AvanLol: This is a train, wreak waiting to happen .
GJO1088: Well this is a retelling so having Avan shoot himself in a bunker would derail the story, so I did the unthinkable I tried to make Avan likable…. God what have I done.
Yes Helmut will still be a student although his reason would be different.
I also change some things to make Class G enter Lanseal.
I will try to be Logical and as for Juliana I'm still not sure, I'm still debating it…
It's been almost a week since that fateful encounter but I have finally made up my mind, there I stand proudly at the gates of Lanseal Academy, bringing nothing but my hope and determination, as well as my application form.
"Leon, I'm finally here. At your school Lanseal Royal Military Academy, but damn that's a mouthful."
With an Itching ass that reminded me of the haul I have to go through just to be able to get here.
"Man, is this place big! Just how many students does a school like this have? It's pretty cool to see it for myself after reading all about it from your letters, Leon…"
I then slap my face "Alright! First things first! I've got to past this entrance exam! Lanseal Academy prepare for another Hardins!"
I screamed from the top of my lungs catching the attention of everyone, including a pink haired girl.
"Avan Hardins I presume" she then hands him a set of cloths and a sheet of paper "Please go to a changing room and proceed to your assigned classroom."
She then turns "And don't yell, it would not increase your chances of getting in, even if you are his younger brother." Well whoever she was she's hot, looking at those T&A boys.
And as I change my cloths and proceed towards the designated classroom continuing my adventure. I notice the heavy atmosphere, too heavy. So I enter like no other.
"Dang son! I looked pretty good in this outfit. That's got to be a good sign."
I then stated to look around "But what kind of school makes you wear a uniform just to get on campus? I know Leon said access was restricted when I asked to visit. National security blah, blah, blah, outsiders shoot on sight. That's fucking brutal, men!"
I sigh while scratching my head "Well that's the military for you. Hey at, least tuition free and free food who can say no to that."
Other students murmur as they look at this red haired student "Why is he talking to himself…" "Did he just answer his own question?" but the red haired boy just continue 'oblivious' to what is happening, 'oblivious' to his 'stupidity'.
"First up's the written test. FUCK! Using my brain is not my forte." I then pull out the 'Leon Files' "Hmmm… no… no… Aha! Jackpot! 'The purpose of school is to prepare kids for the real world and in the real world, people don't give a shit.' Daaaang! That's so true, bro. You always had the best quote!"
I close the Leon Files "All right, Fuckers! Let's do this!" With a massive stump of his leg and fist in the air "BRING IT ON MOTHERFUCKERS! ANY TIME! ANY PLACE!"
The murmuring student stop as they look at the enthusiastic young man, and for some reason their nervousness seems to vanish and they kind of feel fired up. Some even laugh.
As the test is about to precede and more applicants enter the classroom, a young girl walks closer to me "Um… Hey, is this seat taken?" she then points seat beside me.
"Nope, it's all yours."
"Thanks a lot." The girl then bowed and quickly takes the seat.
And when she has seated I introduce myself. "Hey, umm… name's Avan and you are…"
"Oh, uh I'm Cosette and thanks for the seat Avan" the two of us to exchange pleasantries when a certain Darcsen who is seated in front of her mediates.
"I'm trying to concentrate, so would you please quiet down. Or perhaps you think you two are the only people taking a test." He said pushing his glasses up.
"Ooh, right. Sorry. I'll be super quiet." She then covers her mouth and nose.
"What's your problem, man? You don't have to be all rude about it!" I fired back "C'mon we're all in this together. We should be supportive here, one for all, all for one."
"Supportive? Look, I came here because I was scouted." I can see him eyeing me "Thanks, but I don't need any support from some starry-eyed applicant, especially from someone who barges into the classroom like a madman, the same someone who can't even wear a uniformed right."
I then slam my hand at the table catching everyone's attention "The fuck you say to me, you littl-" just as when things are heating up, no-homo, a sound of someone grasping for air catches our attention.
"C-cosette? Are you okay? Hey, what's wrong?!"
"I was… trying… so hard… to stay quiet, that, I… Phew, I kinda stopped breathing." She said with a sigh of relief.
I just scratches my head "Wha- How did that seem like a good idea to you?!"
The Darcsen just massage his forehead "Ugh, it's like a train wreck. I don't want to stare, but-" before he could finish, I smash myself into him, again no-homo.
"Hey! She was only doing it because of your ass of a comment!"
The Darcsen pushes back "I don't recall asking her to asphyxiate, through its sounding more appealing."
I just stare at him "Oh… so you're into that huh."
"What!"
"Don't worry bro, we don't kink shame here. Even I have my own libido"
The sound of the bell and the teacher entering stop the commotion "Quiet in the back. The test is about to start." After exchanging our 'pleasantries', I and the Darcsen both take our respected seat with Cosette trying her best to encourage defuse the situation.
"So much for high standard." The students whispered as they look at the Darcsen, "Quiet down! I'll begin by passing out your question booklets." The teacher said silencing everyone.
As the test proceed, minutes turn into hours and at last the bell ring, a sound so sweat that in my mind it's a literal definition of, save by the bell.
"Pencil down! I'll collect your response sheets now." After getting all the paper the teacher announces the next part "Next up is field exam, dress for combat and report to the drill ground." However everyone seems timid to leave the classroom.
I then stood up making as much ruckus as I can "Damn, I finish the test but I was mostly guessing." I then smiled "Guess I'll just have to ace the field exam!" and with that I left the room screaming.
Everyone inside the classroom then started to make their way towards the Drill grounds with new found resolve.
-A-
When all would be applicant, all in their battle dress and helmet, has assembled a man with an eye patch emerge and striking fear to everyone "I'm Rodriguez. That's sir to you. I'm the proctor for your field exam."
Eyeing ever student he then proceed without haste "You will now form teams of three and participate in simulated combat. In other words think of this as real combat, as such the way you interpret and accomplish your objective is all up to."
Picking up his pen and gazing at his clip board, he randomly called up names crossing it when it's called. "Answer when called. Cosette Coalhearth!"
"Y-yes, sir!" she said loudly, with a salute to boot.
"Next is… Zeri!"
"Yes, Sir." Quick and precise
"Last up: Avan Hardins!"
"Yo! What's up Sir!" didn't even bother saluting.
There was silent… which was broken by the drill instructor himself "You are team A!"
"H-hey, were on the same team Avan. Let's give it our all."
"You bet! All set to go, Zeri?"
"Just my luck I get the two of you dumped on me."
"Pardon me?! You care to repeat that, asshole!"
"Gladly, Just my luck I get the two of you dumped on me."
"H-hey, guys, before we fight each other lets fight the enemy. C'mon focus." Cosette said as she gets between the two.
"Pipe down, you sissy's! I will now begin the exam." he then fix his gaze to the now team A and then back to everyone "You won't be using live ammo but a hit to the wrong spot can still kill you. In other words don't be reckless, precede with caution and move, as, a, team!"
"Hoo… I'm all nervous. I hope it goes well."
Avan tap Cosette's shoulder "It's like my brother used to say. Er… Oh yeah!" pulling up the Leon Files and flipping the page "Everyone imagine they could be something until they realize they are nothing."
With his fiery spirit Avan declared "We're going to win this! In a landslide! For sure!" he then look at his two companion "All right, let's go, you two! Move out! And show these fuckers how it's done!"
"A-avan, you're language, you're in front of the instructors."
The three then enters the first of three areas they have to complete. They were given a chance to pick their weapons of choosing, independently. Avan stick to a standard issue rifle, Zeri on the other hand chooses a sub machine gun and Cosette choose a pistol and some ragnite. After choosing the test immediately starts.
"Zeri! Cosette! We're beating these fuckers' guys and getting in!" Avan started which was replied with a simple nod from the two.
"Alright listen up, here's the plan." Zeri started "Our team is pretty balance which gives us an advantage." He then laid the map handed to them by the instructors "I'll take the lead, Avan you provide supporting fire and Cosette you'll be our medic prioritize your safety and stick closely to Avan, understood."
The girl nodded.
"Sooo, basically you want me to give pot-shots on the enemy? What gives?" Avan said scratching his head.
"Yes, why because you have a rifle, meaning you can take them from a distance." He then pointed at his gun "this is a sub machine gun; it can go and be a supressing our enemy while you go out there and snipe them when there expose. Do you understand I, already made it simple just for you."
"Why you- Of course I understand, what I'm getting at is I should be the one to lead. I'll scout out the area and you provide suppressing fire." He then presents his gun.
"G-guys, let's talk about who leads who for later for now let's concentrate with how we traverse this expansive area without getting too separated." She said trying to break the back and forth bickering.
"Very well" Zeri sigh "Well maintain a fix amount of distance where we can still support one another. Well proceed with caution, well move slowly but surely that is our strategy."
He then started pointing out key location in the map "Since the whole area is so spacious, I believe this is our best chance, I'll take time sure but this would negate most of the risk."
Avan looked around and he notice a timer "Hey Zeri, how do they grade the field exam?"
"Huh, oh they grade it base on the time it took to complete. Some have said that acing the field exam is a guarantee entry in to the academy, seriously you should have known it at the beginning."
"So, even if you failed the written exam acing the field exam will balance it?" Avan continues.
"Pretty much, however recklessness would only get you killed, fast" he looked at Avan straight in the eyes deadlock.
"Fine." He sits down in the corner and let Zeri continue discussing his plan.
One minute has passed, and as Zeri and Cosette continue discussing the plan they heard a load scream "ALRIGHT TIMES UP! LET'S DO THIS! AVVVAAAANNNNN HAAARRRDDDDIIIINNNNSSSS!"
And when the two of them look they saw Avan running straight ahead they began to pick up guns and shout "Wait, Avan! Stick to the plan!"
Avan's 'warcry' catches the attention of everyone who now focuses all their attention and ammunition at him.
Avan sprinted, he saw his first enemy below the slope and he immediately turns left leaving the first enemy fully open for Zeri.
As he made his way leftward he saw another one, using his helmet he close in "It's Motherfucking Helmet time, YO!" he then dash towards the nearby sandbag and spotted the forth in his right and fifth enemy in another sandbag upfront.
An announcement was broadcasted to always wear their helmets in which Avan oblige.
He then rushed forward drawing the attention of enemy four and five while spotting enemy six near another slope surrounded by sandbag. He then rushed enemy six and throws a grenade "Wow! You survive that" he then pointed his rifle and seconds later enemy six is down as well.
He now sprinted to the last enemy the one near the base of Area one. Using his rifle as a bat he swings it hard, hard enough to remove the helmet of enemy seven. They heard an announcement that all enemy combatants in Area one has been eliminated.
And just like that they proceed to the second area in record time even.
When the two manage to catch Avan, he was simply standing with his rifle "Oh, hey took you long enough" and with a smile he greeted his teammates.
"What the fuck is that! What the absolute fuck is THAT! You could have cost us the whole damn test! Are somehow fucking retarded- no, you are fucking retarded!"
"Now, now we made it all the way here let's save those for later." Avan said in his usual voice.
"Do you even understand what you just did? If this was a real combat scenario, you would endanger both me and Cosette! You can have us killed" grabbing Avan by the collar.
Avan with a nonchalant expression said "If"
Zeri's clench fist is already raised when Cosette warned the two that the instructors are watching.
"Fine" Zeri step past Avan and raised his sub machine gun "You, stay there and don't move, until told so."
He then looked at the water he notices small waves the denseness of the second area will be to his advantage "Cosette, ready a ragnite."
Zeri dash to the nearest cover and open fire on the man in the sandbag just in front of him, dub target B. He throws a grenade beating the target then checking his gun, reloads and with swift and precise timing he turns and shoots in the corner downing target A.
Cosette move forward once he got the clear signal from Zeri. She immediately uses the ragnite to heal the small wound Zeri had as well as giving him extra grenades.
When all is set and done Zeri quickly sprang back into action using the new grenades he cleared the two opponents that are behind the sandbag.
As they advance he can see that their opponent, Target F (nearest) and G (farthest) have created an overlapping line of defence. It's far enough that no grenade would work and there is no cover meaning any push would be futile as they would be mow down.
However he notice a small gap to his left, he then ponders "Cosette do you have any more ragnite?"
"Y-yeah, I've got two more. Why are injured?!"
A good officer uses everything at his disposal "Then throw one as high as you can in the sky then duck, understood?" he said while readying his gun.
Cosette do as Zeri's instructed she threw a ragnite and duck. Zeri quickly burst a few shoot letting out a blue smoke and moments later a red haired moron comes running over.
"Flank!" Zeri shouted.
"Yo-Hoo Motherfuckers" If this was real in combat those are the last thing they would hear. The moment Avan fire at the furthest enemy is the moment Zeri rush the nearest opponent. And with that the second Area of the test is concluded with an announcement, that all enemy combatants are eliminated.
As they made their made towards Area three, Avan started some small talk with Cosette, when they finally made towards Area three they saw Zeri's expression change, "Yo bro, something wrong?"
"Excluding you, yes, yes there is." He said pointing forward "There's no room for cover and the opponent's defences is tighter than ever. No room for manoeuvring just a straight up slog."
"Yo, just for clarification, our only objective is capture the enemy base right? And the way we precede in doing so is all up to us and our interpretation, right?" Cosette and Zeri look at him.
"Look I'm not going to be guns blazing this time, promise." He said while draw an x to his heart.
"What exactly do you want to do Avan?" Cosette ask.
"Don't indulge him." Zeri says.
He smiles and pointed to the barricade separating them and the enemy base camp "Will jump across here and run all the way to the base camp. Easy win right here." He then proceeds to jump across.
Zeri face palm "Use your common sense idiot; they put the barricade there for a reason. Besides I'm pretty sure that's illegal."
"Who you calling Idiot, asshole, also who said it's illegal? Nothing in our orders state that we can't cross here." He says with a smug grin.
"Huh, it doesn't need to be stated, it's common sense…" Then Zeri slowly realize.
"My brother use to say, 'A question open a mind, a statement closes it' They would have announce something if this is illegal and since nothing's happening we can all assume that this is A fucking okay."
And with a nod, they started their crossing of the barricade and when they are near to other side; Zeri make sure that there are no traps and when it was clear they all made it and as they say the rest is history.
"YES! We did it!" Avan said with his fist raised.
The Instructor just looked at them "I have all three of you on Team A as having passed the written exam. Guess that means your mean."
"I was so worried, but we actually did it!" She then looks at her teammates "Thank you Avan, Zeri."
"No worries. Heh, the field exam was the only part I wasn't worried about."
"Next is the aptitude screening, you two. Try not to, dawdle especially you, Avan."
"What aptitude are they screening? Eh, guess we'll find out soon enough" scratching his head, he slowly gazes at the woman with black hair and glasses while clenching his fist.
-B-
After that, the passing applicants are guided to a room, and inside were multiple gated doors. We are then given a number and were ordered to go to the corresponding gate.
And as I make my way inside I notice a blue glow, ragnite perhaps, I was then ordered to touch the blue stuff and I was like, Bro WTF is this supposed to do. The instructor is as confuse as I am, I think.
When I finally got out I was greeted by Cosette "I did it, I got place as an engineer!" well whatever it was it definitely work for her. I wonder if my brother has gone through the same shit as I.
"Is that something you want?"
"Yeah! With this I'm I step closer to being doctor."
"Wow, that's good news." I then notice Zeri getting closer I then turn to him "What'd you get, Zeri?"
"Shock trooper, and you?"
"Heh, I'm not really sure. They told me I could be any unit class I wanted."
"Oh, does that mean you have aptitude for all of them? That's amazing! Doesn't that make you special?"
"That or an, equal lack of aptitude for any of them. If that's the case he sure is 'special'."
"You fucking jerk! You gonna be like this all the time?" god damn four eyed son of a…
"Don't you two, start again! We all made it in. So, let's try to get along." She sure is kind, to kind.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. We're in this together now, Cosette, Zeri."
"Huh, listen carefully; I came here with a purpose. And I'll tell you now; it isn't to pal around with hypocrites" focusing his gaze on me "like you."
He quickly turns around "I pray that this is the last time I ever get entangled with the likes of you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the teacher's office."
As Zeri about to leave I said something unnecessary "You're not the only one who came here with a purpose."
When he finally leaves, there's only one thing that enters my mind "Damn four eyes, News flash! Having glasses doesn't make you special."
"Um… I kind of doubt it's because of his glasses." She says it with pity, wait is it towards me? "Ooh, but I should head off now, too. I'll see you around, Avan" and with that she's gone.
Welp, best be going then "Alright, time to get some clues, next stop" fixing my uniform I stride forward "Headmaster's office."
Knocking at this luxurious door is kinda overwhelming; also should I wear my cap on? "Enter" I heard from the other side.
I immediately enter no point increasing the tension. "Avan Hardins, Sir. I came as requested."
The old man stride closer and shake's my hand "Ahh, yes, yes, and the younger brother of Leon himself. Let me have the honour of being the first to officially welcome you to Lanseal. I am the headmaster here, Laurence Kluivert. It's nice to meet you Avan."
Having the head honcho personally welcome is quite exclusive, sure is nice though. The head honcho then turned and pick up a folder, opening it in the process, shocking.
"Hmm, it seems your exam results place you in Class G." he then close it and hand me a different folder "I hope you'll make the most of your time here at Lanseal, my boy."
Well thing's aren't progressing enough, gonna have to be straight on this one. "Um… about my brother- Leon Hardins." His expression change, BINGO!
"I see, looking answer, what of it my boy."
"I'm looking for the reason; Leon was just a student here. How could he just go and die?"
"Your brother was student of great promise, and a true patriot." He opens a drawer near his table and pulled out a notebook "He stood out among his peers in intelligence, strength, and leadership. That kind of raw potential is hard to come by."
Handing me the notebook he continues "I'll be straight with you my boy, I can't reveal anything. National security prevents me from saying any detail." He then places his hands on my shoulder "But just before his death, he was appointed to a special mission."
Let's test something Sherlock! "One of Leon's letters said something about him being selected on a special mission, and the next I heard was from that Brixham guy."
"As I imagine you know, this is Gallia's only military academy, Avan. The students here study and train tirelessly to keep their nation safe, which was Leon's aim in accepting the mission that cost him his life."
He then moves towards one of the filing cabinet "Sadly, that is all I can tell you, that and that your arrival here… must be guided by Leon's hand, Maudlin as it sound."
He continues "Gallia's people are living in fear and anguish in the face of rebel atrocities" Extending his hand towards the Gallian Flag "Avan; I pray you will grow to become a powerful force of justice."
With a quick and firm salute I acknowledge "Yes, sir. I'll do my best." Handing back the notebook he gave.
"Keep it my boy; it's not for me to take." As I inspect the book I notice Leon's handwriting "It's your brother reference book, may it prove useful as it did to your brother."
And with that I leave the room, I ponder every word he said and before I knew it I'm already in Leon's old room… my new room. This would be my home for the next year or so.
I spent the next hour trying to organizing my luggage to, ah, ah… acceptable standard, yeah let's go with that.
"Whew! Finally unpacked, my Mellvere soccer badge and Captain's uniform is… oh shit! I still have to unpacked Leon's stuff" I looked at the stack box in the corner "Okay three more boxes to go, what can go wrong." As I unpacked each box I notice… it's pretty normal, there are cloths, pictures of him and his classmate, and stuff he collected. However there is a small anomaly.
I gaze back at the reference book and inspect it. After seeing there's no sign of any tampering I put it back and I pulled up my 'Leon Files' "Laziness is the mother of human progress." I smiled and hit the bed.
=Afterword=
Some minor changes that's all
