Chapter 11

When Vincent opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself in a very unfamiliar environment. This wasn't his bedroom!

Fortunately, just as he got out of the gaming capsule, Petra rushed into the room.

"Oh my God, Vincent. I'm so sorry, I didn't know!" She immediately hugged him and started to apologize.

"I didn't know you would be stuck in the game by military training. Are you okay?" She asked holding his shoulders and staring him in the eyes.

"I'm alright" Vincent smiled warmly at her. Sometimes Petra was like this, other times she was cold and terrifying, but gods did she love him and she never held back from showing it. . . In her own ways.

Petra took a step back giving him a look over. The way he talked, his posture, everything about him spoke of discipline.

"Wow, looks like the realism of the game really did you good" she smiled.

Vincent's gaze was suddenly attracted to movement at the door. It was Candace.

"Mom" he called out trying to stay calm.

"You are home now Vincent, this isn't the camp" Candace replied calmly.

Immediately Vincent approached and held her in a hug while he sobbed.

Behind him, Petra grinned as she watched him cry like a big baby. Vincent was a tough cookie, but she was his adorable cookie.

Later, during lunch, Vincent finally understood why he was in that room and with a different gaming capsule than he had purchased.

Like him, many Players had gotten themselves stuck in the game so the CHAOS Company made a team to provide life support for those who couldn't log out. So when his training started, they showed up at the house and explained things to Candace who quickly prepared a new room for Vincent.

Late at night, Vincent was sitting in his room going over some schoolwork when Petra knocked on the open door and entered.

"You really are a fool, you went into military training without any preparations huh?" She scolded throwing the pillow resting on the edge of the bed at his face.

Vincent scowled at her but he had no excuse, how was he to know that a game would be so much trouble?

He had forgotten that Life Online was more than a game, it was provided by the CHAOS Company as hope for humanity.

"Actually you don't have to worry about school, apparently from your second week, you'll have classes at the training camp" she explained climbing on the bed to sit in front of him with her legs folded.

"How do you know?" Vincent asked looking at her with a doubtful stare.

"We did some research. You are too nonchalant about Life Online you know?" Petra raised her brows.

Vincent simply shrugged and continued going over his books.

"I'm proud of you. Not many of your fellow trainees came back composed"

They continued talking deep into the night until Vincent decided it was time to sleep.

The next day after breakfast, he logged into the game.

"You're late" a soft masculine voice welcomed him when he opened his eyes again. It was Dan, the two-time recruit who was busy packing his backpack leaving Vincent confused.

"Late? Was there something planned for today?" He asked. They had a two-day break, one they could spend with their family, and for the second they needed to be in camp getting ready for assignment to their units.

"Yeah, the rooster came out an hour ago. No one is reading it for us so go find your name" Dan pointed at a board on the left wall.

Vincent got up from his bed and walked over to it, looking at the list of names written in very tiny letters. He searched patiently for his name and finally found it after a few minutes.

[Vincet Orez: Private E-1 (PV1)

Designation: Team 14]

Thinking for a moment he searched for Dan's name and finally found it after a few seconds.

[Daniel Bast: Private E-3

Designation: Team Leader (Team 14)]

Smiling he returned to his bed to see Dan all set to move.

"So you are my commanding officer?" Vincent asked with a small relieved smile on his face.

"No kid, I am your Team Leader, there's no commanding officer yet" Dan shook his head.

"You have five minutes soldier, prepare your things and follow me to meet the orders so we can report to the Warrant Officer." His face twitched a little and he shook his head with a sigh. The military system of this game world was vastly different from reality where efficiency and discipline were the focus. Shrugging he walked away to give Vincent time to prepare.

Vincent excitedly packed his bag and fitted himself in his uniform. He looked. . . A little small compared to the other soldiers but stood and moved with the same confidence and purpose they did. This was merely the start though, those who could not continue this hell had their first opportunity to quit.

He found Dan along with a small group of other trainees talking among themselves as they waited for someone or something. Just as he joined them, the Drill Sergeant walked in.

"Rise and Shine Soldiers, today is a good day. You must have all received your designation, if you haven't, pack your bags and go find yourself a new job"

He smiled and looked around while some soldiers still by their beds glared at him with furious gazes.

"Tomorrow you will receive your standard weapons and begin basic combat training. When you came under my wing I welcomed you as Serlant Soldiers, that you are. And more than individuals you will learn to work as a team. Now the other camps call this one the Brute Camp, you know why?"

Everyone silently waited for him to continue but he stopped instead and frowned, raising his voice he continued.

"I asked a question, do you know why?"

"No Sir!" The soldiers replied subconsciously standing straight and bringing out their chests.

"Because this is the only camp with brute heads like you. There's no Originals and you all got d*cks between your legs, some smaller than others" he looked Vincent over with those last words causing the teen soldier to shift uncomfortably when an intense glare from Baldly stopped him.

"I don't know what sick joke brought you all together to my camp under my care but here we are and now I have to eat my food in my cold room unable to show my face in the cafeteria. That ends now. From tomorrow, you will no longer be my burden but we will see each other again, at least some of you will"

It seemed like he had more to say, but Baldy simply stepped out after he finished.

Vincent had an interesting thought, Baldy didn't seem to like talking very much but he did talk and boy did he talk a lot. It seemed almost as if he had to. Perhaps, the Drill Sergeant was simply a guide for them all.

Perhaps, training only just started.