Mark and I made our way inside the field, I really thought that he was an earnest man. The determined look I saw in his eyes is the real deal. It's the same eyes that my father showed before he was killed by bandits.

".........."

The memories that resurfaced made my face gloomy, luckily, Mark wasn't looking at me it would be bad if he got distracted because of me. I immediately removed my unnecessary thoughts and decided that I would give my best in this evaluation.

Finally we saw the field, it was a huge field that is similar to a track and field in the modern world. it was spacious for around more than 300 people I thought.

General Ford was in a platform with a grin on his face it looks like he was really looking forward to this program. I wonder what kind of regimen he will make us do.

"Welcome to the first step into becoming a pillar that protects society. Today, I will be testing you 100 people if you are able to endure training once you become recruits. This program is only the beginning, passing this and becoming a soldier is a whole another task that all of you must overcome."

"Without further ado let us begin the program."

Everyone's faces tensed up as General Ford finished his statement, it looks like everyone has a fierce look on their faces. Everyone is determined to pass this test because if you fail here and now they won't hold a recruitment program for 2 more whole years.

"First of all, all of you will be doing calisthenics: pushups, sit-ups, and a 300 meter dash. You will follow my rhythm in doing the exercises, failure to do so will eliminate your chances immediately into advancing to the final test.

"Calisthenics huh? so they plan to test our physical prowess first of course I already expected this."

Mark muttered to me, he has a wide grim on his face like he was expecting this kind of training and was only waiting for it to be announced, he had a determined look on his eyes it was blazing with anticipation. I know those that kind of eyes because I always saw those eyes whenever I see my father in work mode.

There was a number of soldiers that surrounded us on all sides they were all soldiers that would observe us if we are able to follow the rhythm the general was talking about, if they see a person that cannot keep up with the general's rhythm.

Finally the general brought out a stick it looks like the stick that is used by the leader in an orchestra it was a baton stick it looks like he will be orchestrating us in our training.

"Follow the position of the baton with your body. When my stick is up you go up and when it is down naturally, you follow!"

"Now let us start! everyone! in pushups position."

All of us went into pushups position, Mark was directly in front of me and I could see his back from my position when I look up.

"Follow my instructions and you will be fine."

General Ford lowered his stick and all of us followed suit then he raised it up and all of us followed. There are 100 aspiring soldiers on this field right now we are all following the rhythm of the general for the pushup exercises.

We did about 50 pushups and some of us has been breathing heavily noe but Mark had a calm demeanor on his face it looks liked this was child's play to him. Naturally, this is also too easy for me.

"Okay... enough warm-up let us pick up the pace it looks like this is a fine batch."

Some people had an astonished looks on their faces it looks like they were approaching their limits. In other words, it won’t be long before a few of us gets eliminated now, its now all up to our fighting spirit to get past this stage.

General Ford continued the orchestration he is already picking up the pace as the baton is going faster. but there was someone who finally gave in.

"Sorry, but you're out.....you failed to follow with everyone's pace"

A guard told this to a guy who was far behind my back he had an exhausted and weary look on his face it looks like he was not able to endure everything until the end. He clicked his tongue and said.

"Haaaa... Damn it I was not ready for this I thought this would be easy for someone like me." He declared

There were people looking at him with a disgusted look on their faces it looks like he underestimated the natural training of a soldier and kicked the bucket in return serves him right.

There were a few more people eliminated it looks like there are only 87 of us now. Mark and I looked at each other after the pushups.

"Oh...you're a tough one aren't you?"

"That's my line you don't even looked tired at all."

We grinned at each other, it looked like there was a strong aura emanating from behind our backs and manifested into humanoids. Symbolizing our unyielding fighting spirit.

The training continued with sit-ups as the next portion the mechanics is the same as the pushups so it was easy to understand.

More people dropped out. Since we had little to no break from the pushups more than half has already been eliminated.

There were only 37 of us remaining Mark and I was still going strong with our paces as we looked at each other with confidence in our eyes. From this day forward we acknowledged each other as rivals.

Finally the final challenge for the day is the 300 meter dash. It looks like it will only be a normal 300 meter dash but there's only 10 of us who could run st the same time so it will be by batch of 3

first 10 on the 2 batches and the final one will only have 7 members, Mark and I was put in the 2nd batch.

"Alright you lads, all of you has shown promise but we will only accept a handful from you guys as we will only choose 4 per batch so good luck but the last batch will only have 3 winners"

The first batch finally took position in the track and field like arena there were lines drawn on the ground similar to a school's field.

"On your mark, set, Go!!"

The first batch run will all of they got only the first 4 to finish will be advancing to the final test to be accepted.

3 men and 1 girl managed to finish the arena first and they were the 4 that will be advancing to the final test General Ford personally congratulated them for coming this far

"Hahahaha good job you four, I expect great things from you."

"Yes, thank you very much."

The four of them replied with an enthusiastic look on their faces. But the 6 of the rest of the runners had a sad look on their faces General Ford said.

"Raise your heads for this is not the time that was given to you, if you guys are not meant to be soldiers then accept it with all of your heart. Failure is not the end but it is merely the beginning, if you think your calling is to really become a soldier then train harder and come back in the next enlistment program. If you think you have other plans then follow that career in this world the hard working people will definitely have a brighter future all of you made it this far after all."

It was a good encouragement speech, all of them immediately raised their heads in unison. and went out of the barracks while thanking General Ford.

It was finally the 2nd batch's turn we made our way into the field. After taking our positions Mark looked at me with a face that told me everything.

"I'll be taking first place."

I replied casually

"Dream on, I'll leave you in the dust."

We smiled at each other, both of us were determined to not lose to anyone and so the race started.

"On your mark, set, Go!!!!"

I sprinted in full speed, I ran with full speed for a good 10 seconds before slowing down a bit to pace myself, it was not a good idea to run at full speed in the whole duration of the race as it can leave me exhausted halfway, in racing pacing yourself is a skill that every runner must possess.

Mark is around 5 steps behind me our current position is that I am in first place while Mark is 2nd, we have a fair distance between all of the runners behind us it looks like all of them were still exhausted from the sit-ups.

I focused my gaze at front and decided to run at my pace. Mark is also pacing himself he looked like he still have some energy reserves left in him, I am in admiration because he was still full of vigor, his endurance and strength is the real deal that is why I acknowledge him as a rival.

We are reaching the final leg of the race and I finally decided to give everything I've got. the people behind me and mark started to catch up to us because we were pacing ourselves but all of them had an exhausted look on their faces. I assumed that they were running in full speed without slowing down. they were all out of gas while mark and I was just about to release our steam.

Mark made a full sprint ahead of me and overtook me, I was genuinely surprised because he was really fast, but I was not about to let him take the glory of first place as I naturally followed suit.

We were already far away from the other contestants as the 2nd batch looked like it was a race between me and Mark,.

We were nearing the end of the finish line, but I was not able to catch up to Mark anymore since I was out of steam, Mark took 1st place while I took the 2nd

It was fun experience as we looked at each other just across the finish line.

"Haaaa... Haaaaa..."

"Pheeeww..."

"You're really something else even though you’re a girl Elizabeth."

"It's a mistake for a man to be underestimating a woman"

Both of us were panting heavily and General Ford made his way to the both of us.

"Amazing... the both of you completely wiped the floor against the other competitors, I am genuinely impressed"

He has a happy look on his face it felt like he was looking at his son from a graduation program delivering a valedictorian speech at the podium.

"Congratulations to the first 4 of the race all of you will be advancing to the next test, as for those who didn't make it this is not the end but only the beginning all of you did well."

Mark and I looked at each other.

"Next time I won't lose to you"

"I'll only beat you again next time you better be prepared."

This guy is already flexing his achievement to me, I was not really bitter that I lost to him but rather I felt happy.

The third batch finished their race as well and the three winners were all girls it was a surprising outcome.

There's 11 of us who will be advancing to the final phase.

"Sigh...... there is still a test after tomorrow let's head to the town Mark and find a place to stay."

"Aaa...Elizabeth?"

"Hmm.. is there something wrong?"

"Ah nothing really I just thought that you live near here so I was surprised when you said that we should head to the town to find a place to rest."

"Oh... no, I live in the eastern part of Gristos at the east of the central city so it takes around 8 hours to go here I would rather just spend the night at an inn than going back to my town."

"I see...then let's go."

He was blushing a bit I have no idea why, there were a few people who looked our way when we made our way outside but I didn't pay them any mind.

I held his hand and we made our way outside of the barracks we were given medals as proof that we have passed the test, this medal will be our ticket for entrance for the final test the day after tomorrow.

The both of us are one step away into becoming a full fledged soldier. the day after tomorrow is the final showdown.