[A week later]
Mikhail stepped outside of his camp dorm finding his squadron already assembled outside.
As always, he wasted no ti with the group already following behind him.
Walking towards the drill grounds, he looked around at the state of the camp.
’Still a lot to work on.’
A whole week had passed since the incident.
But the reminders of the destruction were still there.
Broken buildings. Broken Glass. Broken Trees and Plants.
Dry blood marks on the ground.
The recovery process was very slow but Mikhail couldn’t bla the camp for it.
The incident wasn’t reported to the Empire so of course, there would be no help provided from them.
The castle was trying to procure resources from other castles and towns in the wilderness for the anti.
The Stables had also been partly destroyed, making most of the drill routes too long to be checked.
Moreover, Vlahovic had suffered quite many injuries in the battle, so there was no one to direct them.
But despite the losses, Mikhail didn’t fret over the results.
As he had said before, it was much better than last ti.
At least one thing the academy maintained was its liveliness with the n.
’Sothing that was lost in the past life.’
If anything, Mikhail appreciated the Empire not giving the academy any help.
This incident had served as one of the catalysts to open every n’s eyes.
The betrayal they felt when they weren’t saved by their-so-called god, the Dominique, had made them truly realize their situation.
’Everyone has no one to rely on but themselves.’
Entering the grounds, Squadron 21 was quick to go and stand in their position.
The past week had been given off to everyone to recuperate and rest up.
So this was their first call-out ever since the incident.
And as everyone ca to stand, for the first ti, they ca to notice in reality just how many people they lost.
The ground, which almost seed to be filled to the brim before with this wall of n standing in formation at the edges...
Was now left empty in certain parts.
It was as if the wall of n had cracks in it now, with a lot of people missing from certain squadrons.
In fact, Mikhail could only see 11 squadrons or less that hadn’t lost any mber in the fight.
His squadron being one of them.
These 11 squadrons were all the squadrons with 5 mbers or less.
Or in other words, they were the squadrons that had the strength within themself to fight the monsters.
"Do you feel sothing different today?" Icarus asked from the back, sensing the energy.
"It isn’t just the silence of the deaths, it feels like so oppressive atmosphere has descended on the ground," he continued.
From the front, Mikhail nodded.
"It is. It’s the squadrons that lost a mber or two in the fight. Look at them."
Listening to his words, the whole squadron looked around.
And instantly, they felt the aggressive glares and stares from the ntioned people.
’They are acting like children.’
Rather than blaming it on the stronger people, they should just bla themselves for their weakness.
’But of course, it’s much easier to find flaws in soone else than yourself.’
It was just nature’s course. A child’s maturity level.
Mikhail didn’t feel anything about it. The sa had happened last ti.
In fact, it was much worse last ti as the squadron’s that didn’t lose a mber were not more than 3 or 4.
The treatnt they got was much worse but Mikhail’s squadron couldn’t care less.
Not that ti and not this ti.
They were only concerned with themselves and the well-being of their family.
’As it should be.’
If only these people were able to reach this level of understanding.
To beco strong enough to protect yourself rather than seek protection from the strong.
Just like how they did with Dominique.
’Too naive. Too weak.’ Mikhail concluded calmly.
One of their weakest traits.
However, there was another difference this ti around.
A major difference that wasn’t present the last ti.
And Mikhail knew what it was. Even his squadron felt it.
"Mikhail," Icarus called from the back.
He didn’t answer so he continued.
"Why are a lot of them glaring at you instead of us?"
It was true.
A large majority of the glares directed their way weren’t at his squadron.
It was at him. Mikhail Hendrix, 1st Platoon Leader in the raid.
"I’m sorry Mika-" Yvan apologized from the back.
But Mikhail was quick to make him stop.
"Don’t."
Turning his face for the first ti, he looked him dead in the eye with his blue calm eyes.
"I wasn’t able to say it before but, you did a great job handling the platoon in my stead."
He took a pause.
"No one could have done it better than you and I an it."
He genuinely did.
In all of the deaths that had been reported to him by Modric, only a record 6 deaths were from the 1st Platoon.
Only 6.
He couldn’t be more proud of the way he handled that large of a platoon.
Especially considering he had no experience in doing so.
"It’s their fault for being weak. They need a target to channel all this hatred into. Now that they found one, the best you can do is ignore and focus on yourself."
At Mikhail’s complint, Yvan was left speechless just like the hospital.
Everyone knew how much Yvan admired Mikhail.
Well, everyone in the squadron did but Yvan’s devotion to Mikhail was sothing else.
He quickly nodded/
"Y-yes, I understand." he tried to calm himself, now fixing his expression.
If Mikhail had appreciated him, he needed nothing more.
"Good."
Turning back to the front, Mikhail focused on himself.
He didn’t want to make his squadron feel the pressure from these glares or opinions.
That was all he thought about.
The hatred directed at him personally? Mikhail couldn’t find himself caring a damn about it.
It wasn’t the first ti and it wasn’t going to be the last one.
’Just a natural process.’
Focusing back on the ground, Mikhail saw the substitute staff finally enter the ground.
Since Vlahovic was in recovery, they were the ones handling the squadrons.
Mikhail knew what they were assembled for here today.
It was going to be the sa as last ti.
A small way of keeping them busy until the academy got back on track.
And that was...
"Assessnt Tests."
Yes, they were going to be tested for their fitness and ntal strength.
Especially after how many were left traumatized after the attack.
________________
Reviews
All reviews (0)