Month 5

Post graduation all personnel were required to stay on campus. In fact, no one was allowed to leave their city or town that they were in unless approved by the military. Some Military families who had soldiers in the higher echelon were allowed to relocate to serve with their families, everyone else were required to stay. Of the 10000 student in my university only 5 were able to leave. Everyone else was under Marshall law.

Two days after graduation everyone was informed to gather at the auditorium for further instruction. We were also informed previously to have all our rooms cleared as everyone will be relocated. I loaded everything I had In space, leaving behind one medium size suitcase. We were all told to mark our belongings and they were all moved to a separate room where we will be able to collect them later. I packed a large water bottle with water as we were not sure how long our meeting will take. While we sat on the bleachers we were informed that due to the potential treat and immensity of the projected war that has already started, all citizens will be required to participate. Those of us with a degree would be trained for an officer position, and those without a degree will be trained as enlisted soldiers. We were also informed that everyone will be trained partially like those in basic. We were also informed that all persons 18-30 within the town will be joining us training on campus. Everyone above the age of 30 will be trained in a separate facility.

We were then separated by those who were able to graduate and those who were not. We were then further divided by our areas of studies. Students, like me, who was a double major were separated based on immediate needs of the military, and those whose subject matter were less important were further separated based on the adoption of their majors. For example, those whose studies were in the humanities like philosophy, anthropology and history were relocated to another section. According to rumors, the military will attempt to convert their area studies to military value. They were led to another section of the university. Apparently the military have repurposed our university do to its best potential for housing and space for military training and use. Excluding the cafeteria, library and campus housing, the university had 5 other buildings that was use for classes. As a Catholic university, it came as a surprise that the military could utilize it, however since the area is in a small town the university is the largest building and so it does make sense. We were carted back to st. Theresa, which is where most of my classes have been. There was not a lot of us in pre-law in my class and so all 50 of us went to room 123, which is close to the entrance. All of us find a seat as we look at each other.

"Good morning everyone!" Says someone in uniform who walks in with a folded in his right hand tapping his right shoulder. He too is in his black military dress uniform .Behind him are another two soldiers, but who are in their camouflage green/brown uniform. "I'm officer Rodriguez, behind me is staff sergeant Gil on the left and Sergeant Park on the right. We will be taking turns briefing you on the expectations for this month. It has been confirmed that all countries are on lock down and in a stage of emergency. The elderly and children, as well as those with disabilities based on documentation have been called to safety. A bunker is being constructed, and many architectural students/graduates have already started to work. Is there anyone who wish to join the war by having extra training? You will basically start basic training immediately and in full. Some steps may be cut by a week, but your bodies will be pushed to the absolute limit. If you wish to join, please stand"

At the mention of basic training, the system issued a quest.

Quest: to become strong- join the military for full basic training. All additional quest will be waved during basic training and additional rewards will be given. Accept?

"Cephirah?" I asked through telepathy, "what happens if I don't accept?"

"Nothing will happen. You will continue to receive small quest as you have been doing. Now that you are at level 8, it will be much harder to level to 10. If you do complete the quest, you will be pushed physically, mentally and emotionally to your limits. Your stats are just a little above average, and basic will actually benefit you. This is especially true when you drink spiritual water when you're tired. This quest will also allow you to get to level 10, as well as additional equipment. It would definitely be worth accepting and challenging yourself." Responded Cephirah.

"I see" I responded while thinking. I stood up in order not to second guess myself. I realized no one else stood up. Officer Rodrigues raised an eyebrow but otherwise said nothing. They were all surprised, even the other students around me.

"A girl stood up, but not even half of you who are males want to challenge yourself. And you call yourself men" sneared SSG Gil. One of my male classmates who played on the soccer team also stood up. "I was just thinking. You can't expect us all to just agree without the chance to weigh the pros and cons. After all we're talking about war" he responds. "In any case the world's screwed regardless, I might as well travel since we aren't allowed to leave otherwise. I don't plan to stay stuck in this town" he responds. "Anyone else?" Staff sergeant Gil asked. 8 more people stood up, 2 other females and the rest males. "We have a lot of men who are afraid of a little pain" he sneared again as he looks at the class. "You 10, follow me" says officer Rodrigues as he leads us to another classroom. "We will be waiting for 50 more people before assigning you to a platoon. In the meantime we will be screening all of you medically. All of you can have a seat" as we sat down the door opened again and another group walked in, this time it looked like there was 20-30 people. This classroom is the second largest with the capacity for 50 students. Many of the other classrooms are 30-40 people. There is even a small classroom for 15 students max. This time it was the ran of an E-5 sergeant. According to his name tape, sergeant Soh. He also told them to have a seat and another NCO followed by another group of 10 students filed in. "That's 50 to volunteer for basic" he said as he went to join the other 2 other noncommissioned officers at the front.