Feeling the determination in Charlie's words, Olvia looked up at her younger brother who now stood a head taller than her.
"You..."
Olvia suddenly realized that her brother seemed to have grown taller again. How had she not noticed? But why was his twin brother so short? They were born from the same pregnancy - how could there be such a big difference? It didn't make sense.
Indeed, Olan was only 150cm this year, which wasn't particularly short among their peers, but compared to Charlie...
"Sis, please agree to this. No matter what, I have to go."
Hearing this, Olvia felt both angry and helpless. Looking at Charlie's resolute eyes, she sighed softly:
"You used to cling to me all the time, following me everywhere. But after last year's incident, you changed. You became more independent, more determined with your own ideas."
"It's like you grew up overnight. You're no longer that child sheltered under your sister's wing, but have become a man..."
Hearing this, Charlie fell into recollection, his gaze profound as he said:
"Yes, last year's incident made me completely understand that in this world, only strength can protect ourselves and our family. That's why I must become stronger!"
Last year, when some ruffians harassed Olvia, the original Charlie stepped forward to stop them, only to be slapped away, hitting his head on a rock and losing consciousness on the spot.
Seeing the blood, afraid of causing too much trouble, the ruffians left grudgingly. When "Charlie" woke up again, his soul had been replaced by another.
"So, the first thing you did after becoming stronger was to..."
Olvia finally voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind for over half a year.
Charlie shook his head.
"Sis, you've misunderstood. I didn't kill them."
I just tied their hands and feet and threw them into the sea, wanting them to perform an extreme escape act.
They were too weak to break free from the ropes - that's not my fault.
"Really? Then why have they disappeared?" Olvia asked again.
"Who knows? Maybe they were afraid of being beaten and 'went to sea'."
Charlie remained expressionless.
"Alright, I believe you."
Olvia didn't really care about the fate of those scumbags. She just couldn't believe her brother would actually kill someone.
But now...
Although Charlie appeared calm and showed no abnormalities, Olvia wasn't stupid. She was certain that those scumbags who harassed her last year were definitely dead, otherwise they wouldn't have suddenly vanished into thin air.
Never mind, see through but don't expose - that's how to remain good siblings. Let's just assume they really "went to sea." After all, many such scumbags go to sea to become pirates every year.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Have you really decided to join the military next year?"
"Yes, I've decided."
"Sigh... alright. You have your own mind, I know I can't stop you. But promise me you'll be careful and not make your sister worry, okay?"
Seeing that she couldn't persuade Charlie, Olvia stopped insisting and could only sigh helplessly, her face full of concern.
"Don't worry, sis. Your little brother's tough as nails. Nothing's going to happen to me." Charlie patted his chest with unwavering confidence.
"If anything happens to you, I won't want to live either," Olvia said angrily, her cheeks puffed up like a blowfish.
Charlie laughed, "Don't say that. Olan would be heartbroken if he heard."
"Olan wouldn't care. He'd be thrilled if no one bothered him." Thinking of her other younger brother gave Olvia a headache.
Charlie widened his eyes in feigned anger, "He wouldn't dare! I'd break his legs!"
"Hehehe, you're the only one who can keep him in line." Olvia covered her mouth as she giggled, utterly amused.
"Sis, I'm not criticizing you, but you're too gentle with Olan normally. You should beat him when he deserves it, otherwise he'll..."
"Alright, alright, I understand."
"Don't just say you understand. Every time I talk to you about this, you brush me off."
"Enough, you're being naggy now!"
"Sigh..."
Charlie sighed. If you won't discipline him for your future daughter's sake, then I'll have to step in as the uncle to do it.
...
Autumn passed and spring arrived. In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
February 1485.
West Sea Branch 15.
Training Ground.
"I say, are you all here for a stroll? Why are you moving so slowly!"
"Everyone start running! Anyone who doesn't complete twenty laps today will be on cleaning duty and eat last!"
"Quick, quick, quick! Keep running, don't stop, unless you want a taste of my whip!"
"Already panting and out of breath by the tenth lap? You're truly the worst batch of recruits I've ever trained!"
On the training ground, a middle-aged naval officer in instructor's uniform, holding a soft whip, roared with a thunderous voice.
"Wow, so every batch is supposedly the worst one, huh?"
At the front of the formation, Charlie muttered under his breath.
"Oh? Still got energy to talk, thinking I can't hear you? Perfect. Charlie, you get an extra twenty laps alone."
"Remember, you have the same time as everyone else. When they finish, you finish too, or you won't eat today!"
Sapp Whiteman, a Navy branch colonel, head of West Sea Branch 15, and also the recruits' instructor.
Although he was punishing Charlie now, his gaze toward him was full of admiration. Over the past few days, he had noticed that this batch of recruits included a promising talent.
As he spoke, Colonel Whiteman's mind automatically recalled Charlie's profile.
Charlie, male, 18 years old, full name Charlie, from a remote village on Harlen Island. Ten days ago, the village was unfortunately massacred by pirates, with Charlie being the only one who managed to escape by jumping into the sea, later rescued by a passing merchant ship.
He then made his way to Branch 15, coinciding with the Navy's spring recruitment, and promptly enlisted.
While it seemed coincidental, it wasn't unusual. Similar cases occurred every year, so Charlie's circumstances didn't raise suspicion.
Besides, it was true that a group of pirates had landed on Harlen Island ten days ago. As for the village Charlie mentioned, it had been burned to the ground, leaving nothing behind.
The only thing that puzzled Whiteman was that when he investigated the pirates' whereabouts, he found they had vanished after leaving Harlen Island, as if they had evaporated from the face of the earth.
Perhaps they had the misfortune of encountering a storm and ended up as fish food.
Whitman didn't think too much about it. He only knew that Charlie had considerable potential, was promising material, and possessed a strong sense of justice along with a deep hatred for pirates, making him well worth cultivating.
That's why he deliberately found an excuse to push Charlie to his limits. He really wanted to see how far Charlie could go.
"Yes, Instructor!"
Charlie responded loudly.
He could vaguely guess Colonel Whitman's intentions, so he didn't mind being "singled out," even though his current strength was enough to defeat everyone present.
"Status panel."
[Host: Nico Charlie]
[Age: 12]
[Height: 186cm]
[Skill Talents: Six Treasures Immortal Thief LV2 (20%), Mythical Zoan-Type Fish-Fish Fruit: Azure Dragon LV1 (50%)]
[Main Mission...]