[Author's Note: The details of The Bastion are also introduced in Chapter 8 of the main story. While this auxiliary volume provides an in-depth exploration of its structure, ranks, and the warriors who serve there, I recommend waiting until you reach Chapter 8 before reading this. That way, you can experience the story's natural progression and avoid any potential spoilers.]
Introduction
The Bastion is not merely a fortress; it is a living, breathing entity that exists as the last line of defense against the horrors of the Chaos Continent. Every inch of it is designed to prepare warriors for the battles they will face, testing their limits physically, mentally, and spiritually. This Auxiliary Volume delves deeper into the inner workings of The Bastion, its ranks, and the paths its warriors follow to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
The Structure of The Bastion
The Bastion is divided into multiple training sectors, each specifically designed to push its recruits to their absolute limits. These sectors focus on different aspects of combat, magic, mental toughness, and survival skills. Recruits are tested in each area, with only the most promising individuals selected for advanced training.
The Arena of Trials: This is where soldiers face each other in combat, testing their skills and learning the importance of teamwork, strategy, and adaptability under pressure.
The Wilds of Zendia: Deep within Zendia's Forest, soldiers undergo survival tests in a dangerous, real-world environment. This sector simulates the brutal conditions of the Chaos Continent, where recruits must learn to fend off hostile creatures, navigate treacherous terrain, and survive the harsh wilderness.
The Mana Forge: A specialized sector where soldiers refine their magical abilities. Here, trainees learn to harness and control their mana, pushing their limits in high-intensity combat simulations and real-world scenarios.
The Command Chambers: A tactical hub where soldiers study battle strategies, monster anatomy, and the histories of past wars. It's here that they learn the importance of coordination and planning, gaining the knowledge to become leaders on the battlefield.
The Paths of The Bastion
The Bastion offers several distinct career paths for its warriors. Each path is designed to fit the strengths and personalities of its recruits. Choosing a path is a significant decision, one that defines the recruit's future in The Bastion.
1. Scouters – "The Blade in the Dark"
Role: Specialized frontline monster hunters who track and eliminate threats before they reach civilization.
Danger Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Skills Required: Stealth, tracking, ambush tactics, and exceptional combat ability.
Responsibilities: Scouters often operate alone or in small teams, working deep in enemy territory where they are the first line of offense. Their work is the most dangerous and requires the utmost skill and resilience.
Special Abilities: Scouters must possess the ability to adapt quickly to changing situations, relying on their wits and combat prowess to survive in the most hostile environments.
2. Sentinels – "The Shield of Civilization"
Role: Defenders of fortresses, cities, and strategic locations, forming the first line of defense against large-scale attacks.
Danger Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Skills Required: High endurance, heavy armor combat, and large-scale battlefield control.
Responsibilities: Sentinels are responsible for defending major strongholds and keeping the peace within the borders of civilization. They are the backbone of The Bastion's military strength, holding the line when the enemies strike in full force.
Special Abilities: Sentinels are skilled in a variety of defensive tactics, from magical barrier creation to using massive weaponry. They are adept at maintaining composure during prolonged engagements.
3. Wardens – "The Scholars of War"
Role: Magical researchers who study monsters, develop new weapons, and counteract magical threats.
Danger Level: 🔥🔥
Skills Required: Advanced knowledge of magic, monster biology, and strategic warfare.
Responsibilities: Wardens are the intellectual backbone of The Bastion, studying threats and developing countermeasures. They work in laboratories, archives, and sometimes directly on the frontlines as combat researchers. Their research is essential for the survival of humanity.
Special Abilities: Wardens possess a deep understanding of magic and the arcane. Their ability to create new spells, weapons, and strategies is crucial to winning battles against powerful adversaries.
4. Pioneers – "The First to Walk the Void"
Role:Explorers and survivalists who venture deep into the Chaos Continent to map territories, find lost knowledge, and uncover secrets.
Danger Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Skills Required: Survival skills, adaptability, and the ability to endure extreme conditions.
Responsibilities: Pioneers are the ones who go where others fear to tread. They explore the Chaos Continent, a dangerous and uncharted wasteland full of unknown dangers. They gather intelligence and bring back invaluable information that helps humanity defend itself against the horrors lurking in the wild.
Special Abilities: Pioneers are skilled at surviving in harsh environments, using their wits and resourcefulness to navigate uncharted territories. Their knowledge of the world's most dangerous regions is unmatched.
The Ranks of The Bastion
The Bastion follows a clear progression system that ranks its warriors based on their skills, experience, and achievements. Recruits must work hard to rise through the ranks, proving their worth with every step.
Trainee Ranks (For Recruits)
Cadet – The entry-level rank. Recruits are just starting their journey at The Bastion and undergo basic survival training and physical conditioning.
Initiate – After passing the initial trials, initiates are considered to have the potential to advance. They focus on more specialized training in combat, mana control, and teamwork.
Veteran – Recruits who have successfully completed the initial training and are now ready for specialization. They undergo intense testing before they choose their career path within The Bastion.
Military Ranks (For Graduates)
Scouter – The elite reconnaissance unit, responsible for hunting down monsters in enemy territory. They work in small teams and rely on speed, tracking, and ambush tactics.
Sentinel – The frontline warriors who defend cities, strongholds, and fortresses against incoming monsters. They specialize in endurance and high-impact combat.
Warden – The leaders of defensive operations. Wardens command Sentinels, organize fortifications, and ensure strategic victories in battles against monsters.
Pioneer – The highest-ranking warriors who venture into Chaos Continent itself. They explore, gather intelligence, and eliminate threats before they reach civilization.
Commander Ranks (Overseers of The Bastion)
Captain of the Bastion – The highest-ranking officer in charge of training, ensuring that recruits are battle-ready and prepared for the war efforts ahead.
High Commander – The legendary warriors who lead large-scale military campaigns against the Chaos Continent, coordinating the defense of Pandora.
The Bastion's Motto
"Steel is forged in fire, and warriors are forged in battle."