The Result and Rewards

After their talk in the courtyard, Shianne and Joe made their way to her office as they usually did. From the moment the door closed to the sunrise of the next morning, Joe showed every bit of affection he had for her.

The two barely spoke a word the entire night. The words they did attempt to speak were often incoherent to the other. Still, all their feelings and worries were conveyed between the actions their bodies lost themselves in.

When the sun finally rose the following morning, neither of them had gotten a moment of sleep. Even after they had fully exhausted themselves, they spent the rest of the time laying in each other's embrace.

Reluctantly, Joe returned to his dorm being mindful not to be seen coming from the office. After a brief shower and a change of uniform, he went about his usual routine before class. With a stop at the cafeteria, he soon found himself sitting in the courtyard watching the fluid movements of Clara's training. With just under ten minutes left before the other students began to arrive, Clara concluded her swordplay and joined Joe on the bench.

The two sat in silence simply enjoying the company of the other person. Clara steadily fidgeted with her hands with a look of contemplation plaster on her face. Seeming to understand that something was on her mind, Joe made the bold move to pull her closer to him. Following the slight startle, she had just undergone, she meekly looked to her side and was met with a gentle smile.

With just that smile, all worries seemed to leave her body as she relaxed herself and rested her head on the broad shoulder of the man beside her. The contemplation that had been festering on her face melted into a look of content. Even as their classmates began to flood the courtyard, the two remained in their own world. It wasn't until Instructor Summers made her entrance and called the two back to Earth that they finally separated and joined the rest of the class.

Seeing that every student had assembled, Instructor Summers as well as the aids from the midterms stood before the entire class. Every student stood in anticipation of what was to come. Anxiety crept its way into some of their minds. Those that felt as though they had performed below average were concerned that their names would be called as one of the four that were to be dropped.

Most of these individuals sat within the ranks of Third Squad. They quickly realized that because of the worthless leader that had ordered them through the semester, their squad was behind every other student. Some even began to hope that if they were removed, that Jordan would also suffer the same fate. At least then, the others would stand a fighting chance in the second semester.

"This class has undoubtedly set a new precedent for the school. Aside from minor injuries, there was only two individuals that encountered life threatening conditions. It was expected that only half of you would still be standing here today and yet, not a single life was lost in the midterm."

Hearing the words of the stoic combatant before them, every student began to be motivated. Some even threw the idea of expulsion out of their minds. After all, if even this battle-hardened woman was commending them, surely the school would disregard their expulsion policy.

"Although nearly all of you performed beyond the expectations of the entire Academy Board, a few of you still disappointed all of us. For that, the tradition to remove a select few students will be upheld with a single change."

Every member of Third Squad felt their hearts drop. There was no doubt in their mind that it was their entire squad that was just spoken of. A whole semester had gone by and they were still tripping over each other on the battlefield. Every member began repeating a single request in their minds.

'Don't let it be me.'

"The only change to our tradition is as follows, rather than remove the four weakest students and expelling them from the Academy permanently, a single student will lose his enrollment."

Every female member of the squad felt a massive weight removed from their entire existence. A single word had never brought so much relief to any of them yet all stood with a newfound hope among their peers.

"Jordan Farrel, from this moment forward you are relieved of command of Third Squad. Your incompetence as a leader put the lives of every member of the squad at risk. You failed to set aside your own pride and refused to work with the rest of the squads and their respective leaders.

You disregarded the chain of command I established. A command that could have rewritten the entire tradition of this class had you assimilated with the training regimen with the other. For your own failures, you are the sole student being forcedly removed from the class roster."

Rage began to boil within Jordan. As much as his pride had wanted to rebuke the accusation of his instructor, his mind knew there was no argument that would overrule this decision. Without uttering a word, Jordan began to stomp his way out of the courtyard. Once out of sight, every student turned their attention back to the instructors before them.

"Now, with the nasty bit out of the way, we will now begin the explain the merits of passing the exam. Every student present will be awarded one hundred Merit Points for passing the exam. Squad leaders will be awarded an additional hundred points."

Every student internally rejoiced at these words. For many, they had only ever survived off the work of their families. This was the first time they had done something that awarded them with their own finances. Many already began to imagine how they were going to spend their earnings. All were ripped from their thoughts when Instructor Summers' voice again echoed throughout the courtyard.

"Joseph Merril, come forward!"