Chapter 4: THE SELECTION

Out of 476 recruits, only the strongest would make it through. Arek clenched his fists. His journey had begun.

TEST 1: THE ABILITY / STRENGTH 

The next day, the selection rounds started, where only the best athletes would be chosen. The first test was brutal—200 push-ups, 200 sit-ups, and 200 squats, all to be completed within 35 minutes.

The instructor stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the recruits. "Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats are the foundation of strength. If you haven't mastered these basics, then you are not suitable to join the military!" His voice was firm, carrying the weight of experience.

Taking a deep breath, Arek prepared himself.

"One... two... three... GO!" the instructor bellowed.

With that command, the recruits launched into action. Some struggled after just 20 push-ups, their arms trembling, while others pushed forward with sheer determination. Among them, some were already closing in on their 200th push-up within minutes.

Arek, fueled by his relentless training, surged ahead. Within just five minutes, he had already completed 129 push-ups. As he pushed through, sweat dripping from his forehead, he silently thanked his father. If you hadn't trained me to be this strong, I might not have been standing here today.

Right beside him, Amaya kept pace, her strength evident. She had completed 120 push-ups, her form unshaken, her resolve unwavering.

Minutes passed like seconds. Arek pushed through the sit-ups with the same intensity, his body aching but his mind unwavering. Within 20 minutes, he had finished both push-ups and sit-ups. He took a brief pause, inhaling deeply before beginning the squats.

Amaya was not far behind. She had just completed her 200th sit-up and immediately transitioned into squats. Arek glanced around, surprised. Many of the recruits had already completed all three exercises.

By the 35th minute, both Arek and Amaya had successfully passed the first test. Out of 476 participants, only 7 recruits had been eliminated so far.

The instructor stepped forward once again. "You have five minutes to recover," he announced. "Then, the next test begins."

A young recruit, Ben, raised his hand and asked, "How many tests are there?"

The instructor's gaze met his. "There are three tests in total, each separated by a five-minute break."

TEST 2: THE ENDURANCE 

As the five-minute rest ended, the recruits gathered again, their breaths steadying. The instructor's voice rang out.

"The second test is an endurance challenge. You must complete a 20 km run within 1 hour and 30 minutes. Along the route, there are six checkpoints where our soldiers will confirm your progress. If you fail to reach the final checkpoint within the time limit, you will be eliminated."

A sharp whistle echoed across the field, signaling the start. The recruits sprang into action.

Arek and Amaya ran side by side, their footsteps synchronized. The rough terrain made the run even more challenging. Some recruits began to slow down, their stamina depleting, while others pushed forward with everything they had.

As minutes turned into an hour, exhaustion settled in. The final checkpoint loomed in the distance. With just a minute left on the clock, Arek and Amaya crossed the finish line together, their bodies exhausted but victorious.

This time, 17 participants were eliminated.

With heavy breaths, they rejoined the remaining recruits.

"You have five minutes to recover," the instructor announced. "The final test is about to begin."

TEST 3: THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL

For the last challenge, the remaining 452 recruits were divided into two teams of 226.

Arek and Amaya found themselves on Team A, while the opposing group became Team B.

The instructor gestured towards the battlefield—a small, enclosed training ground designed for simulated combat. "This is a test of teamwork," he explained. "Each team will enter the field with fake guns. Your objective is to eliminate all members of the opposing team. The team that remains standing at the end wins."

The air buzzed with anticipation. Fatigue weighed heavily on the recruits, but they had no choice but to fight.

The match began, and chaos erupted. The small battlefield was overcrowded with 452 recruits, making it impossible to stay hidden for long. Shots rang out as fake bullets struck their targets. Some recruits fainted from exhaustion, while others were eliminated quickly.

Arek and Amaya worked together, covering each other's blind spots, coordinating with teammates, and pushing forward with strategic precision. However, Team A was losing.

Time passed slowly, stretching into hours. Four grueling hours of battle later, only a handful of recruits remained on both sides. Arek saw his teammates faltering, their strength nearly gone.

"We have to finish this!" Amaya urged.

Summoning every ounce of determination, Team A reorganized. They moved in sync, covering one another, using strategy instead of brute force. One by one, they eliminated Team B's remaining members.

And finally—victory belonged to Team A.

The battlefield fell silent as the instructor stepped forward. His serious face softened just a little. "Congratulations. You fought well."

A massive feast awaited them that night. Out of 476 recruits, only 226 had made it through. 250 had been eliminated.

Laughter and conversation filled the night as the recruits celebrated. Arek and Amaya sat together, reliving every moment of the challenges they had faced. As the stars twinkled above them, Amaya suddenly spoke.

"I need to tell you something," she said softly.

Arek turned to her, intrigued.

"I—" She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I have feelings for you."

A beat of silence. Then, Arek smiled.

"I feel the same way," he admitted.

The night passed in joy and relief.

They had survived the first stage. But tomorrow—tomorrow was training day.