Chapter 56 - To the Present (2/2)

”Owen, I'm going ahead so hurry up!”

All alone, Owen was left with Bianca, the look on her face was surprised relief. The silence continued for a moment until Owen spoke up.

”A-about the fight with Javier… it wasn't your fault and even if you didn't help, I still would've pummeled him regardless…” Owen's voice trailed off as he shifted his gaze from Bianca's eyes to the ceiling.

”I'm glad to hear that I wasn't a hinderance. If time allows, I would like to do more to repay you and Bennox.”

”There's no need… um, I should go now, you as well…”

Owen turned and ran after Bennox. Bianca chuckled and waved at Owen's back. Somehow, that short exchange of words eased her heart. Feeling renewed, Bianca quickly found her cubicle and began to get changed.

Just as Bennox was about to enter his cubicle, which happened to be on the other side of the room, Owen slammed into his back.

”What the?”

Owen slung one arm over Bennox's neck and proceeded to rub his knuckles into Bennox's head playfully.

”Traitor! Coward! Deserter!” Owen's fuming words quickly told Bennox what was going through his friends mind then. Owen's knuckles dug a bit deeper into Bennox's head and began to hurt slightly so Bennox did what any good friend would do. Releasing the muscles on his legs, Bennox allowed himself to only be supported by Owen's strength.

”Ah! My head, the pain! I think my wounds have opened again! The pain! I think I'll die at this rate!” Just as Bennox's award winning acting ended Owen had already stopped and had a look of worry mixed with sudden regret. Bennox noticed Owen's quietness and saw that Owen resembled a large lost puppy. His head hung low, eyes wide in fear and his shoulders slumped so close together that he looked smaller. Feeling that his joke had gone too far Bennox stopped pretending and gave Owen a hug.

”Sorry, I'm not dying and I don't plan to die anytime soon, so you'll still be stuck with me for years to come!” Bennox tried to cheer up Owen and it did work except for that fact that Bennox knew his careless joke had touched a sore spot for Owen and he knew it.

Although Owen would never admit to it, his mind had blanked. Stuck in his past memories for a second had felt like years. His eyes began to sting and fill with tears but Bennox's hug had brought him back. Owen secretly wiped his eyes as he stared at the ceiling.

”Who would want to stay with someone like you for years?”

Returning Bennox's joke, Owen began to resemble himself again. The shadow of pain fading from his face.

As each student finished changing the man in the screen appeared in the training room, his tall stature and stony face that seemed like it was forever carved into a displeased frown instantly drew all the children into a circle around him. Dressed in a dark grey uniform with gold cuffs, his hair slicked back into his military cap and the way his eyes seemed dead infused some form of fear in the children.

”Line up in the order given and then we will practice how to walk in line! Marching is a reflection of discipline! Those who do not obey will be excused immediately!”

Although all of them flinched at his abrupt order they did as they were told without complaint. As he read the names out loud one by one the line of thirteen formed, from Javier as the head to Tuen leading the end. As they stood there the tall man glared into each and every one of their eyes.

”I am assistant instructor Adrian Law, you will address me as 'sir' and only 'sir' do you understand!? You will answer with 'sir' and end with 'sir', am I clear!?””

””Sir yes sir!”” Adrian's stone face didn't even twitch as he stared intently at the line. Pacing up and down the line Adrian stopped in front of Illya whose celestial mark was Sagittarius. Leaning close to her face, his mouth barely inches away from her forehead.

”What is a soldier!?”

”Sir! A soldier obeys all orders without thought or hesitation! A soldier is a tool for the Empire, made by the Empire and will die for the Empire! Sir!”

Adrian nodded his head slightly and moved on down the line. Eventually he stopped at Javier. This time he stepped close enough for his feet to be touching Javier's, a few centimeters separating the two. Craning his neck downwards, Adrian let out another crude shout.

”What is your duty!?”

”Sir! A soldier's duty is to kill and slaughter the enemies of the Empire! To protect and claim glory in the name of the Empire! Sir.” At the end of his reply, Javier lifted his head to look Adrian in the eyes. His wild gaze almost impressed Adrian, almost.

”Guts and bravado will only get you killed on the battlefield! Survive and return to fight again! The winner is not who killed more but who lived the longest, remember this lesson well.”

””Sir yes sir!””

Pleased with the replay and answers he got, Adrian began to teach them how to march in time. After about five minutes of practice it was time for them to ascend the stairs leading to the right side of the main auditorium's stage.

Just as the announcer was announcing the twelve earthly animals Adrian appeared before the group.

”This is the time to prove to everyone who the true elites at the school are. March together! Lead with pride and strength! For~ward march!”