Chapter 10 - Training

"System, haven't I been enlisted in the army already? Why did I not get the notification yet?", said Alex questioning.

"You think thaw was what it takes to be a soldier? If you were back to your previous world, that would be just like graduating from college. You need to endure their training and be recognize a solid unit in a team before I consider you completing the mission", replied the system.

"But aren't the conditions was just to be enlisted in the army?"

"Who said so?"

"You."

"I changed it, you just didn't ask you I haven't told you so."

Alex could feel nerves bulging in his head, he could endure intense training but the system's shamelessness was on a whole another level. It was an entire training course on its own.

After the sergeant enlisted him to the army, he did say that he will be training in the army along with the new recruits for a month. He will be training with a total of a hundred recruit, he will be the hundred and first recruit. 

In fact, the limit was 100 people a month, but because he did them a favor he was given the benefit to wait for a few months waiting in line with other people who wants to be part of the Eldorian Army.

Tomorrow would be the start of the training, and it was already night time. Alex went to Lito's place and stayed there for the night. He woke up early to be at the training ground.

The place was filled with people. All gender and sizes with different looks in their eyes. Few of them, looking nervous while some was confident. There was people who tried to distract themselves by talking with other recruits, but one thing that was sure is that all of them was looking forward for today's training. 

They have already been training for the three days now and they heard yesterday that their batch will have a new member, making the 100 of them be the odd one out of all trainees since they'll have an extra 1 in them.

The moment Alex stepped in the dirt field everyone looked at him. Some mocking, some curious, but no one is sure pleased with him. They were notified that this person was given a special treatment was able to skip the months of waiting and another month of surviving the torturous enrollment days.

They looked at him, inspecting his visage.

His figure was lean, but he wasn't as muscular as some of them. His arms does look strong but sure isn't as strong as them. His eyes looked bored, it pissed them quite a lot. He looked so out of place. His clothes looked especially old. He looked poor honestly.

Luckily, before they peel Alex's skin, Seargent Wallace has arrived. They heard a whistle sound and everyone went to their positions in a practiced manner. Everyone, except Alex, the sore thumb.

"Alex, front and center!" Sergeant Wallace barked, his voice carrying authority and command.

Alex trudged to the front, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him. Wallace looked him up and down, his expression stern.

"Listen up, Alex," Wallace began, his tone serious. "You may have been given special permission to join us, but that doesn't mean you get any special treatment here. You'll follow the same rules, undergo the same training, and meet the same standards as everyone else. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sergeant," Alex replied, his voice lacking enthusiasm, standing as straight as he could, trying to match the posture of the other recruits.

"Good. Now, here are the rules of this training regime. First, respect and discipline are paramount. You will follow orders without question and address your superiors properly at all times. Second, teamwork is essential. You are part of a unit, and you will train, fight, and live as one. If one of you falls behind, the whole unit suffers."

Wallace paused, letting his words sink in. Alex nodded, absorbing the information without much excitement.

"Third, physical fitness is crucial. You will undergo rigorous physical training daily, and you must push yourself to your limits. There will be no excuses and no exceptions. Fourth, mental toughness. The training will test you not just physically but mentally. You must be prepared to endure and overcome any challenge."

Alex felt a mix of apprehension and resignation. He knew this wouldn't be easy, he was unwilling to endure it but was left with no choice.

"Lastly," Wallace continued, "you will be evaluated constantly. Your progress, attitude, and performance will be monitored. Any failure to meet the standards will have consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sergeant," Alex replied, his tone flat.

"Good. Now, for your needs: You will be provided with the necessary gear and equipment. Meals will be served at designated times, and you will have a strict schedule to follow. Any questions?"

Alex shook his head. "No, Sergeant."

"Alright, then. Get in line with the rest of the recruits and be ready for today's training. Remember, you may have started differently, but from this moment on, you're just another recruit. Earn your place here, Alex."

Alex nodded and moved to join the line of recruits, feeling a mixture of nerves and resignation. This was his chance to prove himself, but enthusiasm was the last thing he felt. He looked around at the other recruits, feeling their scrutinizing gazes. He knew they saw him as an outsider, someone who had bypassed the usual waiting period. It didn't make him feel special; it made him feel like a target.

"Alright, recruits!" Wallace shouted, snapping Alex out of his thoughts. "Today's training will push you to your limits. We'll start with a five-mile run, followed by strength and endurance drills. Get ready to move!"

As the recruits began to jog, Alex fell into step, trying to match their pace. The dirt under his feet kicked up, mingling with his already frayed thoughts. He knew he needed to survive this training, but enthusiasm was the last thing he felt. Each step felt like a reminder of the system's manipulations, the seemingly endless trials he had to endure.

He glanced around at his fellow recruits, some of whom looked determined, others nervous, but all seemingly more prepared for this than he felt. Alex sighed inwardly. This was just another step in a journey he hadn't chosen, another challenge he had to face because he had no other choice.

"Alright, recruits!" Wallace shouted. "Today, we'll start with the Eldorian Army's first physical conditioning method: the march and run. You'll carry full gear, and we'll be covering fifteen miles. After that, strength and endurance drills. Let's see what you're made of!"

The recruits groaned, but they quickly assembled. Each one was given a heavy pack to carry, mimicking the weight Roman soldiers had to bear. Alex hefted his pack onto his shoulders, feeling the unreasonable weight. His time spent training in the forest had made him resilient, and his past life as a soldier had steeled his mind.

As the march began, Alex fell into step with the others. The sun beat down mercilessly, and the weight of the packs made each step a struggle. Sweat poured down their faces, and the recruits' breaths grew labored. Many of them stumbled and faltered, but Alex found a rhythm. The forest training had conditioned his body, and the mental toughness from his past life as a soldier helped him push through the fatigue.

The march transitioned into a run, and the recruits' suffering intensified. They were gasping for air, muscles burning, but Alex maintained his pace. His mind drifted to the days spent in the forest, where he had run through dense underbrush and climbed steep hills. Compared to that, this was bearable.

As the run continued, Alex noticed the other recruits struggling. Some were on the verge of collapse, while others gritted their teeth, determined to keep going. Alex's experience gave him a slight advantage, but he knew better than to let his guard down. This was just the beginning.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sergeant Wallace called a halt. The recruits dropped to the ground, panting heavily, their bodies aching. Alex stood, breathing hard but still steady on his feet. Wallace's sharp eyes noticed this.

"Not bad, Alex," Wallace remarked, walking over to him. "Don't get too comfortable. We're just getting started."

Wallace then directed the recruits to the next phase: strength and endurance drills. They were to perform a series of grueling exercises, including push-ups, sit-ups, and burpees, followed by lifting heavy logs and dragging weighted sleds.

The recruits struggled through the drills, their bodies pushed to the limit. Alex, though tired, managed to keep up, his muscles remembering the intense workouts he had endured in the past. He felt the burn in his arms and legs, but his mind remained focused.

The day dragged on, and by the time Sergeant Wallace called for a break, the recruits were exhausted. They collapsed on the ground, gulping down water and trying to catch their breath. Alex sat apart from the group, his thoughts drifting. He knew this was only the beginning, and he steeled himself for the days to come.

As the recruits began to recover, Wallace addressed them. "This is just a taste of what's to come. You'll need to toughen up if you want to survive here. Remember, you are part of a unit. Help each other, push each other, and you might just make it through."

Alex looked around at his fellow recruits, seeing the determination and exhaustion in their eyes. He knew he had an edge, but he also knew that surviving this training would take more than physical strength. It would take grit, resilience, and the ability to endure whatever was thrown at them. And he was ready for it.