From Wastrel To A Powerhouse

Author: John Smith

Chapter 1: Powerful Family

Words : 2834 Updated : Sep 24th, 2025

In the year 2000, in Yanos' Silvercrest District Bus Station, the station lobby was packed and noisy. Fresh conscripts in green uniforms, big red ribbons pinned to their chests, clung to their families, stretching out reluctant goodbyes. In the crowd, one figure jolted as if shocked awake. Daniel Lyson shook his head, staring around in a daze. "What the hell is this?" He was sure he'd been burning the midnight oil at the office, hammering out code. How had he ended up here in the blink of an eye? He glanced down. The new uniform hung on his frame, and the bright red ribbon on his chest nearly blinded him. "You have got to be kidding me. What is this outfit? Am I the groom or something?" "Daniel, I'm talking to you. Do you hear me?" Daniel looked up, baffled. A colonel with a severe face fixed him with a sharp stare. "And you are?" Daniel asked, confusion written all over his face. Aiden Zorn rolled his eyes and barked, "Drop the amnesia act. Play crazy all you want; you're shipping out, like it or not. That's your father's order, and this isn't a joke." Daniel frowned. Hell, I truly don't know you. Then a flood of memories crashed in. Only then did he realize he'd crossed over into another life. He'd landed in a family steeped in the military, with impeccable revolutionary credentials. His old man was a regional military commander. Both older brothers held major posts. His mother chaired an energy conglomerate. His uncle ran a Fortune Global 500 company. As for last night, the guy who originally owned this body had drunk himself to death. That was Daniel's opening. With a family this powerful, he figured he could coast and nobody would blame him. Except he'd barely arrived when the guy's father shoved him into the army to toughen him up. Daniel wanted to cry. Couldn't they have waited a couple of days? Let a former corporate wage slave party hard for once, get a crash course in being a spoiled rich kid. He thought of how the original had strutted into a bar last night and shouted, "Put it on me. I'm buying!" The way the girls had shrieked, the whole place buzzing, still made his blood sing. All the perks went to that bastard, and all the hardship landed on me. How is that fair? "Can I push it back a couple of days?" Daniel asked, barely hiding his frustration. Aiden's stare went cold. "You think this is a market and we're haggling? You're shipping out whether you like it or not. Your name's already on the list. If you run, you're a deserter. On the battlefield, bullets don't care who your dad is." Daniel swallowed hard. So he really had no way out. Aiden's tone softened. "You're not a kid anymore. You can't keep living like before." Daniel cursed in his head. I paid my dues in my last life. This time I deserve a little fun, right? Aiden patted his shoulder. "The army's a forge. Two years isn't long. Maybe in two years you'll realize service is in your blood and choose to stay." Daniel rolled his eyes. Like hell I'm staying. I'm going to blow money and chase models. "If you don't want to stay, your old man won't stop you afterward," Aiden added. "Really?" Daniel's eyes lit up. He practically vibrated with excitement. Aiden nodded. "Yes. He said so himself." Daniel's spirits soared. There was a loophole after all. What a start. Born on third base, ready to stroll home. All he had to do was be a total slacker for two years, then it was fast cars, pretty girls, and music every night. He almost hugged Aiden; he was so happy. "Then it's a deal. Two years. I'll treat it like the monk's pilgrimage." "But," Aiden said, fixing him with a look, "you have to promise to finish the full two years. If you run or get sent back, the old man's words are void, and he'll find a new way to deal with you." Daniel cut in with a grin. "Aiden, relax. If two years buys me a lifetime of fun, I'll serve every last day." "Bye, Aiden. See you in two years." With a pack slung over his shoulder, Daniel jogged toward the recruits, all smiles. Aiden watched him go and let the faintest smile tug at his lips. "Serve and you'll regret it for two years; skip it and you'll regret it for a lifetime. By then, you might feel differently." He turned, took a phone from his pocket, and dialed. "Sir, it's me. Yes, he's already on the bus." "How did he take it?" The voice on the other end was iron-hard. It was Daniel's father, Tim Lyson, commander of the Southeastern Military Region. Aiden smiled. "He went along without a peep. I gave him your words exactly. He agreed to serve properly." Tim let out a mirthless chuckle. "That brat says one thing to your face and another behind your back. He's not a man of his word. Put people on him and keep a close watch." "Understood." Aiden nodded. "I know several regimental commanders in the 602nd. I'll get someone to shadow him and report if anything comes up." "Don't go easy on him," Tim said, voice level and cold, "Tell them if Daniel acts up and tries to pull any street tricks in the army, they're to come down on him hard." "If necessary, expel him from the army." "Don't let one bad apple spoil the bunch." Aiden froze. "Sir, I thought you wanted him in the army to be tempered. If he gets kicked out halfway, wouldn't that be exactly what he wants?" Daniel's playboy reputation in the Silvercrest area was infamous. Word had it he'd even formed a clique, the Four Scions of Silvercrest. It was outrageous. If he got sent back before two years, it'd be like setting him loose to make trouble all over again. Aiden genuinely didn't understand the old man's thinking. Tim snorted. "You think I'd make it so easy on him, let him walk out comfortable? If the army can't straighten him out, I'll send him somewhere even tougher. I'll send him somewhere so rough he can't even get enough to eat or drink." Aiden gave a wry smile and shook his head. So the boss already had a plan B. The old fox had a trick or two up his sleeve. Daniel was in for a rough patch. "Understood. I'll keep a close eye." He hung up, drew a steadying breath, and watched the convoy roll into the distance. "Kid, I hope you take to the army and change for the better. Otherwise, you're in real trouble." ***** The trucks roared down the asphalt. Outside, scenery blurred past in a rush. In the back of the truck, recruits were packed shoulder to shoulder. The long ride lulled most into a hazy doze. Daniel, though, looked bright-eyed. "Two years. Blink and it's done. Piece of cake." He'd already planned his glorious return. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays-clubbing with fresh-faced models. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays-dates with another group of gorgeous women. Sundays, a day off to recover. Just thinking about that schedule made his lower back ache with anticipation. He snickered to himself, savoring the future, laughter slipping out before he could stop it. A hand suddenly popped up in front of his face. Daniel jerked. "Holy crap, what is that?" He followed the hand and found a dark-skinned, guileless-looking youth beaming at him. "Hey, have an egg. My mom made them. Still warm." Daniel's mouth twitched. This guy had been eating since they boarded. His big white teeth were smeared with yolk. How long had he gone without an egg to be this excited? "No thanks. I'm not hungry." Vincent grinned. "Don't be shy. These came from our own hens. You can't buy eggs like this." Daniel gave an embarrassed smile. "You can lay these yourself? Then I definitely can't buy them." Vincent blinked, then chuckled. "Listen to you. People are born to their mothers, eggs are laid by hens. How would I lay one? Besides, I'm a man." Daniel laughed until his cheeks hurt. The army really was a big melting pot. You met all kinds. This one was a character. "Thanks," Daniel said, "I'm really not hungry. You shouldn't overdo it either. Too many eggs aren't good for you." Vincent rubbed his head, completely at sea. "Ain't it good for you to eat eggs? If I wasn't enlisting, the whole village would be bringing eggs to our house. I wouldn't even get a taste." "Heh. City boys are pampered. He's too good for your eggs." Daniel frowned and turned. A young man with heavy brows and bold eyes stared at him, clearly challenging him. He looked like he was from the edge of town. Daniel realized the guy had taken him wrong. He didn't feel like explaining. They weren't about to be friends anyway. He shrugged and looked away. "Playing the big shot, huh? So what if you're from a big city." The youth snorted, snagged an egg from Vincent, and cracked it on his skull. "He won't eat it. I will. I'm Adriel. What's your name?" "Vincent." Vincent beamed. The truck began to slow. Heads turned toward the windows, curiosity flaring. For most, it was the first time away from home. In a new place, everything felt bright and full of promise. The truck stopped. A fierce voice barked from outside. "Off the truck, all of you, move it!" A stern-faced veteran hammered the side panel. "Grab your stuff and get down, fast." The recruits tumbled out like a herd of startled sheep. The broad parade ground erupted into a restless hum as everyone craned their necks and gawked. By the flagpole, the recruits' company commander, Oscar, let a frown crease his brow. "Sloppy. Every year the quality slips." The instructor, Zeke, laughed. "Oscar, society's changing fast. Kids today grew up pampered. You have to be more forgiving." Oscar snorted. "This is the army, not a daycare. You show up here, you'd better be mentally prepared. Look at them. What do they look like?" His voice turned cold. "I heard someone got in through connections this batch. No physical, no background check, just slipped in. What do you call that?" Zeke looked genuinely surprised. "No way. Someone pulled strings?" Oscar nodded. "Confirmed. I don't care who he is or who put him here. If his performance is substandard, I'll send him back. I'm not letting one bad apple mess with our standards." Zeke nodded. The army wasn't a shelter. If anyone could use connections to shove people in, it would turn into chaos. And in a place where discipline meant life or death, how would you fight a war without rules? A ruckus suddenly broke out in the distance. "Get down from there. Move it!" "Who the hell told you to climb up? That's the 602nd's emblem. Get down now!" Oscar swung his head around, and his eyes nearly popped. A recruit stood on the 602nd Armored Division's iconic display, a tank that had once earned great honors in battle. He waved to the crowd with a flourish, acting like he owned the place. He even shouted in a solemn voice, "Greetings, comrades! Appreciate your hard work!" "No sweat. Just doing our duty!" "Hahaha, that's rich." "You think this tank still starts? Looks like it doesn't. The tracks are all rusted." Men below chuckled and wisecracked. Someone even tossed him a crooked salute. Oscar and Zeke were livid. They'd seen bold, but never this bold. "What are you standing there for?" Oscar roared. "Get him down!"

From Wastrel To A Powerhouse

Chapter 1: Powerful Family

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