Gears of Harmony

Episode 14 - Marches on Allevia

The border tensions have reached a boiling point that the eastern region is sending students for military training. That's what I thought, but it seemed like only select schools decided to do it. Rather than a mandate from the head of state, it was just something the chairwoman decided to "devote themselves to the eastern region" and "discipline the kids". At least, that's what I heard - could just be something she said so we don't panic.

And so, as much as I dreaded, I really went to the training camp. Where the whole day is filled with marching lesson. Right, as in learning how to march like in the military.

"Dress forward!" said the army guy.

The people on the rightmost lane walked a step back as they gave some space between them and the people in front of them in the length of an arm. Then the others followed the spacing they have made accordingly.

"Face right!" the army guy shouted.

We put our left feet in front of the right one, turned to the right and set the right feet right by the left feet. But one girl turned to the left instead. I recognized her as Sophie from the cooking class.

"You there!" said the army guy, "push-up. Ten times!"

You might think that I would be happy seeing her get punished, but actually, no. Because we had to wait for that person to finish doing ten push-ups under the hot, stinging sun. And of course, that went for HOURS. Oh, but that was not the worst part of the camp. Mealtime was.

"You have 10 counts to finish eating!" shouted the army, "One!"

Then everyone started eating as quick as possible. I forced my food down my throat, but just half of the meal was enough to make me full. I looked at the other people who sat around me.

"Help me. Please," I muttered.

"Alright, give me some," said Dorothy from the cooking class, who happened to be sitting in front of me.

I ended up giving half of my meal to three other people sitting nearby. But no, that was not the only meal they gave us for the day. They gave us snacks to eat within three counts when I was still full. I felt like my stomach might explode any time. Every second seemed to tick very slowly as I counted down the hours until we could get out of here. To make matters worse, we still have to do a lot of activities that day.

"If you still can't march and you're doing everything listlessly, you are not going to go back tomorrow afternoon!" the army guy shouted again.

"Th-there's no way, right?" whispered Misara who was sitting next to me.

"Can't be, come on," whispered her friend back.

Ugh... I hate this place... I hate having to eat this much... I hate those army who shouts all the time! I thought, ugh... why is this a thing?

~~~

After a terribly fast dinner, the army reared us outside. Me, still feeling sick to my stomach, could only hope we're not going to eat anything anymore. Well, I was right but that was not what I was hoping for as well.

"You are here to do a courage test!" said the tall, slender army guy, "now each of you pick a random number and route from this box. You will go with one other person with the same number on of the four routes: yellow, red, green, or blue. Now, single file line, everyone!"

WHAT?!! I thought, courage test this late at night?! How long is this gonna take?! Each grade has approximately 3 classes which each consists around 30 students so... 270... minus the student council who arranges the event... then... 240... 120 pairs... 30 pairs per route?! This is going to go on until midnight!