The outfitting was a memorable experience. Never, at any point in my life, was I given this much equipment. As a child, I didn’t have much other than a few toys and a wooden training sword. After the clan fell apart, I had no part in any heirlooms or wealth that remained. All that I had, I had to work for, bit by bit, tiny scrap by tiny scrap. Before reuniting with Uncle Rufus, I had had to resort to begging, and petty thievery to get along. The sheer desolation and helplessness I felt then is something I am unlikely to ever forget. Even after reuniting with Rufus, we didn’t have much, what with his injuries and my lack of employable skills. We had to rent out a storage shed in someone’s backyard just to have a place to live in. I am pretty happy with how far we’ve come. Still, it definitely isn’t an understatement to say the number of possessions I have just doubled.

For starters, I was issued 5 “training attire” s which consisted of white cotton shirts with a purple stripe down the back, and black cotton pants. Easily some of the most comfortable clothes I have ever had. Along with that were 3 sets of uniform, the same khaki shirt and black pants that I’d seen around the camp earlier. Along with that were the standard-issue belt, boots, knife, water tin and a training harness. When asked about the harness’s purpose, Derrick only answered “You’ll know when you need to”. All of this came in a large brown backpack, which conveniently gave me a bag I’d certainly be using all the time, simply because of how convenient it would be.

We ran through the checklist. Fortunately, everything was okay, fit properly and had no issues. The issued leather shoes were definitely a pleasant surprise with their quality and fit. Derrick reminded me about how replacements would cost. Apparently, the uniforms were extra expensive because they were made of a unique scratch and tear-resistant fibre. Definitely not going to be wearing those unless I had to. The equipment fitting and issuing took the rest of the morning. Derrick told me to leave my gear in the storeroom and to follow him to get lunch. We headed to the left-side cookhouse, where we were served a simple affair of beef stew and toasted bread.

Derrick asked me to sit with him this time. He explained that all the training companies, 6 of them, would each use their respective cookhouses located behind the company lines. Naturally, behind headquarters was a proper, albeit small, restaurant, but that was only for officers. Usually, groups of 3 companies would take turns training, with them rotating for mealtimes to not overcrowd the place. Which meant that this crowd that mostly filled the entire cookhouse was only one-sixth of the total number of trainees. Exactly what was I getting myself into when I promised to get into the top 3?

How badly did I misjudge what being on Tim’s hunting team meant? It’s almost enough to make me laugh, were it not for the fact that I promised to somehow out train and outfight about a 1000 such individuals. Not only were they like to be more experienced, but a quick question to Derrick also confirmed that there were a few who already had powers. It was likely that more would get theirs along the way. I could only hope that I could count myself among that number, and regardless I’d have to train like a madman to even equalise. I think some of my worries showed on my face since Derrick laughed.

“Relax kid, you aren’t that far behind. All these trainees are the best and brightest of the city guards all around. You are on the younger end of the age group, and even then the oldest people here are only 20. If you maintain your fundamental skills and participate actively, you’d be solidly in the middle. Beyond that, well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. So what did you use to do before this?”

He probably was just trying to put me at ease and make small talk. Still, I definitely appreciated the advice he gave. What he said about not getting ahead of myself also struck me. I realised that I had been so worried about trying to get the top 3 that I had not even begun constructing a plan to stop being the weakest. Aiming high was all well and good, but if I leave out foresight and being prepared, I would end up a fool. Derrick and I continued conversing, in between bites of food, and soon after the cookhouse cleared up. When we finished eating, we headed back to the storeroom.

“Now that you’ve got all your equipment, you are free to leave. Remember to take good care of your equipment, and it will take good care of you. Also here’s a tip. The top 50% of the cohort in 6 months will receive a unique tritanium blade. It’s quite valuable and definitely worth aiming for. You can find me if you have damaged any equipment and have the money to pay for a new one. Now off with you, I need to get about rearranging the store. Check with Lieutenant Curtis on what to do after this. He’s the blonde-haired guy in charge of your company.”

With another thank you, I set up about stuffing the bag and water I’d brought into the backpack. I briefly struggled to lift it, but after I got used to the weight, it was a matter of lugging my bag that was filled to the brim with my issued equipment. Fortunately, it was sturdy enough that there was no risk of it ripping and spilling everything on the ground. I skirted around the parade grounds until I found the Lieutenant inspecting a march-by of a group of trainees. Waiting until he looked free, I approached him. I asked him what to do, hesitating along the way if I needed to salute like I had seen some trainees do earlier.

“Hello again, newbie! How are you finding the camp? I can see you’ve just gotten outfitted. How can I help you?”, he greeted me, as jovial as before. I was relieved that he didn’t seem offended that I hadn’t saluted him.

“Hi Sir, I found the camp to be very well built and maintained. I just finished getting my equipment. Quartermaster Derrick told me to find you and ask for instructions.”

“Is that so? Well then, only half the day is left, so you might as well head home and bring along anything you need to stay in camp. You are only allowed to leave every weekend, so make sure you have your underclothes and your favourite blanket. You can stay around if you like. I’ll see you at 9 a.m tomorrow. Being late is a sin here, so don’t do that. Bye! And yes, you should salute. Not that I mind but don’t let anyone else catch you.”

I thanked Lieutenant Curtis, taking note about the meeting time and the implied punishments should I fail to meet that. That was expected. What I did not expect, however, was that I would be staying in the camp the whole time. Fortunately, I had the rest of the day to prepare and pack. I waited around for a short while, watching the trainees do some kind of fighting stance in between sprints. I left for home after that, saying goodbye to the guard at the gate I’d spoken to earlier along the way.

As I walked home, I could see the looks of envy in the crowd at my loaded backpack. I’d estimate it would be the fact that it looked like it was worth a lot that attracted most of the envy, but definitely, the town guards knew what the bag meant. It reminded me not to take the opportunity for granted, not that I had the tiniest intention of doing so. After a short but tiring walk, I reached home, sweet home. Naturally, the house was empty since Rufus was working. I took a quick shower to get rid of all the sweat I worked up from carrying the heavy bag.

After that, I packed my bag with all the clothes I might need. Impressively, the bag grew bigger but gave no hint of it being close to ripping. Marvelling at the sheer quality of the bag, I wondered what one would need to carry to fill it to the brim. While doing some household chores, I thought of stocking up on some simple to make recipes and the ingredients for it since I wouldn’t be around to make dinner for Rufus. Of course, he could buy dinner outside, but both of us weren’t too keen on spending what little we had saved on extravagances like that, except on special occasions.

As I step out of the house, the main thing on my mind is how light I feel, now that I am free of the heavy bag. One thing worries me, though, and that is that my knees don’t feel too good, I might need to do something about it. With a paper list in hand, I set about buying my groceries. Somehow, some of the grocers heard about my joining the hunters as a trainee. They wished me luck and gave me an extra “as good luck”. Even if it was just little things, like a link of sausages from Bill the butcher or a flower wreath and a bag of carrots from Granny Alida the grocer, it definitely warmed my heart. It was times like these that made me realise that we are not just individuals, but parts of a community, and I hoped to do mine proudly.

As I finished up with the groceries, I remembered how old Uncle Rufus’s sandals were and that his birthday was coming up. I wanted to get him a gift he’d use often, and what better than a new pair of comfortable leather sandals to soothe his sore feet. This would definitely take a chunk out of my pocket, but my allowance as a hunter trainee would be enough to cover that. I also realised I hadn’t spoken to Tim since entering the Hunters, even if it was only a few days. But from what I had learnt of the scale of the organisation, his favour in helping me join was worth more than a mountain of gold, and I had to thank him properly. I had no ideas for now, so I decided to go with exceeding his expectations and thanking him in person again.

Reaching the tannery brought back a whole melange of unpleasant smells wafting towards me. I had long grown used to this and only felt nostalgia instead, at the fact that I no longer had to head back here to work. I headed straight to the leatherworker’s stall at the side of the tannery. There I met the old man whose hands were amongst the most craggy and calloused as any I’d seen. How he managed to make them move so dexterously, I never knew.

“Good afternoon Carter, how’s the shop coming along?”

“Afternoon lad. What’s got you coming around to visit ol’ Carter now that you got yourself a place among the Hunters? Gonna be missing your reliable hands here at the tannery, for sure. Them Hunters sure lucked out getting you.”

“I definitely learnt a lot here at the tannery. I thought I’d get a nice gift for Uncle Rufus, so I get some leather sandals. Will they be ready in a week? Speaking of Hunters, is Uncle Tim in the office? I wanted to thank him for recommending me.”

“Ha! Yes, he’s in. He only recommended you after keeping an eye on you for years, and you definitely deserved it. We need more men like you around. Now’s the season for leather bags to sell like hotcakes, but for you, I’ll get the sandals done. Since your splurging, I’ll throw in a little extra - a Shadow panther fur insole. From what I saw, it comforts feet like nothing else. All I ask is that you give them Hunters a good one for me!”

I thanked Carter once again reminded of how supportive my community was. I paid the deposit, inwardly delighting at the thought of the super-high quality sandals I’d be giving Rufus. He’d definitely be overjoyed, especially given that his current sandals were wood and fabric, definitely unkind to an old man’s feet. As I walked into the tannery, towards Tim’s office, I noticed many familiar faces. I waved and greeted as they greeted me too. It was pleasant, knowing that I’d made friends here and ended my work on a positive note.

I reached Tim’s office, standing before the mahogany wood door and taking a deep breath to compose myself. I also strained my ears a little to check if Tim had company as I didn’t want to intrude. Hearing nothing, I knocked. A second later, I realised that even a baby could have knocked louder than I did, and I knocked again with more force.

“Come in.”

I stepped in, carefully closing the door behind me before standing behind the guest chair.

“Hi, Uncle Ti- I mean Major Tim, Sir? Erm, sorry, do I salute? What am I-”

“Relax kid. I’m still the same Uncle Tim. I’m mostly retired now, and the rank’s just in case of beast waves. How can I help you? Had your first look at the camp, right? What do you think of it?”

I heaved a sigh of relief, glad that Tim acted the way he did. Come to think of it, he never did mention his rank, so why would he act differently?

“Sorry about that Uncle, I was nervous since I found that out you were a major of the prestigious hunter corps. Just that first look at the camp made me realise it was no small operation. I just really wanted to thank you again. I brought some fruits, I know it isn’t much, but I’ll definitely do my best to exceed your expectations in the camp.”

‘Hahaha! I always wondered how long it would take you to figure it out. No matter, a Major is nothing in the larger scale of things, it is worth using my recommendation to give a good kid like you a chance to make a difference. Hurry up and give me the fruits though, I’m hungry!”

As always, Uncle Tim would be Uncle Tim. He knew me very well, and even if I couldn’t trust my ability, I’d have to trust his assessment of my potential. I passed over the fruit basket that I’d bought as a gift, and we spent the next hour talking about his time in the Hunters and feasting of fruits. Afterwards, I bade farewell, promising to drop by more often with more fruits. I later showed off my new bag of equipment to Uncle Rufus when he came home. I watched his eyes grow wider with every equipment I continued to pull out of the seemingly endless bag. I would remember the look of pride he had. Tomorrow might be filled with fighting and all kinds of new things, but today? I’d just enjoy the company of family.