Safe

"Welcome back, dear candidates!" Lieutenant Long greeted.

"It's so nice to see familiar faces that I remember from our first meeting. It's interesting… Now we will see who will really survive till the end, candidates. I see you are all ready, coming here while the sun is not yet up. Yeah, I bet they have forced you to report so early, right? Well, that's because the one who is handling the training now are young ones, so blame our young Lieutenants and Generals who came up with this kind of tests. So you can guess that I'm a part of 'Old Officers', so we are good guys." Added the Lieutenant in a jest, followed by a wink.

The candidates laughed at the usual welcoming humor of Lieutenant Long.

"That officer is so comedic," commented Drey.

"That's why he is always the one who welcomes the candidates," Lana said.

"Hmm, I'm sure Torin will soon replace him," May commented laughing because Lieutenant Torin was also a funny guy.

"Three days of physical fitness tests and challenges to assess endurance, muscular strength, abilities and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of each and every one of you. There will be three events that you must pass. The first event is today. If you fail to achieve a passing score, then you leave. If you pass, then you will advance to the second round on the second day. If you fail the second round, you leave. If you pass, then you will advance to the third and finally the final round. And finally, if you pass the third round- congratulations as the Oath-Taking Ceremony and Reception Rites, signaling your official entry to the Academy as a member of ZMA Class will follow!" Explained Lieutenant Long and left the remaining candidates in awe.

"What? Are we on some kind of a game? The way of the tests is simply too complicated." Some of the candidates murmured, they seemed to be complaining, which of course, reached Lieutenant Long's ears.

"Candidates, calm down. Our exit gate is always open for those who are not determined enough to vie to enter our Academy. It's called 'Survival of the Fittest' so from the name itself it should be very obvious. Our Academy only wants and needs those who will survive the physical fitness test, obstacles and challenges our young Lieutenants and Generals here have prepared simply because they are S-U-R-V-I-V-O-R-S, which is our Academy's requirement." Lieutenant Long declared with a heavy tone.

Keira saw Zach at the stage, seated beside Jeru. She had noticed both men were stealing glances at her every once in a while.

"I hate this feeling!" She whispered and it was heard by Drey.

"What?" Drey asked in a low tone with a confused look.

"The feeling of being caught up in a love triangle..." Keira murmured.

Lana followed Keira's eyes and commented. "Hmm, you like him but not sure if he will like you back. The other one like you but sure you don't like him back."

Lana intentionally did not mention the names since other candidates might hear them.

"Don't worry I will add myself in the picture, so Keira will have a love quadruple in the end," Drey said in a serious tone, which made Lana arch an eyebrow at him.

"What are you? It's like you will be the photobomber." May interrupted. Drey narrowed his eyes at May while the latter snubbed him.

Then Drey looked at Keira and sighed. May observed him vaguely. She already had a hunch about Drey from the start but she ignored it, thinking that she was probably wrong.

"What?" Drey hissed and startled May.

"Could it be…" she murmured but paused.

"Listen well guys stop arguing you two. They will now announce the number of your assigned room!" Lana scolded, so May and Drey looked back at Lieutenant Long because they did not want to end up walking towards the exit gate.

Keira tried to control herself to not smile at Zach though she badly wanted to get naughty and give him a wink but since Jeru would surely notice it and misinterpret she restrained herself.

Her father was right, she needed to be careful because her bold actions might put Zach in a questionable position and that was the last thing she would want.

'I bet he would go crazy thinking about what's wrong if I ignore him during the days of the final round.' She giggled excitedly as she anticipated Zach's confused face.

'Don't worry, as soon as I pass… I will bug you soon enough in a very subtle way, General Zach.'

...

For some reason, Zach felt restless in his seat as he stole glances at Keira every now and then because she was obviously ignoring him.

'Did I overthink everything?' He mused. Maybe he was wrong and reacted exaggeratedly. He let out a sigh of relief at the thought that any of Torin's scenarios would not happen to him or would not be done by Keira.

He smiled unconsciously, laughing inwardly at his silliness.

"I'm safe then… Thank God…" he murmured.