Kill The Dragons - Chapter 22

The transfer requirement to year 2 is strict. The officers of Ark are not able to independently judge if a student qualifies.”

It’s almost time for another batch of students to be transferred into second year. No words were needed to explain how drastically the overall mood and behavior of Ark’s sergeants had changed.

They would be choosing a select few first years to transfer up into second year. Most of the students would be from class A and the rare student from class B would be transferred up as well.

“Simon and Dimitri are pretty much confirmed already.”

Jose said while lazing on his bed. The sergeants didn’t have enough time to compile all the data, so all of the first years’ schedules were put on hold.

This entire day was a free period for the first years. The fact that they had an entire day off meant that the sergeants had important decisions to make.

“If all of the first years’ sergeants are required to be present for the meeting, there can only be one reason: selecting new transfers for year 2.”

The youths whispered amongst themselves. Han spent his time reading through his e-books.

It was a book on tactical strategies that the first generation of psykers used during the first wave of aggression.

There was much trial and error while trying to defeat the mysterious dragons from an unknown world. Many lives were sacrificed to develop an effective strategy against the dragons.

“Han, stop being so dull and reading books. Let’s go out. Do you know how to play soccer?”

“Yes, I do.”

Jose led all the kids to the vacant lot behind their dormitories. They kicked the ball and started a game of soccer. Everyone was of different nationalities, but their passion for soccer was the same.

“Hey! Using psychic powers is against the rules!”

“I know that!”

The youths of class B now seemed like children of their age.

“Huu, huu.”

Han had also become completely engaged in the soccer match.

When the orphanage had been operating, he frequently enjoyed this sport. He was able to feel the same joy years ago; blindly following after a single ball and running around was enjoyable.

“Damn! Block Jose!”

Jose seemed to be an expert at footwork. His soccer skills were exceptional. His latin blood seemed to boil with passion for the sport.

“GOOOAAAL! I’m Pele reborn!”

Jose cheered after making a goal. He jumped around and did a tumbling roll.

It would be dangerous to hit his head onto the cement ground, but these types of acrobatics for the youths of Ark were no problem.

Step, step.

Everyone’s passion had reached an ultimate high. Sergeant Red made an appearance from a distance away, startling the youths.

Everyone was always wary of their behavior around Sergeant Red. His specialty was making a big deal out of nothing.

“Han Lee, follow me.”

Sergeant Red wasn’t shouting like usual. He called for Han with a calm voice. Han quickly wiped his sweat off and jogged to Sergeant Red

The gathered students began to noisily talk amongst themselves.

The class B students peered toward Sergeant Red and Han as they talked. They made all sorts of speculations.

Sergeant Red found a quiet place and sat down at a bench nearby. He lit his cigar and blew out a puff of smoke.

“I submitted my recommendation to transfer you to year 2. The head office should be announcing their decisions anytime now.”

“Even though I’m only in class B?”

“Yes, you’re in class B and your psychic skills are poor. But two instructors have put in a very strong recommendation letter to push you into year 2.”

“One of the recommendation must have been Instructor Wei.”

“And the second is me.”

Han’s eyes shook slightly.

Han who usually remained clear-headed also had a hard time when it came to Sergeant Red. It was hard to judge whether he was friend or foe; his temper was also like fire and it was difficult to bear.

“Thank you.”

Han bowed his head. Sergeant Red spit onto the ground and lazily gave a nod.

“Let’s see if this is something you would end up feeling grateful for. If you’re transferred into year 2, you will only have two paths. A brilliantly incompetent soldier, or an exemplary psyker. You won’t be able to quit halfway through just because you’re tired. About thirty percent of new second year transfers either die or become crippled within half a year. There are many reasons. The bones of many students are not able to follow the rapid maturity of the body, some children are not able to mentally accept their adult forms, and many become mentally broken because they cannot handle the mental strain of their own psychic powers. It’s an everyday occurrence that students die while training. If the training curriculum becomes known by the mass media, due to hundreds of questionable issues with human rights, Ark would most likely be abolished.”

“I’ll make it through.”

“We might be criticized by the world, but we intend to train you guys into the strongest soldiers. If we are unable to win the coming war, humanity will become extinct. Nothing matters upon the face of death; only by living on would we be able to do anything. Don’t you agree?”

“Sergeant, in your eyes I might only be a child, but I also understand the meaning of survival.”

Han understood the heaviness of this word.

He had also turned to means that he was not proud of for the sake of survival. He had done whatever he could so that he and his younger siblings would be able to survive.

“If you survive through year 2, you’ll meet me once more.”

“Who else will be transferred up into second year?”

“Dimitri, Kuro, Simon, Andy, Kai…”

Sergeant Red said with dryness. There were more transfers than he originally thought. He quickly thought of the reason for this.

“I see many will die through this process.”

“Survive through this, Han.”

Sergeant Red stood upon those words.

Han saluted. Sergeant Red returned a brief salute before he left. His back figure gradually became smaller as time passed.

‘If I think about it, he probably purposely gave me a hard time in class D for my own sake. He publically made himself into the enemy, and I was the one to chase him away. Thanks to him, I was able to obtain all my peers’ trust.’

Han thought about the memories he had with Sergeant Red. His method had been ruthless, but it always ended on a good note.

Diring.

A message appeared from his data bracelet.

-Year 2 transferee, Han Lee.

He didn’t have time to say goodbye to his peers in Class B. Han silently received his peers gazes. Envy, jealousy, and sadness were present. Han remained emotionless as he packed his bags.

“This time, it’s your turn to save my spot in year 2. Han.”

Jose said.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit blue. Han also disliked separating from Jose. There were not too many peers he could honestly converse heartily with. It was possible that they would never meet again.

“Come quickly, Jose.”

Han showed a faint smile and said.

He left the year 1 class B dormitories. The other transfers were on standby outside. There were expressions of all kinds.

Kuro looked anxious and dreadful while trembling. Dimitri looked filled with excitement. Simon displayed a cool expression with his arms crossed.

“Hey, you’ve also been transferred. That’s a surprise coming from a class B.”

Dimitri said to Han. Han lightly waved his hand and responded.

“Well, yeah. Dimitri. Ah, I should be able to meet Kuro again soon.”

Han greeted the transferees while joining the group. Kuro’s eyes shook with dread.

‘I’m glad to transfer together with Han.’

Kuro felt a sense of safety from Han’s presence. A large part of Kuro’s mental strength stemmed from Han like the Sergeants had reported.

If Kuro had been alone all this time, it would have been highly unlikely that he would have been transferred at all. It was only possible because he had Han’s support.

Han had been transferred based on the sergeants’ letters of recommendation and the events related to Kuro, even though his psychic skills were subpar.

“The medical ward?”

The transferee’s transport headed to the medical ward. They weren’t being driven to the usual medical ward 1, but medical ward 2. The desolate outer wall of the building appeared ominous. Kuro, who had the power of immediate foresight, felt even deeper dread.

“Get off.”

The driver said.

Researchers dressed in white gowns waited just outside. Amongst them, a few seemed to be instructors. In the center of the crowd was a black haired woman.

“Attention. I’ll be taking care of everyone for the next five weeks. I’m Chief Researcher, Professor Sasha Grace.”

Sasha Grace was a woman with a small frame. She had a gray, depressing aura wrapped around herself. She looked to be in her mid thirties. Her eyes had a few wrinkles to them. She quickly scanned her eyes across all the new transfers and nodded.

“Come in, kids.”

Grace didn’t act with an oppressive air like the drill instructors. However, her voice carried a chilling mood. The youths looked like they were being taken in by a witch from a fairytale.

All that could be heard for a while were the pattering feet.