Submitting the assignment had been a breeze, the ‘tablet’ features writing capabilities alongside a submission button, no need to physically hand the work over. Though it unfortunately seems to lack communication capabilities, so Ellia had to copy what Ellie wrote.
The lecturer hadn't left the room nor had some students, she could glimpse boardgames and playing cards, the calmness reminded her again of the oddity of her situation. She could feel that she had grown a little bit less fit compared to when she departed. Perhaps becoming a shut in for almost two weeks, but it’s not as if her muscles turned into mushes already.
“It’s like I’m in a weird dream… Where nothing makes too much sense but not too atrociously insane.”
The two descended the stairs from their seating, no one greeted them, but that was to be expected, social circles seemed to already formed for those that had yet to leave. A cursory glance would reveal groups to be formed not based on racial traits nor wealth, to be more precise, there doesn’t seem to be any unifying factor the eyes can see.
Serinn has always been a diverse place, since the monarchy era, tyranny by imperialism united people of various races. Perhaps non-human races, too, would have found permanent solace and kinship among the population had it not been for the mass-extermination that led up to the Red Winter incident.
“No more lords or peasants huh” Ellia mused to herself, words from one of the fallen factions, the two stood in front of the massive gate of the class, slowly opening upon certain proximity.
“Honourable Allies!” an ambush by a familiar face came, Ellia had anticipated that the boy would be waiting at the exit to ‘converse’ with them now that her presence had been made known; thus she elected to do the work inside the lecture room, after making sure that her friend had already left. Still… “Have you both enjoyed the salty pastries?”
Ellie greeted him rather formally, the bigger sister, however, remained still initially. “Oh cookies… I completely forgot about that… Maybe I should, thank him after all.”
“It was certainly good, thank you for those.” East Tapol has access to the sea; however, it was impossible to fish in that particular area due to heavy patrol from Farinn Theocracy. But regardless of that, they do have access to cheap sea salt, thus integrated into cuisines and various dessert since the ancient times.
“Ah… I ended up giving the rest to that Lotte guy.”
“Whilst I wish to remain here a little while longer, I must depart for now… It is the most blessed moment to be talking to allies of justice once more!” he then ran off, specifically up the stairways, other people looked at the man curiously, though no one stopped him.
“What track does sis think he is in…?” Ellie chuckled a bit upon seeing her bigger sister’s face.
“Commanding would be pretty funny, charge now my dear compatriots, let those heretics Farinnites pay in bloooood!” she would have said more had some feeling struck her, guilt perhaps. “This is pretty wrong, let’s not do that again.”
Ellie nodded in silent approval, “How much money do we have left again, sis?” she said as the two started to ascend.
“Let’s see… We had lots so-…” Ellia kept all the funds in two separate places, a pouch would contain the highest denominations, coins. While the pocket would contain the notes folded together, Ellia had some, but the majority stayed with Ellia since she’s the one making purchases.
“… We have… 200 Clanes left.” after the words were uttered, the two stopped in unison. The lodging was free, and so was the food, had they truly spent everything on parfait? Ellia couldn’t believe it, she checked, again and again, being stolen is impossible due to how the law is maintained in Serinn.
“…eh?”
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“Are you serious? Did you pretend to be queens or lost them somewhere” the lecturer leaned back in his chair, earning a shy nod. The two decided to split up, Ellia would walk right back and ask if there are some additional allowances the institute provides. Whilst Ellie would ask staff of their temporary housing.
He paused to think for a bit, as much as the pair wanted to know his name, since he hadn’t told them, they thought best not to ask. “Part-time in the city is out of the question, well, the usual ones like waitress or some such… Well, if you live frugally, survive until the end of this week, this class will give you enough credit to extend your monetary lifeline.”
He opened a drawer and slid a bundle of coupon-sized papers, since it was a public desk for any speaker to use, one can easily assume it’s nothing personal.
“Free food for the desperate…?”
“You will be surprised to see those with disgustingly bad financial management skills regardless of background.” he shrugged, “Soon-to-expire goods are usually mixed and matched together to create something nutritious enough to consume. Some thought to utilise this to save even more money, but I heard that the taste is so vile that even rats would not dare to lick them more than once.
“Thank you sir.” she bowed deeply,
“Come now, you aren’t that desperate… yet”. A wry smile from him sent a sense of impending doom down the big sister’s spine, like a forecast rather than the biting remarks made earlier in class. “Be reminded of this, ask your peers first, socialise, build bonds, us lecturers and professors may give you an answer, but the downsides can be derived on your own.”
“I will keep that in mind, sir.”
“Hold on, you are not leaving just yet.” the words stopped Ellia in her track, the hope to escape as quickly as possible extinguished. “Y-Yes?”
“Look me in the eyes and tell me this….”
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Ellie finished her business,
The staff informed her that they would be interested in hiring the pair as waitress, but unfortunately the wage was rather low, which was to be expected of an untrained starter.
Since the lounging was free, she intended to learn when they would have to start paying, but the staff assured that they needn’t worry.
Getting lost earlier in the day has merit, as Ellie pulled out a piece of paper, a rough map of the section 3 would be drawn on it. Of course, she could have written it on her tablet, but she thought it would be more convenient this way; once she got familiarised with the place a little more, there would be no need for one.
image [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/161LfHpg-JlusVgETNkajsk-kTJlKcX7j]
To enter section three of the Imperial Institute of war, there are mainly three ways. The first is via the Eastern gate where the sister's abode would be near, another is via the western gate, which is closer to the tomb used to teach magic theory.
Strangely enough, from the western side, the interconnecting path with section two was not walled off like with section one, though she hadn’t personally checked if there was any penalty for entering the other side.
Lightly tapping her left hand on newly gained instinct, she elected to walk through an alleyway, according to the city map, the route should be somewhat faster and less population dense.
The alleyway was not lit, though sufficiently illuminated by the artificial day’s light, the stone road had no blemishes even in the darkest corner of the city seemed properly maintained. However, Ellie could only wonder if such perfection is the same in the Imperial Capital.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Then, she heard a sound coming from her side bag, the tablet no doubt. And there it was, the first assignment from the institute, ‘Stand still for thirty seconds, turn 90 degrees left and wave your hand.’
The so-called assignment could come in three different flavours, first is {Instruction-based}, {Decision-based}, {Result-based}. The first one is to simply do as told, the second depends on the cadet to use the ‘correct’ solution to solve the given problem, the last one is to get the result state no matter the cost. Aside from the first one that has to be performed immediately, they have time limits that are usually longer than a day.
She did as instructed, a part of her expected someone to be at the receiving end, unfortunately, there was not a soul. Even still, the tablet blinked in congratulations on her finishing the assignment, though no rewards were provided as established before.
Ellie thought if Ellia received a similar sort of assignment or more interesting ones, but she would have to quicken her steps for the time being.
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Out she came from the alley, a noteworthy shortcut indeed, the streets were too crowded that one could not maintain their regular walking pace. The pair agreed to meet at the food place, so they could attend the lecture in the other building easily, granted the distance between areas was also vast.
She checked the time, 10:46.
Her physical endurance had been pushed to the limits already, her legs would give in soon… Reaching in her pocket with a guilty expression, she produced a pendant with a light blue crystal, its gentle glow bought strength back to her body.
It was not a healing item or some such, as those would have to be classified at least as Legacy class. This blue pendant was merely a standard, one any person could buy, an item useful for idols to dance on stage for longer, marathon runners to finish their travel, an item to reinvigorate them rather than restoration.
A few steps taken, she noticed the total lack of people in her vision, the very same gate she walked with her sister just this morning was devoid of all life. The constant wind flow reminded her of the artificial nature of the fortress. Since it was summer, she wished her parents the best from the heat.
“...H…h…h-help.. Me...” a soft, barely audible voice reached her ears, sending a chill down her spine, searching for the source. She spotted an injured boy being stashed in decorative bushes, slowly peeking his head, a figure with light blue eyes, countless blunt wounds and dirty footmarks spread across his body and clothes. What most shocked her was the fact that he seemed to be one of the students here.
Loopholes,
Because [Sight of The State] can see the location of those that violated the imperial code and their victims, there are slight evasion that can be performed. For example, suppose you have a sibling, and that person has some funds, taking some of them does not qualify as ‘stealing’ in accordance with the imperial code. Though that is not to say they are not against the law. Very limited people are privy to this fact and the imperial codes themselves.
As the dying boy had not been administered first aid already, there must be something wrong.
Conclusion,
This must be a set-up, the boy is not considered ‘human’, or not human at all.
So, should she help him?
Naturally, one would help him out of common sense or pity, but plausibility of consequences were not something Ellie wasn’t aware of.
Just then, she sensed something, someone had definitely been watching her.
“I’m sorry, there is nothing I can do…” she muttered, her voice barely audible. She looked down, avoiding his eyes, Without another word, Ellie turned and ran away, as quickly as she could.
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The lunch went by so quickly, unlike back at the pair’s inn, the institute’s own canteen charge rather ridiculous sum for food, Ellia parted with 50 clanes with tears. Still, it wasn’t like she could force her little sister to eat with the coupon she received right away. The new plan was to go back to have lunch at the inn instead of wasting any more money, then they should make it past the week with ease.
“Why do I feel as if I’m forgetting something…” she retraced the steps internally, talk to professor->professor gave lunch coupons->meet up with Ellie. And now, they are both walking to the designated lecture room.
12:43, ample of time left. Still, a strange feeling of dread plagued Ellia once more. Her sister, that had somewhat recovered from whatever happened during initiation, seemed dismayed once more. Of course, she scanned her for any signs of injuries, but she couldn’t bring herself to get an answer out of her. But that wasn’t the entire reason she’s feeling dreaded.
The lecture room was located on the 5th floor of the main lecture building, apparently the room can house some hundred people, with long tables and three seats each.
The room was arranged rather tall, one not fitting for professor-cadet questionings, but rather for the former to perform solo. Thus, they chose to sit at around the middle.
“Make some friends…?” she thought that to herself, looking forward and backward, surrounded by different cliques, it seemed like a daunting task to make friends with someone, perhaps she should wait for isolation to strike.
The room doesn’t have any inner decor other than a massive board at the very front, suppose its writer wrote large enough figures and scripts, one in the very back could still make sense of it.
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“Ellie, we haven’t talked much during lunch…” she offered a conversation, though the abnormally long response latency made her wished she hadn’t.
“I’m sorry…” she looked down.
“Aren’t you that smart kid, are you from a family of mages or something?” an overtly friendly voice came from the side, the speaker occupying the empty seat. She had a black curly hair which somewhat looked like candy floss from afar, dark-brown skin, and black pair of eyes and skirted uniform. “You look pretty down, something bothering you?”
“Nothing of your concern.” the glare from Ellia reminiscent of a predator.
“You’re pretty scary one!” she laughed to herself, “Come now don’t be shy, my name is Izara L. Ebenezar”
“If L stands for ‘lack of courtesy’, I believe it is appropriate.” the biting remark prompted Ellia to grab her left hand.
“Hahaha that’s too long! Izara LOC. Ebenezar doesn’t roll off the tongue, does it?” Ellia rolled her eyes, refocusing on the front entrance to the room. There came a figure, the very first professor the pair had met, though he seemed to be having trouble getting into the class as a few front rows rushed to assist him.
“Woah, I thought that was a bipedal pig for a sec!”
“Will you shut the hell up?!” Ellia retorted.
“Are you having a monthly visitor? She reached her hand to perhaps pat Ellia’s head only to be slapped away rather forcefully.
“Oh, haven’t you guys heard or notice…? That’s impossible.” a voice came from behind, a certain glass girl, skin colour slightly lighter than the current pestered of Ellia, with not many noteworthy features but her oddly shaped ear. “Our bodies can’t ovulate in this place… among other things… At first, I was worried…”
“... What.” she looked at Ellie, who embarrassingly nodded in agreement. “I should’ve noticed that… Ellie always has a bad one, so how did I- Oh… comics.”
A thud resulting from the placement of a massive tomb on the teacher’s desk, the professor needn’t say a single word for the class to be silent, perhaps not due to an intimidating presence but rather the lack of. With a kind expression, he said, “Apologies for the display earlier, welcome to Military Organisation I. My last name is Neuman, you may refer to me as such.”
The main table split in half, a cup of tea ascended from the gap before closing, he took a sip and continued, “This course is to ensure you can organise corps uniformly and correctly, but before we can do that we must learn the theory first.”
He grabbed a chalk and began writing on the board, “As some of you may know, Our Military consists of 5 branches: Army, Engineer, Navy, Magic and Gendarmerie… Though motion to disband the navy had been stuck on the floor for a while, suppose it passes, the navy will be integrated into the Engineer branch.”
There was a hand raised in the room, but the professor motioned dismissively.
“Ah, please leave your questions at the end. For now, I will go through each branch, take notes well. Firstly, you must understand that Serinn’s war doctrine focuses on mass assault after thorough dissection of the fields, that has been the premise of our warfare since we were but an insignificant city state, thus-”
Figures drawn on the board would be a rather impressive depiction of serfs holding spears and knights in shining armour. Such an impressive display of speed and accuracy could land him immediate employment in the Imperial Institute of Fine Arts. “You may think it is archaic or stupid, but the army is divided into two, knights and levies. As the name suggests, we still utilise an archaic system of limited standing professional army and mass deployment of conscripts when needed. Ranking hasn’t changed from the Middle Ages, a dozen of knights have a captain, an officer takes care of a dozen captains, the grand officer takes care of another dozen with the marshal at the top of the chain.”
“For something more interesting, Engineer and Magic branches are relatively new, because of that work closely together, military ranks are interchangeable. Non-commanding enlistee does not have ‘rank’ but merit and medals determine their pay, Commanding roles starts from Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Major, and general.”
He drew insignia for each subgroup of the magic branch, ‘Artillery’, ‘Infiltration’, ‘Field support’
“Suppose a major is enlisted in Artillery, they would be ranked ‘Artillery Major’ and so forth, for your information, by simply graduating here, you are entitled to be ‘Petty Officer’ regardless of your performance. Think of it as an honorary title.”
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Ellia couldn’t help but check the time, it read 14:56. She hadn’t slept nor get distracted or some such, but she felt as if the class had been going for eternity. Perhaps unconsciously comparing this with the class previous.
“Now that we are done with the basic information of all branches, we can continue with common etiquette and tradition for each of the branches and subdivisions….” though the illustrations he drew were rather interesting to watch, Ellia noticed few falling asleep already, strangely enough the one on her right seemed to be listening objectively.
Against the wall of the exist or corners of the room, she noticed a few students standing without words, the professor’s aide no doubt, perhaps she could ask the process of applying as one.
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“How can he talk for two hours straight…” she began playing with her hair, thanks to her new abode’s luxurious bathing system, she could wash her hair every day and get it dried and treated right away? It had become so soft that it felt like a rabbit instead, though considering her hair’s colour and style, it might as well qualify as one.
“Don’t get distracted Ellia, focus!”
“Now, consider the conflict between etiquette between the engineering and the army, a unified system would be implemented on top of the existing ones to be used only when combined warfare…..”
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“Unfortunately, that’s all the time we have for today, I have already sent you all the assignments, finish it at your pace.”
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