Second Time's the Charm
1670 Words
The first of Watermonth, 1017 CE.
We cadets are now on our second year at Lebenswasserheim Royal Academy Military School.
To clarify things, once a cadet's admitted as a freshman, they must attend the whole three years – not counting possible repeats of certain years due to failing the final examinations.
This is because upon enrollment, cadets pay a one-time tuition fee of 7,000 guintos – which mostly goes to the cadets' uniforms, sabers, and training gear. All other expenses such as instructors' salaries are shouldered by the kingdom's government.
On my end, my collection of novels is getting bigger, that I even have to bring an extra mini-bookshelf to the campus apartments in order to house that collection.
On Laika's end, she acquires some extra plushies from Ivanka, as the latter wants to keep her collection of monster plushies consistent.
On Yulissa's end, her crude flower doodles are now being replaced with more refined still-life drawings of flowers in vases.
Of course, that remarkable improvement in my sister's drawing skills catches my attention.
I casually approach her just as she's almost done replacing those drawings.
“Brother, like you've said, I'm taking an entire year to improve my skills.”
“Uhh... I don't remember saying anything about that. What I've said last year is that my tastes in art change as I grow up.”
“Well, if you've indeed said that, then I'm improving my skills to accommodate those changing tastes of yours.”
“That's a good connection... I guess.”
Alright, time to use what I've learned in art appreciation class back in senior high school to good use.
Her still-life drawings, based on the shadings, are either made with high-quality pencils or with charcoal sticks.
The shadings themselves, while a little rough on the edges, convey properly how light reflects on them.
And even with their monochrome looks, the drawings are easy to imagine with colors on them.
“You know what, Yulissa... your drawings are – for the lack of a better word – sweet, just like a beautiful wrapped-up piece of candy.”
“Wow! Your praise may be a little flattering, but any appreciation is better than no appreciation, brother!”
She leans her face once more, and I know fully well that she's raring for another headpat.
And I indeed do it, like I'm running on nothing but my brotherly instincts.
Laika's just finished with her rearrangement of her plushies as she sees this all-too-familiar scene.
Seeing my sister's improved artworks and my honest admiration for them, she does the same comforting headpat.
As her head is comforted by two people she considers as her close-knit buddies, she emanates a much more radiant blush.
Laika and I also blush of our own accord, acting as our seals of approval.
This simple act of encouragement is just the thing we all need to mark our second year at the military school with a great start.
The bell rings at exactly 6:30 ante meridiem, and we're all done with all necessary morning rituals beforehand.
Time for classes once more.
This year, we are focusing more on strategies and tactics, because the art of war requires not just brawn, but also brains.
The professor even opens Battlefield Basics 101 class with the following statement:
“You don't even need to raise your blade to win.”
For the first subject in Battlefield Basics 101, we are being taught various formations for when we are being deployed into battle.
First is the wedge formation, where lines are thinned to provide a central concentrated area in which we can easily smash through enemy lines.
Second is the single extended line of defense, in which we need to form, obviously, a single line that is much longer than the average length of enemy lines in order to overlap enemy flanks, protect our own flanks, or even both.
Third is the cannae tactic, which focuses on a weak center portion and is deliberately formed to bait the enemies into attacking those on that center. Stronger allies, meanwhile, position themselves on the left and right sides of the line to surprise the enemy stragglers by enveloping them.
Fourth is the maniple channels or the so-called Zama tactic. We just need to scatter into equally-parted groups of two, with noticeable gaps in between those groups in order to direct huge enemies such as golems away from heavy infantry. This formation is dangerous since those groups could get flanked and overwhelmed by precisely-guided projectile attacks.
Fifth is the strong right flank or rolling up the line. Basically, there's a weak left flank and a strong right flank consisting of more or better fighters. While the enemy is compelled to attack the weak flank, the strong flank will attack the enemy's weak flank and “roll up the line”, much like what happens to the mythical serpent eating its own tail.
Finally, there's the protected flank. It requires natural barriers such as hillsides and lakes. There are many ways to protect flanks depending on the battlefield's geography, but the important thing is that light infantry and cavalry units must be concentrated on the opposite, unprotected flank.
After that lesson and more, it's eventually lunch break.
Once we cadets are done with the food, we're free to relax, chat with whomever we want, or even prepare for the next lesson.
“Keenan! Over here!”
Oh, it's Hershey again!
She's sitting on a bench alone, and I get to quickly join her.
And she's... holding two glasses?
“Here! Have some iced espresso milk, nya.”
“Why two glasses instead of one?”
“I've had a brain lapse, nya.”
Speaking of which, cadets can also order food and drinks from other sources, especially the canteen belonging to the Royal Academy proper – that is, if they're done with the prescribed lunch.
I accept the extra glass, because why not?
“Thanks, nya. I just wanted to follow up on our conversation last year.”
“Oh, that one that has something to do with which color you want your debut dress to come in?”
“Great memory, nya!”
“Thanks. Well, since your 18th birthday's two months away, I guess you want to ask me that question again. You're still undecided, even though I said at that time that any color's fine with me. Yellow? Pink? Red, white, and blue? They're all valid!”
“But I still can't choose the one, nya.”
“First things first: What theme do you want for your debut?”
“I just don't know, nya.”
“It's very unfortunate that you're... sorry if I say this... indecisive.”
“That's OK, nya. I have my priorities as a cadet, so other things get relegated to the back-burner.”
“Well, if I can't solve this predicament of yours alone... maybe Laika and Yulissa will!”
“Alright! I'll talk to them after school! Thanks, nya! You're a lifesaver, you know that?”
“That's just part of my job.”
And speaking of my own sister...
***
I'm now sitting in another bench with Joey Ramon, eating tiramisu together.
In the past few months, I'm hanging out with him more.
Maybe... it's due to the fact that he's a native of Tytana, which I've learned only this year!
But the more important reason for being closer to him... is that he's the reason for my improved art skills.
Over summer break, I wanted to do something other than slouch at home and train with brother and Laika.
And one day...
I saw him visiting our hometown of Khahimyan.
He carried a bag full of stuff I've never seen before.
I approached him and asked...
“Oh, hi, Joey! I never expected you to land here! What's your order of business?”
“Hi, Yulissa. I'm currently selling art supplies as a door-to-door salesman. It's my part-time summer job, coming from Shepparton Furnishings Company.”
Ah, the famous manufacturer and seller of paints and wallpapers and stuff? And is even endorsed by the royal family?
“That's so cool! Can you show me your wares?”
“Why not?”
He then showed me various art supplies such as acrylic and watercolor paints, canvases, sketchbooks, pencils and charcoal sticks, and paintbrushes of various sizes.
“You told me one time that you wanted to improve your drawing skills because you wanted to impress your brother, right? Then... why won't I teach you the ropes?”
“That's potentially fun!”
And thus, every Waterday, during that break, he would teach me how to upgrade my drawings from rough doodles to discernible masterpieces.
The drawings I now proudly display in Room 614 within Zach Suratos Building? They're not possible without his timely help!
“Hey, girlie. You're spacing out.”
“S-Sorry.”
I just accept the spoonful of tiramisu he offers.
And in return, I offer him my own spoonful of the dessert, until our own portions are no more.
Even though brother is one of the best men in this world, I know I can't marry him; so I settle for someone who is as kind and encouraging as him.
And Joey Ramon may be the one for me!
***
Night then falls.
The mandatory dinner has already ended, and cadets can afford to have some quality time of their own, as long as they get to bed by 10 post meridiem, as stated in the cadet handbook.
As I try to get myself to sleep after reading quite a spicy chapter in In Love with Leviathan's Daughter...
I can hear some excited girl sounds, which are undoubtedly coming from Laika, Yulissa, and Hershey.
And I'm right! They're indeed talking about Hershey's choice of dress and the theme of her forthcoming debut.
Well, I'll let them have their girl talk, and I'll know the answer straight from the feralkin herself tomorrow morning.
OK, good night.
- Writer
