

Ward seemed slightly surprised by the answer.

He continued.

"I know exactly how lucky I was. There were too many moments where surviving depended on something going right by a very small margin. I’m not going to pretend I walked through Death Row Valley because I’m secretly stronger than a Rank Six beast. If I tried fighting that queen directly, I’d be dead."

The commander nodded approvingly.

"Good."

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Good?"

"I was worried surviving this would convince you you’re invincible. That’s how talented young Contractors die."

He leaned back.

"I’ve become considerably less interested in underground caves."

Silas smiled.

"Give it a month."

Silver thought about the blue mineral vein hidden on the mountainside plus the multicoloured stone, if it still existed, and became quiet.

Silas noticed.

"That expression says I’m right."

He sighed.

"Maybe give it longer than a month."

Ward laughed.

The atmosphere became slightly lighter, then the commander opened a file.

"There’s another matter."

Silver waited as he opened tthe file.

"The information you provided through the beacon and what you’ve given us this morning has direct operational value. You also gave us the first warning about the flying parasite form. That potentially prevented people from walking into an infestation without preparation."

He shrugged.

"I was warning you because those things getting outside Death Row Valley would become everyone’s problem."

"Motivation doesn’t change the value." Ward placed the file down. "The Association has procedures for compensating Contractors who provide high-value emergency intelligence, especially when it materially changes an active response. There will likely be formal compensation after your statement and the investigation are completed."

Silver listened, leaning forward almost subconsciously before straightening again after catching himself.

"But considering the circumstances, I’m willing to authorize something immediate as well. Equipment replacement. Medical expenses. Transportation. Temporary accommodation. Depending on what you need, we can arrange it."

His attention sharpened at one word.

Transportation.

Ward noticed his subtle change.

"Something specific?"

He nodded.

"Yes."

The commander waited for him to continue.

Silver leaned forward in anticipation.

"I need to get to Alpha Three today."

Silence filled the room. Silas looked at him while commander Ward stared in confusion.

He continued.

"More specifically, the Academy."

Ward blinked and placed the documents he was holding on the table.

"The academy?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Admissions."

Silas turned away. Silver could see his shoulders shaking.

He looked at him.

"Are you laughing?"

Silas looked back.

"A little."

He sighed.

Commander Ward stared at him as though he was trying to determine whether the medical staff had missed a head injury.

"Let me understand this correctly. You survived something that most people wouldn’t...."

"Correct."

"And the reward you’re asking me for is a ride to school."

He paused.

"When you say it like that, it sounds childish."

"It sounds insane."

"The admissions deadline is seven tonight."

Ward rubbed his forehead.

"Of course it is."

Silver smiled tiredly.

"I already have an admission letter. I just need to get there before the deadline."

Silas leaned against the wall.

"This might be the first time I’ve heard someone escape a Rank Six beast and immediately worry about being late for school."

Silver looked toward him.

"I’ve had a complicated week."

"Clearly."

Commander Ward became serious again.

"Why is reaching the academy today so important? I can get you a recommendation especially with your circumstances, my rank allows that."

He was tempted to wait for that, he knew it wasn’t that big of a deal to wait a little longer buut then he thought of Ravenna and her message.

I’m in Alpha Three. Antony and Mallory are safe. I found Shawn. We’re getting you out, so don’t you dare disappear again.

Silver smiled faintly.

"Someone is waiting for me there."

Ward watched him.

He added, "And I’ve spent too much time trying to reach that academy to miss admission because Death Row Valley stole six days from me."

That answer seemed to satisfy him.

Ward leaned back.

"Seven in the evening?"

"That’s the final deadline."

"You don’t need to arrive in the morning?"

"No. As long as I complete admission before seven."

Ward looked toward one of the schedules displayed on his terminal. He scrolled through it for a while, then stopped.

"There is an Association transport leaving later this morning."

Silver straightened.

Ward continued after noticing the change in his demeanor.

"We have containment materials, investigation documents and specialized equipment being transferred to a checkpoint inside Alpha Three. The helicopter isn’t an academy shuttle, and it won’t take you directly to the northern district, but it can get you into Alpha Three much faster than driving."

His eyebrows rose.

"A helicopter?"

"Unless you’d prefer your car."

Silver immediately shook his head.

"Helicopter."

Silas laughed.

"Smartest decision you’ve made since we found you."

He ignored that clear jab.

Ward checked another line.

"If there are no delays, you’ll reach the Alpha Three checkpoint with several hours to spare. From there, you’ll need to arrange your own transport to the academy."

"That’s more than enough."

"I’ll authorize it."

He relaxed.

"Thank you."

Ward looked at him strangely.

"You’re really not going to ask for anything else?"

Silver thought about it.

Money would be useful, equipment would be useful, plus a replacement sword would definitely be useful, but those could wait.

Ravenna couldn’t.

"The formal compensation can happen whenever the Association finishes deciding what my information is worth. Right now, getting me to Alpha Three is enough."

Ward nodded.

"Then consider it done."

Silver stood.

The commander immediately pointed toward him.

"You’re not leaving yet."

He stopped.

"What?"

"The helicopter doesn’t depart immediately. You’re going to eat, rest and let the medical staff check you one more time before you board."

He opened his mouth.

Ward raised a hand.

"That wasn’t a negotiation."

He sighed.

"Everyone here enjoys ordering me around."

Silas smiled.

"You’re Rank Two inside a command post full of people who outrank you."

"I can’t argue against that."