Standing on the platform, Aniela began to address the group.
"Alright, let's discuss how we will be proceeding. Those of you who have received a full set of doses will be placed in the Knights Department of the college. Those who have received three or four doses will be assigned to either the Medic or Mechanic Departments. Are there any questions?" she asked.
A young man who had only received three doses raised his hand and asked, "Is it possible for someone who didn't get a full set to receive it afterward?"
"To answer your question, for the next week it is possible, but it is advised against. Past successes have been seen more as a miracle than a plausible possibility," she replied.
Another young woman raised her hand. "Why are only those who receive a full set eligible for the Knights Department?"
"The serum not only cures you with the initial doses but also opens your genome for the introduction of mutagens. Each subsequent dose further enhances your body and brings your energy levels up to the minimum requirement needed for the power armor to function, officially classifying you as a squire knight. For example, look at the six individuals behind me; even though we've been talking for a few minutes now, they can still hold a squat. Most of those without a full set would be shaking by now," she explained.
Next, Anatassia spoke up. "What is the academy like?" she asked, causing concern among the other children.
"All five main knight academies are sub-quarters of a legion, with first-year students serving as cadets while those in higher years are considered soldiers. Your main job will be to protect the surface of the Earth from low-tier void beasts. Training begins with you all arranged into squads of at least seven, which, if you're lucky, will remain your squad throughout your years at the academy. You will live together, train, and take classes, except for a few specific classes for squad leaders, mechanics, and medics. The most crucial part to worry about are the practical classes; those are not just safe training areas. You will be fighting as support squads against Styx," Aniela replied.
As she looked around for someone else to ask a question, a tall Caucasian man in a military uniform, decorated with honors and a short red cape stenciled with a black dragon head, entered the room. He stood seven feet tall with Viking braids, grabbing everyone's attention. Aniela quickly performed a military salute.
"Brigadier General Beckett, a pleasure," she said respectfully.
"At ease, Colonel Eden," replied General Beckett.
"Everyone, this is the principal of Mustaleem Dragon Knights Academy. It's an honor to have you here, sir. I was not expecting you today," Aniela said.
Gilbert and the others looked on in awe; being the general of the Knights Academy made him, at the very least, a grand knight. Yet he stood there, seemingly more ordinary than the guard behind Aniela. As the general glanced around the room, he spotted the six youngsters.
"What are these six doing here? Are they special somehow?" he asked.
"No, sir. Just troublemakers who should still be squatting," she said, glaring at them.
"Oh, then why are you young men doing squats?" he asked, causing all six to fall back into position. "As for the reason for my visit, your group is the last we've picked up. We've already taken in those from tier I cities."
"Alright, everyone, single file line—we are leaving!" shouted Aniela, for the first time sounding and looking like military personnel, not just a bored scientist.
The children lined up and filed out of the room toward the outside. As they walked, Ana finally got the chance to get close to Gilbert.
"This has been bothering me since the beginning. Why did you seem so tired after your dosing?" she asked, catching Adam and Kean's curiosity as well.
"Serum 2.0 isn't like the original. While you all experienced pain, I went through torture," Gilbert replied.
"Torture? Are you okay?" she asked with concern.
"Screw that! Of course he is fine. He was fighting when we came in. What I want to know is the difference between you and the rest of us?" Kean asked.
"Thanks for asking, Ana, I'm fine. Screw you, Kean. And two, I don't know the difference yet, other than I wouldn't want to go through that again," Gilbert replied.
"Then why didn't you ask Aniela for an answer?" Ana questioned.
"I don't know, Ana. Maybe I was busy squatting, or perhaps it was because I raised my hand, but she didn't even bother to look at us," Gilbert responded sarcastically.
As they continued their conversation, they exited the building and reached an open field where a massive vehicle stood. It was a multi-deck carrier with a hull bearing scars of battle and a weathered, utilitarian charm. On one end was the P.F.E. logo, depicting an Earth being protected by three pairs of feathered wings, while on the other end was the academy logo, featuring a stenciled black dragon similar to the one on general Beckett's cape. Gilbert stood there in awe even the children from the tier II cities staring at the vehicle with the name Drake Crawler.
"Okay stop dawdling, get on we have things to do!" shouted a soldier wearing power armor standing in front of the vehicle entrance bringing all back into focus. Walking into the vehicle they were each given a watch to wear before they then arrived at a common area which was already crowded with children from different cities all over Europe. As they all filed in the doors behind them closed. Before they could get their bearings there was a sudden jerk as they felt the vehicle's engines engaged and they started to move off. Inside the room on a small platform in the center of the room stood General Beckett, Aniela, Doctor Wolmer, two men, and a woman. Clearing his throat the general started
"Well then from now on you all will be referred to as your ID numbers which can be found on the halo watches given to you when you entered the vehicle. Next order of business these people on the stage with me will be your instructors going forward Colonel Aniela Eden, medic department main teacher; Captain Clade, your practical class officer; Colonel Albrook, mechanic department main teacher; Colonel Z'yna Knight department main teacher and the last Doctor Wolmerthe man responsible anything serum related." Pausing to look at his watch. " Okay the carrier will be arriving at the academy in 30 minutes, before that you all have received temporary squad assignments meet up with your squad members before we arrive." he said "Any questions?" he asked, everyone then shot their hands into the air. "Okay none, good meet up with your squads," he said leaving the common room with the other teachers leaving behind only guards in power armor.
As they the entire room became a cacophony of noise. Gilbert like the others took a look at his watch 'Welcome Gilbert Kruger you are squire 141 you are assigned to squire squad 9' Alongside the welcome message was a green dot and several blue ones. He figured the green dot represented himself and the blue ones he figured represented his new squad mates beside the green dot were three blue dots which with a glance he figured was Ana and the rest. The other three dots then started to move in their direction. As they waited for their new squad mates he saw William, the Blondie, and a girl of Asian descent coming in their direction.
"This shall be good," said Gilbert with a small smirk causing Adam and Kean to let out a small chuckle while Ana just released a small sigh.
"Well then I guess we shall be temporarily part of the peasant squad," said Blondie
"Now, now Wolfgang we shall make nice with them." said William with a roll of his eyes "As you all know I am William Munro, this is Wolfgang Keep and Chen Mei." reaching out for a handshake, taking his hands and shaking it Gilbert introduced themselves "Gilbert Kruger, Anastasia Kruger, Adam Kruger and Kean Kruger," he said causing his friends to look at him weirdly. Gilbert pretended not to notice the looks as he already knew why he introduced his last name as Kruger though it isn't but considering Ana referred to him as such plus his halo watch also caused him to run with it for
"Kruger, are you guys triplets?" asked Chen Mei with much curiosity, like William and Wolfgang it could be seen that she came from a much wealthier background than them.
"No we are all from the same orphanage hence were given the same last name," replied Ana
"Ptui, orphans make sense why you all lack manners towards your betters," said Wolfgang in a venomous voice.
"Say that again when you get Gilbert's boot print off your chest," said Kean. Hearing that Wolfgang stepped up coming face to face with Kean.
"Okay everyone calm down we need to elect a squad leader before our 30 minutes are up unless you guys want to be punished," said Adam seeing that they were ready to get into it again. Hearing that everyone paused to look at each other, but after several seconds no one said anything.
"Since we obviously don't like each other then let's just make it simple who wants to be a squad leader?" Adam asked. Gilbert and William were the only ones to raise their hands seeing that Adam took a coin from his pocket.
"I am going to flip this coin and Mei will catch it you both choose heads or tails and the winner becomes the leader," said Adam "Do we have an agreement?" seeing everyone nodding in agreement he flipped the coin everyone watched as Meicaught it, Gilbert and William then stared at her hand before looking at each other
"you go," William said
"Fine by me, tails," said Gilbert
As Mei opened her hands it was showing tails.
"Well then welcome to Squad 9 everyone." Gilbert said dramatically.