Ash noticed one thing after spending some time in the bastion, and that was the fact that there were two types of people in the training camp.
They were those who joined the bastion willingly despite the dangers,
and they were the ' inmates ' who were transferred from different prisons.
The two of them have two distinct kinds of freedom, although still restricted,
The voluntary soldiers are more privileged than the inmates who were serving life sentences.
For example, the inmates used cramped sleeping quarters,
While the voluntary soldiers were given a better place to live, it wasn't much.
But it's way better than the cells the inmates used.
Another thing he noticed was that the inmates didn't really have freedom of movement around the camp, having a collar strapped to their necks,
charged with strong electricity. But one strange thing was that although he was treated by his fellow soldiers like an 'inmate', he received the same treatment, but not with the collar.
It is triggered when the person isn't in the right place at the right time, or orders given by a superior officer are not followed.
But the only problem he faced was fighting against the inmates who found his treatment to be unfair.
taking any and every opportunity that presented itself… like what was going on.
****************
Ash and the other soldiers were lined up horizontally, looking straight at Captain Kruger, who had a calm expression, something that Ash found odd.
It was unusual since she was either angry or extremely cold.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for someone amongst them,
And Ash could only hope it wasn't him.
Dealing with her was something he wasn't planning on doing on this day.
And he made no move whatsoever that could attract her attention. He even positioned himself in a spot that guaranteed that he wouldn't be seen,
But somehow she did, and a weird smile crept into her face,
sending chills down his spine.
" Ash and Ken, I need you two on this platform," she called out, not even bothering to add the titles that came with the soldiers.
Usually, it was the cadet who added the name, but he could see that she wasn't having it with him.
' Of course ….. it had to be him, 'Ash thought, already regretting waking up this morning.
The person who happened to be Ken was the guy who tried to bully Ash a few weeks ago, insulting Ash's parents in the process.
But there was something different about him.
And that was the fact that he was missing an eye, which technically was Ash's fault since he retaliated out of impulse, stabbing two of his small fingers into his right eye, sneaking a little bit of mana into the wound.
Since his arrival, he had tried to avoid any form of violence, even from home. Ken's case was something he wanted to avoid at all costs, but in the end, he still got into trouble because of an impulsive move.
' I seriously don't like this, ' Ash thought, knowing very well that he couldn't beat the guy who,
Not too obviously, he was bigger and stronger than him.
They both looked scrawny,
yes,
But his chances of victory were not promising when put logically.
He could see the rage in his eyes or eye if he had to count the one that was working properly, and just looking at him with only one eye almost made him crack up.
' I'll just let him rough me up a little. What's the worst that could happen? ' Ash thought as he stood at ease in front of Captain Kruger,
who seemed very much amused.
"I presume that you both know why I called you two out ?" she asked in a low tone, looking into Ash's eyes, trying to find something close to fear in his eyes.
But he kept calm and unwavering, looking straight back into hers, not with the look of defiance that showed stubbornness, but rather the kind that showed nothing.
"Sorry, Captain ….. I have no idea," Ash replied calmly,
disappointed that there was nothing to see inside of him.
She frowned and clicked her tongue, turning to Kane, who was brimming with anger,
barely keeping his emotions in check.
"You? " she asked, lazily looking at Kane, who she could read very easily… heck,
Even a two-year-old could see that he was mad beyond reasoning.
He had been keeping the lid on his temper for a few days, so it was potent that if it wasn't handled correctly, it would lead to him taking Ash's life, which was something that she didn't want.
She hates the kid … yes, but she would have a hard time if the kid loses his life in the skirmish,
but something inside of her,
The part that hated Ash to the bone wanted her to teach him a lesson …. So badly, and now she saw an opportunity.
She had used up all the ideas she had, doubling the already doubled training, causing him to be late on purpose,
purposely altering his training equipment, but he didn't look like he was going to break anytime soon, and well, she loved nothing more than a challenge.
Soon she found something or someone she could use .....a madman who was barely keeping his sanity in check,
She could use him to probe how far he had grown, so she could know how much effort it would take to break him.
'No need to rush ... he is from that family, so without doubt is going to end up in my unit.' That thought made her smile inwardly.
It was exhilarating just thinking about it. But just as she was enjoying her daydream,
a voice said in a tone filled with fury and no less laced with malice,
" I lost my left eye to him… and so I want to challenge him to a duel …. And my prize would be both eyes," Ken said, staring daggers at Ash with his other eye.