DRILL HALL

In a random street on the twelfth deck, in front of the room 12F-21.

"How could you use my water for cleaning your foot!" a small-eyed man grabbed Sariyu's shirt under the neck and howled in rage. "Do you have any idea how long I had to wait in line to get that half-liter of drinking water?"

"I-I didn't think it was drinking water," Sariyu had a stupefied expression. "My finger was bleeding, so I had to wash it before dressing the wound—"

"I don't care!" the small-eyed man enlarged his eyes and demanded, "Give me my water back!"

"W-What…" Sariyu was at a loss for words. "I'm sorry."

"Screw your sorry," he pushed Sariyu away. "I want my water back."

"But it's already wasted," she still looked mazed. She had actually asked water for cleaning her wound and also for washing her face, but she held back the second urge, given it would enrage that fellow even more. "How can I give it back?"

The small-eyed man ground his teeth. "Are you making a fool out of me? I was talking about you going to a drill hall and fetching whatever the amount of water you owe me!"

"It's not intentional," Sariyu replied, stepping back once while rapidly blinking, which lead to a wide-eyed look.

"I don't care."

"Uh, wait, you can have some copper—"

"I don't want your money, rich lass!" His eyes turned red. "What I want is my water."

Sariyu was left in a dilemma, and guilt slowly crept over her face thanks to the small-eyed man's growing diatribe. She had requested water from this guy, and he gave her a half-liter bottle and told her to drink half of it, then went into his room and came back a minute later only to see Sariyu treating her wound with the water and she used almost sixty percent, but the man argued that she used three-fourths of it. Having said that, what bothered him, even more, was seeing his water wasted for cleansing the wound, and he couldn't digest what he had seen.

"Is that drill hall nearby?" Sariyu asked with a sorry face.

"To both of our luck, yes," the man snorted. "Let me lock my room, and we'll go together." Saying that he hurried into his room. He came out with another bottle and wasted no time in locking the door, all the while smiling to himself. (Hehe, I'm free anyway. If I go with her, I can get extra half-liter water. Two needs dealt with one deed.)

Both of them set out, although only Sariyu showed any haste to reach the hall quick.

The ants roving in the cracks on the wall of the small-eyed man's room took their time to transport bits of sugar into their buried shelter through the ant hills made from tiny pebbles at the base of the wall.

Sariyu and the small-eyed man arrived at the drill hall by the boulevard. The palm trees on either side of the street grabbed her attention, but the small-eyed fellow hurried her. Soon as they entered the spacious hall, eyes of all colors and capacities sought for a sight at the stunning sweetheart.

Ensorcelled by the adorable belle, not a soul near the entrance moved as most of them kept their eyes on Sariyu while she was captivated by the warm orange glow in the room, which was more apparent than in the test hall. It was so easy on the eyes and resembled the dawn of the sun. The lighting inside the ship, in some places, was just too good in creating a pleasant mood, but this was on a whole different level, so she couldn't help but feel appreciation toward it on the inside.

Meanwhile, the small-eyed man walked straight toward the water booth, where dozens of ten-thousand-liter tanks stood taller than everyone else. Some occupied wooden cells, like that of cages, could also be seen in the background.

"Wow, so this is where people train their skills," the atmosphere in the hall enlivened Sariyu's eyes. Seeing so many people lifting weights and practicing martial arts in groups scattered across the room reminded her of her school days, "this is awesome." If many eyes weren't locked on her, she probably would have jumped with joy.

"Awesome, yes indeed," the small-eyed man substantiated her impressions with his words. "Martial arts gets drilled into folks until the practice of it becomes a practice. Every deck has at least one of these halls, and since the training here is free, many people flock here instead of going to private tutors, but hey, you remember what you came here for, right?"

"Yeah, of course. We are here for fresh wat—" Sariyu looked toward the Water Booth, and all the sprightliness in her face vanished apace. "Eh? Is that a line?"

"Yep, that's what it is. I'm glad you didn't mistake it for an overgrown python," the small-eyed man said, looking at the long, snake-like queue made of around a thousand men.

"This will take too long," Sariyu turned to look at him, furious over herself for having agreed to help him, "and we only get half-a-liter after all the waiting." Her shoulders slumped down, and gloom shrouded her features.

"Not exactly, but now you know the source of my anger," the small-eyed man frankly said, "If you think I'm going to fall for your gloomy guise, then please stop."

"What?" Fury surged up inside her, and she stressed her words, "Do I look like I'm acting?"

"U-Uh," the small-eyed felt a sense of dread and raised his palms as if telling her to stop. He also kept smiling, but nothing happened. "T-The joke wasn't funny?"

"Joke, huh," Sariyu squinted her eyes, "Joke again, and I'll leave right away."

"I won't. I won't, for sure."

"Hmph," Sariyu folded her arms across her chest, "I-Isn't there any other way? A quicker one?"

"Uh, yes, well, there is one way, but I wouldn't recommend it to anybody, surely, not to you. They'd only destroy you."

"Who's 'they'?" she asked out of intrigue.

"Who else? The trainees in this hall," the small-eyed man said, clutching his shoulders as he looked at some people in the hall, for he got reminded of the time when he got trashed by one of the trainees. "In the beginning, I used to wait in line like every newcomer, and I didn't have much of a problem back then as when my turn came, I drank stomachful and then took half-a-liter back to my room, but as the days went by, maybe my head grew big, or my eyes grew smaller, I challenged the trainees for water, thinking I could get an extra liter of it for every individual I defeat without having to wait in the queue for hours every day," he looked gloomy and depressed all of a sudden, "but I ended up returning home with a sore neck and shoulders. I learned a hard lesson that day." He was visibly frozen with terror, "You don't screw with the ants here, or they'll screw you up!"

"So, sparring with the trainees quickens things in this hall, huh," Sariyu's eyes scanned around. Many men paused their work and looked back at her, but still, some men were focused on their work. A few, though, shouted excessively to attract her attention, but her gaze stopped at a tall, gray-haired man with a long face who was walking from one group to another, teaching them things. "Who's that?" Sariyu pointed her finger at him.

"Who, you mean the one with the bayonet rifle on his back?" the small-eyed man's eyes widened.

"Yeah."

"He's the hall monitor, Sir Sean!" he hurriedly said with fear overflowing through his words, "Don't even think about challenging him. He can beat anyone in this hall with just one hand."

"So, he's the supervisor. Let's meet him then," Sariyu walked in Sean's direction.

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" the small-eyed man clutched his head, not knowing what to do. If he followed her anymore, the trainees might think of him as her friend, and he didn't want that. (There must be hundreds of trainees in this hall. No one would want to make enemies out of them. Just what is this stupid girl thinking?) He just watched as she walked away, but still, some men had their eyes locked on him. "Oh crap, we shouldn't have entered the hall together. I didn't think she'd be so short-sighted!" he frowned, "What the heck should I do now?"

Sariyu's stomach grumbled madly as she walked. She rubbed her belly. (Why are you getting so loud? It's only been a few days, and you are already disturbing me.) Her stomach still made noses. (I get it. I'll fill you with something, so stop making me feel dizzy and weak, yeah?) After she took a breath, her stomach seemed to have settled a little, at least for the time being.

As Sariyu approached Sean, he was tutoring one of the new trainees, a shy-looking boy, while also sipping eggnog. "Stop chicken-winging your arms and rotate them around your core, or your punch won't even break your granny's tooth."

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Don't 'yes' me. Answer me back with your moves!" the more Sean intimidated the shy boy, the more his movements lacked determination. "What's up with these regressive punches? I see no purpose behind them. None whatsoever. Throw them like you mean them, you spineless ant! Didn't your parents teach you 'fear'?"

Tears streamed down the shy boy's face, but he kept on punching through the air. His parents had always given him everything he wanted and said 'no' to nothing. It was because his family got into trouble which introduced him to the reality of the world, he then decided to embark on a journey to strengthen himself to be able to steer his family through to a peaceful and happy lifestyle once more. Just imagining everything that happened in his past made him boiling mad, and he threw punches viciously while trying his best to not over-extend his arms.

"Yeah, now we're talking. Keep punching like that. Turn all your fears into strength," Sean said and snorted as he walked up to the next trainee with his arms placed on his back. "Fear is a fool's foe but a wise man's friend." He punched the trainee in his stomach, making him spill a mouthful of saliva. "Where's the intent, huh? I see none of it in your punches. I don't care what problems you have at your home, but don't bring any of that to this hall. Don't step in here without making up your mind, understand?"

"Yes, sir," the trainee painfully replied, still frowning and bowing from agony.

"Every attack must have an aim, even if you're only punching the air. Make sure of it," Sean continued to walk toward the next trainee, causing him to be extra active in his practice. He addressed the nearby trainees in a loud and confident tone, "Growing strong isn't easy. Those who need help, don't shy away from asking it, but at the same time, train yourselves to ask for help only if it's absolutely necessary. Straighten out your thoughts, and fix your mind on just what you want. Such resolve is the key to stepping into the rabbits plane. Those who lack it, forget about fighting, they can't even look at their enemy in the eye."

"Excuse me," a feminine voice reached Sean's ears, causing him to look to his right.

"Mm?" Sean glanced to his right and asked in an irked tone because someone interrupted his speech. "What is it?"

"I've come for water, but I can't wait in a long queue like that," Sariyu said, rubbing her chin, looking all hesitant. "So..."

"So what?" Sean didn't move an inch. "Do you want to dare a duel?"

"I do," she replied, holding in a breath, "but only if it's absolutely necessary."

Sean's feet turned toward her, and his eyes also showed some light. "Miss, the upper belts have a perennial supply of fresh, drinking water, but that's not the case for this belt. Here, one must earn every drop of water that goes down their throat. I wish there were different rules set for women, but I can only do so much with my power." He paused a moment, expecting to get some reply, but he got none. "It seems like you've have come prepared for what you're asking," seeing him face her, the nearby pupils started to gather around. "So how much water do you want, miss?"

Sariyu's lips parted to speak, "Just a liter."

"Oh... then a first-degree iron ant should do," Sean looked around at the gathered trainees, but his eyes stopped on someone who was at a corner, doing something strange. "Just wait a minute, miss," Sean said and walked toward a corner of the hall without making any noise.

"Lord, I believe in you. I just need a sign. Please show me something," the trainee at a corner, a blonde-haired youth, was on his knees, begging for a change of things in his life as he read out lines from a paper.

"On your feet, you musty little fool!" Sean's voice that came from behind startled the heck out of him.

"S-S-Sir!" he stood up and bowed.

"Why are you reciting someone else's prayer? God isn't a machine," Sean snatched the paper out of the trainee's hand. "Pray from your own heart, not from a paper inked by another heart." He tore the paper into pieces.

"I-I'm extremely sorry, sir. I was only looking for a sign," he was still bowing. "Please punish this fool."

"Hmph, a sign? What sign? You think prayer without practice would get you anywhere? It's as asinine as preaching without practicing what you preach," Sean shook his head and turned around, placing his hands on his back. "Follow me."

Meanwhile, the men gathered around Sariyu numbered close to twenty, and most of them had their arms crossed across their chests.

"Hehe, would you look at those delicate hands!" one man sniggered. "I bet she never lifted weights."

"Forget about weights, brother. Has she ever been out in the sun? I wonder."

"If you're so thirsty, I will give you the water you need, but would you, maybe, willing to become my girlfriend?"

"Oi, someone's getting way ahead about their future. What about us, then?"

"Hahaha."

Sariyu calmly stood right where she was, even though their laughs kept growing on her. She breathed a bit audibly through her nose.

"Why aren't you saying anything, girl?"

"If you are so afraid to talk, then why bother challenge, huh?"

"Maybe she just wants to show off to her boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? You mean that shrimp she came with?"

Many men looked toward the small-eyed man who was standing about fifty meters away.

"I don't know that chick," he said aloud and walked away toward the water booth in a hurry. (Oh, no. They've still got their eyes on me. I"m gone.)

"Why that feeble fellow? Anyone from among us would be a much better choice."

"Yeah. Do that."

Sariyu bit the inside of her cheek. "It stinks here."

"What?" the men were puzzled for a moment. "Yeah, we shed sweat here all day and night, so yes, it stinks, even we wash this place weekly. But you meant something else, didn't you?"

Sariyu, however, stayed silent and then shut her nose, causing some men to frown and grit their teeth.

"Hmph, this girl's got a corrupt tongue. Someone has to slap her back to senses, or she'll continue to suffer."

"Hehe, I'll be that someone," a couple of men stepped closer to her.

"Stop talking with your dicks, morons, and move aside," Sean's voice made everyone step aside and make room in the center. He stopped before Sariyu and smiled. "I apologize on their behalf. It's been a few weeks since a maiden graced this hall. So their mouths went a bit out of control."

"I'm glad at least one decent person could be found in this hall," Sariyu unfolded her arms a bit, but her reply surprised everyone. The trainees especially felt an invisible hand slap their faces. Sean, however, just smiled.

"Whist, woman!" the blonde youth, who was standing behind Sean, immediately stepped forward. "In this hall, one has to prove their worth before they can utter such words." He sprang forth, and with a rotation in midair, he launched an energetic kick at her shoulder.

In a flash, Sariyu met his kick with her own by bringing the knee up to her face, and both the shins met with a bang.

"Heh, what's with that block? Her shin is screwed up for sure."

As some men sneered, the blonde youth suddenly frowned and hopped back on one leg, clutching the other. "Nghh!"

"Hey," men's eyes widened upon seeing him dance on one leg, "what's wrong?"

"It hurts," the blonde youth mumbled to himself before eventually losing balance. His face showed others that he was in clear pain. As he dropped to the deck, the other men couldn't believe their eyes.

"Oi, stop fooling around and get up."

"You are acting to save her face, aren't you? You can't fool us!"

Though many men tried to reason with the blonde guy, they got no response.

"H-He's one of the rising ants, but she took him down without even attacking?" some men still couldn't believe what they were seeing. They looked back at Sariyu with dumbfounded gazes.

"After drinking your stomachful, you can take home a liter of water," Sean stepped forward and gestured with his hand to one of the trainees to bring water.

His words baffled the trainees, for it meant that she surely won the exchange of kicks without trickery involved.

"Just a liter of water is enough, and…" Sariyu looked at a couple of guys and then at the blonde youth and said, "Thanks for making things easy."

Sariyu's words did more than just rub salt over someone's wound, for they were akin to covering a hundred cheeks with one slap.

What made her words all the more painful for the blonde youth was that she wasn't even smiling. So, he got perplexed by her words while some others still wondered if the blonde guy really lost on purpose; however, the blonde guy's face looked as if cockroaches had crawled on his face for hours and left dark spots all over it, and to add to it, he broke down into tears.

One of the trainees brought the water bottle and handed it to Sean, who then tossed it to Sariyu. "Do you want to have a spar, perhaps? It may serve as a good lecture for my pupils."

After catching the bottle with one hand, she replied, "No. I'm good."

"Now, I'm not that strong if you, maybe, are having any other presupposition."

Sariyu turned sideways and smiled a little. "If there's one thing I know for sure about the field of tutoring, it is that—one shall not trouble those who tutor for free. Besides, I got what I came here for, so there's no need for me to overstay if it's simply to benefit those who bothered me."

Even though Sariyu started to walk away, Sean didn't speak; however, some of the trainees couldn't help but let their mouth run wild.

"You're leaving unscathed because you fought someone who's only a first-degree iron ant. Just fight someone who's a second-degree iron ant and see if you can still leave in one piece."

"Yeah, why not try for another liter, huh?"

Sariyu, however, didn't even turn back.

Seeing how she was seemingly unaffected by his pupils, Sean laughed a little and turned to face his dissatisfied pupils. "Do not be deceived by her delicate features. Some flowers, no matter how dainty they may look, are better not taken granted for a sniff. This flower may very well arrest your heart if you're not careful."

Sariyu, on the other hand, wore a disappointed look on her face, and her eyes dimmed down a bit, unlike the time she had entered the hall. "This hall seems like a good enough place for beginner martial artists, but sadly, it doesn't seem like a good place for making friends."

"You were wonderful, miss!" the small-eyed man came to her with his praising tongue out. "That fool deserved what he got. It would have been great if you had taught a nice lesson for a few more, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. At least now that one of their peers got subdued, they will come down from the clouds thanks to you."

"He was a bit hot-headed, but still, he may be a better guy than his impudent seniors," Sariyu handed him the bottle, brightening his face.

"Thank you, miss. Thank you very much. Now I don't need to worry for two more days, haha."

Meanwhile, someone just entered the drill hall, panting a bit. "Whew… those five baldies surely can't come barging into this hall looking for trouble. I can be safe here, at least for now. Mm?" Just then, his eyes lay on two people who stopped only about ten meters in front of him. "M-Miss Sariyu! So you are here!" he ran up to her.

"777!" Sariyu was both shocked and relieved from seeing him. "I was worried they might have done something bad to you."

"No, they didn't," 777 smirked. "And they won't—for another million years, not until they cut their weights by at least half." His eyes stopped on the water bottle. "Oh, goodness me, my throat has been feeling like a desert." He snatched the bottle from the small-eyed man's hand, opened the lid like a pro, and hurriedly downed the water.

"No, that water's—" By the time the small-eyed man spoke, 777 gestured with his hand for him to stop.

After gulping down all the water in one go, 777 burped and looked at the small-eyed man, "you were saying something?"

"You just drank my water!" the small-eyed man enlarged his eyes in anger.

"Yeah, I did. What about it?" 777 casually replied as he tossed the empty bottle at him, "Do you have another bottle to give, perhaps?"

"You…" the small-eyed man ground his teeth and then looked at Sariyu.

She just raised her hands as if she had nothing to do with what just happened.

"Commander Sean! Commander Sean!"

Just then, a funny-faced man came running into the hall and raced straight to Sean. "Commander Sean! Commander Sean, the test hall—"

"Whoa, calm down, buddy," Sean placed his hands on the man's shoulders and helped him stand straight. "First, take some deep breaths through your stomach and then speak out."

After sucking in a deep breath, the funny-faced man cried out, "the cat home got wrecked, and the entire test hall was thrown into chaos, sir."

"What?" everyone who heard his words was stunned briefly.

"Huh?" Sean found it hard to believe, especially given how hysterical the funny-faced man looked. He gripped the man's shoulders tightly, "If this is a joke—"

"I swear on myself, sir," the funny-faced man put his hand over his head, "I'm telling the truth."

Sean let go of the man and balled his fists, "Who's behind it this time?"

"Hardy Brothers," the funny-faced man said in a hurry, "they are destroying more property as we speak, sir. If someone doesn't stop them soon—"

Sean's eyes slowly broadened, startling the funny-faced man. "Hardy Brothers... Those five piglets dared to dance on my deck?"

"Whoa, the hall's in chaos?" everyone in the Drill Hall was greatly surprised as revelation bridged the gap between one mouth to the ears of another.

(Is Lirzod still in there?) At the same moment, Sariyu, who also heard the news, showed a hint of worry. I have to get there quick. She looked at 777. "Solve your water issue with him, then find me at the hall." Saying that she stormed out of the hall.

"Why's she running toward trouble?" the small-eyed man wore a dumbfounded expression.

"No idea," 777 also had a somewhat puzzled expression and began to walk. "I guess I'll take a bit of rest somewhere first."

"Wait, where you are going, huh?" the small-eyed man placed his hand on 777's shoulder. "What about the water? Didn't you hear her speak?"

777 coldly glanced over his shoulder. "You want me to wait in that long-ass line to procure water, which won't even suffice to wipe one's ass clean? Take your hands off me, trash."

Unnerved, the small-eyed man lifted his hand off 777's shoulder right away.

777 walked away without looking back again.