22 Squad 13 (2/2)

”We might be criticized by the world, but we intend to train you guys into the strongest soldiers. If we are unable to win the coming war, humanity will become extinct. Nothing matters upon the face of death; only by living on would we be able to do anything. Don't you agree?”

”Sergeant, in your eyes I might only be a child, but I also understand the meaning of survival.”

Han understood the heaviness of this word.

He had also turned to means that he was not proud of for the sake of survival. He had done whatever he could so that he and his younger siblings would be able to survive.

”If you survive through year 2, you'll meet me once more.”

”Who else will be transferred up into second year?”

”Dimitri, Kuro, Simon, Andy, Kai…”

Sergeant Red said with dryness. There were more transfers than he originally thought. He quickly thought of the reason for this.

”I see many will die through this process.”

”Survive through this, Han.”

Sergeant Red stood upon those words.

Han saluted. Sergeant Red returned a brief salute before he left. His back figure gradually became smaller as time passed.

'If I think about it, he probably purposely gave me a hard time in class D for my own sake. He publically made himself into the enemy, and I was the one to chase him away. Thanks to him, I was able to obtain all my peers' trust.'

Han thought about the memories he had with Sergeant Red. His method had been ruthless, but it always ended on a good note.

Diring.

A message appeared from his data bracelet.

-Year 2 transferee, Han Lee.

He didn't have time to say goodbye to his peers in Class B. Han silently received his peers gazes. Envy, jealousy, and sadness were present. Han remained emotionless as he packed his bags.

”This time, it's your turn to save my spot in year 2. Han.”

Jose said.

He couldn't help but feel a bit blue. Han also disliked separating from Jose. There were not too many peers he could honestly converse heartily with. It was possible that they would never meet again.

”Come quickly, Jose.”

Han showed a faint smile and said.

He left the year 1 class B dormitories. The other transfers were on standby outside. There were expressions of all kinds.

Kuro looked anxious and dreadful while trembling. Dimitri looked filled with excitement. Simon displayed a cool expression with his arms crossed.

”Hey, you've also been transferred. That's a surprise coming from a class B.”

Dimitri said to Han. Han lightly waved his hand and responded.

”Well, yeah. Dimitri. Ah, I should be able to meet Kuro again soon.”

Han greeted the transferees while joining the group. Kuro's eyes shook with dread.

'I'm glad to transfer together with Han.'

Kuro felt a sense of safety from Han's presence. A large part of Kuro's mental strength stemmed from Han like the Sergeants had reported.

If Kuro had been alone all this time, it would have been highly unlikely that he would have been transferred at all. It was only possible because he had Han's support.

Han had been transferred based on the sergeants' letters of recommendation and the events related to Kuro, even though his psychic skills were subpar.

”The medical ward?”

The transferee's transport headed to the medical ward. They weren't being driven to the usual medical ward 1, but medical ward 2. The desolate outer wall of the building appeared ominous. Kuro, who had the power of immediate foresight, felt even deeper dread.

”Get off.”

The driver said.

Researchers dressed in white gowns waited just outside. Amongst them, a few seemed to be instructors. In the center of the crowd was a black haired woman.

”Attention. I'll be taking care of everyone for the next five weeks. I'm Chief Researcher, Professor Sasha Grace.”

Sasha Grace was a woman with a small frame. She had a gray, depressing aura wrapped around herself. She looked to be in her mid thirties. Her eyes had a few wrinkles to them. She quickly scanned her eyes across all the new transfers and nodded.

”Come in, kids.”

Grace didn't act with an oppressive air like the drill instructors. However, her voice carried a chilling mood. The youths looked like they were being taken in by a witch from a fairytale.

All that could be heard for a while were the pattering feet.