Heroine Creation: All My Summons Are Custom Made

Chapter 339: The Best Thing Ever [Bonus Chapter]

Lancet slowed and stopped walking, repeating the heavy title quietly under his breath. ”Earth’s Greatest Asset.” It admittedly had a very nice ring to it.

’I could get used to that. At least it isn’t Demon Dissector.’

They talked more and laughed until they finally reached Room 614. Exela was standing outside Room 616 which was next door while her quiet prefect took out a key from her pocket.

She had removed the bulky leather coat she’d worn during the flight, revealing the sleek, fitted fighting gear beneath it, with her blonde ponytail falling casually over one shoulder.

When Lancet looked toward her, Exela looked back, and their eyes met.

Suddenly remembering how he’d been caught staring at her in the meeting room, Lancet became very intensely interested in his own door. Exela entered her room without saying a single word.

Tavrik gave Lancet his own key, then showed him how to use the scanner if he didn’t want to be carrying the key around. Lancet pressed his hand against the scanner, and Room 614 slid open.

He stepped inside and found the room significantly larger than he had expected. A wide bed occupied one side beneath a tall window overlooking the central courtyard, while a desk, small couch, and extensive storage wall filled the remaining space.

A separate door led to a private bathroom. Best of all, everything had been distinctly built for one person.

Setting his travel case down, Lancet admitted, ”This is actually nice.”

Tavrik strolled in behind him. ”You sound surprised.”

”I’ve seen military dorms. They’re almost like prison cells.”

”This is the Golden Barracks,” Tavrik reminded him. ”You’re in the greatest military base in the world. Don’t expect anything else but the peak of everything else.”

He opened the storage wall to reveal several folded sets of neatly stacked clothing. ”Training gear. Barracks casuals. Combat undersuits. Formal military wear, just in case somebody important suddenly decides you should look respectable.”

Lancet picked up one of the shirts and frowned. ”That’s not my size.”

”Put it on.” When Lancet hesitated, Tavrik gestured impatiently. Lancet reluctantly pulled the shirt over his uniform, and immediately, the magical fabric began to move. It tightened automatically around his shoulders, shortened slightly at the sleeves, and adjusted perfectly around his torso until it fitted cleanly.

Lancet looked down, impressed. ”Okay. That’s good.”

”Magically adaptable clothing,” Tavrik explained. ”Everyone gets it. It stops us from having to measure thousands of people every single time recruits rotate.”

He pointed toward a black speaker built flush into the wall. ”Announcements come through there. Briefing times, meal schedules, emergencies, evacuations, and all that good stuff.”

He then crossed toward a sleek crystal communicator mounted directly beside the desk. ”This connects to every registered room. Type the room number, press here, and talk.”

Lancet leaned closer to inspect the device. ”Is it free?”

Tavrik laughed out loud. ”No. Everything here costs Grace so they have to cost Notes to pay the Awakeners that maintain it. Calls get deducted from yearly pay depending on distance and usage.”

He paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. ”Monthly pay for you, I guess.” Then, looking at Lancet, Tavrik reconsidered. ”Actually, maybe they won’t charge you anything. I mean, you’re you.”

Lancet stared at him, feeling that this was officially becoming ridiculous. He had certainly been praised before; the Academy loved talking about him after the Hebthej incident, the Kingdom Council had deemed him important, and King Romsgard openly treated him like a vital investment.

But this level of notoriety was entirely different. Ordinary, battle-hardened soldiers knew his face. Prefects had literally argued over who got to walk him down a simple hallway. Even President Alistair Bane had apparently spent enough time praising him and given him a title.

He sank onto the edge of the large bed. ’I’ve never been glazed this hard in my life.’

Life was good.

Tavrik turned in a slow, appraising circle around the room. ”So? What do you think?”

Lancet looked around again, taking in the private bathroom, the huge bed, the expansive window, and the comforting fact that nobody else’s messy belongings were scattered over half the floor.

”I actually like it a lot,” he admitted with a shrug. ”It’s definitely more private than my dorm at the Academy. I had to share that space with three other people.”

Tavrik’s face twisted in disgust. ”That sounds uncomfortable.”

”Not really,” Lancet smiled, leaning back slightly on both hands. ”We made it work.”

For a fleeting moment, he thought nostalgically about the Gold Dorms, remembering Amira, Soren and Min Tu. Then he thought about the Bronze Dorms, remembering his best buds, Kasto, Luke and Anita.

He had seen them all this morning, but knowing it would be a long time before he would see them again, he was already missing them.

Tavrik leaned against the desk while Lancet looked out through the window, watching the other soldiers moving about the courtyard below. ”I’m really excited to be here, you know. The Golden Barracks. War training. Fighting Gehenna. Saving the world...”

Before Lancet could finish his musings, Tavrik suddenly pushed himself off the desk, planted one foot dramatically on the couch, raised his boomerang high above his head, and struck a heroic pose.

”I know, right?!” he grinned broadly. ”It’s the best thing ever!”

Lancet froze, staring at him in disbelief as Tavrik shamelessly held the pose. ”Yeah... it is.”

A knock on the door interrupted them. Tavrik lowered his boomerang as another knock followed immediately, quickly turning into a frantic series of raps.

Lancet frowned. Tavrik looked at him and then back at the door.

”Who is it?” Tavrik called out, his brow furrowing when no answer came. He walked over and peered through the peephole, and his shoulders instantly sagged in defeat. ”Oh, no.”

Lancet stood up, suddenly on edge. ”What is it?”

Tavrik cracked the door open only a few cautious inches. ”What do you guys want?”

Several eager voices answered all at once from the hallway: ”Is he here?” ”Move.” ”Is he actually inside?”

Lancet frowned in confusion while Tavrik tried in vain to block the opening, scolding them. ”You people have things to do.” But a face excitedly wedged itself between the door and the frame, followed quickly by another.

Looking past Tavrik, Lancet saw at least eight people packed tightly into the hallway.

Suddenly, a girl with light-pink hair caught sight of him through the narrow gap. Her eyes widened with manic glee, and she let out a high-pitched squeal.

”Yeeeeee!!! It’s him!”

Shoving Tavrik aside with surprising strength, she threw the door wide open. The entire group rushed into the room right behind her, swarming inside.

Lancet’s eyes widened in horror as the mob came straight at him. ”What the fu—!”