After attending the initiation, Lincoln, along with hundreds of other new recruits, proceeded down the corridor, arriving at a grand hall. Following a brief wait, they were instructed to be patient as they would soon be admitted to a chamber within the facility. Lincoln waited his turn alongside the others.
Alone and separated from the rest, without speaking, Lincoln wasn't the only one keeping to himself, but for some reason, it made him nervous. Perhaps he should try striking up a conversation with someone, ask a question, he thought.
Finally, after patiently waiting due to the large number of his future comrades, it was his turn. He had no idea what to expect, and when he found out, he couldn't help but feel like groaning in frustration.
'Another vaccine,' he thought, annoyed. "Well, it wasn't to inject something into him this time, but to extract a bit of his blood." He didn't want to repeat the pain of the needle, but he had no choice.
After having his blood drawn and fighting back tears, he was asked several personal questions, which made him uncomfortable. Despite his reluctance, he answered them.
After everything, they let him go, not before providing him with a new outfit, his uniform, and informing him of his quarters' location. Following brief instructions, he departed
As he walked down the hall, rubbing his left arm where he had been stung by the syringe, he became distracted by his thoughts again.
"If I got a coin for every vaccine I've received, I'd have two. Which isn't much, but having it happen twice in one day is something..."
He thought with a hint of humor, trying to distract himself from the pain, as he carried the bag they gave him with the few clothes he had.
"Did they really have to be so rough?" Lincoln muttered under his breath, referring to the two medical professionals who had attended to him.
Following a short walk, Lincoln reached his assigned room, verifying the number: "111, this is it'."
When he entered, he quickly surveyed the room. It was larger than his previous one (which was basically a closet), though not as spacious as one of his sisters' rooms. The room had two beds on each side, a small window on the right-hand wall, dark-colored walls, and a minimalist aesthetic with no decorations or posters. The only exceptions were a lone mirror hanging on the wall and a door on the opposite side of the room.
As soon as he stepped inside, Lincoln dropped his bag onto the bed on the right and collapsed onto the mattress, getting comfortable, before releasing a long, weary sigh.
No sooner had Lincoln settled in than the door opened, jerking him upright. A boy stood in the entrance, eyeing Lincoln silently for a brief moment before breaking the silence.
"Oh... you're my new partner?"
"Ah, yeah..." Lincoln replied, somewhat nervously.
After an awkward silence, Lincoln spoke again.
"Sorry, I was resting and you startled me," Lincoln said, approaching his new companion and extending his hand in greeting.
"My name is Lincoln Loud."
"Harold Tanne," he replied, returning the handshake.
Harold, the boy, stood a centimeter taller than Lincoln, with a fair complexion, though not as pale as his sister Lucy. His brown eyes and black hair framed his face.
As their hands parted, Harold glanced at where Lincoln had been sitting and said.
"By the way, the bed by the window is mine."
Lincoln gazed at his companion's face and noticed a small, harmless smile playing on his features.
"Hey, no offense, but I got here first," Lincoln replied with a friendly tone.
Harold simply gazed at Lincoln for a few seconds, then walked to the door on the other side of the room, opened it, revealing a closet where his belongings were already stored.
"Oh, I thought it was the bathroom," Lincoln asked quietly.
"No, the bathrooms are down the hall, this is the closet, I've already got my stuff in here."
Lincoln was going to say something, but Harold interrupted him, "it's because I've been here for a while, I'm almost a month old."
"Wait... You're not new? You didn't just arrive like me?" Lincoln asked, curiosity etched on his face.
"No" he answers with a neutral face,
"So, you've been here for a month, alone?" Lincoln asked, thinking that some received rooms of their own.
"No, I already had a roommate, but he... Left." Lincoln noticed that his companion's expression changed for a few seconds, and for a moment, he saw a hint of sadness.
"What happened?" I ask him
"Nothing... He's not coming back." Harold's face returned to its neutral expression, but it seemed slightly forced, causing Lincoln a hint of concern. Before he could ask another question, Harold spoke.
"Hey, it's already lunchtime and I'm starving, we can catch up later."
"Yeah... Wait, you're going to eat now?"
"Yes, it's lunchtime already, and I suggest we go now if you want to eat, because trust me, it'll fill up quickly. And don't worry, new arrivals like you also eat at this time, I know."
Lincoln noticed how Harold had tried to change the subject, and he felt a lingering question on his mind, but decided it was best to let it go for now. He stayed silent, thinking he could ask later, and besides, he was getting a bit hungry.
"Hey, what's holding you up? Are you going to eat or stay here?"
"Oh...oh, I'll just leave my stuff and go," Lincoln replied.
"Alright, and by the way, before we head out, put on your uniform, and I'm serious, they're very strict about it."
Only now did Lincoln notice Harold's attire, and he remembered how each new arrival had been issued a uniform. After unpacking his belongings, Lincoln began to put on his own new uniform.
Lincoln was perplexed, unsure what to make of his uniform. After putting it on, he stared at his hands, now clad in fingerless gloves, a short-sleeved orange and blue shirt with various symbols, dark brown pants, a belt, and black boots - all with a medieval flair.
After changing, Lincoln walked down the hallways and spotted Harold waiting nearby. He also noticed other students or recruits exiting their rooms, all heading in the same direction. He'd grow accustomed to the uniform with time, even if the oversized boots felt awkward as he walked.
After a while, Lincoln arrived at the mess hall, a large dining room filled with people, and saw all the tables occupied. After taking his tray from the long line, he looked around and was lucky when a group of older-looking students, around 16 years old, finished their meal and stood up, leaving their table free.
He quickly sat down before it filled up. Now, school food wasn't great, but this... didn't look edible. It resembled the food from his cell - a brownish mush, a piece of bread, and a glass of water, with no dessert.
Lincoln exhaling deeply, he merely chewed on the bread, which wasn't much but was tolerable, though it was a bit hard. After chewing for a bit, he let out another sigh. Just then, he saw someone sit across from him - a boy with dark skin, short black hair, and deep brown eyes. He simply sat down to eat, but when he caught Lincoln staring, he responded in an unfriendly manner.
"What are you looking at?"
"Oh, eh... Nothing" he said and looked back at his food, a few seconds later someone else sat down next to him right, it was Harold
"Good job, you were quick to grab the table," he said with a small smile, before noticing the boy sitting across from Lincoln. "And who are you?"
"Do you mind?"
"Ah... Do you two know each other?" Harold asked.
"No," they both said in unison.
"Sorry, I thought you guys already knew each other since you sat together."
"All the tables are occupied, I'm not going to stay standing," the boy replied in a neutral voice, although it sounded a little more annoyed.
"You're new too, right?" Lincoln asked, trying to start a conversation with the dark-skinned boy.
"Yes, I arrived today, just like you."
Before anyone else could speak, another boy arrived.
"Hey, is this taken?" he asked somewhat fearfully. The three of them looked at a boy slightly smaller than them, with light brown hair, green eyes, holding a tray in one hand and a book in the other. He seemed to be trying to maintain a confident appearance, but failing.
The three of them fell silent, until Lincoln spoke up: "We're not expecting anyone." Harold nodded in agreement, and the third boy remained silent, continuing to eat.
"Thanks," he said formally, trying to sound confident and not too shy or nervous. He took a seat and attempted to eat, but the food seemed to be a letdown, something Lincoln could relate to.
There was a moment of silence, and now the four continued eating, in his mind, Lincoln tried to think of something to talk about, until he saw the little boy's book, and out of simple curiosity he asked
"What are you reading?"
The boy looked up, smiled slightly, and replied: "It's a book my dad gave me, it's about Commissar Ciaphas Cain."
"Who?" Lincoln asked, confused.
"Ciaphas Cain" the child clarified
"Oh... that doesn't ring a bell"
"He's a hero of the Empire, the bravest commissar, and his exploits are incredible. Seriously, you've never heard of him?"
"No, never heard of him"
"Well, you'll have to start reading", he said with some excitement, "if you want, you can take a look at my book afterwards". Lincoln was about to respond, but then someone else asked:
"Hey, since we're asking questions, tell me, why do you have white hair?"
"Well, someone was bound to ask", Lincoln thought. He fixed his gaze on the boy in front of him, who looked expectant. The others, like Harold and the little one, also showed curiosity, staring at Lincoln. He wasn't blind and had noticed several people eyeing him since his arrival at the dining hall, and in general, this place. Balerius had also asked, and Lincoln explained it was due to his genetics. The inquisitor mentioned cases of humans with mutations, like abhumans, clarifying that Lincoln wasn't one, and how his hair could be striking to some people, so he needed to clear up any doubts to avoid misunderstandings.
"He replied with the same answer: 'It's genetic, I inherited it from my grandfather'".
"'And... what was your grandfather?" Harold asked, now with a bit more curiosity."
"He served in the army, he was a great soldier." That wasn't a lie.
"I mean... Never mind"
"'And, does only your grandfather have white hair, not your mom or dad?" The little boy asked now.
"No, my mom doesn't have white hair, it skipped a generation."
"'And your parents were...?' Harold asked curiously, to which Lincoln, somewhat tired of the questions, replied:"
"If you're asking what they did, both served as soldiers, they were important, also to the Astra Militarum"
"Cool", said the little boy.
"So, you're from a military lineage?" He asked the boy again, looking at him.
"Something like that," Lincoln lied, figuring they wouldn't know anyway, and it didn't matter now. Harold pondered Lincoln's response, it wasn't what he expected to hear, but it made him think, and then he smiled and said:
"Well, if you have talent, you might do well in the initiation test; if it's in your blood, you'll pass."
The three of them heard that, and curiosity got the better of them. "What test?" the little boy asked.
Harold paused mid-meal, pondering his words. Should he share more? It wasn't exactly a secret, but the instructors had stressed keeping the challenge confidential to assess their suitability for Imperial duty. Still, he wouldn't spill all the details.
"Listen, I might get in trouble for this, or get you guys into trouble, but I'll say it anyway. This test determines where you'll be assigned." The three companions were stunned, unsure what to make of it, until Harold elaborated: "I mean, which branch you'll serve in - whether you'll be assault troops, commissars, and so on."
Now that the three of them understood, Lincoln asked another question to clarify a doubt, and also to shift the focus away from his hair, in case they brought it up again. The issue was bothering him slightly, and he worried others might ask more questions.
"So, this test... when are we taking it?"
"You've got four days," Harold said, his tone stern. "Make the most of it. Study hard, pay attention, and remember everything they're about to teach you." His face set in a grave expression.
"Hey, since we know you passed this test and have been here for a while, tell us, where do you serve?" The dark-skinned boy asked, looking at him.
"Assault troops, or just Astra Militarum - you know, Imperial soldiers and all that. They said I lacked leadership strength or the personality to be a commissar, and they wouldn't send me to the Sisters of Battle, for obvious reasons." He said the last part with some amusement, prompting the two younger boys to share a smile. Except for Lincoln, who took a moment to understand, until he recalled something Inquisitor Balerius told him about the Sororitas, or Sisters of Battle. This elicited a belated chuckle from him, which the others noticed, though they said nothing.
"So, if you've been here for a while, where are your fellow soldiers or friends?" the dark-skinned boy asked again.
This caused Harold to tense up for a brief moment, but he quickly composed himself. Lincoln noticed, but kept quiet, perhaps planning to ask about it later.
"I sat here for the same reason as you - the place is packed and there's no space. Plus, I figured I'd keep Lincoln company and explain some things to him. As newcomers, I thought you could use the insight. My own comrades are probably scattered around; this place is huge, have you noticed?"
Harold responded quickly and formally, but Lincoln detected a hint of irritation, specifically regarding the mention of companions. Why would that bother him?, Lincoln wondered.
To shift the conversation, Lincoln asked something that had slipped his mind until now, "Hey, you two, can you tell me your names? I mean, we're going to be comrades and all that."
The two boys exchanged glances, and then the younger one spoke up, "Oh, right, sorry about that! I'm Rubén, Rubén Lore," he said with a shy smile. The three of them then turned to look at the dark-skinned boy, who remained silent, continuing to eat until he let out a soft sigh and finally spoke.
"Kron, Kron Gaude", the dark-skinned boy said
"Nice to meet you, I'm Harold, and this is Lincoln", Harold said with a nod.
"Strange name", Lincoln whispered to himself, regarding Kron's name, but loud enough to be overheard.
"Really?, as if Lincoln is a common name?", Kron said with sarcasm, eyeing Lincoln as if ready to throw a punch, "And seriously, why did they even name you that?"
"Hey, no offense meant, just curiosity", Lincoln said, attempting to be friendly, growing nervous to avoid a potential blow.
"Hey, relax, it wasn't that deep, but I gotta say, Lincoln is an unusual name", Harold added, and Rubén nodded in agreement.
"Rare?", Lincoln thought, knowing he's in a unique place, but seriously, his name's not that unusual. Balerius, Okenred, Kron, and Horus - who names someone after an Egyptian god?, Horus? Is that really more normal than Lincoln?
Once the name issue was settled and Kron's tension eased, the conversation flowed until lunch concluded. Harold excused himself to attend another class, and Lincoln, Rubén, and Kron headed to their assigned destination. As newcomers, they were directed to a special orientation class, where they received a student welcome package, complete with notebooks for note-taking.
They arrived at their first class, a spacious room that could accommodate numerous students. All the newcomers were there. Lincoln took a seat, with Rubén by his side and Kron a few rows back. The classroom resembled a university lecture hall, but with a more... antiquated feel, Lincoln thought.
Lincoln was taken aback when handed a quill and inkwell, a relic from bygone eras. This school was certainly unusual, merging modernity with antiquity.
The first class was a general mathematics session, covering familiar ground from their previous school, nothing out of the ordinary. The instructor concluded by providing additional guidelines and schedules for their next classes.
This was the second class, and in Lincoln's opinion, it was more engaging. The survival course took place in a different room, where they were taught various survival techniques. Lincoln felt somewhat prepared, having watched Rip Hardcore' shows, but he also drew from personal experience - getting lost in the woods with his friend Clyde in a misguided attempt to prove their manhood had been a crash course in survival.
However, some of the instructor's explanations were new to Lincoln, particularly regarding certain plants he had never heard of, native to this planet. Lincoln listened intently and took notes, as did Rubén, while Kron, though not writing, was clearly paying attention.
The next class was one Lincoln wasn't thrilled about - physical education. Initially, he expected exercises, but the instructor handed each student a sword, and they were to learn how to use it. This piqued Lincoln's interest, but he soon realized it wasn't a game. The sword was heavier than expected, making it difficult to wield (and it wasn't even a large sword). Having played virtual reality games involving swords, Lincoln thought he'd have an edge, but he was mistaken. The instructor demonstrated precise movements and footwork, emphasizing technique over brute force.
They spent a considerable amount of time practicing and repeating each step. Whenever a recruit erred, instructors would appear to correct them, often with firm hand slaps. Lincoln and Rubén were among those rubbing their sore hands. Kron, however, seemed to excel, flashing a slightly smug Lincoln a triumphant smile. Sword training consumed the entire day, and when it finally concluded, they were dismissed to their quarters to rest.
After using the bathrooms, Lincoln strolled with Rubén through the corridors, discussing the day's classes and speculating about tomorrow's schedule. Lincoln suggested consulting Harold for insight. Having bonded quickly with Rubén, Lincoln felt encouraged about forming strong relationships with his future teammates. However, his attention shifted to Kron, who walked a few paces behind them. Kron's reserved nature in the cafeteria had led Lincoln to assume he was aloof, but now he seemed intent on keeping them company. What motivated this change? Was Kron seeking camaraderie or simply familiarizing himself with his teammates?
After arriving at his room, Lincoln bid farewell to Rubén, who mentioned his room was number 119, just nearby. Kron walked past them without a word.
As Lincoln entered, he saw his roommate Harold, already stripped of his shirt and boots, ready for bed, judging by his sleepy eyes.
"Ah, you're back, how was your first day?" he asked with a small smile.
"Exhausting," Lincoln replied dryly, "sword lessons took their time."
"Hey, I'm beat, let me tell you something - get some rest now, because if you think today was exhausting, tomorrow will kill you."
Those words didn't exactly lift Lincoln's spirits, so he recalled something: "So, why didn't you tell us the trial would be a survival test?"
Harold stared for a moment, then replied, "Well, wasn't it obvious?"
Lincoln smiled, truthfully, he hadn't been entirely sure, but this confirmed it.
"Survival classes, and with them giving us time, I realized it wasn't that hard, either," he concluded, crossing his arms with an air of satisfaction.
"So, you think you know what you're doing now, huh? You know what you're up against?"
"No, surviving in the wilderness isn't exactly new to me, trust me. Even if it's on another planet... environment, you know what I mean?" He finished with a nervous smirk.
Harold noticed Lincoln's subtle verbal shift and nervous demeanor, but let it slide without inquiry, figuring exhaustion was taking its toll. Both men were on the verge of drifting off to sleep.
"Listen, I'm not exaggerating when I say this, tomorrow's training will be even tougher than today's, or those sword classes were just a warm-up for self-defense." Before continuing, Harold let out a yawn, then added, "If you have questions, can they wait until tomorrow?"
Lincoln, also exhausted, nodded in agreement, began to undress down to his underwear. Initially, he felt a bit self-conscious doing so in front of a newcomer like Harold, but Harold didn't even glance his way, simply lying down. Lincoln turned off the light and settled in. "Now this is a bed," he thought, a definite upgrade from the cramped prison cell where he'd spent so much time, but it still wasn't the same as his own bed back home.
Time passed, and he was still reeling. To think he was on another planet, in a distant future. It was hard to wrap his head around it all. Learning a new language in just over a week through telepathic powers was incredible, though he still struggled with certain words and accents. He'd had to come up with another excuse during lunch when asked about it. Despite everything, he couldn't deny his eagerness to see aliens - or xenos, as they were called here. The fact that they were at war with humanity only fueled his curiosity, especially when it came to the Aeldari or Votann, as Balerius had called them. He was also intrigued by the other races: the Tau, Necrons, and Orks. Admittedly, he was less enthusiastic about the latter due to the dangers he'd heard. And then there was the thrill of space travel - another dream that could become a reality here.
"What's next, dinosaurs too?", he thought with a hint of humor. "Well, this is definitely not Hogwarts, their food looked better, damn it, even my school's food tastes better". Lincoln continued thinking as he slowly drifted off to sleep, lost in thoughts. "I'll go back home, it won't be soon, but I will". That was Lincoln's last thought before he finally fell asleep.
Tomorrow will be another day, and I'll try to do better.
XXX
"Keep running and don't stop!"
"What a crappy day", Lincoln thought. Just as Harold said, today was all physical training. It was already noon and Lincoln was exhausted. They were currently in a massive gym, jogging. Earlier, they'd done an obstacle course; Lincoln wouldn't deny that some parts were fun, but after a while, it became draining. Now they had to jog thirty laps, to be exact, and he'd only done eighteen. And to top it off, they'd be moving on to sword training afterward. The fact that the jogging track was almost the size of a football field – 103 meters long and 68 meters wide – didn't help. He wasn't the only one struggling; many of his fellow trainees showed signs of fatigue. Rubén was no better, and Lincoln even saw Kron panting, looking like he was struggling despite his confidence during yesterday's sword training. Still, he was clearly putting in effort.
"Lynn could do this", Lincoln thought, frustrated. Exercise wasn't his thing; making it to 18 laps without passing out was an accomplishment. But under pressure, one can do things they never thought possible. And the instructor of this class didn't seem like someone Lincoln could disobey. Seriously, not even Lori at her angriest was this intimidating. Unlike other instructors Lincoln had seen, who wore medieval-style attire, this man wore a World War II-era officer's uniform, and his face looked like that of a sadist. Balerius also had an intimidating presence, but this guy was different. Lincoln's conscience warned him not to make any mistakes, as this man would surely enforce punishment for disobedience, and it wouldn't be pleasant.
They pressed on for what felt like an eternity, until finally, they reached the milestone: all thirty laps were complete.
They had barely eight minutes to rest, which felt like no time at all, before returning to sword training.
That night, after completing the grueling exercises, Lincoln couldn't even muster the energy to talk to his roommate Harold. As soon as he entered the room, the bed became his sole focus, and once he lay down, he quickly drifted off to sleep.
XXX (The next day)
"Move faster!"
And once again, he was back on the obstacle course, now facing the daunting task of scaling a towering wall using a rope, for the fifth time.
Seriously, the night's sleep was ridiculously short. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, Harold was rushing him to get dressed, warning him to hurry or face the consequences. "Damn it," Lincoln thought, frustrated. It felt like the night had barely existed, and now he was facing obstacle course number three. The first was a 20-meter wire crawl with an unloaded gun, where he accidentally got tangled and scratched more than once. The second was a demanding run-and-jump course, and now he was struggling to scale the rope.
After completing the obstacle courses, they didn't jog like they did yesterday, but instead practiced sword fighting. Following that, they attended classes again. A welcome break for many, it was a survival class, where they learned basic first aid techniques and how to utilize local plants. Afterward, everyone returned to their quarters. Just like yesterday, Lincoln felt exhausted. This time, he wanted to chat with Harold, who was equally worn out. Unfortunately, as soon as he touched his pillow, sleep overtook him.
It was already the third day, and after some relatively normal classes and exercises, Lincoln was training with a sword. In this class, they put their training into practice. Lincoln paired up with Rubén, exchanging blows – or at least, trying to.
"Good, you used more force," Lincoln praised his partner Rubén. "Thanks, I think I'm getting the hang of it," Rubén replied, beaming.
Lincoln glanced around, watching his fellow trainees, some faring better than others. His gaze shifted to Kron, who was paired with a girl with short, brown hair. He wasn't gentle, swiftly knocking her down with his first strike. However, his triumph was short-lived as the girl sprang up and delivered a powerful shove, sending him crashing to the ground. Lincoln and Rubén exchanged amused grins but quickly refocused on their training as they saw one of the instructors heading their way. The last thing they wanted was to be seen as slackers or wasting time, risking punishment like the humiliating hand slap from last time, or worse.
"I'm so tired, I just want this to end," Rubén said, exhaling a weary sigh. Lincoln could empathize; this wasn't something he wanted to do all the time either. "Seriously, I wish this were easier. Things seem so simple when they're written down," Rubén muttered to himself, his voice barely audible, but Lincoln still caught it.
"Sometimes it seems simple, but it won't be. Still, you just have to push yourself to become like your idols. You never know what you're capable of." Lincoln spoke partly from experience, having overcome his own challenges to achieve small victories in his dream of becoming a cartoonist. He had completed a small goal, matching his sisters' accomplishments, and even won a contest to meet his hero ACE Savvy's creator, Bill Buck. Similarly, Rubén aspired to be a commissioner, evident from how he spent his free time. He often talked about his hero, Commissar Ciaphas Cain, a legendary figure in the Empire, renowned for feats like defending Periremunda. Rubén even showed Lincoln a photo featuring the book.
Gazing at the image of Commissar Ciaphas Cain, Lincoln noted the resolute expression and confident bearing. Clad in a uniform similar to their instructors', but with an added layer of authority, Cain radiated an aura of command. His intensity was unnerving, and Lincoln understood Rubén's admiration. After reading about Cain's heroics, Lincoln couldn't help but feel that crossing him would be unwise; witnessing his wrath would be a harrowing experience.
Rubén remained silent, simply nodding as his spirits lifted thanks to Lincoln's words. Lincoln had spoken impulsively, but it seemed to work. His gaze then shifted to a figure standing apart from the recruits - Okenred Pock, accompanied by instructors and officers, studying some papers. Likely here to observe their training. Rubén followed his gaze. They hadn't seen Instructor Okenred since the first day, and now he was evaluating each of them. With renewed focus, they resumed their sparring, though still far from polished.
Finally, night arrived, and unlike previous ones, Lincoln woke up from his sleep. Still tired, like the previous nights, but for some reason, he woke up. He tried to go back to sleep, and that's when he noticed his roommate, Harold Tanne, was awake, staring out the window. Harold seemed oblivious to Lincoln's wakefulness. Lincoln wondered: Why was he awake? He must be just as exhausted as I am. Did he have a nightmare? Lincoln wanted to keep sleeping, but he debated whether to ask Harold if something was bothering him.
Since arriving at this "school", Lincoln had made contact with three guys: Rubén, a shy but enthusiastic kid he talked to the most; Kron, a boy who didn't seem friendly, almost like a bully, with whom he exchanged few words but remained close; and his roommate Harold, who, despite being there only a month longer, was kind and conversational. Harold had already explained some basics about the place. However, Lincoln noticed something: Harold didn't seem very sociable. While he could engage in conversation, not just with Lincoln, Rubén, or Kron, he also saw Harold interacting with other students, his peers. Still, Lincoln sensed a distance. He recalled something Harold said on his arrival day: "Nothing... He's not coming back," referring to his previous roommate. What had happened?
Lincoln hesitated, weighing whether to ask Harold now, but his thoughts were soon consumed by nerves about tomorrow's final preparation day for the initiation test. He decided to put off the question until morning, despite his curiosity prodding him to inquire. Sleep won out in the end.
...
He missed them, would he ever see them again?, Harold thought, gazing out the window.
Snapping back to reality, Harold glanced beside him and saw Lincoln sleeping. One more day to prepare, and then they'd be thrown into danger. He recalled how they said the past years had gotten easier, with more recruits surviving. "Damn it," he thought, "of all the days, it had to be theirs."
(Flashback)
He didn't want to be here. He wasn't prepared. Naturally, he was nervous after listening to the newcomers' speech and receiving his uniform, accompanied by a blood draw. He headed to his assigned quarters (he had hoped for a single room, no matter how small). Upon opening the door, he found his new roommate already there. "Great," he thought sarcastically.
When noticed him, he smiled and greeted him, extending his hand. "So you're my roommate, hi, I'm Barett, Barett Teleier."
Harold shook his hand, "Hi, I'm Harold Tanne," he said, trying to sound friendly and hide his nervousness.
Barett was a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy with a short, lean build, similar to his own.
After releasing hands, Harold asked a question to avoid awkward silence, "So, you're new here too?" 'Really, that's the best you've got?' Harold thought to himself.
Barett chuckled, "Yeah, just a bit before you, and by the way, I've already claimed the bed by the window."
Harold simply looked at him, silently coveting the bed by the window. As if reading his mind, Barett added, "First come, first served, that's how it works." Harold remained silent.
After the introductions, they chatted for a while to get to know each other better. Once they'd changed into their uniforms, Harold found himself feeling a sense of camaraderie with his new roommate. He had worried that his companion might be unpleasant.
(end of flashback)
Harold wasn't a very social guy; he could converse, but generally didn't seek much interaction, especially with strangers. Everyone starts as a stranger, he knew that. He had friends before arriving here, but he kept to himself, except with those he considered family – specifically his seven-year-old younger brother, Hagen. Harold came from a humble and modest family, living with his parents and brother, whom he protected and spent a lot of time with. His mother worked, and his father was a soldier in the Astra Militarum, admired by both Harold and Hagen, until he was called to serve the Empire in a distant world and never returned.
He was enrolled in the Schola Progenium, saying goodbye to his mother and friends was painful, but leaving his little brother behind was heartbreaking.
The training days were grueling, and the truth was, he dreaded being here. A small part of him was thrilled to handle weapons and perform acrobatics, as he had enjoyed climbing and scaling as a child. That skill served him well in training, but overall, he feared what would happen once he left this place. Would he meet the same fate as his father? Would he ever see his brother Hagen and mother again?
Those questions swirled in his mind, but he managed to make friends upon arrival, thanks to Barett. He met fellow recruits who shared similar interests and thought it would be good to grow alongside these young soldiers.
And that's why, on the day of the trial, it was a crushing blow to lose his group and Barett with them. He failed; he survived, but they didn't. The Emperor's protection wasn't with him that day.
On their last training day, Barett shared a truth over lunch: "Listen, life's about connecting with those around you, you get it? You need to be more outgoing and confident in yourself, like with me and the others here at the table. That'll help you."
What Barett said was something his mom and dad had also told him at home, but after his friend's death, it was a sign that he needed to change, not just for himself, but for his future comrades and for his brother Hagen.
After being assigned to the Imperial Guard, in the days immediately following Barett's death, Harold left the bed by the window vacant, out of respect. It was just before the arrival of his new roommate, Lincoln, who took his place.
Lincoln Loud recalled being startled when he saw him on his bed when he entered the room, but he remained confident, or so he thought. Being sociable, he was able to talk to him, and honestly, he liked him. The question Kron asked him in the cafeteria was quite direct, asking about his grandfather, what he was, implying if he was a abhuman descendant. He'd heard rumors about humans with different genetics due to their hair color. Although it made sense he didn't want to say, Lincoln didn't think twice about it; personally, he wouldn't mind if he was one. However, not everyone might think that way. Lincoln had said he came from a military family, so maybe he could survive the test and be assigned to the Imperial Guard, following the same path as him. That way, they could be comrades.
Rubén, the other new recruit, small and timid, although he couldn't judge him lately, mainly spoke with Lincoln, but also conversed with him, and hoped he would pass the test successfully.
Kron, well, what could he say about him? They didn't talk much, and his tough-guy attitude reminded him of some fools from his hometown. But so far, he hadn't hit him or anyone else, as far as he knew. He wasn't that annoying, really, and he didn't hate him enough to want him to fail and not come back. Generally, he hoped all three would succeed. Well, too many thoughts and words, time to sleep, tomorrow would be another day, and so, he lay down until he fell asleep.
XXX
Well, today was definitely an exhausting day, but they were finally able to take a small break at the end. Almost.
The last day of preparation for the test, they repeated the exercises, but at the end of the day, they didn't practice with swords. However, each of them was given a sword, simple in design, nothing special. They would be theirs for tomorrow. They were summoned to the same hall where Lincoln had been for the welcome speech when he first arrived at the place.
Before, he thought about how the grand hall resembled the interior of a cathedral, but that was it. Now, he found himself listening to a long speech by the so-called Emperor of Humanity, about humanity rising in the galaxy to claim it as their own by right, etc., etc. He wasn't a devout believer; the truth was that he didn't care much about what others believed, each to their own. But faced with this situation, he had no choice. Two hours passed, but it felt like much longer. The speaker was a man dressed like a priest. Beside him stood some of the instructors, the same ones from each class and exercise, and also Okenred. Another person present who caught Lincoln's attention was a woman, but what stood out, aside from her armor, was her short white hair with black streaks. She was a battle sister. He kept staring at her for a while, admitting to himself that she was very beautiful.
At least, all this serves as a slight break, even if sitting and listening to a sermon for who knows how long, with a man who occasionally raises his voice like a fanatic, wasn't very comfortable.
After the lengthy 'speech', Instructor Okenred stepped forward, gave instructions on how they would conduct the test tomorrow, and where they should go from now on. They won't be returning to their quarters tonight.
It finally comes to an end, not before all those present say a prayer, and on this occasion, all present are ordered to kneel with their swords drawn and planted in the ground, like ancient knights.
Night had fallen, and Lincoln and the others spent the night sleeping in the gymnasium in sleeping bags, to depart for their destination in the morning.
He woke up, or rather was woken up in the morning, by Kron with a slight kick to the leg. It didn't hurt much, but in his opinion, it could have been more gentle. Rubén had tried, but Lincoln wouldn't wake up. Everyone received a backpack with equipment, their sword included. They were led to an open area, and to Lincoln's surprise, there were aircraft waiting for them to board. They didn't resemble helicopters at all; instead, they looked like genuine futuristic vehicles, something from a game. He couldn't deny feeling a thrill of excitement. He waited to board one, and then his moment arrived. He boarded one with Rubén and eight other recruits, but without Kron, who boarded a different one.
They flew for a while, Lincoln would have liked to see outside, unfortunately, there was no window.
Upon arrival, everyone disembarked, and upon seeing where they were, Lincoln and his companions felt a mix of awe and surprise. It was a breathtaking natural landscape, he thought. It was refreshing to be outdoors again. This was where they would undergo their test to become full-fledged recruits. He had to prove he was up to the task. The last to exit was an instructor, who explained what they had to do.
"Listen up, everyone. Your objective is as follows." The instructor pointed into the distance, where a massive mountain was clearly visible. "That's Mount Kalo. Your goal, just like the other scattered teams, is to reach it. Your backpacks contain essential supplies to aid you in certain situations, and the rest is up to you. You must work as a team, but you must reach the mountain by any means necessary. You have three days. We'll wait for you to exit the area. If you're not present, we'll leave, with or without you."
Lincoln thought he must have misheard the last part. Did he just say that if they didn't make it on time, they'd be left behind, to fend for themselves? This place was tough on them, he'd already realized that, but could they really be that heartless? Surely they were just saying that to motivate them, right?, right?
He continued explaining just a few basics, like how arriving at the mountain didn't require reaching the summit, just getting to the mountain itself". He clarified this because it seemed to be a frequently asked question among the new recruits. "One last thing", he said after finishing, then approached a random recruit. The recruit was a bronzed-skinned boy with dark brown hair. As he stood before the boy, he pulled out a weapon, a laser pistol, and handed it to him.
They had already been explained a bit about the weapons in one of the classes, the empire's arsenal was vast, and best of all, they had laser weapons. From personal experience with his sister Lisa and her crazy inventions, Lincoln knew how effective laser weapons could be, so maybe they wouldn't do so badly in this test, even with only one weapon for now. And who knows, these weapons must be a huge help in the war against the so-called Xenos.
"One weapon will be issued to a single team member, chosen randomly. You'll figure out what to do with it. Now, that's all. Any questions?"
A dark-haired girl raised her hand.
"Alright, that concludes our briefing. Good luck and stay safe on the road. Remember everything you've learned and push yourselves to the limit."
After that, the instructor boarded the vehicle and left, leaving them alone to fend for themselves. They would have to work together to escape, and they would succeed.
But you never know what might happen, and sometimes danger can be closer than you think.
XXXX
Great! Another chapter translated at last. Now, some questions to answer.
(To clarify, there will be certain questions that I will not answer due to spoilers, sorry).
kingbean777205. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. As for the details, I'll only add them at specific moments, such as planets, creatures, regiments, etc. I created the image myself using my phone, combining two AI-generated art methods and Photoshop AI to create the image of Lincoln walking in the church, and then Photoshop to overlay the emperor's image. I must admit, it was my fourth attempt; the previous ones were horrible. I'd like to clarify that I only use AI-generated content for entertainment purposes, without intending to show off or offend any artists who might read this. From what I've read, AI-generated images can be controversial.
I want to make it clear that I have great respect for artists and their work, and I don't intend to replace their creativity and skill with artificial intelligence.
SupremeDarkTrooper. Thanks for the extensive text, I wasn't expecting so much. It was interesting to read and I gained a lot of insight into energies and dimensions. You're right that the Loud House universe doesn't explain the laws of their world in detail, which gives me an idea for later.
U. N. Owen. I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far, and let me tell you something. You're right to a certain extent; I've also read stories like this, and several were bad, not all. But let me tell you this: Lincoln will be staying in this universe for a while, and I don't mean just days or weeks. While it's true that some stories don't require much time for characters to develop, you already understand what I'm getting at.
XAgent-Venom666X, Sorry if I don't give you an answer, this is more of a question. I read two of your stories, Rise of the Viral Hero and Slayer Effect, and I wondered if you're going to continue them or not.
As for the rest of the comments or questions, I'm sorry if I don't answer now, but as I said some of those questions would be spoilers for later.
Thank you all for reading this far