Chapter 8

3. Enlistment (1)

The first thing done at the enlistment office is to confirm that the person is who they claim to be.

In the past, this verification process took a very long time, but nowadays it has become much simpler.

The reason is that verification can now be done through blood and mana.

The fingerprint on the enlistment application has a specific purpose.

By checking if the blood and the mana embedded in it match the individual, they can quickly move to the next stage, which is the physical examination.

Jaiden also went through a simple check in the long line and soon moved on to the physical examination.

There, they assess things like vision and disabilities. One might think that the physical examination is too simple, but that's not all.

The real tests are conducted at the training camp.

They check mana, detailed physical specifications, and simultaneously determine through extreme training whether the individual can endure it.

The training and schedule are so challenging that many drop out halfway.

If this were the end, the Northern Army's notorious reputation wouldn't be so high.

"Physical examination complete. You are classified as Class 1 Normal."

"Understood."

After Jaiden nodded, the next staff member came and asked him to hand over his ID and personal items.

Only after this process can one officially enter the Northern Army training camp.

Upon handing over the ID and all items, he receives a number, which will replace his name throughout his training camp life.

"You have been assigned the number 1223. This number will replace your name from now on. Do you agree?"

"Yes."

"Good. Regardless of your past or status, you cannot use that identity until you are discharged. Do you agree?"

"Yes."

"Verification complete. Your items will be moved to the Northern Command and will be returned to you on discharge day."

The guide placed the ID and items in a small box and pushed it aside.

Then, calling the next person, Jaiden moved on under the guidance of another guide.

After completing all the procedures at the enlistment office and receiving their numbers, the trainees began to gather at the training ground outside.

There were about two hundred trainees, all with numbers in the thousands.

It seems they were assigned these numbers because they were selected from the Leonhardt territory starting from the thousands.

'Diverse.'

From children expelled from orphanages to illegitimate children, children of prostitutes, and street gangs, a wide variety of children were gathered.

They all enlisted in the Northern Army to survive.

At least, enlisting here means they can have food and shelter.

No matter how difficult it is, if they can get food and money for the future, these children are willing to take on dangerous tasks.

Most of them had a fierce look in their eyes, but a few noble-born children were also present, usually the clean-cut ones.

They had learned mana breathing techniques and family swordsmanship but entered to find their own way to survive when their family's power was waning or they were about to be expelled.

"You will now move to the Northern Command. Any questions?"

In response to the sharp man's question, everyone remained silent, staring blankly.

The man nodded and began leading them.

Some children were intimidated by the heavy atmosphere, while others trembled with fear.

They had come with determination, but now fear began to take over.

To reach the Northern Army training camp, they were loaded onto a large magic car and taken to the magic train station.

"Magic train..."

Jaiden muttered, looking at the giant magic train in the distance.

The technological level in this world is similar to the 1800s and 1900s in the real world, but it also has some 2000s technology.

At the center of this phenomenon is mana, which is why the main families use swords and magic instead of guns.

"Everyone, board the train."

At the sharp man's command, the children silently boarded the train.

Inside, the guides, armed with guns, patrolled.

Once one awakens to mana, they are not easily injured by guns.

While they can't deflect bullets, they can react and dodge when shot at.

Even with just the first stage of physical enhancement, one can react to incoming bullets to some extent.

This is why guns are not as absolute in this world as they are in the real world.

Moreover, the decisive reason guns lost their power in this world is the existence of monsters.

Born with some level of mana and with skin so thick it's almost inhuman, guns struggle to be effective against them.

However, guns are still powerful against civilians, and the guides on the train used them to intimidate the children.

Under the threatening movements of the guides, the children moved with fear to the Northern Command.

They were given food and a place to sleep, but they all felt this would be the last bit of happiness they would experience.

As proof, when they arrived at the Northern Command after a few days, the previously silent guides began to look fierce.

"Get out quickly!"

"The slowest ones will be punished first."

"What are you doing! Are you defying me? Huh?"

"Run! You bastards!"

The guides deliberately used harsh language, and the children, terrified, started running.

A sharp-looking man then shouted at the children who had all gathered outside.

"Form four columns. Execute!"

"Are you hesitating?"

"Do you want to die?"

"Are you stupid? You should be standing over there!"

"Get your act together, you brat!"

As soon as the order was given, the children, who didn't know what a four-column formation was, were taught with curses.

"From now on, we're heading to the training camp. If you fall behind, I'll show you what hell is like. Follow closely."

The sharp man led the way, and the guides on either side escorted the children with fierce expressions and curses.

Jaiden felt like he was back in the real world's military and thought it was terrible.

He had served in the real world's military and led troops against monsters in his previous life, but rolling around at the bottom always felt terrible.

They were forced to create a fearful atmosphere and then boarded a large magic car to reach the Northern Command's training camp.

"Ouch!"

"Is that all you can do?"

"Ouch!"

"You weakling! Get down!"

The children were being rolled around by the instructors.

The training, which is difficult even for adults, was being conducted with nine-year-old children.

While they seemed to be lenient due to the children's age, they were still doing basic drills like sit-ups and push-ups.

Moreover, those who couldn't keep up were being pushed to the limit.

Even though their physical abilities were not up to par, they had only selected relatively normal individuals, so they could be pushed to keep up.

As proof, the children who were initially left out joined with fierce determination and worked harder than anyone else.

"Now, focus."

The children, who had seen their peers groaning in pain, looked at the sharp man with fear.

"We will be with you until here. Now, I will introduce the instructors who will train you. Pay attention."

The guide, after introducing the approaching instructor and exchanging a brief greeting, disappeared, causing the children to feel even more fear.

The disappearance of someone they knew made them even more terrified.

"Hello. I am Instructor Salamander. I am pleased to be training with you from now on."

Despite saying he was pleased, Instructor Salamander's expression was even more fierce, causing the children's faces to stiffen.

"These are the junior instructors who will assist me. If you listen well, they will be kind to you, so get along with them."

He then introduced each instructor.

From Yellow Salamander to Red, Blue, Green, and Black Salamander, the instructors introduced themselves and stepped back as Salamander spoke again.

"Your past lives are not important. From now on, you are just trainees. If you can endure, you will become excellent soldiers. If not, you will leave this training camp as failures."

Salamander, after saying this, looked around coldly and placed his hands on his hips.

"I promise to make all of you excellent soldiers. With willpower, you can become excellent soldiers, so never give up and follow me. Understand?"

"Ouch!"

Jaiden quickly responded, but the children who were staring blankly only looked at him in confusion.

"Everyone except Trainee 1223, get down."

"Get down! You brats!"

"Do you think this is your home?"

"Get your act together!"

As the children who were caught off guard lay down and were cursed by the instructors, Jaiden stared at Salamander with determination.

Salamander, seemingly pleased with Jaiden, nodded slightly and continued.

"From now on, you will be divided into groups. Each group will have ten members, and you will be one unit. If one person makes a mistake, the whole group will be punished. Don't be a burden to your group and move quickly."

As soon as Salamander finished speaking, Jaiden was the first to find his place.

Pleased with Jaiden's quick response, the other instructors also nodded and began to discipline the other children.

In any group, there are always those who don't understand and move slowly, and they naturally became the targets of the instructors' anger.

"Is the military your living room?"

"Get down! You brat!"

Despite the instructors' efforts, some children remained clueless.

Feeling the need to properly discipline these children, Salamander said in a low voice.

"From now on, except for 1223, run to the flag and come back here. The first hundred to return. Run!"

At Salamander's command, the children started running frantically. Only Salamander and Jaiden were left, but Salamander said nothing to him.

On the first day, the instructors pushed the children to their limits. After the children, exhausted, lined up in their assigned groups, the instructors began teaching them basic drills.

Naturally, some children didn't understand, and one of them was in Jaiden's group.

"When we sit, we say 'we are,' and when we stand, we say 'one.' Sit!"

"We are!"

"Stand up!"

"One!"

After being hit a few times because his group member didn't understand, Jaiden gritted his teeth and struggled through the induction ceremony—written as 'induction ceremony' but read as 'rolling around.'

The Duke's Eldest Son Runs Away to the Military (8)