Chapter 027. Who let the leviaths out?!

The whole campus woke up bright and early the next day. Each one of them powered through their breakfast even in this delicate atmosphere, knowing the hell they’ll be put through later on.

“Oh? Hika, you’re here? I haven’t seen you last night.” Miroh greeted Hika, who was slowly eating breakfast alone. People were just beginning to pile in the huge dining hall to get breakfast so it was still less crowded than usual.

Hika brighten up upon seeing two acquaintance, inviting them to sit with him by moving his plate close to him.

“Good morning, Miroh, Ayla. Did you have a good rest?”

“It’s fine. Thankfully it’s not too hot during nighttime in this area.” Miroh replied brightly. They both took a seat right across from him with their breakfast at hand.

Ayla didn’t start eating immediately after noticing the shadow under Hika’s eyes. “Is something bothering you last night? You look very haggard.” Ayla tilted her head while gazing at Hika’s face thoughtfully.

Hika touched his face hesitantly, feeling his cheeks slightly burn under Ayla’s inquisitive gaze. It was the first time someone had asked about his wellbeing in this place.

‘Both of them are really nice.’

He thought emotionally , watching Miroh coughed and whispered something to Ayla in panic to which she responded with a roll of her eyes.

“Ah. I was studying for the written exam at the library until curfew. I don’t expect to get a high score at the aptitude test later so I am putting all my chances in the written exams to pull my final grade up.“ Hika’s gaze lowered, while he fiddle with his fingers sheepishly.

Ayla hummed in realization. Maybe she could also try that strategy too? “That’s very smart.” She muttered to herself.

“Ey, don’t say something scary like that in the military. That’s like saying you’re gonna be a leviath fodder in the future.” Miroh waved his spoon as if casting off any negativity in the air.

“But…” Miroh began rubbing his chin thoughtfully, “if you want we can work on putting muscles in your body. Your arms are like soggy noodles.” Miroh observed him from top to bottom, clicking his tongue when he saw Hika’s thin vegetarian frame.

His diet was most probably all plant based especially when they live in the outskirt of Jemima. The countryside will have a hard getting a steady supply of meat because of the lesser trading routes available to their region.

“Is that so? Then, I’ll do my best to train in the future!” Hika exhaled with conviction, clenching his fist in a cheer.

Hika thought about it and leaned over the table with a gossipy tone. “Oh. Then, what about Miroh and Ayla? Did you prepare something for today?” Hika looked at them with eyes brimming with curiosity.

“I did read some books to refresh my memory but it’s not much. I’ll have to do my best at the aptitude test. But so long as I got the passing grade, then I don’t really care.” Miroh muttered, sighing as if he resigned to his fate completely.

“Didn’t you took the same test years ago?” Ayla paused her action of scooping egg soup and piped up. She was very nonchalant as if mentioning the weather.

“Who remembers something they did three years ago? And I was really scared at that time, I barely remembered anything.” Miroh also replied back automatically.

Hika glanced at the two of them alternately, debating whether to remind them about revealing something he shouldn’t know.

Ayla gave him an unimpressed look, sighing loudly. “Ah. Then you’re fucked.”

Miroh scoffed, smiling at her sarcastically. “What about you then?”

“I’ll just wing the two test and hope for the best. What’s important is we just pass anyway. What’s the need for extra grades above the passing grade?” She waved her hand to dismiss Miroh’s words.

Her small bit of information about the military came from Caelum, who likes to share gossips earnestly like some idle housewife. However, what she was mostly confident about is her knowledge about leviaths and aurora.

From that, she can definitely get a decent grade to stay here. Most importantly, Keid had reiterated a lot of times to remain low key that her brain recalls it once in a while.

Hika cleared his throat and raised his hand up hesitantly. “Umm…I don’t know it’s okay to eavesdrop, but I am hearing that Miroh took the test three years ago, right?”

Miroh grimaced, glancing at him as if saying so you heard that?

Hika understood that look and wanted to retort, but wisely shut his mouth in the end.

“Uh yeah….I was from the 245th batch.”

Hika’s eyes shone in interest even more. “Wow. So you’re everybody’s senior? Why didn’t you reveal anything? People will definitely respect you.”

“Well…I don’t think anyone would do that. Actually I was demoted as a knight for beating up civilians.”

“Demoted!?” Hika gasped and almost flew on his back. His face visibly shaken by the revelation.

Miroh nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. That’s why I am back as a recruit to enter the military again.”

However, Hika hummed, tilting his head in concern. “But I don’t think Miroh is a person who will beat up anyone without any reason. Do you think somebody pulled a string behind the scene?”

‘THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED,’ they thought in unison.

“What makes you say that?” Miroh asked.

“Of course, it’s because you defend me from that snobby rich kid! If I would guess, it must be because someone provoked you first! I refuse to believe that the military did not see it as a self defense case!”

They both looked at each other mutely. Well, it did happen that way. Thinking about it, Miroh does sound very pitiful in Hika’s mind.

But how how can they tell him it was their big boss that shove them here to keep them occupied while they concoct the greatest scheme of things?

Ayla wore an expression that genuinely look like she was helpless. “That’s what happened. Miroh got demoted just two years in his time as a knight.”

“What military branch did you signed up before?” Hika asked Miroh.

“Black Winter moon.”

“Black Winter moon!” Hika gasped, covering his mouth in reflex.

Ayla’s eyebrow automatically raised at the outburst. Her eyes took in Hika’s expression sharply. Knowing Vega and the rest being affiliated in that branch already made her a little bit biased in front of others.

”I’m sorry. It just that the Winter moon is not usually everybody’s choice.” Hika bowed his head apologetically.

”It’s fine, it’s fine. Then, what about you? What branch are you choosing?” Miroh smiled in reassurance. What kind of a Winter moon knight is he if he still gets upset about people’s reaction?

”Uh…I still haven’t decided. I was thinking of talking to different knights and decide along the way—“

“Hey, Ayla, Miroh! You guys are early!” Yael greeted them, and at the same time patted Ayla and Miroh’s shoulder once. A cluster of people suddenly gathered behind them, bringing their attention to them.

Everyone they met yesterday was surprisingly present in the table. And just like that, the spacious table suddenly looked lively and cramped with the addition of six people.

Ayla quietly spotted the ‘Bob’ person lagging behind the group, looking out of place because of his tall and feeble stature. As usual, the only part visible was the lower part of his face, which looked extra pale today in Ayla’s eyes.

‘He really looks like a time-limited person,’ Ayla thought wearily, taking her sight away from the person next to her as she listened to others talking.

Unaware of Ayla’s thoughts, Carheil inwardly sighed while slowly stretching his legs under the table. His work last night only resulted to a small accident without gaining anything. Thankfully, the pain had doubled down since waking up.

It’s not easy snooping around the campus especially at the academy’s administration office every other night just for an incident report…

”Oh! New person. Hello!” Yael greeted Hika directly.

Hika abruptly looked up in panic. He was intending to eat as quietly as possible in order to diminish his presence at the sudden crowd. “Uh…Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Hika.”

”Oh! We have new friends, I see! Hello, my name is Saterina. But please call me Satty.” Satty suddenly jumped in to introduce from beside him, which almost sent Hika falling off his chair.

”Hey, easy, easy, Hika is not good with people yet. Let him breathe.” Miroh could only sigh in pity at the flustered look from their classmate.

Satty hurriedly offered Hika a loaf of bread as an apology, spouting apologies profusely.

Hika smiled tiredly, receiving the bread gratefully.“It’s fine. I’m just taken aback. I don’t meet a lot of people my age in my town often. It’s kind of an old village.”

“Oh! Are you also from the border? I’m near the border too. It’s barely a city at the northeast of Jemima.” Dotr piped up with a broad smile.

“Wow, you don’t have an accent at all! I wouldn’t have guessed.” Hika remarked in awe.

Dotr looked taken aback, but then proceeded to laugh right after. “Ah! Nobody had complimented me like that before! I did practiced a lot to get the Kerenian accent.” Dotr stated with a sheepish grin.

“Family are those who recognize each other. So from now, you are now my youngest brother Hika!” Dotr proclaimed sincerely, placing his hand above his chest in a heartfelt way.

“Oh, by the way, should we introduce ourselves to Hika?”

They each began to introduce themselves to Hika along with their age. They were actually on average at the younger side of the demographics in the academy. Each ranging from their early twenties…

except one.

Carheil lifted his chin and sighed at the expectant eyes pinned on him. It was like the military again.“My name is Bob, twenty five years old.”

Yael choked on his drink in response. Neil made a clanging noise when his spoon hit the plate. Dotr couldn’t close his mouth. Almost everyone had similar expression, while staring at the person.

“Twenty five!?” Satty was the one who finally sputtered with wide set of eyes.

“That’s very old.” Miroh remarked.

“I thought he’s twenty like Ayla and Neil.”

“What city did you came from?”

Carheil pursed his lips, racking his mind for a good excuse. But everyone had misunderstood his silence as a heavy story to disclose and wore a look of pity.

“You don’t have to say anything, Bob! The important thing is you are now here.” Satty exclaimed in distress.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you!” Miroh slapped the table and leaned over to assure him emotionally.

Carheil felt a headache forming at their unmistakable burning eyes. For once, he was utterly speechless.

“Hmm…then please take care of me.” Carheil nodded slowly to Miroh. His demeanor remained docile like a weed caught in the breeze that everyone was swept away with emotions.

“Now, it’s good that everyone from yesterday is here. Since we have experienced a special encounter together. From now on, we are now comrades!” Yael declared emotionally, followed by others’ enthusiastic cheer.

‘He’s really not hiding his intention for sticking all of them together,’ Ayla mused to herself. However, she didn’t let any expression show on her face while listening on their conversation.

In the meantime, this arrangement doesn’t look too bad so she didn’t have any reservations.

Truthfully, Yael is wise for seeking allies immediately in this kind of place. You never know when you’ll need somebody to get on your side….

She suddenly frowned recalling that face slapping novel she read before. It was the kind of story that made her blood boil too many times, she had to pause every chapter to recover her morality.

‘That cliche wouldn’t work in real life, right?’ she thought doubtfully.

In any case, it’s better to let fate run its course than to oppose it…

Haedi brighten up. Somehow everything went well. “Pola, isn’t that good?!” Haedi leaned and whispered excitedly to Pola after hearing Yael’s declaration.

Pola merely grunted then wordlessly took a thin slice of pork fat from her share to Haedi’s plate. Her face still remained impassive and guarded like usual, which successfully deters anyone within arms length.

Indeed, people naturally gather as a group with different motives of their own. However, that isn’t inherently wrong thing for people to have. This, in truth, actually why people are called social animals by scholars of the early days.

However…time will tell that not everyone’s motive could be pure. And one of them could be saying something entirely the opposite.

‘The question is: who?’

“By the way, is everyone ready for the exams? We can’t stay here if we failed their entrance exam, you know.” Neil piped up.

“Aaaa, I’m doomed. I can’t remember anything I’ve read last night.” Satty covered her face and plopped her head on the table to express her grief.

“Why can’t you remember? At least you would have remembered the basic concepts, right?” Neil wore a look of distress for Satty.

“Ah…I actually just skimmed through everything last night. Ehe~” Satty answered him brightly as if she wasn’t worried about it in the first place.

“What are you worried for? Can’t we just put our best in the aptitude test to pull the final grade?” Yael frowned in confusion. As someone born and raised in the life of the Saints, he has zero idea of military life.

Everyone had realized this and their expression became indescribable upon realization. His shaven head had fooled them into thinking only of this guy’s rough and dependable image!

“Didn’t you know that a lot of people die every aptitude test?” Satty exclaimed wildy, throwing her hands up to scare him.

“Ha! You’re lying! What the fuck!? What kind of test is it?!” He asked in succession. If only he could squeeze his hair, he would’ve been done that already in panic.

[BOOM!]

A loud explosion suddenly happened before anyone could reply. The shockwave caused the earth’s crust to lowly tremble beneath their feet, making everyone’s scalp to tighten.

A short bated silence passed before the mess hall erupted in frantic murmurs. The atmosphere boiled even more as many deduce that the explosion is part of the test.

Cups and cutleries rattled and had tipped over because of the intensity of the quake, but everybody already lost any intention of cleaning up their mess.

Ayla’s table was not unaffected by the gradually creeping mass panic.

“Hey, guys? Is this part of the aptitude test?” Yael stuttered carefully, grasping Satty’s arm tightly. They were both leaning on each other, eyeing the ceiling above them frantically.

Pola immediately grabbed Haedi’s hand securely. Her eyes became even more sharper, watching a particular area in the exterior wall of the building intently.

“Aptitude test is in the afternoon so I don’t think this is something the military had prepared for us.” Miroh uttered tensely. However, he didn’t made anymore comment even if he wanted to.

“Yeah, that’s right. The military isn’t that unreasonable to make the aptitude test this bizarre.” Dotr agreed in an attempt to calm down everybody.

“Ha Ha…maybe they are trying out something new this year.” Neil suggested while laughing uneasily.

They were desperate to lighten the situation through comedy even when everybody is basically at the edge of their seats ready to bust the hell out of there at the smallest sign of danger.

Ayla and Carheil’s expression noticeably hardened upon sensing a leviath’s nauseating aura in the vicinity. Whether it is fortunate of unfortunate, these three people with advanced aurora had a clear picture of their situation right now.

However, one can’t still neglect the innate survival instinct of ordinary humans in the face of danger…

“So…where did that noise come from?” Hika voiced out softly.

As if on cue, a huge chunk of the wall from the exterior of the building suddenly broke apart under a massive hand.

“WHAT THE FUCK?! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!” Yael shouted among other people’s shrieks and screams. His eyeball almost popped out of his skull at the sight of the scaly skin.

At the same time, an ear splitting warning siren reverberated in the entire campus, with a monotonous women’s voice accompanied as if to respond to Hika’s question.

“Attention, containment breach in immersion outfield 2. Repeat, containment breach in immersion outfield 2. This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill. C rank Black winter moon soldiers requested to respond to the area. Repeat, C rank Black winter moon soldiers requested to respond to the area.”

Everybody’s face become deathly pale. The monotonous woman’s meaning was like a deafening whisper in everybody’s ear. The ‘this is not a drill’ completely trample any theory they might have.

They somehow landed what could be the worst fucking case scenario ever.

Ayla frowned warily. She isn’t sure whether this is part of the aptitude test or there could really have been an accident. Fortunately, she hadn’t felt any presence aside from that scaly monster.

“Ayla, stop thinking! Let’s run!” Miroh pulled Ayla up from her seat hastily amidst the shouts and gun shots ringing on her ears.

At that moment, a glass window suddenly break apart right by their table originally, sending broken glasses everywhere like stray bullets. A little delay and they might have died right there.

‘What kind of bastard fate is this to have a containment breach at the day of the exam?!’