n

n

nKhan's friends didn't immediately give much thought to his condition. They would see a few injuries on him or a pale complexion every Monday, but they initially disregarded those features since training with mana could lead to those events.

nEven they would show a few wounds from time to time. They weren't as evident as Khan's tiredness, but they still suffered from their training. The presence of proper Masters from Ylaco couldn't prevent them.

nHowever, worries inevitably appeared when they noticed that Khan's situation didn't improve even after a few weeks passed. Usually, recruits would learn how to avoid suffering injuries as their expertise with mana improved, but Khan didn't seem to follow that progress.

n

"Are you ok?

" Luke eventually asked during a Monday afternoon in the canteen.

n

"Everything is fine,

" Khan replied as he wolfed his fourth plate.

nMartha, Luke, Bruce, and the two kids from the Rotston family didn't buy his plain answer. Khan almost had a sick complexion, and a large bruise encircled his right eye.

n

"You come every Monday with a new set of injuries,

" Martha pointed out.

"It has happened for almost two months.

"

n

"Lieutenant Dyester is teaching me how to fight,

" Khan briefly explained.

"His methods aren't for softies.

"

nThe group didn't know how to react to that statement. Masters could be harsh, especially during actual combat training, but Khan seemed to go through a beatdown every Sunday.

n

"I wouldn't trust Carl Dyester so much,

" Luke exclaimed.

"I asked my Master about him. The rumors about him aren't good at all.

"

n

"What can you expect from someone called

"butcher of Istrone

"?

" April Rotston commented.

"That guy is the only survivor of a rebellion. Stuff like that leaves deep scars.

"

n

"It's worse than you think,

" Luke continued.

"My Master knows someone who has reached Istrone right after the crisis. The soldiers had yet to clean the battlefield back then, so he saw the reason behind that title.

"

n

"Which is?

" Jacob Rotstone asked.

n

"Khan is still eating,

" Luke replied.

"I don't want to ruin his meal.

"

n

"Go on,

" Khan promptly said while munching his meat.

"Nothing can ruin my appetite.

"

nLuke glanced at his other friends before heaving a helpless sigh when they nodded.

n

"This soldier saw piles of fuming alien corpses,

" Luke said while lowering his voice.

"His platoon found Lieutenant Dyester sitting on one of them. According to the story, he didn't even notice the reinforcements. He remained there with a cigarette in his mouth.

"

n

"He must have snapped during the battle,

" April Rotstone sighed.

"It a common thing for soldiers on the frontlines. I'm not surprised he decided to lower his rank on purpose and isolate himself in this training camp.

"

n

"I can find you another suitable Master, Khan,

" Luke revealed while turning toward him.

"Your training feels like abuse. Don't put up with his methods because you don't see other options.

"

n

"Don't worry,

" Khan replied while giving voice to a fake laugh.

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm getting better with this training. I know you disagree with his methods, but they are perfect for someone like me.

"

n

"You are hopeless,

" Bruce laughed while shaking his head.

"Both Luke and the Global Army want to give you a hand, but you stick with the traumatized soldier who handles the prisons. Is this another Slum thing?

"

nBruce had always treated Khan with respect. Khan knew that those words carried no ill intention, so he didn't feel offended by them.

n

"It's about matching characters,

" Khan explained.

"He pushes me to go beyond my limits, and that's all I want. I need a firm hand to get better.

"

nMartha's worries quieted down after that revelation. She was afraid that Khan was enduring that treatment because of her, but there seemed to be more to it.

nLieutenant Dyester seemed able to appeal to Khan's true character. The driven and resolute man hidden behind that young face wouldn't accept sophisticated Masters who barely made him sweat. He needed a warden who taught him the practical uses of his abilities.

nLuke and the others didn't reach the same conclusions, but they let go of the matter anyway. They wanted to help Khan, but they couldn't fight his stubbornness. They only hoped that he wouldn't suffer any permanent injury during that hellish training.

nThe group finished eating and began to leave the canteen. All of them had to rest or reach their Masters, but a message arrived on their phones before they could split.

n'Mandatory meeting in the first basement at three pm,' Khan read on his phone.

n

"This is from the Global Army,

" Khan exclaimed while turning toward his friends.

"Do you know what's happening?

"

nKhan saw surprised expressions on his friends. It seemed that even their knowledge of the Global Army didn't help in that situation.

n

"It's strange,

" Luke commented.

"There's more than a month before the end of the semester. This shouldn't be about the missions.

"

n

"Maybe they want to address Khan's issue,

" Bruce added.

"They didn't say anything about the four boys who attacked him two months ago. No one has seen them since then either. The Global Army might give an official statement.

"

n

"The other recruits didn't receive anything,

" Jason contradicted him when he inspected his surroundings.

"It seems that only the members of the special class received this message.

"

n

"They might still follow a precise order,

" Martha continued.

"Anyway, the meeting is in half an hour. We can wait in the corridor.

"

nThe group changed direction and moved toward the staircase that led to the lower floors. They continued to suggest ideas that could explain the reason behind the meeting, but Khan remained silent during the walk.

nKhan had thought about the four bullies from time to time, especially since Samuel's bed had remained empty during those months. Even Lieutenant Dyester didn't know how that matter had ended.

nStill, Khan didn't suffer from similar events anymore. Two months had gone by peacefully. He had even started to believe that Lieutenant Dyester's worries about Alison Blackdell were mere exaggerations.

nThe group waited in front of the first basement. Other recruits from the special class gathered on that spot, but they weren't enough to fill the corridor. Less than twenty boys and girls had remained in that course after almost five months of training.

nA familiar figure eventually descended from the staircase. Khan recognized Lieutenant Rupert Unchai, the soldier who had overseen his initial test.

nKhan could finally inspect his features. The last time he had seen the Lieutenant in the shape of a hologram, so he had failed to notice the dark color of his short hair and the clear shades of his eyes.

n

"I will hold the meeting,

" Lieutenant Unchai announced once he stepped off the staircase and made his way through the group of recruits.

nThe first basement opened, and Lieutenant Unchai gestured to the group to follow him. The soldier quickly walked toward the stage on one side of the hall and connected his phone to the floor while the recruits simply gathered around him.

n

"Let's make a few things clear first,

" Lieutenant Unchai announced as a series of holograms appeared on the walls behind him.

nKhan widened his eyes when he saw that the holograms played the scenes of his last battle against the bullies. The images even depicted the damages suffered from the four boys during the various exchanges.

n

"The Global Army condemns these actions,

" Lieutenant Unchai continued once the tape ended.

"Your background doesn't matter here. Your family might have connections with the noble families, but the same goes for the higher-ups of the Global Army. Every soldier is equal. We only look at your achievements.

"

nKhan pretended not to notice the series of glances that ended on his figure. He had even heard a few surprised gasps while the tape was still running. It seemed that some of the recruits had liked the show.

n

"We have expelled the four boys,

" Lieutenant Unchai explained once the audience focused on him again.

"Ylaco's training camp has even placed an additional fee on their families. I hope this can solve part of the grudges that this shameful event might have generated.

"

nLieutenant Unchai didn't look toward Khan, but it was clear that his words were for him.

n

"He is worried that a lack of punishments from the Global Army would have ruined its chances to get you,

" Martha whispered while tilting her head toward Khan.

nKhan limited himself to nod. He had understood that part. Attending

"politics

" for another month had given him some insights into that environment.

n'The real culprit might still be out there,' Khan complained inside his mind. 'Punishing these four doesn't prove that I'm safe.'

n

"The recent situation has forced the Global Army to understand its flaws,

" Lieutenant Unchai explained.

"It's rare to have this degree of violence inside the camp, and it's evident that most recruits lack battle experience. We can't punish before the actual illicit event, but we can give you the chance to learn some self-defense.

"

nThe audience fell silent at that point. The recruits didn't know where Lieutenant Unchai's speech led, but its topic sounded interesting.

n

"We can't offer this to everyone in the camp,

" Lieutenant Unchai continued.

"Only the special class will have access to this. The Global Army is giving you the chance to continue the rest of your lessons on Onia, where you will receive real-combat training.

"

n