Basic Training Graduation

Day of Fratur, 9:13 am.

At the female dormitory.

Today, there were 2 group activities scheduled and all classes had to participate. 

The first group activity graduation ceremony of their Basic Training where each class had to perform drills in front of all the administrators while wearing their Crusader Armor set.

At the moment, Vivian and the rest were busy cleaning their equipment and also helping each other put on their Crusader Armor set.

Vivian was finally done wearing her Crusader set.

She tested her movements by rotating her arms, closing and opening her hands, and moving around.

This is my third time wearing this…

Hopefully, this time around, I won't be wearing it for nothing…

A few days ago, on the day of Westar, during the Capture the Flag Tournament, once she was escorted back to the Training Camp by Gustav, she was ordered to rest for the day. 

Unfortunately, she wasn't allowed to leave to camp so she spent it by training her Magic Arts at the gym and sleeping in the shared room of the Priestesses from Luxen and Heisen Chapter Temple or Class 3.

It was around mid-afternoon when all of the classes returned and she learned that Platoon 1 won.

Vivian stared at her weapons -- sword and poleaxe.

I can only take one weapon…

Unlike the Capture the Flag Tournament where everyone could bring more than 1 weapon, the graduation ceremony only allows each recruit to bring 1 weapon.

She picked up the sword.

This would be easier to move with…

Because everyone had their own Affinities and there was also the existence of the 1 Magic Art to 2 Physical Arts ratio, there was no uniform weapon. And even if there was a uniform weapon, some people find it insulting because most people are proud of their Physical Art Masteries.

Kara, who was already wearing her Crusader Armor except for her helmet, turned to Vivian and the others and made a sad face.

"Huhu… I hope the tailor is already done fixing my dress for tonight's Graduation Ball."

Uliah scratched her head.

"But you didn't have to have it fixed in the first place."

"Like I already told you, I lost some weight so the dress that my parents sent to me was a bit loose. I would die from embarrassment if I suffered from a wardrobe malfunction during the ball."

Although Basic Training was only 2 weeks, they were constantly training, they weren't allowed to go out except during the night of the day of Satur, and their food was strictly controlled so many of the recruits lost some weight. Even Samantha, who was the largest out of all their female classmates, also lost some weight.

Kara was about to point out that she and Samantha lost some weight but bit her tongue because she didn't want to her feelings. So she turned to Vivian who was cleaning her sword.

"Sister Platoon Leader, how about yours?"

"I'll be picking up mine this afternoon."

Yesterday afternoon, the usual afternoon schedule was canceled and a group of tailors and jewelers were sent to the Training Camp to help the recruits in their attire for the graduation ball.

In the case of Vivian, she had no one in her life to send her a dress and the Training Camp wouldn't cover the expenses. So she had to place an order and pay for one herself. And the money she used was from a loan because she bought a dress, shoes and jewelry.

***

10:01 a.m.

All of the platoons were dressed in a Crusader set and standing in attention with their weapons at the open field.

In front of them was a small stage where all of the administrators sat. Some of them were wearing a Crusader set, others were wearing their Priest cloak.

Gars, who was also dressed in a Crusader Set, got up from his seat and marched in front of all of the platoons.

"PRESEEENT… ARMS!"

All of the platoons saluted with their weapons.

"ORDEEER… ARMS!"

All of the platoons dropped their weapons and stood in attention.

"PLATOON LEAAA… DERS!"

All of the Platoon Leaders stepped forward and saluted.

"BROTHER PLATOON LEADER ZACK REPRESENTING THE HOLY CHAPTER TEMPLE!" said the Platoon Leader of Platoon 1.

"BROTHER PLATOON LEADER GREGORIO REPRESENTING THE ORION AND THE MARBLEAM CHAPTER TEMPLES!" said the Platoon Leader of Platoon 2.

"SISTER PLATOON LEADER VIVIAN REPRESENTING THE LUXEN AND THE HEISEN CHAPTER TEMPLES!" said the Platoon Leader of Platoon 3.

"BROTHER PLATOON LEADER WARREN REPRESENTING THE IRON AND THE VERGLAS CHAPTER TEMPLES!" said the Platoon Leader of Platoon 4.

"BROTHER PLATOON LEADER SAM REPRESENTING THE TWIN AND THE AZATEA CHAPTER TEMPLE!" said the Platoon Leader of Platoon 5.

"BROTHER PLATOON LEADER ZACK!"

Zack took another step forward and saluted once again.

"BROTHER HIGH LIEUTENANT GARS!"

"EXECUTE COMMAND DRILL NO. 3!"

"YES, BROTHER HIGH LIEUTENANT!" he said and turned to his platoon. "PLATOON 1!"

All of the people from Platoon 1 did a present arms and then order arms.

"BROTHER PLATOON LEADER!"

"EXECUTE COMMAND DRILL NO. 3!"

"YES, BROTHER PLATOON LEADER!"

Platoon 1 began performing Command Drill No. 3.

After they were done, Gars called out the next Platoon and ordered them to do a different Command Drill.

***

A couple of minutes later…

All of the Platoons were done performing Command Drills.

"PRESENT… ARMS!"

He and the rest of the platoons saluted and then Gars pivoted to face the administrators.

"ORDER… ARMS!"

They all put down their salute and stood in attention.

"BROTHER AND SISTERS, I PRESENT TO YOU THE 8-23RD COMPANY!"

The administrators gave a round of applause.

Marshall, who was among the administrators sitting on the stage and wearing a Crusader Set, put on his helmet before getting up and stepping forward.

He activated [Halo].

"With authority vested to me by the God of Light, the Temple of Priests, the Holy Crusade and the Light Saint, I, Brother High Captain Marshall, hereby declare that on this day of Aurgus 18, 3023, the 8-23rd Company have graduated Basic Training and are now eligible for the Training Course. Congratulations, Crusaders, and may the God of Light continue to watch over you all!"

"MAY THE GOD OF LIGHT CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER YOU AS WELL!" said 8-23rd Company.

Marshall deactivated his [Halo] and went back to his seat before removing his helmet.

One by one, the administrators got up from their seats and left the stage.

When all of the administrators at the stage left, Gars pivoted back to the 8-23rd Company.

He took out his helmet and placed it on his side.

"8-23rd Company!"

"As one of the administrators, I'm very proud of all of you and I also expect many great things from all of you in the future!

"However, this is only the first step!

"You are now free to leave and enter the Training Camp!

"But don't get too crazy because there's still the Graduation Ball tonight!

"And then tomorrow, you will have to apply for the Division that you want to be part of for your Training Course.

"Again, congratulations and may the God of Light continue to watch over you all!"

"MAY THE GOD OF LIGHT CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER YOU AS WELL!" replied the 8-23rd Company.

"DIMISS!" said Gars before turning away and leaving.

"YEEEAAAHHH!" the recruits cheered.

Some even cried and hugged each other.

"Sister Platoon Leader!" Kara said and rushed over to Vivian.

Clank!

The sound of metal clanged as Kara hugged Vivian.

"Huhuhuhu…!"

Vivian patted Kara's head -- or to be specific, her helmet.

"There, there… You don't have to cry."

Uliah joined in as well.

"Waaahhh…!"

Clank! Clank!

And given that she was quite tall, she was able to hug them and raise them both above the ground.

"Hey…!" Vivian and Kara said with a high-pitched voice.

Vivian was about to scold Uliah that she might destroy her armor because it was only Mithril-grade and her Physical and Magic Force was Mithril-grade but decided not to in the end and instead patted her head as well.

"You too… There, there… Don't cry…"

Uliah placed them down and released them.

She removed her helmet and rubbed her eyes.

Kara did the same thing.

Seeing the two remove their helmet, Vivian decided to remove her helmet as well. But instead of wiping her tears like them, she wiped her sweat.

What the fuck…

This stupid armor is so hot…!

I wouldn't be surprised if I get rashes from this…!

Ugh…!

If the Holy Crusade requires that I wear this every day, I'm going to choose a place where it's ice-cold…!

"Sister Platoon Leader," a female voice called out.

Vivian turned and saw Sally and Diane.

"Thank you for all the help you've given us!" they said and bowed.

Vivian smiled.

"You don't have to thank me. I also asked something in return, didn't I?" 

"Sister Platoon Leader…!" another female voice called.

This time it was Samantha.

"I would also like to thank you for all the help you've given me," she said and bowed.

"Guys, like I said, you don't have to thank me. After all, I also asked something in return," Vivian said and smiled.

"Since we're finally free to enter and leave this Training Camp, let's all have a drinking party to celebrate!" said Uliah.

All of the women looked at her with a deadpan expression.

"Squad Leader… It's still in the middle of the day and we still have to prepare for the Graduation Ball tonight…" said Kara.

"I know, but it's not always that we get to celebrate something important and the ball starts at 7:30 p.m.! There's still so many hours left. And why are you still calling me Squad Leader? We're already done with Basic Training."

Kara and the rest of the women thought about it.

"But we're still in the Holy Crusade though," said Sally.

"Ehem!" Vivian cleared her throat. "Just to be sure and to avoid unnecessary complications, let's address each other properly while we're inside the Training Grounds. Better to get scolded for being too proper rather than to get scolded for being improper."

"That's a good point," Sally said and nodded.

The rest nodded as well.

"And about celebrating, let's have a quick and small lunch party and invite everyone, including the boys. However, if anyone already has plans, we shouldn't force them," said Vivian.

In this world, although there was something like a lunch break, it didn't mean that it was for eating. It was simply a break. The only official or universal meal times that this world has is breakfast and dinner.

I'm still in the Holy Crusade…

I might as well still pretend to be the good and responsible Sister Platoon Leader…

"That's a great idea and we should also buy a cake!" Kara said excitedly.

Squish!

Uliah began squishing Kara's cheeks.

"All you care about is cake!"

"Uwuwuwuwu…" Kara mumbled her words as her cheeks were being massaged by Uliah, causing the rest to let out a chuckle.

As Vivian watched Kara and Uliah fooling around, she thought about something.

Right…

I still have to practice wearing heels for tonight's Graduation Ball…

Hopefully, I'll receive all of the items I ordered and still have enough time to practice how to walk with heels…

A dark expression appeared on her face.

There's also that other thing…

Kill me…

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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

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