The Commoner Noble

"On your feet!" Sol shouted, his voice jolting them from their rest. "You have five minutes to get yourselves hydrated. Then it's combat drills, let's see how long you last this time."

Wein groaned inwardly but forced himself to comply and accompanied by the other recruits, they went to the water station. All the while he wondered how long he had to endure this torment. Based on the knowledge he had obtained during his free time, within the baron's army there were many desirable positions for him to take.

Being a trooper though easily achievable had its disadvantages, one being he would be exposed to dangers frequently on the battlefield. From what he researched the only position for someone who did not want to risk their lives in the army would be a specialist but that itself requires a lot, you had to have talent and knowledge.

And he, being a commoner, was not someone who had enough education to qualify for those positions. So, if he were a specialist, he had to take full advantage of the baron's goodwill and stuff himself to the brim with as much knowledge as he could.

It was doable mostly because, in the past, Wein was able to cram and retain anything he had ever read, now all he had to do was do the same and understand it.

Marshal, the thought filled his mind, as he realized the end goal of all commoners troopers in the military. That role alone held more power than most people in the galaxy other than landed nobles. Becoming a marshal would elevate a commoner to the same height as the lord of the domain, it was something even Wein admitted desiring.

For the moment he was a recruit, and he had a long way to go until he was a marshal, so it was better to start small, establish his foundation.

Wein along with the group refreshed themselves and immediately lined up for their next destination. Their camaraderie had improved during the past weeks compared to their first meeting where their bond was non-existent. Now they all had in common the tough training they underwent that further strengthened their bonds.

The sparring grounds were vastly different from the outside track. Here the recruits were instructed to face each other, each one armed with a wooden staff for practice. They were heavy enough to leave bruises on impact but dull enough that they were safe to avoid serious injuries.

Each pair was to fight each other as if fighting an enemy to further reinforce their combat abilities. Wein found himself paired with one of the instructors there, Varon, a veteran soldier in the baron's army.

Varon like Sol had a muscular frame and sharp eyes that gave him an aura of an experienced warrior. He held his staff firmly and positioned himself as expected of a veteran, there was no flaw found with his form. Wein tried to mimic him, trying to replicate the stance Veron took.

"Don't hold back" Varon said, his tone unamused.

Before Wein could even respond with a nod, Varon lunged at him with great force. He swung his staff with great speed, forcing Wein to respond in kind. The clash of their staffs rang out as Wein had just mustered enough strength to oppose Varon's strength. He grunted cursing inside why he was always paired with Varon as his arms trembled under the force of the impact.

Wein had countered the strike, but it was too sloppy, and he was pushed slightly off balance as a result. Varon did not hesitate to attack, pressing forward with a flurry of attacks swinging from left to right, right to left all in a firm form that left Wein struggling to keep up.

Varon had skill and speed over Wein so when Wein tried to counterattack the blows, his staff would wobble at times, and he would be pushed back.

"Your staff is not firm enough," Varon spoke, circling him. "Grib your staff tighter and withstand my blows."

He continued his onslaught, but Wein did not give up and tried to defend. The blows came from all sides, Wein countered some rather sloppily, while the remaining struck him, on his arms, chest, and legs, the pain immense but bearable.

"Watch your opponent, think ahead. You can anticipate my moves if you do so."

It was easier said than done, Wein thought as he narrowly avoided another strike. He tried to focus on Varon's movements to read his body language, but the relentless pursuits made it hard for him to think. With the attacks that brushed past him and the shocking attack force his movements grew sloppier and within minutes, Varon's staff swept him from the ground and dealt a final blow squarely on his chest.

That pain he truly felt.

Wein gasped for some air, that last attack knocked the wind out of him, but he managed to stay conscious. As he sat there on the ground trying to find a way to breathe perfectly, Varon was studying him.

"Better, there is improvement" he finally spoke. "But you are stiff too slow."

Wein pushed himself up and went for his staff while Varon waited for him to be ready, and they continued.

The rest of the sparring session went on the same, Wein fought with every effort he had in him, but his inexperience showed. Each time he tried to counterattack, he was sent to the ground, and he had to crawl up again. Over and over and over again. He was weak, pitifully weak compared to the others and even though recruits like him had grown more refined in their attacks, he was just inexperienced. He hated feeling weak, he hated being last, but he knew deep down he was getting better.

Above, Sol was watching the recruits' training, unmoving as he observed flaws and improvements he had witnessed so far, he was impressed.

****

By midday, after showers, the recruits were led to a vast room filled with holographic data and displays. There they saw the Sergeant along with other instructors all in uniforms reading the data in the monitors.

Beside Sol stood a woman an inch shorter than the Sergeant but had an authority of higher rank than him, Lieutenant Jones. She was wearing an eyepatch on her left eye and her black hair was tied in a ponytail. She was seriously focused, reading the data on the projections with her arms were crossed over her chest.

Jones was unlike anyone Wein had ever met. She was the definition of beauty and battle-hardened intensity. Her beauty was alluring but her presence was enough to intimidate even the hardened criminals. Her remaining eye seemed to be able to see through your very soul.

After the recruits aligned in formation, she stood before them on an inclined podium.

"Today's lesson," she began her feminine voice alluring but firm, "is on Jugtaci strategy. Tell me, recruits what is the most valuable skill that a trooper can have?"

There was silence for a while, then one ventured. "Strength?" his answer revealed that he was not sure himself.

"Incorrect" Jones replied sharply. "Strength is ever fleeting. No matter where you go, there will always be someone stronger than you. Next!"

"Talent?" spoke another, also unsure but more firm.

"Incorrect. Not all troopers have talent, some are born average and will remain so no matter what they do," said Jones.

"Discipline" another recruit suggested.

"Close but no" spoke Jones, nodding slightly. "Discipline is needed but it alone is not enough. The most valuable skill a trooper can have is adaptability." She gestured at a hologram showcasing some of the various monsters the troops faced in the galaxy. "The creatures we face as troopers are unpredictable, not only are they fierce but some are intelligent not following any specific patterns and rules. Our enemies are not only limited to them but to people, intelligent sentient life, some similar to our skill sets, some superior, and some unpredictable. If you cannot adapt to a change in a situation, you will die. The battlefield is something that is ever changing but if you can quickly adapt you will be able to survive."

The recruits watched the hologram showcasing some of the vicious monsters in the galaxy, their form, and their known routines. From the screen, they could see the basic summaries of the monsters and where their weak spots were mostly located.

"Jugtaci is a martial art that all the troopers of the barony are fully knowledgeable in. With it, you can be able to adapt to any situation in a short amount of time and it can help you even go against stronger foes. The main components of this martial art are precision, speed, and agility. Once you master these, you can face just about anything. Exabit A" said Jones, gesturing to the projection.

On the screen was a single trooper going against a giant monstrous creature, with nothing but a handgun and a knife. From the looks of it, he was exhausted but on edge facing the creature. It was huge, alien, and resembled a bull with tentacles.

The trooper fired off his handgun at the creature and out came a purple beam shot at great speed and struck the creature on its head, leaving a scorched burn wound. The creature cried and attacked, using speed and precision, the trooper lunged to the side leaving behind his blade he pierced into the flesh of the creature forcing a cut using the creature's own momentum. After the lunge, the trooper rolled planted his stand and released a barrage of shots at the creature who had lost sight of its target.

Not giving it the chance the trooper sprung forward while firing and he dived under it so that once it turned, he was out of the side. Below he thrust his blade and cut its abdomen causing the creature to wail in pain with is guts gushing forth on the man securing a victory.

The hologram paused as the recruits were watching. "As you just saw, it's not only about combat or talent," said Jones. "It's about understanding your enemy, yourself, and your environment. Once you have a firm grasp of that, you can prevail no matter what."

The recruits along with Wein listened carefully as the lieutenant explained how the trooper was able to face off against the creature. They all had questions but remained to listen as the words spoken resonated within them.

Wein felt uneasy, adaptability was not a skill he had really required before that was until he remembered the attack he found himself involved in at that ship. It dawned on him that skill itself would have been more in handy rather than him relying on luck. The skill was a necessity, but he was uncertain if he would be able to get it.

The rest of the lecture boiled down to listening, teaching, and showing the recruits the many different ways to survive in an unfamiliar situation. From what to first prioritize and what to do.

****

That evening, after the session the recruits were sent to a weapons training facility where they were taught how to handle the weapons mainly used by troopers.

They mainly consisted of a futuristic handgun-like gun, a sharp metal blade, and a big gun made from the same technology as the handgun, those weapons used strange bullets. Instead of metals, the guns operated with an energy laser beam. It was not too strong as to instantly pierce through flesh and out the other way, but it was similar to bullets in a way that one beam had the same force and capabilities as a single bullet.

The guns were powered by a purple crystal that served as a magazine and would get depleted after a certain amount of shots.

For the time being the recruits were using low-level guns that weren't too dangerous and were shooting at planks to gauge their accuracy.

Wein was sweating after his fifth round of shots, he had a 47% accuracy which was not too bad but not too good for his level. He was breathing heavily as he held the weapon with both hands focusing on the marks of his shots.

He put the gun down and retreated to the chair behind him grabbing a bottle of water and gulped it in seconds. The other recruits were also wrapped up with their weapons training and remained in the facilities, after the end of day they were allowed to either remain or retreat to their dorms. Most had gone ahead but Wein chose to stay, to work on himself.

Wein could feel that fatigue that had built up within him, so he wanted to go rest, he gave back the equipment and made his way to his room his steps heavy. All he wanted at that moment was a meal, a shower, and a comfortable bed, tomorrow was the same deal. He sighed.