Chapter 21: A Physical Experience.

Entering the training room, group E began to group up near the track.

Lance meanwhile, gestured for the droids to line themselves up in front of group E.

As the droids followed his orders, Lance turned his attention back to group E.

"Listen up, because I'm only going to say this once." His voice was unemotional and dull. "You'll split up into Five groups of twelve, each of these groups will have a droid assigned to them to monitor their progress."

He paused, gesturing to the large circular track that ran along the edges of the room. "First we're going to start with the 100-meter dash, given that this track was only 200 meters long, only two groups can go at a time, however as the first two groups finish, I'll allow two more groups to take their place."

Lance then gestured towards the equipment that was located in the center of the track, which was filled with various obstacles and equipment, it was clear that these exams were meant to test the cadets to their limits.

"As each group progresses, you'll be moved to another physical examination, where we'll test your max deadlift, push-ups, and so forth, remember, if you can't meet the minimum passing threshold, you'll be disqualified, there will be no second chances."

Lance then turned to look at group E with a stern and cold gaze, "Allow me to repeat myself once more, If you fail even once you will be disqualified if you run your 100-meter dash in 12 seconds instead of the minimum of 11 there will be no further discussion, do you understand?"

The cadets of group E nodded, their faces all full of determination and anticipation.

Marcus could feel the burning tension in the air, he looked around at the cadets that made up group E, knowing that despite their superior training and knowledge, they were afraid, they had to be.

"Well, enough standing around, split up into groups of twelve and choose a droid," Lance said as he stepped back toward the center of the room.

The cadets quickly organized themselves in front of the droids. Marcus, wanting to get started as soon as possible, chose the first group, alongside Sang-hee, and several other cadets who looked ready for a challenge.

"Ok." Lance said with the clap of his hands, "droids one and two, take your groups and line up on opposite sides of the track."

"Affirmative." The droids radioed out as they led their groups to their designated spots.

Once in place, Lance began to organize the first group. "Since this is a circular six-lane track we'll have to improvise a little."

He then approached a cadet and pointed toward one of the six starting positions, "I want you to start there." Lance said, grabbing the cadet's shoulder:

The cadet nodded and quickly made his way over.

Lance then grabbed another cadet and pointed slightly behind the first cadet on the next lane over. "And you'll start there."

The cadet nodded and made her way over.

Lance continued to do this until he had two staggered lines of six cadets each, one line of cadets a meter behind the other.

"Mark their locations and prepare a timer," Lance said to the droid that was standing beside him.

"Affirmative." The droid replied, "Locations marked and timer set."

Lance nodded, "None of you move till I set up the other group, i'm sure you know the reason why, but just in case you don't, where the other group starts is where you'll finish."

The cadets nodded, Lance then made his way over to the second group of cadets and began to organize them similarly.

Once they were set, Lance then made his way towards the center of the room. "Listen up!" Lance shouted, his voice carrying loudly throughout the room. "On my mark, both the groups will begin their dash, between both droids, we will have your start and finish time."

The droids, stared at their assigned group of cadets with their large camera-like heads, waiting for Lance's command.

"Ready!" Lance said as he raised a hand high up.

Marcus tensed up his muscles as he lowered himself down slightly.

"Set!" 

"Marcus felt his adrenaline flowing through his body like water bursting through a dam, he took a deep breath as he closed his eyes.

The room was silent, filled with anticipation and raw emotion, fear, excitement, and determination.

"Go!" Lance shouted as he lowered his arm.

Marcus took off alongside the other cadets. His feet hit the smooth synthetic track. His strides were long and his breath was controlled. 

As he neared the finish line, Marcus poured every ounce of energy into his legs, allowing him to finish under the passing time, with the score of 10.67 seconds."

Marcus let out a deep breath as he placed his hands on his hips. He looked back at the other cadets who ran with him, most of them all catching their breath and one of the cadets had even dropped to her knees.

The other group and the opposite side of the track had similar results, with most of them attempting to catch their breath.

"Results logged." The droid near the finish line for group one spoke.

"Alright, group three and four, make your way to the track, group one and two come back to the center!" Lance shouted. The rotation was smooth, allowing Lance to set the next two groups with relative ease.

It wasn't long before the final group had finished their 100-meter dash, and everyone had regrouped in the center of the room.

Lance stood before them with crossed arms, "the 100-meter dash is done." He said in a hollow tone, then slowly paced back and forth, "Next on the agenda is a deadlift of 100 kilograms, which is about 220 pounds for my American cadets."

"Easy money!" One of the cadets answered almost off instinct.

Lance chuckled, "As it should, given that you'll be doing this every day, anyway group one, step forward."

Group one stepped forward. 

Lance then led them to an area where twelve dumbbells were laid out on two rows of six. 

"Split into two groups, six on either side," Lance commanded as he stood between the two rows of dumbbells.

Each cadet found themselves standing before a barbell.

Marcus could feel his adrenaline still rapidly circling through his body, his expression one of excitement and anticipation, he found himself eager to lift the dumbbell.

"Alright cadets, the goal is simple, pick up the barbell and hold it for a minimum of five seconds."

Lance then paused as he checked to see if the cadets were listening to him, once satisfied, he continued. "Failure to pick up the barbell will result in disqualification, same with dropping the barbell before the five-second mark, understand?"

The cadets nodded in unison.

Lance then stepped back as he turned his attention towards the droid, "Once a cadet lifts their barbell, start a timer for five seconds."

"Affirmative." The droid responded.

"Start when ready, the droid will time you," Lance said as he stepped back further.

Marcus took a deep breath as he loosened up his shoulders. He then dropped down to a squat and wrapped his fingers around the cold metal bar.

He then took another deep breath as he slowly stood up, his muscles strained under the weight.

The barbell was heavy, but the deadlift was doable.

As Marcus lifted his weight completely, he began to count up to five in his head as he closed his eyes.

One… two… three… four…. 

"Five seconds have elapsed for all cadets." The droid announced. Marcus opened his eyes and turned his attention towards Lance, who gave an affirming nod. 

All of group one dropped their barbells in unison. 

Marcus released a breath he did know he was holding, he had done weight training with Kenji, but Marcus never held his deadlift for longer the eight seconds.

"Group two!" Lance shouted without turning around, "It's your turn, and I'm sure I don't have to explain anything, right?"

The cadets of Group Two quickly made their way over and mirrored the setup of Group One. They each lined up to a barbell ready to begin their deadlift.

Lance sighed. "Five seconds, you may start when ready."

Marcus watched as the cadets of group two bent down to lift their barbells one by one. 

They each sucked in a deep breath and collectively lifted their barbells in unison.

Marcus watched them with a conservative eye, they all seemed to be doing well, except one.

Just as Marcus's gaze landed upon her, the sound of heavy metal clashing with the ground sounded loudly throughout the training room.

The cadet had dropped her barbell.

The room froze for a moment and watched in unison as the girl quickly bent over in an attempt to lift the barbell once more.

Marcus turned his gaze towards Lance, who was watching the girl with an expression of frustration. Despite his expression, however, he didn't say anything to the girl.

"Five seconds have elapsed for all remaining cadets." 

With those words, all cadets dropped their barbells in unison, except the girl who had dropped her barbell earlier.

She continued her attempt to lift and hold the barbell repeatedly, her arms were trembling, veins bulging from her neck, and sweat dripping down her forehead.

She had a small frame, no more than five feet tall, with long blue hair and bright blue eyes.

Marcus alongside all other cadets watched her with various gazes.

Some in mockery.

Others watched in contempt.

While Marcus watched in confusion, she failed, doesn't she understand that? He thought.

The girl ignored all their stares and continued her attempt until finally Lance snapped.

"Enough!" He shouted in frustration, "You've failed."

The cadet began to sob as she continued to lift the barbell, "It's not fair!" She said between her sobs as she continued her pointless struggle, "It's not fair!"

The cadet then slumped her shoulders as she dejectedly collapsed to the ground, "it's not fair." She cried once more.

Lance narrowed his eyes in frustration as he turned his attention towards the droid beside him. "Take her to the track and get her some water."

"Affirmative." The droid responded, it then navigated past the cadets and barbells. When the droid finally reached the girl, it gently helped her up and walked her towards the track.

Marcus watched the events unfold with an empathetic expression, even though he didn't know the girl, he had an idea of how much she had sacrificed to get here.

He closed his eyes and he tightened a fist, she's not my problem, she's not my problem. He repeatedly told himself.

Though Marcus swore to close his heart off, it seemed he wasn't very good at it.

Lance turned his attention towards the remaining group of three through five."

"Group three!" Lance shouted, "You know the drill."

The cadets of group three lined up to the barbells same as the two groups prior.

Marcus watched as each of the cadets prepared themselves, each of them with an expression filled with anxiety. As they settled into their positions, Lance spoke once more.

"Five seconds, no exceptions." He said coldly as he crossed his arms.

Group three completed their deadlift with no errors, and the rotation between the groups continued smoothly until each of them had completed the deadlift.

After group five had finished their deadlift Lance had gathered the groups up once more and addressed them. "You've completely the deadlift portion, well done."

He then proceeded to halfheartedly clap his hands. "Next up is push-ups, you'll have one minute to do a one hundred push-ups, perfect form no failure, any questions?"

One girl raised her hand almost instantly.

"Go ahead," Lance said with a sigh.

"Do we girls have to do toe push-ups or can we use our knees?" 

Lance raised an eyebrow as he smirked, "Good question, honestly I don't know…." He then turned his attention toward one of the droids, "What's the rules on the push-up portion?"

"Exam guide page 7, line 46, the push-up portion of the physical examination exam requires the cadet to perform 100 push-ups within one minute and thirty seconds. The push-ups performed by the cadet must either be the toe or knee variation for female cadets and the toe variation for males."

Almost every cadet breathed a sigh of relief, the females, because they were allowed to use their knees and the males had more time than they expected.

Lance nodded his head as he turned his attention back towards the cadet who asked the question, "Glad you asked that, I had forgotten about that extra thirty seconds." He said with a grin.

Marcus had a sneaking suspicion that Lance had known, but intentionally left it out for some reason.

"Alright everyone line up on the track and drop into your push-up position, and yes this includes all groups…"

— — —

Lance continued to take the group through a series of physical exercises and drills, barely giving the cadets a moment to rest. 

After around four hours, the cadets had completed the physical portion of their exam for the day.

Lance then had the entirety of group E, huddled together as he went over the results of today's tests and what would happen next.

"I congratulate those of you who passed today's tests, and for those of you who haven't, I'm sure you know what happens next."

Lance's tone was neutral as he was careful not to look at any cadet in particular. 

Lance sighed as he continued. "But as your physical examination comes to an end, your psychological examination will begin. you'll be escorted to the virtual labs."