Chapter 450 Graduation, Border Patrol
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Cedric roamed Site Delta, taking his time to take everything.
For years, this place had been somewhat of a home to him too. Whenever he's not busy with his family or matters about Prime Earth, Cedric would be here, spending time learning all he could as much as possible.
As he walked around, he couldn't help but feel a little melancholic. He didn't have a lot of friends here nor had any real peers to speak of, but he had seen people coming and going here. All of them are doing their best to make progress and move forward.
He liked this environment, even though it's only a virtual world... but as people say, there's no banquet that never ends.
Cedric made his way towards the Chief's Office. He knocked three times and heard a voice from the other side telling him to come in. He made his way inside and saw the familiar face of Griff—the same ghostly person who welcomed him in Site Delta back then. Apparently, he's been promoted shortly after that and has become the Chief Manager of Site Delta.
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"Well, that's a face I don't see every day," Griff jested with a chuckle. "How can I help you, Cedric?"
"I'm ready, Chief." He replied, "I'm confident to graduate from training."
Griff looked mildly surprised, but only for a brief second. Then, a relieved smile appeared on his face.
"I see." He then took note of the time and said, "Not that I doubt you or anything, but do you really want to do it now? You still have roughly 20 years left before you're required to graduate from your training."
Cedric was, of course, aware of that. But he has already made his decision.
"I'm settled, Chief." He replied, "I'm ready to face my responsibilities."
Prime Earth was still developing, but his input was rarely needed at this point. His people were smart enough to do what needed to be done. Moreover, if he's ever needed, Acala or his family can ask his opinions anytime they want.
As for his family, they're doing well in their careers. All of them have moved on to searching for their opportunities in the virtual universe. He left then enough resources to use as capital to have success in their endeavors.
And recently, he has passed down his position as Solaris Prime's Governor to Godwyn.
Well, Godwyn is still in his probationary period. However, Cedric deemed him skilled enough to know what to do with this position. Neither Gilderoy nor Gerald wanted the position due to their personalities. It is only Godwyn who had shown interest in it, and his passion towards learning the societal differences between the many races of the alliance gave him an edge—it's a quality that not even Cedric possessed, and thus the position goes to him.
Though, of course, if he ever finds himself unsure of what to do, he can always ask his brothers and their mothers for help.
With everything in place, Cedric truly has nothing holding him back. Well, it's obvious that his wives are sad to see him go, but they won't hold him back from pursuing his goals and aspirations.
"I see. Very well, then." Griff sighed and pulled something out of the drawer. "Are you applying for a Civil Guard or Border Patrol?"
"Border Patrol, Sir."
Griff wasn't surprised by his choice. Even before he took the Chief Manager position here in Site Delta, he had been aware of Cedric's barely concealed brilliance.
He had been a stellar student, learning at a swift pace without showing any inconsistencies. Even the system AI that's in charge of the lessons and activities had nothing but praise for him. Cedric could've graduated years ago, but he didn't because he still had something to do that's preventing him from doing so. Now that he went here himself, it means that he already made his decision.
And going for the Border Patrol... isn't very surprising at all. Most of the subject he applied for falls under the skills of a Border Patrol Officer. That said, it doesn't mean that Cedric was ignorant about the responsibilities of a civil servant; he could've applied for this position too, but Cedric has already made his choice.
Griff pushed a stack of papers to him as well as a badge. The papers were his necessary documents representing his clearance; they bear Griff's insignia and signature, signifying their legitimacy.
The badge followed the shield aegis shape. It's made out of black iron and bore the insignia of swirling mass with a single stud in the middle. This was the badge of a security officer. As for the badge of a Border Patrol Officer, Cedric will receive that once he passes the test of Border Guardians.
"Here are your documents and your badge. I wish you good luck in your career," Griff said with a comforting voice.
Cedric received his things with a strange expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, well...I just thought that there'd be more," Cedric hesitantly admitted. "Like a test or some sort. You know, to prove my skills and abilities. That's usually how it goes in my world."
"Ah, psh!" Griff waved his hand humorlessly. "There's no need for that. The system had always been testing the recruits, so that'd be redundant."
"I see." Cedric took a deep breath before keeping his documents.
"I'll give you until the end of the next month to make your final preparations," Griff stated. "Say your farewells to your family and all that, because it'd be a while before you come back. Hopefully, by then, I hear myths and legends of your skills from the frontlines."
Cedric bowed curtly to him and said, "Thank you, sir. I'll do my best."
**
Cedric applied to graduate on the last week of the month, thinking that he'd be sent immediately to the border by the first week of the next month.
He didn't expect Griff to be magnanimous and give him an entire month to settle everything before he eventually reports for duty. Still, he's thankful nonetheless.
Cedric spent this time with his family, imparting his knowledge and experiences to his boys and frolicking under the sheets with his wives. He had let go of training entirely during this month, thinking that he'd see a lot of action at the border, so he might as well relax while he still can.
His wives and children already knew what was going to happen, and they have already accepted it.
It's not easy for them, of course. After all, Cedric had been their pillar for so long. With him by their side, nothing could go wrong. Now that he's leaving, uncertainties and doubts were making them feel insecure about their future. But it'd be too cruel of them to hold him back, especially after all that he's done for them.
That's why, even though they're reluctant to do so, they could only let him go.
They purposefully didn't talk about his departure. They instead focused on each other, basking in their complete familial love, because none of them knew when they'd be whole again.
Cedric thought about impregnating his wives again. He thought that if he did that, then they wouldn't be so lonely. His sons have already grown up to be independent, after all. And each of them has responsibilities to fulfill too, preventing them from spending time with their mothers.
But in the end, Cedric decided against it. He thought that it'd be too cruel of him to leave behind his unborn children, forcing them to grow up without him. It'd be both unfair and cruel.
He just hoped that the careers his wives were pursuing were enough to keep them occupied. Of course, he also told his sons to save some time to spend with their mothers every now and then, and his boys promised him that they would do so.
Actually, this doesn't have to be so dramatic. Even though Cedric wouldn't be with them physically, he could still come out of the virtual universe now and then to talk to them. The borders don't lack technology to somehow bridge the distance. Of course, it would still be different without him there physically, but at the very least, it wouldn't be as lonely or as scary as no contact at all.
Time passed by quickly...
Cedric tried to stretch that entire month as much as he could by sticking close to his family as he could, but he could only do so much.
Staring at the ceiling of the master's bedroom, a helpless smile appeared on his face.
He looked at the peaceful expressions of his wives. Their bodies curled on him as they slept peacefully. He stared at them as if burning their faces into his memory before silently leaving their warmth.
With a swift motion, he was dressed and stoic. He didn't make a sound or any commotions. The first few rays of the sun haven't even graced Prime Earth yet, but Cedric has to go.
He looked back at the Sky Castle; his face was expressionless, making it difficult to know what he actually feels. And after a couple of minutes, he disappeared from where he stood.
Cedric appeared at the edge of Solaris Prime in a heartbeat, looking at the huge spaceship parked outside, waiting for his arrival. Someone was waiting just outside too, and as soon as their gazes met, the person introduced himself.
"Greetings, Brother. My name is Zamson; I'm here to pick you up."