Christopher made his way through the bronze training room, the bronze tiles covering the walls giving credence to room’s name. Christopher inconspicuously walked a few paces behind the two girls that had talked about the displacement gate, heading for the small group clustered around Vila. Christopher hoped to assess the situation before causing any trouble for himself and Vila.

The group did not pay them much attention as they joined their numbers. The situation was clearly confrontational, with all eight, or now eleven people lined up against Vila, who understandably looked rather uncomfortable being the center of attention.

“So, what do your parents do?” Asked a man who was decked out in expensive-looking greenish armor. The young man appeared only slightly older than himself. The tone with which he asked the question immediately made Christopher dislike the young man, and Christopher hoped that this guy was not a Sergeant in charge of a squad. A few of the other people stood behind the young man, smirking.

“My dad works the farms, and my mother is a seamstress,” Vila answers somewhat hesitantly.

“Wonderful, True working people.” The young man responded snidely. “Are your parents able to use Soul Force? I hear that some of the people don’t even have that ability in the outskirts of Lumen.” A few of his sheep lamely chuckled at the question. Christopher was almost impressed at how well this man played the part of the arrogant stuck-up Noble. Although maybe it was more surprising that he had not really met this type of person here that often.

He took a closer look at the young man asking the questions. He was quite tall and muscular and was sporting a prominent clean-shaven chin. His hair was blond and tied back with multiple yellow rings. The confident manner in which he spoke hinted at a very inflated ego. He wore fancy-looking light metal armor that had a green shine to it.

“It happens sometimes but it does not hold people back that much in my experience,” Vila responded. Sidestepping the abilities of her parents.

Vila was clearly quite uncomfortable. Christopher approved of Vila’s unwillingness to further escalate the situation, but he could already tell that she was unlikely to succeed. A few more people joined the group, one of them being one of their fellow trainees under Netello Brave.

“Still, I find it quite remarkable that they are unable to use it, you almost have to wonder whether they have some relations with the Blight in their family history.”

Now that was really taking things too far, even some of the others present inhaled a breath at that statement. Christopher could not be a bystander any longer and walked to join Vila to address the annoying Noble.

“Enough, this kind of talk is not going to improve the cohesion in our unit.” Christopher spoke calmly, the other people now focusing their attention on him.

“And who the blight is this, did you bring your boyfriend as well? Did both of you get lost on the way to the farms?”

Inwardly sighing, Christopher responded.

“Maybe this is not the time to be so combative, all of our homes are under threat due to the Blight. If we don’t work together then all of our homes will become the same piles of rubble.”

This was clearly the wrong thing to say because the arrogant man seemed quite amused by his statement. A white but wicked smile showed on the young man’s face.

“Your homes mostly appear that way already. You will be glad to know that more esteemed families first build the wall surrounding the city, the Blight will not reach the pitiful abodes that you call your homes.”

The sheep chuckled obligingly with the pompous Noble. The brown-haired girl from earlier had also joined the herd. Christopher was certainly annoyed at their behavior, he and Vila had not received any such treatment from Netello Brave or any of the other trainees, and they also lived in the Noble district. Maybe the class had managed to filter out the stuck-up bullies beforehand.

Their fellow trainee that was already here was at least not laughing along. It would be nice if the Platoons lieutenant’s or one of the Sergeants deemed to show up, that should stop this from escalating.

“Your unbound confidence in our safety is heartwarming,” Christopher said sarcastically. “But on all accounts, this is not like previous threats from the Blight, we should all work as hard as we can to prepare.”

The man scoffed “As I said, we are fully prepared to defend against any threat, it is not our incompetence that you should be worrying about.”

Christopher almost wished that he could be there to see the arrogance wiped off the Noble’s face on the day of the attack.

Christopher heard the door to the bronze training room open with a loud creak, and five people entered while engrossed in their own conversation. The man in the front had half-long black hair and long sideburns. The man had a narrow build. The metal adornments as well as the insignia on his chest indicated that he had the rank of lieutenant and was therefore most likely the leader of this platoon. The Four people following in his wake, three men and a woman, all wore an insignia showing them to be the Sergeants.

‘Nice, great timing’ Christopher almost thanked the goddess Avalla for saving him and Vila from further confrontation here.

The Lieutenant directed his attention to him and the others standing in opposition

“Good, a lot of you are already here.” The Lieutenant then focused on the headache in front of Christopher and Vila.

“Ah Zerez Stout, I heard that you would be here. Happy to see that they placed you in my unit.”

“No place I would rather be sir!” Zerez replied with a smile.

“Excellent, looks like we have some capable hands within our unit. Is your father still training you with the sword?”

“Yes sir, even manage to hit him from time to time.”

The Lieutenant laughed, putting his arm around Zerez. “No small feat, let’s grab a drink, catch me up on what you’ve been up to”

They walked to the tables on the far side of the wall, the ones filled with food and drink. Zerez talked with the Lieutenant, while the Sergeants talked amongst each other. Christopher and the others stayed put, not sure if they were allowed to enjoy the same refreshments.

Christopher was not very pleased with the leader of his platoon being on friendly terms with this Zerez Stout. At least the arrogant Noble seemed to be on better behavior with the superiors around. That was all Christopher really cared about. His sheep seemed to have no intention of continuing the confrontation with him and Vila now that Zerez was gone.

Vila turned to him. “Thank you for backing me, I have to say that I feel rather out of place here.”

“Don’t worry about it, and I share the feeling. Probably better to steer clear from that guy from now on.” At which Vila nodded in affirmation.

Christopher spoke some more with Vila, and eventually the other members of their platoon also trickled in. Beteb and a few of their fellow trainees stood clumped together with him and Vila, giving them the opportunity to reminisce about their training. There had never been much opportunity for light conversation at the estate of Netello Brave, so it was nice to talk about their shared hardships.

“I swear, I had a nightmare where that old bastard stood over me with that cane in my sleep.”

“I know, my mom almost did not allow me back there when she discovered my bruises,” one of the trainees said.

“Hah, my mom said not to complain and that it would build some character.” Replied Beteb.

It felt good to share a laugh about their collective suffering due to the old man. His punishments at least always seemed to serve to make them better and stronger. Christopher was sure that there was something to the old man’s method. It reminded him somewhat of military training on earth.

Christopher spoke. “Now those Soul Suckers are going way too far though, that is a whole different level of abuse.” Eliciting a pained laugh from the others at the comment.

“Indeed, confronting the Blight will be child’s play compared to those abominations.” Said one of the girls.

Christopher was rather disturbed when he looked around and saw Zerez and the lieutenant looking at him while sharing a laugh at the other side of the room. ‘Oh no, what is that all about?’

They talked about their training for a few more minutes, cursing the existence of the Soul Suckers. Soon the Bronze training room looked full with recruits. They all turned when they heard a ringing noise, which turned out to be the Lieutenant rhythmically tapping against a crystal goblet.

“Gather round me.”

The lieutenant gave them a couple of moments, not bothered by the disorderly way that they gathered.

“You shall address me as Lieutenant Gara”

Lieutenant Gara then continued by introducing the four Sergeants in the room, all of them standing nonchalantly to his left.

“Congratulations for making it into platoon unit three, tasked with protecting Swift Keep from the scourges that seek to destroy us. It is also the only placement where you are more likely to get in a fight against a spoiled scion than seeing any action against the Blight.” A few people chuckled obligingly at the joke. Christopher just frustrated that those were just as present in this platoon.

“Together with platoon units one and two, we will be tasked with admitting citizens to the bunkers within the keep, as well as patrolling the corridors and the district. A simple enough job with little action.” The lieutenant took another sip from his goblet.

“We will mostly be dealing with the citizens of the Noble District so we are expected to look sharp during our duties. You will properly address the citizens seeking shelter here with the proper forms and the respect that they have earned.” The Lieutenant quickly glanced at him and Vila after this statement. “Tactical command might give us special orders if the situation requires it. Everyone clear on this?”

Most casually nodded their heads, only a few responded with the formal “Yes Sir.” Christopher being one of them. He had to admit that He and Vila seemed a rather bad fit for this unit. At least Christopher certainly did not know about any of the etiquette that was expected when dealing with the people from this district.

Lieutenant Gara took another swig from the purple liquid in his goblet, looking over them with a questioning gaze. Christopher wondered if the goblet contained alcohol.

“Good, so these sessions are to prepare you, but there is not that much to it really.” The lieutenant rubbed his chin, he appeared to be pondering on how to proceed

“Why don’t we have some bouts so that I can take a look at your capabilities… Yes, that should be entertaining. You can be assigned to your squads based on the results. Sergeant Nessa, take healing watch.” The one female Sergeant nodded at the order.

‘They sure do things differently here.’ Christopher thought. The platoon of Lieutenant Cerra and Sergeant Coley had been much more orderly, showing some of that expected military discipline. The behavior here was almost informal. The lieutenant seemed especially nonchalant.

“Now, who wants to go first. Any volunteers?” Lieutenant Gara asked the group, sweeping his gaze over them with a mischievous smile. Christopher noticed that many of the gathered recruits did not look happy at the prospect of fighting so suddenly. Christopher was not sure what to think about these bouts either.

Zerez spoke up. “I would like to volunteer for the first match, sir.”

“Certainly Zerez, come on up.” Zerez shot Christopher a wicked smile as he walked to the side, Christopher now very much fearing what this was leading up to.

“Let me pick your opponent.” Lieutenant Gara looked around the recruits as if he was considering multiple prospects. His eyes ended up resting on him. “You, young man, why don’t you fight Zerez.”

Christopher stood there silently for only a second or two, inwardly cursing. Nevertheless, Christopher responded with “Yes Sir” Knowing that he was not going to talk himself out of this one.

‘What the hell are they planning?’ Christopher worried while stepping forward.