The Commoner Noble

"Recruit Wein Serin has accomplished his trials," said an operator after reading from the computer screens. The instructors had been observing some of the battles taken by the recruits on the holographic screens plastered all over and noting the achievements.

"The Number of trials taken was 14."

"That is not too bad," Jones finally said, her eyes shifting to Wein's body, which was still in his console. "Get him to the rehabilitation capsule room."

"Pull up his final trial footage," ordered Sol. He was also eager to see how Wein had eventually performed.

The screen lit in front of them, and the familiar environment appeared, showing all the actions, that Wein took to defeat the Chintaads.

The instructors were very pleased with Wein's performance in the final trial, he used his senses and mind exceptionally well.

He identified his enemies, his ammunition, and the best place to make a stand all in a short amount of time. Not only was he able to identify his own weakness and make up for it, but he also made good use of his limited ammunition and was even left with spare.

He passed the test.

Wein along with the other recruits who were finished with their simulations were taken out and sent to a rehabilitation room, made for them to recover from the severe mental fatigue they would have accumulated.

During this trek he at times stumbled and fell onto one of the examiner assistant's arms who would lift and carry him, he pitied them who were so exhausted and weakened.

Wein felt his consciousness drift and he wanted to sleep.

While staggering, he raised his eye up to the instructors specifically Jones, Sol, and Varon. He saw smiles on their faces, an indication that the results of the simulation for the recruits had more than great numbers and he Wein was part of the reason why.

He was proud of himself, he had grown stronger, and he would continue to.

The assistant helped him walk out of the room behind other recruits in a single line heading for the same destination.

"This batches' first simulation was more than great," Varon spoke while discussing with Jones and the others. "60% of the recruits took less than ten trials to pass and the rest took less than fifteen".

"You say that when they should all take below ten trials" retorted Sol, though he was proud of the improvement of the recruits, he was a little disappointed in the results.

"This is their first time in this type of simulation, and they had just learned Jugtaci only yesterday," replied Varon. "It is understandable that some would fall below our expectations, sir."

"You expect me to be pleased with that, the simulations were made with the recruits' level in mind," said Sol.

"Still—,"

"Enough! Sol is correct, the simulations were made taking into account their inexperience but still as compared to other years and recruits these results are pleasing." Jones interrupted. She turned her back on the men, to leave. "The barony is getting a great number of talented troopers. Wrap everything here!"

The remaining instructors saluted, "Yes ma'am!"

****

The room that Wein and the other exhausted recruits were sent to was broad, and clean, filled with dozens of pods placed all over. The pods were large capsules capable of containing a full human no matter the size.

Inside were some of the recruits who finished their tests earlier, they had been stripped of their clothing except undergarments and suspended in the liquid inside of the capsule.

The liquid was greenish and was able to fully cover the recruits from head to toe, making it possible to swim. To breathe, there were breathing masks put on the mouths and noses of all the recruits that were connected to an outside air tank.

Besides each capsule, there was a monitoring screen that showed the body state and vitals of the recruits.

Wein was taken to his own capsule, still feeling weak and tired from the mental stress he had been holding himself from crumbling in. He opened his eyes and saw the empty capsule.

He looked to the sides, to his comrades, some were being stripped some climbing into the capsules. He knew he had to do it too, so without wasting time he, being assisted by assistant took off his clothing.

His actions were useless, he could not even lift his arms properly as they felt limpy and he was falling in and out of consciousness.

Each time Wein closed his eyes he would blank out, once was taking off his pants when he opened them again, he was already stripped. Again, he blinked and opened them to find himself inside the capsule with a breathing machine already fitted in his mouth.

Again, his eyes were weak, and after drifting into sleep he was jolted awake by a stinging pain at the back of his head.

As soon as he felt that sting Wein could not struggle or protest and he finally went to sleep, his arms and legs suspended in the liquid while a metal tentacle was sticking inside of his brain.

The rehabilitation capsule did as the name implied, it rehabilitated exhausted troopers and even healed some minor injuries. The metal tentacles connected to the brain helped calm the human brain by inducing the recruits to sleep allowing them to rest easily.

With advanced technology and the green fluid imbued in them, the recruits could be able to sleep for days without waking up.

This was very important for them because no matter who you are, having to go through those daunting trial simulations over and over again while you were already exhausted beyond means and not recover, severe consequences would follow.

So, for the next few days, all the recruits were subjected to the rehabilitation capsules until further notice.

****

"How is his progress?" Neilson spoke while accompanied by his assistant as he was walking down a hallway with just the two of them. He was wearing a large thin coat that swept over the floor and his assistant was wearing formal attire: a suit, tie, and all.

His assistant was a tall and handsome younger man compared to him, his features captivating, and yet his aura was that of a skilled fighter. He had no noticeable flaws both on his face or physique, and his mannerisms mimicked those of sophistication.

The halls they were walking passed were similar to those in the military base training rooms. With silence other than their steps, the assistant spoke after reviewing the data he was reading.

"He has improved immensely" he spoke, his tone indifferent nor curious. "He is among the lowest in his division but the remarks from the instructors are favourable."

"Oh, come now Eric, you have seen his footage. What do you think?" Nielson asked, his tone playful and inquisitive.

"Based on what I saw in his simulations, he has a great understanding of Jugtaci even at his level. His potential is great" Eric replied, still with no facial reaction.

Nielson smirked as if he had anticipated the results.

The two gentlemen arrived at a door guarded by two troopers both wearing silver uniforms. As soon as they saw Eric and the baron, they saluted in unison and precision then they cleared away.

Eric took out a card from his pocket and opened the doors. Click!...

Shh!!!...

The door hissed open and before them were dozens of capsules having bodies inside. The two men walked in slowly.

"Everyone out" Eric spoke, his voice was not too strong but all the scientists and monitors immediately flocked out of the room.

Shh!!!...

The door closed behind them as the two men were left alone in the room. Eric led the baron to the capsule that had Wein.

There he was, Wein still sleeping in his capsule unaware of Nielson's watchful gaze.

Nielson smiled when he saw him and stretched his hand out.

"Not too long from now," he said in his voice low, but Eric had heard him and showed no reaction.

"Any news on his past yet?"

"Not yet, my lord. It appears whoever he was had been removed from records by skilled individuals" replied Eric.

"Enough that even a noble's people cannot find them?" inquired Nielson, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Apologise, my lord."

"Have him trained thoroughly but make sure not to damage him" spoke Nielson. He ran his hand on the glass of the capsule as if to touch Wein. "If he dies, there will be hell to pay!"

His tone had determination, it was obvious that Wein was an important person to him.

Why? That was a mystery.

"I will do as you desire my lord" replied Eric as he bowed his head.

"Wein my boy. You are my final gift to the Empire, my final fu…" spoke Nielson while stretching his hand over the glass when he began to cough.

Hghh!!!…hghh!!!…

Eric responded quickly retrieving a handkerchief from his pocket and offering it to Nielson who followed with another round of coughing.

After clearing his throat, he got himself up.

"I don't have enough time," he said, his eyes going to Wein's floating body. "Hurry up,"

He turned to leave, and Eric followed him.

****

After several days of recuperation, all the recruits emerged from their rehabilitation capsules feeling, more refreshed. The experience sharpened their resolve and motivated them for the following training which they knew would be much more challenging.

What followed was months of intense training, the recruits were put through various drills testing their physical endurance, tactical ingenuity, and their ability to adapt under pressure.

Each recruit was assigned a senior trainer to specially look after and turn into an elite soldier, and for Wein that was once again Varon.

These officers documented the recruits training, how much they improved and what level of training was needed. When the recruits grew accustomed and used to certain trainings, the trainers were the one who would tailor new regiments fit for their disciples.

Among the many sessions they now had to go through, the recruits would be paired up and tasked with leading simulated squads through a series of mock battles against each other.

These sessions tested their leadership capabilities along with how well they would analyse terrain and deployment of their troops.

Next came weapons training.

The recruits were introduced to more advanced combat techniques and weapons that far surpassed what they had grown accustomed to. Along with that, they were introduced to the different kinds of weapons available for troopers to use, from big heavy machinery, grenade launchers, sniper guns, etc.

The final lesson was tactics training, where the recruits were thrown into more advanced simulations than from the test, that mirrored real-world combat scenarios, and they had to use their skills to achieve the mission objectives.

These simulations were designed to further expand on the skills they already had and force them to challenge their limits whether their strategic or tactical capabilities.

During these lessons, the days turned to weeks, weeks to months and soon it had been nearly a year.

As the training continued, the focus shifted to more advanced scenarios that the recruits would not even think of. Not only that but it forced them to have increased leadership abilities that they would be able to make decisions hard or simple no matter what.

Through a year of rigorous training, Wein along with the recruits had far surpassed their former selves. No longer were they just recruits but they were soldiers, their aura and physique were similar to those of experienced veterans. Among them were leaders, strategists, and tough soldiers who were ready for the harshest battles: they were now Troopers.