Chapter 4
“This doesn’t seem fun at all, yet you’re so positive. I’m terrified I might go to war and die,”
Crushel said, looking almost like he was dying.
But did he not realize how his words affected others?
Deric tilted his head in confusion, unable to understand.
“Dying in a war is the greatest honor, isn’t it? Cheer up. We are soldiers now.”
A sentence that hits every nerve. Saying that takes real talent.
“If you die, it’s all over…”
“Haha, as expected from a family protecting the royal family, your patriotism is incredible. I respect that,”
Ion quickly intervened to end the argument when he sensed tension.
And once again, silence returned.
This time, it was the instructor who broke the silence.
“To all barracks, be informed. Uniform distribution will commence shortly, so assemble at the small parade ground in front of your barracks. That is all.”
“Since it will take a while for everyone to gather, we can wait a bit and go slowly,”
Ion, who had no military experience, suggested in a horrifyingly calm way.
‘Oh, are they insane?’
Even if you ran immediately, someone could scold you in the training corps. The audacity was shocking, but this was not the worst of it.
“I agree with that.”
“A noble must remain composed. We shall learn from this,”
These insane noblemen were praising the suggestion as if it were brilliant.
‘You idiots! Trying to avoid the army, especially in a training corps, is absolutely crazy.’
It was a struggle just to hold back harsh words.
“I think it would be better to go quickly. We need to earn points,”
I proposed, unable to dash out alone.
But all I got were the lazy nobles’ replies.
“I’m too tired, let’s go slowly. There’s no way points will be awarded just for standing first.”
“Right, and if you’re in front, you’ll stand out. The back is better,”
Taylor and Pluto, both from baron families, spoke. My headache was immediate.
‘These crazy idiots. This is the army!’
The future that awaited those who went last was obvious, so I could not give up.
“Can we just trust me and go now? I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Then go alone if you must…”
“If you insist, let’s all trust Palan. Leaving a bit earlier won’t cost us much,”
As expected, Ion. He had initially suggested something strange, but he still listened to a mere viscount’s advice.
“Very well, then. Let’s finish quickly and get back to rest,”
As the ranking of the room was absolute, everyone got up and headed to the corridor.
‘Wow, what is this right now?’
Surprisingly, the corridor was almost empty. Everyone seemed to have the same idea.
“What company, what platoon are you in?”
Outside, an instructor wearing a red hat with two diamonds glared at us with a murderous look.
“Company? What does that mean…?”
“I haven’t received the orders yet!”
I barely stopped Crushel from blurting out, then gave a proper answer.
“Has it not been announced? The barracks floor and number?”
“Room 7 on the first floor!”
“Room 4 is the first platoon. You are in Company 1, Platoon 2. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Line up in four ranks in front of the platoon flag,”
Looking down, there were flags for each platoon.
“That way. Follow me.”
I led my hesitant roommates to the Company 1, Platoon 2 flag and lined up.
“What is your name, recruit?”
The instructor approached, apparently pleased with my posture, and asked my name.
‘Ha, I really don’t want to stand out.’
Just by acting reasonably among these spoiled nobles, I had become an instant ace.
“Palan Oclo!”
“You seem interested in the military. Let’s hope you show your best here,”
‘Instructor, what are you talking about?’
Interested in the military? There is no way someone sane would think that.
“I’ll… I’ll do my best to show effort,”
“Good. Has a minute passed yet?”
The instructor glanced at his watch, a devilish smirk spreading across his face, looking downright cruel.
“To all barracks, be informed.”
He raised a loudspeaker and spoke with a voice far heavier than before.
“If you do not exit within 15 seconds, all will be penalized 5 points. This will affect your ranking, so judge wisely. That is all.”
Thundering footsteps followed immediately.
Candidates, who had been waiting and bickering in the barracks, ran out.
‘They’re shaking in fear of point deductions.’
Of course, no one wanted to be assigned to the front. Candidates poured out as if in a stampede.
A few rooms were separated because they went out earlier.
“Does the instructor need to tell people twice?”
The voice and expression were harsh enough to make you suspect they had changed people. The red hat added to the intimidation.
“If you don’t feel like a soldier, it is the instructor’s job to engrave it into you. All late candidates, drop and stretch,”
Despite showing annoyance, the noble recruits obeyed, fearing point deductions.
“One, be a soldier; two, keep your mind sharp. Fail to comply and points will be deducted. One!”
“Sol… soldier,”
The candidates moved awkwardly. They were mostly from noble families treated like emperors, after all.
“What is your name, recruit?”
An instructor crouched in front of a candidate, making eye contact.
“Rekia Oshien,”
“Yes, Candidate Rekia,”
The instructor nodded, then exploded.
“Stand up straight! Do you think this is your bedroom? Go deeper! Begin!”
A roar erupted directly in front.
Pow!
“I waited a minute for worthless trash like you! You are the lowest candidate in the army! Your mind is completely twisted!”
The instructor pressed Rekia’s back with his foot.
Unable to withstand the force, Rekia collapsed. The instructor clicked his tongue.
“You are deducted points. Get up and stand properly.”
A subordinate noted the deduction on a sheet.
The instructor then turned to the next candidates and roared again.
“Two have not yet gone up! Who will be next? Two!”
“Men… mind!”
Overwhelmed, the candidates instinctively followed the commands.
“Your voice is too low! Do you think you can communicate on the battlefield like that? One!”
“Soldier!”
“Two!”
“Mind!”
“Do you not understand what ‘low’ means? One!”
“Soldier!”
Nearly thirty rounds of this drill were repeated.
Fortunately, my roommates and I had gone out early, avoiding this punishment.
‘Just imagining being in that situation makes my head spin.’
It is suffocating even to picture it.
“Since it’s the first day, we’ll stop here. Focus and prepare for the next exercises. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Understood.”
Various answers. Even noble princes can respond when they are disciplined.
“Now we move to the uniform supply warehouse. Each platoon will form four ranks. Move out.”
Humans adapt quickly. The formation was completed faster than during the induction ceremony.
“Company 1, Platoon 1 will follow me first.”
Our Platoon 2 followed behind the first platoon to the warehouse.
“If you hadn’t gone early, we’d be in serious trouble,”
Crushel said, looking like he had just escaped death.
‘Yes, he understands. Good.’
I hoped they had learned something, but I was not sure.
“We were lucky. And in the training corps, it’s best to work hard,”
“That’s right. It’s only two weeks, and this decides whether we’re sent to the front or rear,”
Ion nodded in agreement.
‘Good mindset. Should have thought like this earlier.’
It’s only two weeks, just a taste. A time to push yourself and survive. The enlightenment from my roommates was welcome.
“Isn’t it a shame? We only have two weeks of officer training instead of twelve. My father says we make a lot of memories here,”
Deric’s usual nonsense came out. Not worth paying attention to.
“Raise both arms and straighten your waist,”
At the warehouse, we were measured, and given two sets of uniforms and other gear.
‘That’s a lot.’
From socks to underwear. Probably the only clothing we are allowed to wear.
“Ugh, you expect me to wear this cheap clothing? Are you crazy?”
“It’s not silk! My skin is sensitive! Don’t you have anything else?”
Still unaware, the noblemen demanded silk uniforms from the soldiers distributing them.
“Recruit, are you dissatisfied with the uniform?”
The instructor approached kindly.
“Yes! No, sir!”
“Then return after receiving it. Why are you lingering?”
“Yes, sir!”
‘No punishment for complaints?’
Seeing them let the silk request slide, it was clear the instructor was an angel.
But even angels have limits, and these pure evil nobles were the type to make even Satan cry.
“I’ll pay extra to get this lined with silk. We can handle the materials and tailoring in my family…”
“Recruit.”
The instructor grabbed the candidate trying to modify the uniform, bringing his face close.
“Drop and stretch!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Now I will explain the two-week course and training corps regulations.”
Without time to rest after changing into uniforms, we moved to a building called the auditorium. Thankfully, chairs were available.
“Who is dozing while I speak?”
Another roar. Candidates snapped awake immediately.
“Sub-instructors will deduct points immediately upon discovering dozing candidates.”
The sub-instructors began to act. Only then did the candidates straighten up and focus.
Once ready, the instructor spoke again.
“Let’s start with deductions. The training corps ranks candidates based on points.”
Even in the army, they care about grades. It was cruel and devious.
“The day before graduation, candidates select their desired units according to their ranking. You understand the importance.”
Since it concerns their future, every candidate perked up.
“Deductions include falling behind in training, disobedience, or violations in the barracks. Judging by today, avoiding deductions alone will put most in the top ten.”
I couldn’t agree more.
‘Honestly, this might be easier than expected.’
It may seem harsh, but all of these candidates are truly hopeless.
