In a training field of an organisation that was secluded from the world in a dense rainforest, a young man in his black uniform did something that shocked everyone around him to their core. What he was doing was something that even the renowned strongest men in the world would find hard to accomplish.
"1255,1256,1247....1500." Bradley, who was asked to complete 1254 pushups, overdid what he was asked without a single bead of sweat. His breath control was also perfect.
"1555.."
"Stop!! Stop!!" The one in charge furiously barked out.
"Who do you think you are? I ordered you to do 1254 pushups, and you think so mighty that you disobeyed my orders and did more than that. For such an indisciplined act, you would receive another punishment." He said
The envious guys who earlier were shocked by Bradley's stamina and strength strongly agreed with the one in charge. Meanwhile, the ladies were praying in their hearts for Bradley.
"Sir, I don't remember you telling me to stop at exactly 1254. I thought since there weren't any orders that I should stop at 1254, I can continue my punishment to better myself in the future." Bradley politely said with a grin on his face.
The whole place became quiet after what Bradley said. It was indeed true that the one in charge didn't tell him to stop after completing the 1254 pushups, which was impossible, and who, in their right mind, would continue the 1254 pushups after they somehow manage to complete them.
The one in charge coldly stared at Bradley in a helpless state.
"Go and join the parade. This should not happen next time." He ordered.
"Aye, sir." Bradley casually said.
"Fuck! What did you just say? Over here, you respond sir-yes-sir or sir-no-sir to orders I give you or a question I ask you. Do you think we are pirates that you would respond to my order by saying aye-sir? Never repeat that mistake. Am I clear?"
"Sir, yes, sir." Bradley turned around and said indifferently.
"Finally, someone interesting has appeared." Said a beautiful maiden whom even the instructors or seniors couldn't look at twice. She was a cold beauty that was almost impossible to approach.
Bradley went to and stood beside her because she was 1199.
He looked at her and smiled but the lady didn't smile. She just looked at him with interest in her eyes and nothing else. Bradley didn't bother with her cold response.
After about 2 minutes of stillness, the one in charge finally spoke.
"I'm Corporal Gabriel. I'm here with 9 Elite Adept to train you novices to become Adept soldiers. You are going to have a month-long journey with me, and after that, many might die or quit. You will get to choose the field you would want to specialise in after you become an Elite Adept. You can only rise in ranks if you are willing to go the extra mile than others. My Elite Adepts and I will make sure you are broken down to your lowest point of self-esteem. You will forget about your background as a heir or heiress or a commoner or whatever at the end of the month. We have a motion here that 'Till death do us part.'
The person next to you is your soul mate. If that person fucks up, you are also fucked up. You need to watch each other's backs and make sure you survive together within this month. This will help you build your strength as a team. The lucky couples at the end of the training will get to train under Elite Corporals or even Sergeants who are experienced in Body Refinement. So make sure your partner doesn't get you both fucked up." After the long speech of Corporal Gabriel, Bradley turned and looked at the ice princess who was also looking at him.
"I guess I'm always going to be punished." She said to Bradley.
"And why are you saying that?" Bradley couldn't help but ask.
"You are the opposite of me. Lawless and indiscipline." She replied
Bradley laughed when he heard her concerns.
"Do you think I heart to get a beauty ice princess punished for my bad behaviours? How can you think of me like that? He made a sad expression and said.
"Hmph. Who's the ice princess?"
"Isn't it obvious? I smiled at you, and you indifferently looked at me as if I were a toy, and that only qualifies you to be an ice princess." Bradley said. She looked at him for a while, smiled, and said nothing.
"You turn the red light over there." Everybody turned towards the direction the Corporal pointed.
"It is 3 miles away from here. You are to run to the mountain peak where the red light is and turn it off. As for what will be next, you will know when you get there. You have 25 minutes to run to the red light area and return."
They exchanged glances when they heard the Corporal say that they're to use 25 minutes to cover 6 miles. Even a car travelling at an average speed of 24 mph will take 15 to 20 minutes. How can the corporal expect them to accomplish this feat
"If you reach there without your partner, you both will be punished, and if you return here with your partner too, your punishment will be doubled. The winning couple will be rewarded afterwards. Am I clear?"
"Sir, yes, sir!!" They responded
"Now get ready. If you hear a gunshot, run as fast as you can with your partner."
"Pa!!" A gunshot was heard right after he ended his speech.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"Hurry up, let's move."
"Can't you run any faster?"
"Come move! We need to win"
The voices of some novices who aren't happy about their partners could be heard. Since they would be punished if they didn't move together, they had no option but to urge them to keep up with them.
Bradley and his partner stood there and looked at the other novices who were running like their lives depended on it and shook their heads.
"Aren't you guys moving ?" A female Elite Adept who was a secret fan of Bradley asked.
Bradley and his partner didn't answer her.
He held out his hand while looking at the ice princess. She hesitated for a while but later gave in and gave him her hand, which caused the Corporal and other male Elite Adepts to become envious of him.
"The left foot first. We will move together. If you get tired, let me know. I'll carry you on my back till you become tired of resting."
"You said I'm that petty to rely on you. Let's start our race and see who will become tired first." She confidently said
"Okay, how about a bet?"