Rebirth of the Prime Dragon Master
Chapter 287 Untamed

Rocky quickly realized that his worries were unfounded. Inside the commander's quarters, in addition to Marin, were two deputy commanders and the leaders of several spirit manipulator squads.

"Did I disturb your meeting? I apologize! I will return after your meeting!" Rocky said bowing as he walked towards the door.

"We were waiting for you,” Marin replied in her usual calm and lack of emotion. It was as if nothing happened between them a few days back.”

"W-Waiting for me?" Rocky replied, obviously surprised. The commander and the deputy commanders with all the spirit manipulator squad leaders were waiting for him. Since when did he suddenly become so important to them?

But still, Rocky knew that there was nothing for him to cheer about.

"The Crimson Dragon Group suffered a lot after three months of fighting against the Timber Deity Empire. We never expected that the commander of the Timber Deity Empire was a military tactical genius, comparable to our Deputy Commander in Chief. And because we underestimated the capability of the Timber Deity Empire at the start of the confrontation, we lost three powerful Frontline Commanders and many spirit manipulators. We have recovered from these losses under the leadership of the Deputy Commander in Chief. But the losses that we suffered are irreparable. So the Commander in Chief decided to take advantage of this brief truce to train a few talented individuals selected from the strong and capable pool of spirit manipulators to serve as general commanders. And so the Commander in Chief ordered that we hold a military camp contest. Each of the six military camps of the Crimson Dragon Group will select five spirit manipulators from among their group to participate. All spirit manipulators, except for the commander of the camp, are allowed to participate,” Marin explained to Rocky in detail.

"Oh. So000, why are you waiting for me?" Rocky asked puzzled.

"After much discussion, the two deputy commanders as well as the squad leaders of the second and fourth spirit manipulator squads will participate in the contest to represent the northeast military camp. The two squad leaders have all reached the first grade of the Earthly Stage, and they are also the most powerful among the different spirit manipulator squads. In addition to the two deputy commanders and the two squad leaders that I have mentioned, there is another who has reached the first grade of the Earthly Stage within our entire camp. This person, therefore, has no choice but to participate in this contest to represent the northeast military camp,” Marin said as she stared straight at Rocky. There was something uncannily cold in her eyes. Her tone and the way she spoke made him conclude that she was referring to no one else but him.

"I suppose I am that other one, right?" Rocky said. He grimaced slightly and scratched his head. If he fought for the northeast military camp, there was no doubt that his true strength would be exposed. And this would draw unwanted suspicion and attention towards him. Suspicion and attention that someone like him could not afford to have.

"It does not seem appropriate for a mere breeder to take part in the contest. Commander, I think it is best if you would pick someone else,” Rocky said plainly.

The other three squad leaders who were present but were otherwise unable to get the chance to represent the camp were puzzled by Rocky's response. 'Is Rocky out of his mind? How can he afford to turn down such an opportunity?

Rocky's refusal brought a slim glimmer of hope for these three squad leaders that one of them would have the chance to participate. Unfortunately, Marin had no plan to consider any of them. "Leave us alone for a moment." Knowing full well that Rocky would refuse the offer, Marin asked the two deputy commanders and the squad leaders to leave the commander's quarters.

The three squad leaders left with the feeling that they had forever lost the last sliver of hope that they had with each step that they took towards the door of the commander's quarters.

The brief procession of military officers ended with only Marin and Rocky left alone inside the commander's quarters.

"Why did you pick me knowing full well that I would not participate?" Rocky asked in a subdued voice as his hands clasped his chest. He knew that Marin was smart enough to know that he would not participate. So he found it strange that Marin still decided to include him in the roster of representatives for their camp.

"Did you truly believe that I would pick you? This came directly from the Commander in Chief!" Marin said as she narrowed her beautiful eyes and took him completely by surprise.

"It came directly from the Commander in Chief?" Rocky was notably surprised. "Why didn't you make up an excuse to refuse it on my behalf?" he added.

"How could 1? Who would dare disobey a direct order from the Commander in Chief? Even though he is my uncle, I have to separate personal and professional matters. I have no choice but follow his orders as my Commanding Officer. Besides, why should I help you make up your excuses? That is your business and I need to follow orders!" Marin said. A look of apathy filled her beautiful face. Marin's tone made Rocky conclude that she was still upset with what happened in the beast stable. Although it was not intentional, he acknowledged that it was a hard situation for Marin to handle because she was a girl who never had any intimate experience.

"Well, about that day...” Rocky started to say but ultimately stopped as he grasped for the right words. He felt that it was best to explain everything to Marin. He didn't want to have to feel embarrassed whenever he was with Marin. But before he could say more, she interrupted him and quickly said, "Remember, nothing happened between us! And I really cannot help you with this. You really must participate in the contest.”

"Do you really believe that I would agree to participate?” How could Rocky be such a hardheaded person? It was a direct order from the Commander in Chief of the Crimson Dragon Group, but even if it was a direct order from God, he still wouldn't agree if he really didn't want to.

But Marin was fully aware that Rocky would not agree so easily. She knew that he had a personality that followed no one but himself. And that was what worried her the most. Rocky already rejected a request from the Commander in Chief once before. If he rejected once more, the Commander in Chief would think that Rocky was an arrogant person and this impression brought with it some dire consequences. Marin was worried that Rocky was unknowingly jeopardizing his future by being too hardheaded and resisting the Commander in Chief.

Even though Marin now wore a mask of indifference, she worried terribly about Rocky deep inside. Additionally, Rocky's continuous defiance would definitely bring with it unnecessary trouble. So after she thought about it carefully, she turned to Rocky and said, "Remember that you still owe me a favor? Now I'm asking you to represent the northeast military camp in the contest and do your very best!"

"You're wasting the favor that I promised just to get me to join the contest? Are you sure you want to do that?" Rocky asked in a serious tone.

Marin nodded slowly. In truth, what she did was for Rocky. Nothing good would come from defying the Commander in Chief.

"Anyway, considering your strength, I don't expect you to make an amazing performance in the contest. It would be a miracle for you to win even one game. Just have fun! And I promise that I won't be so embarrassed if you agree to go.” Marin said trying to soften the importance of Rocky's participation and its possible impact on Rocky's future.

"I see. I will not put you in an inconvenient position.” Rocky took one last look at Marin and thought that Marin was a commander who only obeyed what she was commanded to do. If he refused the request further, he would likely place Marin in a perilous situation. She even decided to use the favor that he promised her. There was no other reason for him to refuse now. So he gave her his promise and then left.

Marin stared at Rocky's back as he left the commander's quarters. As soon as she was alone, Marin's calm burned away quickly. Her eyes turned red and her legs trembled. Each time she saw Rocky, her mind immediately emptied itself and then it got filled with the scene of her and Rocky kissing. And the one thing that really got her was that she didn't hate the feeling. She could not understand what it was that she felt. She seemed to have lost her sanity for she now felt like her heart was filled with a yearning that she could not understand. And this feeling was making her feel like butterflies fluttered endlessly in her stomach and she found it hard to breathe whenever she was around Rocky.