The Eldrim Cards Legacy

Chapter 94: This is war

"How was everyone's first day in the army?" Nero asked, his voice much too energetic and jovial for everyone's liking. "Did it match what you imagined? Or had you imagined a lot more fighting on your very first day?"

"I feel like I need to get a new body..."

"Everything hurts..."

"They took away my phone..."

"The major can tell me what to do any time..."

"I know right, he was kind of hot..."

"This is child labour..."

Like a dam that burst, all the complaints, as well as some perverted thoughts, that they had been keeping to themselves all day came pouring out. They hardly bothered to listen to each other, and all the recruits just spoke over each other, which just made Nero chuckle.

Everyone spent a few good minutes venting before he began to calm them down. They only had one free hour, and if he allowed them to keep complaining then they would just spend the whole hour doing that.

"To be fair, if you had all joined me on my daily laps around the campus, none of you would be as exhausted as you are now."

No one responded well to that. They gave him dirty looks, and probably more than a few unkind words in their minds, but no one spoke aloud. Who would spend their free time running?

"That's besides the point. I just wanted to talk with everyone a little about our future. Everyone can feel free to pitch in, I am just going to share my thoughts."

He paused for a moment, and gave everyone time to adjust. Even though they had been listening to him all day, it wasn't as if they had any obligation to keep listening to him. It wasn't like this had been planned by them or something - it was just something that occurred naturally. But if he became arrogant and started taking it for granted, then no one had an obligation to keep listening.

That was exactly why he asked everyone to stay back during their free time so that they could talk. If they officially came to an agreement about how to proceed, it would be in everyone's interests.

"I know everyone feels upset about the forced punishment today. It wasn't fair, considering that we didn't cause any ruckus. It sucks, and it's likely going to happen again. If you keep dwelling on it, it will only make your life here much harder. I am not telling you all to just accept the punishments, I am telling you that everyone needs to change their perspectives."

"I don't know what you all have heard, but the sage never really talked to me directly. Well, unless you count him telling me that I'm in shock and that I need to go to sleep. But besides that, we've never had any personal interaction. When I went to get the commendation, the sage was there. But so were hundreds of other people.

The sage told us about the war - about how Dolziya and Saint Codale attacked us, and how our armies fought back.

"He showed us pictures of the battlefield. Thousands of soldiers probably died, but that's just my guess. Even now, chances are that our armies are fighting on the border, protecting us from being invaded. That's why I have zero hesitation in my body towards this draft. All my life others have fought to protect and keep me safe.

Now, even if I'm not fighting in the war directly, I am looking forward to doing my part and helping how I can.

"If any of you want my help with anything, you can always come to me. I'll also continue to point out the obvious traps that they're preparing for us. These are just common tactics to help stubborn kids realise they're in the army now, and they need to get in line. They're easy traps to avoid, and like I said, if we continue to get punished for it, I'll just treat that as training.

Maybe no one will praise me for it here, and many may even think I'm trying to be a pet student or something, but since when have I cared about what others think?"

Nero's voice, which had so far been soft and compassionate, suddenly changed and became firm, along with his expressions that hardened.

"I am only here to become the strongest version of myself I can be. If others don't like it, I'll just ignore them, and if anyone gets in my way, I'll knock them aside. This is war, and I don't intend to treat it like a game. Like I said, if anyone wants my help, I'll continue to provide it.

But if anyone feels like I'm being too pushy, or want to do things differently, then you can feel free to do as you wish."

He looked at all the students, their expressions more serious now, but they were clearly caught up in their thoughts.

"I'll give you some time to talk amongst yourselves, and decide what you want to do. I'll be heading back to the barracks."

No one stopped him as he left, though everyone gave him a nod. They needed to spend some time thinking, and come to a decision themselves. Silas was the only one who quickly followed Nero as he left.

Right as Nero was about to exit the mess he paused, and looked at the far corner. There was a small group of recruits sitting there as well, all looking at him. Nero didn't recognise them, so he turned and left.

"Is that the one?" one of the boys who was staring at Nero from afar asked.

"Yup, that's the target."