[Ties] Bootcamp 9

"Now that I'm personally here..." said Malachi, "Man, this place is huge."

Malachi and the rest had received permission from the Arena Chief to use the field. The Arena Chief, Axton, hearing the children's enthusiasm with regards to entering the academy, was moved to the point that he even had some arena personnel, soldiers assigned to the arena, take part in the children's plans.

"Pretty awesome, ain't it?" commented a soldier, "Two to four small squads could duke it out here."

"Aye, been a while since the last competition." said another soldier, "So, I hear you kids will be exercising here?"

"That's the plan." answered Malachi, "For the moment, though, I plan to have stamina and endurance training."

"Huh, good choice." commented the first soldier, "I remember my time in the academy. I was pretty lanky back then and couldn't keep up with my class. Would be nice if other potential recruits were as enthusiastic as you."

"What do you plan to do, specifically?" asked the second soldier, "For your age, I would suggest running and jogging until you get enough to expend on tougher exercises. You're still young, after all, and enrollment for you will still be a few years later."

"Yep, that's what we will be doing." agreed Malachi, "Sprinting for stamina, and jogging for endurance. After that, I plan to add weights, obstacles, and others that might come to mind."

Malachi was grinning from ear to ear as he said the last line. The two soldiers raised a brow at his expression.

'This kid seems to be TOO enthusiastic.' thought the first soldier.

'Does he plan to drag the other two in that training plan of his?' thought the second soldier as he looked at Arlianne and Axel warming up.

"It would be nice if you sirs were to accompany us." suggested Malachi, "Having models to catch up to would surely be beneficial for us."

The two soldiers looked at one another and shrugged.

"All right, we'll jog with you." replied the first soldier.

"Aye, works for us, too, since we'll be moving our bodies." added the second soldier, "My body has been aching for a chance to let loose."

Malachi rejoined Arlianne and Axel with warming up, while the two soldiers prepared themselves on their own. Although the soldiers had their own regimen, they sent curious glances at Malachi's exercises.

"What do you think?" asked the first soldier to the other.

"About what?" asked back the second soldier.

"I dunno, impressions?" clarified the first, "I still remember when I was at that age a decade ago, I doubt I could match up to that kid. I don't think that was mere enthusiasm, too."

"You noticed, huh?" commented the second, "Aye, it feels like he is dead set on serving in the military. I wonder why? Many boys his age would want to be a soldier, but all of this seems to be far too planned out."

"Planning? I see." commented the first, "Yeah, I doubted when I heard his plans, at first, but seeing how naturally he moves himself doesn't seem to be fake. The other two with him, I can see the hesitation, but his eyes show clear resolve."

"I wonder what he went through to get here..." wondered the second, "Being able to get permission from the chief..."

...

"Well, I didn't think you'd be able to last THAT long, kiddo." commented the first soldier, "Twenty laps, 400 meters each lap. That's eight kilometers, in two hours, too."

It was already half past noon by the time they finished jogging on a 400-meter track that was made for them. Malachi had everybody jog for as long as they could until the last one, the last child running stops for a rest. Naturally, Malachi lasted for eight kilometers. The first to stop was Arlianne at two kilometers, and the second was Axel at four.

The two soldiers, who were witnesses to this, could only give praise to Malachi for lasting eight kilometers. Malachi, who was panting before them, replied.

"Yeah... phew... well, eight... kilometers... is my limit... haa, phew..." he said, "I aim to... increase it... bit by bit. Going out... all at once... will kill me... fuu... haa..."

"Well, take a breather for now, then." suggested the second soldier, "There's a water dispenser over there if you need a drink."

"Thanks." replied Malachi, "One mistake... though. Forgot... to bring a set... of clothes to change into... after..."

Looking at the two soldiers, despite visibly sweating, they didn't seem tired at the least. Even when Malachi was the last to remain jogging, the two of them had their usual expressions. Well, except for the moment that Malachi went past ten laps, they had their brows raised and interests piqued.

Malachi did as he was told and went to have a drink. The two soldiers chatted for a while until Malachi finished drinking water. After drinking his fill, he walked around for another half lap, 200 meters, before rejoining Arlianne and Axel to bid farewell to the two soldiers.

"Thank you for your time." said Malachi to the two soldiers, "Expect us to return in a week or so."

"You really plan to keep doing this?" inquired the first soldier, "I'll be impressed if you did."

"Definitely." affirmed Malachi, "We did make a promise, after all, as friends that we'd prepare ourselves to enter the academy."

"Yeah, we did make that." added Axel, "Keep the chief and Miss Clara posted for our arrival by then."

"Aye, will do." affirmed the second soldier, "Well, then. Pretty sure you're all hungry. Better grab a bite for lunch. See you, soon."

Malachi and the other two turned to leave. Lakeng, who had just been watching from a distance, followed soon after unnoticed. After the three children were out of sight, the two soldiers headed for the lifts to the Administrative Office.

...

The Administrative Office of the arena.

Arena Chief Acton and his secretary, Clara, watched from high above the field Malachi and the others' training. Looking down at them, yet not with a domineering expression but with a curious gaze, he had a satisfied smile.

"So that's His Highness's son, eh?" he said, "I foresee a bright future for this kingdom. What do you think, Clara?"

"As much as I would like to agree with you..." she replied albeit hesitantly, "The fact he made friends with 'Axel' without knowing their true relationship leaves much to ponder upon. Will we be telling His Highness about this? I believe Lord Grigorio knew already, but seems to keeping it a secret."

"I don't know what they plan with regards to those children..." he said, "... but I doubt that he wishes them harm with regards to 'it' just from seeing them."

"Do you mean to say that His Highness wouldn't mind?" she wondered.

"I mean to say that His Highness probably already has knowledge of this." he clarified, "Assuming he already knew, yet allowed his son to continue and hadn't done anything to prevent it, I believe he has something in mind. Even Lord Grigorio, despite their relationship, seems to be keeping everything low key."

...

"Why are we taking the longer route?" asked Axel, "I'm hungry."

The three of them, after their exercises in the arena, went towards the commercial district in a roundabout manner. Naturally, after one had expended their energy, one would instinctively regain it through eating food. However,

"We need to cool down our bodies for a bit." explained Malachi, "Even if we're still young, we might get injured or worse after every exercise. Has your heartbeat stabilized yet?"

"It feels normal for me." answered Arlianne.

"That's because you were the first to break away." rebutted Malachi, "Axel and I had gone on for a longer time and distance than you so we need to stabilize our heart rate. We might risk cardiac arrest if we didn't."

"Kardiyak arest?" wondered Axel, "What's that?"

"Cardiac arrest." repeated Malachi, "It's when the heart stops beating due to numerous causes, especially overwork."

Arlianne and Axel froze.

"We can get killed doing this!?" cried Axel, "What the hell!?"

"Relax." replied Malachi, "Which is why we're cooling down. We walk to stabilize our heart rate, we also drink water to rehydrate. Other times, we can stretch to relax our muscles, too. When we walk, apart from our normalizing heart rate, we also lower our blood pressure to prevent dizziness or nausea. Walking is also the easiest for us since we don't need to do much."

The two behind Malachi pondered for a while about his explanation, but the cries of their stomachs were louder and interrupted their thoughts. Looking at one another then at Malachi, the two of them saw him smiling wryly, signifying that he heard their growls.

"Well, let's go to the nearest inn, shall we?"

///

A throne room.

Three men were present, an aged man sat upon the throne and faced the other two men before him. The aged man wore silver vestments and had a crown upon his head. A king, the King of Perlas, Eleazar Arkansius Perlas the 9th. Before him stood Emmanuel and Elijah.

"Your Majesty, reports of famine have been coming up from our southern towns and villages." reported Emmanuel, "I wish to receive permission to survey the area to draw up a suitable plan of action."

"Which ones, specifically?" inquired Eleazar, "I may be able to think of a plan once I know which areas are requesting help."

"For the time being, Your Majesty, the towns of Tikamas, Zarabia, Golorea, and Socorro were unable to draw water and the villages that dot the region had many of their cattle die of unknown causes." replied Emmanuel, "I wish to have a team of doctors to come with me to survey the damage."

"Drought and famine?" wondered Eleazar, "The wells must have dried up. I recall that the springs that were being utilized were found over a decade ago. Might as well bring a team of engineers to look for a new spring or water source. For the time being, have other available cities export water to the afflicted areas. The dying cattle must have also stemmed from the lack of water, check to see if the cattle had drunk any water before they died."

"As you command." saluted Emmanuel.

"Your Majesty, banditry have been sighted with a rise in beast herds on our western territories." reported Elijah, "I would like to request an increase in funding to support in policing the region."

"The western territories are near the nomadic border, right?" said Eleazar, "Don't move much of the military and call for the nomadic representatives for an inquiry. If we move too much for mere bandits and monsters, the nomadic tribes might misinterpret it as preparation for war. Give them a heads up, first, to let them know of our plans. After they have given their affirmation, search and destroy as you wish. Keep in mind that bandits may leave the border and we may have to work with the nomads in subjugating them."

"Acknowledged, Your Majesty." said Elijah.

"By the way, how goes our trade with the Empire?" inquired Eleazar, "They should be sending an envoy to talk about the terms soon."

"Ever since Your Majesty had been enamored by the electrocite technologies, we have begun drafting an increase in pyrocite exports as a tradeoff for acquiring electrocite." answered Emmanuel, "However, with our current production, we may only be able to receive as much as we give, one crate of pyrocite for a crate of electrocite. With our still standing glacite trade with them, we may have to increase the farms to meet the demand."

"Hadn't the Empire founded a pyrocite farm in Oropafri?" wondered Elijah, "With a new farm, they should be able to lessen their demands from us."

"Let's keep that in mind for when we meet the envoy." suggested Eleazar, "For now, look into the records and see if we really do need to increase the farms. Has there any headway in the research about which other minerals turn into pyrocite aside from flint?"

"Coal and charcoal proved fruitless." answered Elijah, "The mines had also been delivering new ores and deposits that they had found to the research facilities. So far, there hadn't been much results since the first discovery of pyrocite."

"A millennium since then yet still no progress." commented Eleazar, "If there is one thing we've learned from mining, it is that most earth-based minerals don't grow back. Once we run out of flint, we may have to cancel much of our trade agreements. And, with the Empire breathing down our necks, we can't afford to have a war with them."

"Well, Your Majesty, as consolation." added Emmanuel, "The southern mines have found rich deposits of topaz and fluorspar. We could use the glacite and electrocite we get from the Empire to jump start our own farms."

"Hmm, that's good news." commented Eleazar, "All right, let's have a talk with the ministers about that in the next meeting. Now then, are there any more matters left to discuss? No? Then, you are free to go."

Emmanuel and Elijah, at the same time, saluted their father and left the throne room. Outside, two military men stood waiting. One was Gregory, who wore a uniform emblazoned with a golden phoenix, and the other was someone wearing the same uniform. Two Royal Phoenixes that serve the Kingdom of Perlas, two of the highest ranking military officials just under the Royal Family.

The two Royal Phoenixes, upon seeing the two princes appear, saluted to their... respective... superiors. Gregory saluted Emmanuel, and the other saluted Elijah. Emmanuel and Elijah nodded back to their companions, and without looking at one another, went their separate ways. Gregory followed after Emmanuel, and the other followed after Elijah.

Once the two groups could no longer sense one another,

"Haa... The tension from keeping up appearances is killing me." sighed Emmanuel, "Well, at least father is still able to give some advice. To think Elijah wants to move his faction into the western territories. How accurate is the information on those bandits, anyway?"

"Our own sources seem to be pointing at it being a farce." replied Gregory, "While the beasts are actually active in the area, the bandits seem to be too well-organized to be mere bandits. I may have to assume that it's a syndicate established by Elijah's Shadows."

"What is it that he found in there for him to find a need to move the military?" wondered Emmanuel, "Apart from small towns and villages, the local lords their are all neutral... wait... Has Elijah been increasing his influence lately? Who are the lords in the area?"

"The Count of Eress is the most powerful lord in that region." answered Gregory, "I heard of rumors of him sending his daughter to a monastery for religious duties."

"Monastery? Have they ever been religious?" wondered Emmanuel, "I'm certain they don't believe in the nomadic gods, no matter how close in proximity they are with the nomads. Unless..."

"He had foreseen the consequences of staying in power despite being a neutral force?" concluded Gregory, "If that's the case, then his daughter would be the key to getting his cooperation."

"I hope we're wrong." said Emmanuel, "But, just in case, send some of our own men to look for and protect his daughter from a distance. Damn, somehow, I wish I could just give Malachi the things he needs. Maybe we wouldn't be having this much trouble."

"And receive the wrath of Bashia? Haha." chuckled Gregory, "Even if he came from another life, I can see something common in the two of you."

"And, what is that?" urged Emmanuel.

"Heh heh." laughed Gregory without answering clearly, "Something. Just as how he inherited something from Bashia, he inherited something from you."

"Out with it." ordered Emmanuel, "Does this have something to do with Bashia?"

"Maybe." answered Gregory, "Ah, right. I met the him and Arlianne earlier, they were with 'Axel' at the arena."

Annoyed by the sudden change in topic, Emmanuel begrudgingly listened on.

"Well?" urged Emmanuel.

"I listened for a while before leaving, and it seemed they wanted to use the arena for training." reported Gregory, "Though I say 'training,' they were just running laps on the field. I wonder how Bashia will react upon seeing their disheveled state?"

"Malachi's running laps with Arlianne and 'Axel'?" repeated Emmanuel, "Well, hopefully it all works out for them. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Provided that nothing happens, I wish for the same good tidings for the children." said Gregory, "At least for Arlianne and 'Axel', I wouldn't wish upon them the conflicts we have now."

"And Malachi?" asked Emmanuel, "We will most likely need his help."

"Indeed." affirmed Gregory, "If the stories he told us are true, he knows a lot more that what he appears to exhibit. Although, I am curious how he will act if he knew."

"... I can't imagine it." said Emmanuel, "I've made up my mind."

"About what?" asked Gregory.

"Bashia and I will become official whether or not father chooses me as his successor after Malachi has entered the academy." declared Emmanuel, "By then, Malachi will need to move on his own while receiving aid to improve this kingdom's war potential."

"If you become the Crown Prince, and you do that, you know the consequences, right?" inquired Gregory, "At best, Elijah won't mind if he becomes chosen instead. Otherwise..."

"I know." interjected Emmanuel, "It won't be surprising if he raised hell for it."

///

"Well, if you had told me you were going to sweat it out today, I would have brought you a spare change of clothes." sermoned Bashia, "Let's go to an inn and have you two take a bath before we go back home."

After lunch, Malachi and Arlianne bid farewell to Axel and went their separate ways. Right now, they had met with Bashia and Ibrahim in the very same plaza they've always come back to. However, like how Gregory had predicted it, Bashia did react disapprovingly at how disheveled Malachi and Arlianne appeared before her. Only, rather than being a demoness, she had a seemingly icy cold aura emanate from her.

'Oh, geez.' thought Malachi, 'Never thought I'd see Mama like this. I am so screwed.'

Malachi felt fear. Looking at Arlianne, she could only remain silent and be left to Bashia's judgment. Ibrahim revealed a wry smile and snickered at the sight of Malachi cowering beneath Bashia.

"There is an inn here that caters well to both Eskur and non-Eskur." said Ibrahim, "I'll take you there since I also know the innkeeper."

"Oh, good." cheered Bashia, "Come now, children. Time for a bath."

Malachi could only nod as he saw Bashia's icy glare. Even though she's smiling, the chill that ran down Malachi's spine rang alarms for him as he subtly shivered under her.

'Is this what it's like to have a mother?' he thought.

...

"You do know that I have the mind of an adult, despite how I currently appear to be, right?" inquired Malachi, "This is so awkward..."

Malachi, Bashia, and Arlianne were together in an inn's bathhouse. The bathhouse had individual showers, and tubs that could fit a small family of four. The bathhouse was reminiscent of ancient Roman and Greek bathhouses, but catered to smaller groups of people and were more private, instead. That said, Malachi was with the other two naked in the bath. Ibrahim, however, conversed with the innkeeper.

Malachi didn't really know where to look, and settled on staring at the wall. Bashia was just giggling at his expressions, and Arlianne seemed bored.

"Why are you acting all shy all of a sudden?" wondered Arlianne, "I didn't expect you'd be so shy when seeing Mama naked with us. What about me? You always get touchy-feely with me."

"That's because a little girl's body won't get me excited." argued Malachi, "Even if I look younger than you, my mind is more mature than you."

"Really now?" wondered Bashia, "Do you mean to say you're getting excited with this body of mine? Hmm?"

"Honestly, Mama, you are very beautiful." complimented Malachi, "I can see why Pops fell for you. Even with just your superficial beauty, and how the guys at the village try to chat you up, you can make heads turn with the right circumstances. As for me, you ARE my mother, and I do believe you shouldn't be saying such things to your own flesh and blood."

Bashia pouted, not really expecting such a mature answer from him.

"Boo, you're no fun." she whined, "I miss my innocent Mally from before."

"Innocence is a fleeting characteristic, Mama." said Malachi.

"Then why do you keep sticking to me if you don't even feel that way about me?" groaned Arlianne.

"Because you're cute." he answered succinctly, "The ways you react whenever I do something is entertaining for me."

"What!?" she cried, "You just treat me like a toy!? Mom!"

Bashia giggled a bit.

"Hmhm, I can see why Malachi likes you." said Bashia then she went close to Arlianne's ear, "Then, we'll just have to make sure he will never leave your side."

"Mama, what did you whisper to Arlianne?" wondered Malachi, "This sucks, I wish Pops was here so we could discuss whatever comes to mind. Then again, he might just go dumb at seeing you, Mama."

"Hmhm, I can see him doing that." replied Bashia, "Well then, let's finish up so we can go home. Since you've talked with the Arena Chief, I assume you will be training with Axel weekly?"

"That's how it is." affirmed Malachi, "Not sure for how long, but please expect it to go on for who knows until when."

"All right, I would have given you my permission to do so if you had told me beforehand." she said, "But since you were supposedly touring the place, and got it all into your head all of a sudden, I can let it slide. HOWEVER, all future plans before you enroll must be known by me, okay?"

"Y-yes, Mama." acknowledged Malachi.