Although the starting time for the training was 4:30 am but surprisingly, everyone was present before the siren alarmed. Elaine and Bradley who felt that something was amiss abruptly stopped the cat and mouse game and looked around. It was then did they realize that 1208 pair of eyes were staring at them.
"It seems my training field has been turned to a playground for some couple." Corporal Gabriel said in an annoyed tone.
All the novices knew that this couple were going to be punished. The girls were sympathizing with Bradley while the guys with the Ice Princess.
Bradley and Elaine matched towards the corporal and awaited their punishment.
"Novice 1, novice 206, and novice 1000, join novice 1199 and novice 1200." The Corporal gave an order and the novices whose numbers were mentioned matched and joined Bradley and Elaine.
The Corporal looked at the 5 novices in front of him and nodded.
"I received an order from one of our Adept Sergeants who is in charge of overall training of this year's novices training. He was impressed by the achievements of these five novices on yesterday's training, so he wants them to form a five member elite team and train together while you guys continue with the previous arrangement. If your partner is one of these selected novices, find a new one and the novice who will be odd should choose any couple of his or her choice and join them to form a three member team." Corporal Gabriel gave out his instructions. Although the novices weren't happy about the new arrangement but who were they to question the Corporal?
Bradley and Elaine looked at the new members and said nothing. Now they were a team of three girls and two boys. Bradley noticed the novice 1 who was the other guy in the team had some unknown hostility towards him.
"I guess he's just jealous that I got an M-K-O Cudgel yesterday." That was what Bradley thought. He also noticed that the other two girls who joined their team were beauties that could rival Elaine. They were serious and active and simple things wouldn't catch their interest.
"Today is the official day for the Hellish training you are going to go through. My Elite Squad and I will take you through 10 nonpareil specialized trainings to mode you into elites.
I Corporal Gabriel will be in charge of your training 1, 'Basic Military Training' which are
physical fitness, drill and discipline, military customs and traditions, weapon handling and safety, basic first aid, obstacle courses, map reading and navigation, field craft which is also known as concealment or camouflage and last but not least, team work and discipline." After Corporal Gabriel stated his duty, he stepped back for the first Elite Adept to step forward and deliver his speech.
"Elite Adept Crook, in charge of your training 2.
'Advanced Individual Training or Role-Specific Training' which involves infantry training, engineering training, communications specialist, medical corps training, logistics and supply, and intelligence training." Elite Adept Crook also stepped back for the next one to come.
"Elite Adept Floral is my name and your training 3 will be in my care.
'Weapons And Combat Training'
We will be looking at marksmanship, close quarters combat, grenade use and throwing techniques, anti-tank weapons, sniper training, and armored vehicle weapons."
"Elite Adept Jewel, in charge of your training 4.
Thus, 'Physical And Mental Conditioning'
You would be trained in strength and endurance programs, stress management and resilience training, survival under harsh conditions, swimming and water survival and sleep-deprivation and pressure tests." She stepped back after her message was delivered.
"I'm in a person of Elite Adept Han. I will be taking you through your 5th training. 'The FXT. Field Training Exercises.
It involves patrols and ambush drills, live-fire exercises, urban warfare scenarios, night operations, and long-distance rucking which marches with heavy packs."
"Your training 6 would be in my hands. I'm Elite Adept Yusif and I will train you in the 'Tactical And Strategic Training' that comprises of squad, platoon, and company tactics. Battle drills, reconnaissance missions, use of technology like drones and night-vision GPS, and lastly defensive and offensive operations."
The novices now understood why none of those who exited this place was seen as a human again. How can go through all these trainings and be normal again?
"The SERE training which is 'Survival, Evasion, Resistance And Escape will be in my care. I'm Elite Adept Wills and I will train you in wilderness survival, finding food and water, escape techniques, dealing with capture or resisting interrogation." He stepped back after he was done with his introduction.
The 7th Elite Adept who was known as Shadow stepped forward.
" 'Specialized Environmental Training' is what I would be training you in."
You would have to deal with jungle warfare, desert warfare, mountain warfare, arctic/cold weather training and amphibious operations.
Wish you all the best."
"I am Elite Adept Keren, your trainer for the 'Paramilitary or Elite Forces Training which involves airborne(specifically parachuting), ranger or commando training, special forces qualification courses and counterterrorism training."
The last Elite Adept who was also a beauty like Keren stepped forward.
"You will be training under me in the 'Technical And Support training'. Vehicle operation, radio and communications systems, cyber warfare basics, engineering(specifically bridges and demolitions), and medical and trauma care". She also stepped back in line like the rest did.
Currently, the heads of the novices were in a process of digesting the 54 trainings they were supposed to go through.
Bradley who had a frown on his handsome face raised his right hand to ask a question. The Corporal looked at him and wondered what he wanted to ask.
"Ask whatever you want to ask but make sure it is sensible or else it would attract a punishment." He said to Bradley.
"Sir, I was wondering is we are supposed to pass all the 10 major nonpareil specialized training in the one month you said we would be training with you?" It was then did the other novices realize that Bradley's question was something they all needed an answer for.
Corporal Gabriel cleared his throat and raised his hand to stoop the novices who were murmuring.
"Actually it was my mistake for saying that we would be having just a month training. I actually meant to say that would be spending one month with each of the 10 of us. Meaning, you would have to train for 10 months before you can complete your training as a novice in the Shadow Mercenary Guild to become an Adept." Although Corporal Gabriel didn't want to admit his fault but he had no choice but to do so.
"Now let's begin with today's training but before that, novice 1199 and novice 1200 will be punished for using my training field as a playground."
"What the f.." Bradley and who thought they would be free from punishment said in one accord.