Chapter 13
After observing the recruits' training, I headed with Rona to greet the senior officers of each unit.
It seems they had heard the details from Grandfather last night, and though they were surprised, assuming I was a boy, their friendly deanor put at ease, and I sighed in relief.
The general image of a soldier is rough, rowdy, and aggressive.
On the other hand, the image of a knight is gentlemanly, kind to everyone without discrimination, and good-looking.
Even though no one had told this explicitly, I had thought the sa.
However, the soldiers I actually t and spoke with were all very kind and gentlemanly in their approach.
Father and Uncle Ruget had said that Grandfather shows no rcy even to family, but he granted my selfish wish to enter military school despite having no intention of becoming a soldier, and even arranged for training to prepare after enrollnt.
Moreover, he didn't just handle it casually; he assigned Rona, a woman, as my instructor, which is quite favorable treatnt.
I had been anxious until I ca here, but now that anxiety is turning into anticipation and excitent.
If I work hard, I might be able to move on to practical training in less than a year.
No, I'll aim for that and give it my all!
My naive thoughts, filled with anticipation, were, in conclusion, terribly misguided.
First day of training.
I woke up at four in the morning, a ti when the sons and daughters of nobles would still be asleep.
After hurriedly getting ready, we gathered outside for stretching and running drills.
This much was still within my expectations, and I even had the leisure to exchange greetings and light conversation with those around .
At that ti, I was surprised to hear that so commoner children help out at ho or work from this early hour, but a few of the new recruits, who gave a wry smile saying, "Well, if your family's well-off, it's just helping out a bit......", had apparently been working since they were much younger.
After about two hours of early morning training, we moved to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Having lived a life where I sat down and was served, I blinked repeatedly at the sight of the long line at the counter in the spacious cafeteria.
"You line up at that counter over there with this tray. The al changes daily, but it's pretty tasty and there's a lot of it. If you want to adjust the portion, just tell the lady who serves it."
Rona, who lined up with to explain, showed how to do it as an example.
After that, I lined up with the other recruits, nervously holding my tray, and when I sat down and saw the amount on Rona's plate, who was already seated, I was dumbfounded.
Even for a man it would be a lot, but for Rona, a woman!? Looking around, everyone had similar portions, and among the recruits, so were stuffing their mouths while pale-faced, saying, "This is part of the training too."
After breakfast, it seems individual training focused on specialized skills takes place, but for , it's a separate nu of basic physical training.
During this ti when the recruits are gone, Rona and Rick, my instructors, have training at the drill ground supervised by Grandfather.
"Absolutely do not leave this area. And keep an eye on her."
Saying this to and my escort, they told to complete the tasks written on the paper handed to as a practice nu......
"It's tough at first, but you'll get used to it after about six months."
Unable to do the first task, push-ups, I ended up flat on the ground, becoming friends with the dirt.
The escort watching nearby showed how to do it, but it wasn't sothing I could manage with just determination...... I'm sorry......
As if anticipating this, the paper even had instructions for what to do if I couldn't manage, and though I gripped it tightly and tackled each task one by one, I couldn't complete a single one satisfactorily. When Grandfather ca to check on at the cafeteria during dinner, he burst into laughter seeing my dejected state......
After dinner, each unit holds etings and discussions, and the ti until bedti is personal ti for bathing, laundry, or, for the more dedicated, self-training.
In my case, I have a bathroom in my room, and though I need to learn to do my own laundry, I lacked the energy and strength, so my maid did it for , placing in a much more privileged environnt than others.
But......
"M-My body won't move. B-Bath......"
Unable to even get into the bath, I tried crawling, and my maids, seeing in such a state, scread and ended up carrying to bathe.
I had arrived at the fortress full of confidence, only to end up in this pitiful state......
Rona said I'd get used to it in six months, but I feel like that just ans getting used to the aches and pains in my body, not necessarily managing the training itself.
If things continue like this, won't I struggle after entering military school?
If I'm called the weakest among my peers, it would tarnish Grandfather's na......
Until I got into bed, I was anxiously mulling over various thoughts, but by the ti the blanket was over , my consciousness faded......
After two months of such a lifestyle, I gradually beca able to handle the physical conditioning called basic training.
It's not that I got used to it. If I don't do it, I'll drown......
Around the first month, when Grandfather ca to observe the training, he saw collapsed on the ground, exhausted even after a break, and splashed water on .
As I opened my eyes and mouth in shock, a second wave of water ca pouring down in a large amount.
"Get up already. You're in the way."
Grandfather's face, looking down at from above as he said this, was indescribably terrifying and cold.
Realizing I had been spoiled by his words of "No need to hold back," I trembled with sha and renewed my determination to build my basic stamina within a year!
The water attacks continued, and by the ti six months passed, Grandfather said, "You're at the lower-middle level now," and after a year, I earned the words, "Middle-lower."
During that ti, the hardest thing was making excuses to Father.
I struggled every ti with how to reply to his letters asking when I would return.
Starting with excuses like falling ill, wanting to broaden my horizons, or wanting to stay with Grandfather a bit longer, I wrote nurous replies, and in the end, Grandfather responded with, "We're busy with various things, so wait for contact from us."
By the way, I didn't attend that depressing annual music festival.
Though it's technically mandatory, if you claim injury or illness, missing it once or twice isn't a problem.
According to the letter, Father also didn't attend, and it's unclear whether my stepmother and stepsister participated.
More than not wanting to see the interactions between my fiancé and Mirabel, I was genuinely too busy day after day to even think about it.
"It's still so hot......"
I tugged at the collar of my shirt with my fingers, fanning air in with a flapping motion.
Just the other day, Rona gave the approval to start practical training, and starting today, I'll begin practical training with Rick.
While feeling frustrated yet impressed by the accuracy of Grandfather's initial words about it taking a year and a half, my anticipation for what practical training entails grew, and I couldn't help but hop a little as I walked.
"......Hm?"
Wiping the sweat trickling down my cheek with the back of my hand while heading to early morning training, I tilted my head upon noticing a carriage entering from the gate.
The carriage stopped at a slight distance, and the coachman opened the door. From it stepped out a child, judging by their height, not an adult.
Without removing the hood that covered their face deeply, the child disappeared into the building as they were.
Looking straight up, the sun was dazzlingly bright. The temperature would gradually rise after this.
On such a damn hot day, why were they dressed like that? I wondered, but quickly lost interest, assuming they were an officer's child, and ran over to my training mates who were calling my na and waving at .
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