The enigmatic recruit

The blaring sound of a trumpet abruptly shattered the recruits' peaceful slumber, jolting them awake at the ungodly hour of 5am. Startled, they leaped out of their beds and hastily made their way outside, only to be greeted by an eerie sight. Standing tall before them was a figure, fully adorned in the formidable Vanguard Uniform, emanating an air of authority and seriousness.

Whispered words floated through the ranks, causing a ripple of suppressed laughter among the recruits. "Who on earth stands outside, fully suited up and enraged, at this ungodly hour?" someone cheekily whispered from beside Damilare, eliciting a few suppressed chuckles from the recruits.

Breaking the silence, the figure finally spoke, his voice commanding attention. "I am Commander Alderan, and let me make one thing clear: your training started the moment you stepped through that gate. Some of you may think you've seen it all in the military, but I'm here to tell you that this is a whole new ball game. What you've experienced before is nothing compared to what you'll face here."

A brief pause ensued, as the commander adjusted the emblem of the esteemed Harmony Vanguard on his chest pocket, signifying the weight of responsibility that lay upon his shoulders. With unwavering conviction, he continued, his voice resonating through the still morning air. "The Harmony Vanguard is the paramount unit in our nation, entrusted with the crucial task of upholding the very essence and purpose of our society. We stand independent and answer to no one. Our mission is to protect Master Chen's vision of creating a utopia amidst the chaos of the world. We are the guardians of our nation, the angels who maintain the delicate balance of paradise."

As the commander's words hung in the air, carrying a weight that commanded respect, Damilare leaned in to whisper to a fellow recruit, 'Is he trying to play God, or what? Assuming the role of commander of the angels in this heavenly place?' But his hushed tone carried farther than intended, echoing through the silent assembly, and drawing all eyes to him.

A collective gasp escaped the recruits, as they turned their heads in astonishment to locate the source of the audacious question. Even the commander himself seemed taken aback for a moment, before quickly regaining his composure.

"If you possess knowledge beyond our understanding, why not step forward and enlighten us, recruit?" The commander's response lingering in the crisp morning air like a challenge.

Shortly after, the commander's stern gaze fell upon Ike, who had stepped forward as the one who asked the daring question. It was clear that Commander Alderan was not pleased with such cheekiness. He decided on a fitting punishment for Ike.

"Good," the commander said, "since you're so eager to ask questions, you can start with some extra physical training today. You'll be running five laps around the training grounds, then doing five hundred push-ups, and finishing it off with a hundred squats. Maybe that'll help you appreciate discipline and order more."

Ike nodded, accepting the punishment without protest. As he began the challenging physical regimen, Damilare couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for Ike's sacrifice.

After the grueling morning training, Damilare approached Ike as they caught their breaths.

"Hey, you didn't have to," Damilare addressed, looking weary and confused.

Ike, still panting but wearing a cheek smile, replied, "Consider it my way of saying thanks for trying to help me out with my luggage yesterday."

With that, they continued their conversation. Ike praised Damilare for standing up against Commander Alderan in such a commendable manner. He emphasized the importance of everyone standing up against individuals who believe they are superior to others.

As their conversation progressed, Damilare couldn't help but notice that Ike possessed a keen sense of self-awareness. It became evident that Ike was a brilliant mind, on the cusp of achieving remarkable things, much like the renowned intellectuals-Sting and Echelon. In the capital city, Damilare had mostly come across admirers of Dr. Sting and his ideologies. However, Ike was distinct; he seemed to possess knowledge beyond that of the average person. Hailing from Edenwood, a small town in Fuzhao, Ike introduced Damilare to a world he had only heard about in passing. Conversing with Ike felt like a revelation, opening Damilare's eyes to new perspectives and possibilities.

A few minutes into their conversation, Leia couldn't resist the urge to join Damilare and Ike. Her expression turned stern, conveying her lingering displeasure towards Ike as if to say, "I haven't forgiven you yet." Her sudden arrival disrupted their conversation, and she swiftly whisked Damilare away from Ike, leaving an undeniable tension lingering in the air between her and the enigmatic recruit from Edenwood.

As the days morphed into weeks, the recruits' training regimen intensified, revealing the harsh reality that more than 50 of them had already been sent home. While Ike struggled to keep up with the demanding physical aspects of their training, Commander Alderan, who had taken an interest in him since their alteration at the recruits first assembly, always seemed to afford him a bit of leniency. Despite these challenges, Ike's intellectual brilliance shone through. He became an invaluable asset within the ranks of the Harmony Vanguard, helping solve engineering difficulties at Harmonia Heights and contributing to the development of cutting-edge weapons. His contributions not only earned him popularity among his fellow recruits but also garnered respect from high-ranking members of the Harmony Vanguard. It became increasingly evident that Ike possessed talents far beyond the ordinary, surpassing initial expectations.