The Second Field Examination, Part 1
1760 Words
It's now Oraclemonth of 1017 CE.
One week before the end of the semester and the start of the winter break.
We will be undergoing the second field examination, perfect for the junior year.
“The time has come to prove your worth on the actual battlefield, as the field examination this time is a mock team-on-team battle. It will be an elimination tournament, so the best of preparations are highly encouraged.”
The superintendent, Lt. Gen. Caralde, gathers every single cadet in the open field discussing the basic particulars.
“We will be holding the mock battle directly south of the capital, around north of the Dakhir River Network Delta. As the battlefield is surrounded by bodies of water, we must all exercise caution, as we have learned beforehand that there are cadets who don't know how to swim. This liability will be fatal, so please support whenever you can. Every life is precious, you hear me?”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
“Now then, please form your teams. Minimum of five members, maximum of ten. Please keep in mind that a variety of fighters with differing specialties is advantageous when compared to a team composed of members who only specialize in one thing.”
I do the obvious – form a team consisting of myself, Laika, Yulissa, Ivanka, Hershey, Joey Ramon, and Bienvenide.
It's convenient, and we seven already have our social links established pretty early.
After ten minutes, sixteen teams are formed.
“Very well, cadets. Now please give your team a name and designate your leader.”
I also do the obvious – I'm the de facto leader, and the others don't mind. They get used to my leadership quirks, anyway.
But as for the name... I'm really hitting a stone wall.
“Anyone? Even a leader like me is getting stumped on choosing something... so intense, so badass... something that best describes all of us... something that best establishes our identity like logos do.”
“Brother, if you need anything, I'm on standby,” Yulissa states. “As for my choice of name, I suggest The Sandwich Guild!”
“OK, this one's for consideration. Any other takers?”
Bienvenide tells us, “Why not use the names of current magic-sport teams as bases? I mean, how could anyone say no to the likes of the Demata Jackals, the Zaia Destructive Thunderclaps, or the Ronac Radical Dreamers?”
“Hmm... if we'll have to follow the format that goes like this: Mystical name, then the plural form of a noun or the adjective followed by the plural form of a noun, then...”
Ivanka cuts in.
“I'll have to choose the Exconde Ripping Falcons.”
I reply, “OK. This one's for consideration, too.”
The superintendent then reminds us all...
“Everyone! You have three minutes left to decide your team name and leader! No time for delays!”
Oh crud.
We seven really have to think fast!
As if we're in a hurry, we spout out random names, and I then mark them “for consideration” pretty fast.
Man, my brain is now like a mixing machine, having to choose one viable name from many. Oh well, that's the leader's burden.
Until I have an awakening.
“Guys... as your de facto leader, I've now decided the name of our team. We will be known as... Glittering Eternal Trigger! Basically, I've mixed up your best suggestions in my brain and came up with this!”
The others basically agree with several “Yeah!”s.
Next, the sixteen teams formally register, with their own leaders already set in stone.
The superintendent then tells us all...
“Now that all's settled... please wait for the actual elimination tournament bracket and schedule to be disclosed this afternoon at 5 post meridiem, as well as divulge final instructions. Meanwhile, you can start work on the preparations today. You can practice, gather items, do anything else you can think of to leverage your advantage. But beware... if anyone is caught cheating, especially if it is done with the intent to hurt someone, they will be kicked out of the tournament and be forced to repeat the entire year, not to mention face further disciplinary actions. Understood?”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
“Alright. Everyone... dismissed!”
As of this moment, Glittering Eternal Trigger is now good to go!
Our first priority is to decide our temporary meeting place for strategic conferences and such.
It's already a given not to discuss military strategies within earshot of anyone outside the circle, especially with spies getting all-ears.
Laika suggests, “Why don't we try the unused room 701 of Shad Nilsson Building? I think no cadet's using that room. Not because it's haunted, but because it simply isn't a choice for many cadets.”
Joey Ramon adds, “And we don't know of any cadets who are acrophobiacs, yeah.”
“Great!” I agree. “Let's roll with it.”
We all then proceed towards Shad Nilsson Building's seventh floor.
Besides some dust, it seems this floor's hallway has been taken care of periodically.
Now then...
The door is surprisingly unlocked, as if the management knows unused rooms like these can be used as makeshift meeting rooms.
Good.
We then hold our first lightning meeting.
We basically discuss what battle formation will be used and the essential items to bring.
Those two things are yet to be finalized, as the final set of rules will be disclosed alongside the tournament lineup.
It's now 4:55 post meridiem.
Every participating team is present once more at the open-air field.
The superintendent begins.
“It's good that everyone here is gathered five minutes early! We shall proceed with the tournament lineup, then.”
From 16 teams in the preliminaries, there will be eight in the playoffs, four in the semi-finals, and then it's down to the last two in the finals before the ultimate champion is crowned.
There are also set schedules for the bouts, which will start tomorrow.
“The ones belonging to the champion team will receive extra credits and higher chances of promotion once they graduate and are drafted into the Royal Armed Forces. As for the other teams, they will all still pass... except for the flagrant rule-breakers, who will face lots of demerits, disciplinary actions, and supplementary lessons. Understood, everyone?”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
“And now, for the rules. We will be utilizing the capture-the-flag format for the mock battles, as this tests not just your brawn, but also your brains. Basically, the playing field will be divided into two territories that will be occupied by each of the two opposing teams. The objective is simple. Capture the enemy team's flag without being met with heavy resistance from enemy combatants. If a member captures the enemy flag and plants it in their team's territory, the team wins. For strategic purposes, team members are allowed to toss the flag at long distances as well as hand over the flag to their teammates. As stated before, cheating, especially with the intention to hurt someone, is strictly prohibited. Am I making myself clear?”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
“Very well. Rest up and prepare your bodies and minds, for this entire examination will be an exciting way to test your worth as future soldiers! Dismissed!”
And so, our team, Glittering Eternal Trigger, will be facing against Stray Dogs Gone Wild tomorrow at 3:30 post meridiem.
Alright, we have ample preparation time now that the mock battle rules have been disclosed.
Since capture-the-flag involves defending our territory while raiding the enemy one, we decide on either the cannae tactic or rolling up the line, since we already have our aces in the hole with which to bait the enemy combatants with.
We also have the wisdom to buy some bucklers that are not just portable, but also offer good protection against spells, especially if the enemies will use magic scrolls.
Tomorrow. The 12th of Oraclemonth, 1017 CE. Fireday.
The land north of the Dakhir River Network Delta outside the capital.
The tournament formally begins.
The playing field is somewhat wet due to being near the river delta, but at least normal infantry combat is highly doable, with absolutely zero risk of drowning.
We seven get to witness how the other teams conduct their CTF business.
Laika comments, “It seems they treat this as a mere kid's parlor game. I hope their mindset changes once they're drafted into real battlefields.”
“Well, game or not,” Joey Ramon follows, “at least they're having fun and not getting all too tense about it.”
Bienvenide supplements, “I agree. Post-traumatic stress disorder is real, and it can affect one's morale or even mental health if left unchecked and untreated.”
3:30 post meridiem.
It's now our turn to face team Stray Dogs Gone Wild.
Which, strangely enough, has Dietrich and Xyline Ella – who both once fought alongside us against the evil spirits of hazing – as some of its members.
Oh well, it's just fate playing safe tricks on us.
Dietrich does the opening remark.
“So, Keenan, we meet again. This time, as rivals.”
“Not quite. This is still a friendly competition, after all.”
“But have you ever heard of the word 'coopetition'?”
“You mean, cooperation and competition combined?”
“Darn straight you're right!”
Xyline Ella then follows...
“Before we begin, I would like to thank you, Hershey, for adopting that pesky cat.”
“No big deal, nya! In fact, she's now sleeping soundly back in her room, her tummy all happy from the special cat food I've bought at the pet store!”
“Very well. Let's have a good, clean fight, everyone!”
We organize our formation as the referee, Cpl. Ben-Kulera, steps into the center of the playing field.
“Preliminary Round: Team Glittering Eternal Trigger versus team Stray Dogs Gone Wild. Ready yourselves... commence the bout!”
Once his ceremonial sword is lowered, the battle begins.
We all unsheathe our sabers, clutch our bucklers tight, and brace ourselves for what the other team will throw at us.
The Stray Dogs Gone Wild also unsheathe their own sabers...
...as a female cadet on their team has her chest glowing.
Ivanka reacts as the cadet touches her chest and tries to pull something out of it...
“What in the world is she doing?”
- Writer
