That morning, Aelric awoke, startled by a scream. His vision blurry from the abrupt awakening, as he faced the direction of the noise, it seemed to be a man that was dressed fashionably. He rubbed his eyes and got a clearer vision of the man. "I AM COMMANDANT VARIS! I WILL BE YOUR INSTRUCTOR OVER THE COURSE OF THESE 7 WEEKS!" The man said, as he stroked his beard.

  Aelric sat up, and looked at the others, some easily stood up, and others struggled. Aelric turned around to see his bunkmate who was seemingly still asleep. Aelric was perplexed at how this random person still stayed asleep. Aelric didn't want this random man to get into trouble just because he somehow didn't hear the instructor.

  "IF YOU SEE A SOLDIER STILL SLEEPING, THEN YOU HAVE MY FULL PERMISSION TO HIT THEM!" Commandant Varis yelled. Aelric found it infuriating how he yelled so loudly but ignored him and looked at the sleeping man. Aelric clenched his fist and smashed it into the man's face.

  The man bolted up and yelped. He faced Aelric, seemingly pissed. "Ass." He spoke. "Instructor is here, be glad I woke you up, you damn idiot." Aelric said. The man groaned and climbed off his bed. "So, who are you?" The man asked. "Aelric, and you?" Aelric replied. "Michael." He replied, then approached the instructor.

  The instructor waited for everyone in the barracks to stand in front of him, and then quickly did a headcount to count for 32 trainees. "Now, that I have everyone's attention, I'd like for you all to go to the training field, and introduce yourselves to people, as my first course will involve teamwork, so make sure you do this." Commandant Varis said, though it felt like he could burst into anger with any slight disruption, "Now, follow me to the training field."

  The trainees followed him, leaving the barracks, as they took a walk to the training field. Through the continuous chatter amongst the trainees, and soldiers in the fortress, Aelric tuned them out for the sound of nature, so he didn't feel so stressed. He always listened to the sounds of nature to relax, and to calm himself down, from his burdens and troubles in life.

  Aelric stood by himself as everyone seemingly approached others. One person approached him. He was tall, and had black hair, which was quite short, but still rather messy. "Hello." He said. "Hey." Aelric replied, waving back. He looked around. Some people didn't seem interested in talking with others, and he couldn't blame them. Aelric did want to do combat training first, but he was sure they'd do that later in the day.

  "So, what's your name?" Aelric asked. "Isaac. Isaac Schekman, and yours?" He replied. "Aelric, and it's nice to meet you." Aelric said, "It's nice to meet you as well." Isaac replied. Another man approached. He was a bit shorter than Aelric, and he appeared to have fuzzy black hair. "I'm Augustus Williams, nice to meet you guys!" He spoke. Augustus put on a friendly smile and extended his hand.

  "I'm Isaac." Isaac introduced himself to Augustus, shaking hands with him. "I'm Aelric, nice to meet you." Aelric said and shook hands with Augustus as well. "Nice to meet you, too." Augustus replied. "So, where are you guys from?" Augustus asked. "I'm from Oakenhaven." Aelric replied. "Oh, sounds like a nice place. I'm from the capital." Augustus commented, "What about you, Isaac?" Aelric asked, "I'm not native to Eldenus, but when I joined, I lived in some small town named Paito." Isaac replied.

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  "Now, listen up!" Commandant Varis shouted, now noticing he gained the attention of all the trainees. He gently ruffled his beard, "Now, you pick a wooden sword from one of the crates right next to this stage." The trainees began walking to the crates, Aelric noticed there were two crates, side by side to each other.

  "So, why'd you join the army?" Isaac asked. "Me?" Aelric asked. "Yes, you." Isaac replied. "Oh, I never really meant to." Aelric said, "I just felt too nervous to decline joining the army." Isaac sighed. "Yeah, you definitely aren't lasting in bootcamp. They'll kick you out probably since if you have no motive to do anything, you won't."

  "No, no. I won't." Aelric said, suddenly defensive. "You'll need a goal if you really want to get through all of this." Isaac said, "Everyone has their own reasons for fighting in the Eldenus army. That's what will carry them through bootcamp." Isaac concluded. He picked up a wooden sword from the crate. Aelric sighed, and picked up a wooden sword, though, it appeared chipped.

  Aelric swung it around, noticing the light weight to it. He walked back to where he stood. Aelric thought about it. His goal... What would it be? Not like he could just come up with one. He sighed, the sudden depression that hit his face. If he returned to his town, he'd be a disappointment. If he came back from whatever thing Captain Valeria talked about, then he'd probably be a disappointment.

  What could he do? What was his goal? His face neutral as he tried to think. "Trainees! Stand far apart from each other. Don't worry, after I am done with you weaklings, you will reunite with the people you talked to and do combat training with them." Commandant Varis said, "Now, one of the first things that I'll show you how to do, is to swing a sword. Some of you may know this, some of you may not, either way, mimic my movement." He swung his sword down. The trainees mimicked.

  So, for the next few while, Commandant Varis did more complicated movements, and so on. "Now, for this last part of training. I will do all that I taught you, so mimic my movements." Commandant Varis said. Aelric didn't think this was so difficult, it was quite easy. So, Commandant Varis did all of his movements consecutively, without taking a break.

  Some soldiers lagged behind, but Aelric tried his best to keep up, but it was quite difficult. After trying to fight for his life and keep mimicking Commandant Varis' movement, but at last, he had survived. Isaac, Augustus, and a few others made it. Others seemed disappointed or were on the ground from tripping.

  Aelric doubted he could do it again, but it was fine. "You all disappoint me, except for the few that made it through, then, you can rest. The others, however, will keep going until they get it!" Commandant Varis shouted. Aelric, Isaac, and Augustus, and a few others approached the crates, and dropped off their swords in them.

  "Tomorrow is stamina training, so be ready!" Commandant Varis shouted at them. Suddenly, another trainee approached Aelric, Isaac, and Augustus. "So, you guys wanna get breakfast?" Aelric asked. "Sure, why not? I could use a little more energy." Augustus yawned, stretching. "Any idea where the eatery is?" Isaac asked. "No, not at all. I guess we can just look around." Aelric said. Augustus, and Isaac nodded, and walked with Aelric to find the eatery.

  "So, how'd you guys feel doing Commandant Varis' training?" Aelric asked. "Hellish." Augustus said. "I heard the stamina training is way worse. Also, next week, he'll teach us more complicated moves..." Isaac said. Aelric groaned. "Guess we better get through it." Augustus sighed.

  An hour passed, and most soldiers passed, but some were still stuck. Commandant Varis seemed annoyed. "You all are done. I will keep note of those who could not pass, as they will do more than all of the other trainees." The trainees groaned, and walked away. "Keep in mind! If you fail a training session, you will do more intense and longer stamina training." Commandant Varis shouted.

  Hours passed, and the trainees rested in the barracks. Ready for the next day, where'd they do stamina training.