CHAPTER 19

"Sir, everything is all set-up, including the quarters for the candidates." A cadet reported and Zach dismissed him.

"What's wrong with him?" Torin whispered. He was referring to Jeru who had been with a gloomy face ever since he arrived.

Zach shrugged his shoulders as an answer.

"Good morning, Sirs!" Cielo greeted with a wide smile curved on her lips.

"Woah! What is this? Why she looks brighter than the sun?" Torin gasped and acted like he was blinded by the glare of light.

"You!" Cielo hissed but she controlled herself since General Liu was not far from them.

"Why do I feel like the admission tests for this year were too intoxicating? I love it!" She gasped as she watched the cadets working hard at one side.

"Ya!!! Guess what? Field Marshal Chan's daughter and her friends passed the complete medical exams. I sneaked into the Medical Center this morning and saw their names." Torin whispered to the two.

"Wait? Are you close to her and her friends? When did you manage?" Cielo asked with a frown.

"What's with you? Don't you remember that you even took home one of her friends? Darn, you almost give me a heart attack bidding so high for a nineteen-year-old boy, you COUGAR!" Torin teased with a low tone.

"What the fuck, Torin! I'm not 'OLD', you frustrated single horse!" Cielo jeered with her narrow sharp eyes glaring directly at Torin.

"By the way, you mean that Russo boy, right?" Cielo asked with visible curiosity and excitement in her tone.

"What the hell? Don't tell me you really took advantage of that poor thing?" Torin's eyes widened in cynicism.

Cielo arched an eyebrow at Torin and gave her friend her most evil grin…

"Oh crap! That poor boy… Ohhhh crap, Cielo! I can't believe you! How could you?" Torin exclaimed, accusing Cielo with his remarkable exaggerated expression which made Zach burst out in laughter.

"Don't act so naive and chaste, Torin! You for sure have a hidden agenda on one of Keira's friends for bothering too much and take time to look at their records. But anyway, for the record, I did not take advantage of that young boy, because he did enjoy all of it anyway." Cielo said with a meaningful tone which brought goosebumps to both Torin and Zach.

The three of them were very close and talks like that were casual and normal for them.

On the other side, Jeru felt more irritated, seeing how Zach and the two Lieutenants seemed to have fun around, so he instructed the cadet near him, "Get Lieutenant Kang here, now!"

The cadet who scratched his head because of the General's annoyed voice followed in haste. Jeru sighed… He couldn't accept how the meeting ended up last night.

'Keira Chan!' He mused as anger compelled his inner part. His pride was crushed by her in front of everyone.

'You badly want to get admitted to this Academy, right?' Jeru hissed inwardly, as a smug smile showed on his dark face.

...

As soon as Cielo was called by General Liu and left, Zach turned to Torin and asked, "It's normal for a young woman to have a crush, right? To what extent do they usually go once they have a crush on someone?"

"Bro, what the hell!? Why ask questions like that out of nowhere?" Torin exclaimed as his eyes were suspiciously studying Zach's face.

"Oh, it's actually Rizie and I have accidentally heard about it as Lyra was giving her advice through the phone. You know I just got curious since it's my baby sister…" Zach explained with a stammering voice as if he was hesitating to continue further.

Zach cursed inwardly because lying was not his forte at all, however, he better not tell Torin the truth or else he would for sure be bothered by his teasing.

"Hmmm, I see, so Rizie has a crush on someone. Geez, don't worry about it too much, Bro. It's very normal at the age of eighteen, right? That's normal on puberty stage. It's actually exciting on those times." Torin replied.

He saw Zach's questioning and confused look at him so Torin continued, "Well, basically I'm sure that Rizie will stalk her crush, so she will know the guy's every move, likes, hobbies… All that involves the guy, she will definitely look into it."

Torin laughed out hard, seeing how weary Zach's face became.

"The worst part on it, Bro, is if Rizie does it boldly. There is a shy type of girls, who will be contented of just looking around and admiring, but if you base on Rizie's personality... She's a pain in the ass, Bro! Haha, I'm sure she will be bold and harass the guy all she wants! Even woo him over for sure!"

Zach's face paled, as Torin continued to outline every possible scenario that Torin thought could take place.

Torin ended his speech with, "Bro! Let Rizie enjoy her youth and don't be a killjoy! You don't know how scary and rebellious a girl can be if you hinder and prohibit her from expressing herself. Just do a background search on the man for safety reasons so at least you'll be at ease if he is someone who does not take an advantage…"

Zach was left speechless and stupefied...

* * * * * * * * * * *

"I'm sure it won't stop there." Field Marshal Chan murmured as he checked files and documents in the library.

Mrs. Chan was beside him, sitting on the sofa as she read a book.

"I noticed it too… However, our daughter is unstoppable." Mrs. Chan commented nonchalantly.

"Yeah… I saw it coming…" Field Marshal Chan answered with twitched lips.

Then his eyes widened, as he looked at the report that he had ignored last time because of tiredness and hectic schedule. He massaged his temple as he stared at the report on Keira's spending.

"Get your daughter, will you?" He asked Mrs. Chan who also looked at the paper he was holding.

"Oh, this is the first time she has spent that much in one go, right? What? Bar? 'Take Me Home' segment? Did she take home someone that night? Oh, that's your General!" Mrs. Chan gasped as she read the details of the transaction.

"Sweetheart, get Keira, please? After making a ruckus with the Liu Family she must take good care of her every action now or else she will also compromise Zach in the process." Her husband explained. Mrs. Chan stood up and went to Keira's room.

Keira was packing her luggage for the upcoming three days. She was too excited for tomorrow.

"Dear, look at you? So excited for the final round. I heard from your father that the group in charge of it has made sure that it will be a tough challenge to pass for women since they preferred more men for this year's admission. Basically, those challenges were added intentionally because last year many women who got admitted quit halfway, so they are now avoiding the same situation to repeat." Mrs. Chan said as soon as she entered Keira's room.

She was worried, but her husband had already pacified her, confirming that all the challenges would not harm Keira physically, though it would be tough for sure.

"Yeah, Mom, by the way…" Keira paused on what she was doing and suddenly hugged her mom tight.

"Why? What's wrong?" Mrs. Chan asked as concern crossed her soft and beautiful face.

Keira smiled and murmured, "I forgot to thank you. You and dad are always there to support me. Thank you for trusting me this much. I feel really blessed that God has granted me with such great parents as you are."

Mrs. Chan smiled and patted Keira's shoulder.

"Dear, you should say the same to your dad once you see him in the library. Hug him as soon as you enter." Mrs. Chan suggested as she gently pushed Keira away from her embrace.

Mrs. Chan winked at her daughter and added, "He just found out that you have spent a 100,000 dollars in a single night for a bid at a bar."

Keira pursed her lips and quickly ran towards her dad.

"That brat… Why would she run like that?" Mrs. Chan mused as she shook her head and chuckled. Keira absolutely knew that they would never get angry with her. Money was nothing but their daughter was their everything.

Nevertheless, she found it amusing that her daughter was still concerned if they were pleased or not.

...

*Russo Mansion*

"I'm so proud of you, son! Raise that flag! Our Russo Clan." Senior Russo commented proudly to Drey in front of his friends during dinner. He couldn't hide his excitement for having a strong son who would become a soldier, and hopefully, a General in the future.

Drey gulped as he smiled at his father.

"Your son is really good to choose to serve our country. As the man in the family, I'm sure he will be like you- a very respectable man. Imagine that someday you will have a General in your lineage-General Drey Russo." Drey's uncle commented.

Sweat was forming on Drey's forehead, actually, he was already hesitant to go inside the Military Academy and he would like to open it up to his father then his friends, however, he felt that he was cornered by his father at that moment by praising him so hard in front of his dear friends.

He looked at his father, who was grinning and laughing heartily, then he suddenly smiled on his own.

He had mixed emotions, nervous and happy at the same time because this was the first time he saw his father acknowledge him so much that he felt like jumping with joy.

He bit his lips as he recalled what had happened that night at that woman's unit. His face also reddened unconsciously as he cursed himself inwardly and brushed off the impure thoughts.

'Fuck off!' He hissed inwardly as the lower part of his body was reacting abnormally because of that thought.

It was his biggest reason to back out because he wanted to avoid another encounter with that woman who he found out to be a Lieutenant and Zach's closest friend.

Practically, avoiding her would be impossible if he continued taking part in the exam to get admitted to the Military Academy.

'I'm so doomed!' Drey mused because, at this rate, there's no more chance on backing out. He had to continue making his father proud and disappointing his father would be the last thing he would do.

* * * * * * * * * * *

*The next day*

"Welcome back, dear candidates!" Lieutenant Long greeted.

"It's so nice to see familiar faces that I remember from our first meeting. It's interesting… Now we will see who will really survive till the end, candidates. I see you are all ready, coming here while the sun is not yet up. Yeah, I bet they have forced you to report so early, right? Well, that's because the one who is handling the training now are young ones, so blame our young Lieutenants and Generals who came up with this kind of tests. So you can guess that I'm a part of 'Old Officers', so we are good guys." Added the Lieutenant in a jest, followed by a wink.

The candidates laughed at the usual welcoming humor of Lieutenant Long.

"That officer is so comedic," commented Drey.

"That's why he is always the one who welcomes the candidates," Lana said.

"Hmm, I'm sure Torin will soon replace him," May commented laughing because Lieutenant Torin was also a funny guy.

"Three days of physical fitness tests and challenges to assess endurance, muscular strength, abilities and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of each and every one of you. There will be three events that you must pass. The first event is today. If you fail to achieve a passing score, then you leave. If you pass, then you will advance to the second round on the second day. If you fail the second round, you leave. If you pass, then you will advance to the third and finally the final round. And finally, if you pass the third round- congratulations as the Oath-Taking Ceremony and Reception Rites, signaling your official entry to the Academy as a member of ZMA Class will follow!" Explained Lieutenant Long and left the remaining candidates in awe.

"What? Are we on some kind of a game? The way of the tests is simply too complicated." Some of the candidates murmured, they seemed to be complaining, which of course, reached Lieutenant Long's ears.

"Candidates, calm down. Our exit gate is always open for those who are not determined enough to vie to enter our Academy. It's called 'Survival of the Fittest' so from the name itself it should be very obvious. Our Academy only wants and needs those who will survive the physical fitness test, obstacles and challenges our young Lieutenants and Generals here have prepared simply because they are S-U-R-V-I-V-O-R-S, which is our Academy's requirement." Lieutenant Long declared with a heavy tone.

Keira saw Zach at the stage, seated beside Jeru. She had noticed both men were stealing glances at her every once in a while.

"I hate this feeling!" She whispered and it was heard by Drey.

"What?" Drey asked in a low tone with a confused look.

"The feeling of being caught up in a love triangle..." Keira murmured.

Lana followed Keira's eyes and commented. "Hmm, you like him but not sure if he will like you back. The other one like you but sure you don't like him back."

Lana intentionally did not mention the names since other candidates might hear them.

"Don't worry I will add myself in the picture, so Keira will have a love quadruple in the end," Drey said in a serious tone, which made Lana arch an eyebrow at him.

"What are you? It's like you will be the photobomber." May interrupted. Drey narrowed his eyes at May while the latter snubbed him.

Then Drey looked at Keira and sighed. May observed him vaguely. She already had a hunch about Drey from the start but she ignored it, thinking that she was probably wrong.

"What?" Drey hissed and startled May.

"Could it be…" she murmured but paused.

"Listen well guys stop arguing you two. They will now announce the number of your assigned room!" Lana scolded, so May and Drey looked back at Lieutenant Long because they did not want to end up walking towards the exit gate.

Keira tried to control herself to not smile at Zach though she badly wanted to get naughty and give him a wink but since Jeru would surely notice it and misinterpret she restrained herself.

Her father was right, she needed to be careful because her bold actions might put Zach in a questionable position and that was the last thing she would want.

'I bet he would go crazy thinking about what's wrong if I ignore him during the days of the final round.' She giggled excitedly as she anticipated Zach's confused face.

'Don't worry, as soon as I pass… I will bug you soon enough in a very subtle way, General Zach.'

...

For some reason, Zach felt restless in his seat as he stole glances at Keira every now and then because she was obviously ignoring him.

'Did I overthink everything?' He mused. Maybe he was wrong and reacted exaggeratedly. He let out a sigh of relief at the thought that any of Torin's scenarios would not happen to him or would not be done by Keira.

He smiled unconsciously, laughing inwardly at his silliness.

"I'm safe then… Thank God…" he murmured.