Whispering was already heard throughout the place when Dreigh started to walk towards the Captain. He stopped and stood straight in front of the man without speaking. His identity was widely spread among the people of Westdenn, and more prominently with the remnants. They were curious to see what he can do since they can't solely rely on stories.
"Name?" Captain Corven asked while eyeing the young man before him. He noticed the attention this young man gathered by just walking up to him. Corven would like to know what caused this sudden change in the atmosphere.
"Dreigh Straut," he answered without a flinch. Corven nodded, from his observation most of the remnants in this place showed no fear which in his opinion was not good news since it would be difficult for them to control them.
"Age?" Corven continued to ask without even a hint of what he was thinking.
"21."
"Ability?"
"I can move things without touching them," Dreigh gave a short answer. He would not easily disclose the whole truth behind his ability just in case he needed a trick upon his sleeve in a matter of life and death situation.
Captain Corven looked at him with a frown. He could feel that there was something more about this young man but he can't tell what he was thinking. Like the other remnants, this one was good at concealing his thoughts. As he continued to observe, he noticed that most of these people had serious attitude problems.
"Okay, show it. Let's see if it can be useful." The captain gestured for him to show this ability he had. Dreigh didn't hesitate and raised his hand.
With an upward gesture, the stone bench beside the dried-up fountain in the plaza was lifted in the air. Dreigh moved his hand from left to right and the bench also moved towards those directions. With a downward motion, the bench fell with a thud and created a dent on the stone ground. Even the stone bench was reduced to pieces with the force of the impact.
Captain Corven sighed, these remnants can be considered monsters. This kind of power will definitely have a great impact on the outcome of any battlefield. Even though the origin of these abilities was still unknown, people came to accept that there are people who existed with these kinds of different abilities.
After all remnants on the plaza were accounted for, several carriages were sent to pick up the remnants. The ride to the military institute was uneventful, no one was willing to talk with one another. It took them about five hours to reach the Opacus Mountains which was located on the northern most of Glasfale. It was a bit secluded and was very far from any cities or towns inside Glasfale.
This place was formerly a stronghold of the northern Glasfale forces but was then later abandoned because the troops moved to the border. One by one, they got down from the carriages and stared at the looming walls in front of them. It felt like they were entering prison with all the guards stationed on top of the high walls.
"Carriages are not allowed inside. Walk and follow us inside, be reminded that your every move in this place will be watched." Captain Corven didn't care what they would think about him, all he cared about was to finish this job and return to his regular post. Inside the place was even more depressing, the gloominess was palpable in every corner of the institute.
The group reached an open space where other remnants from other parts of Glasfale were also waiting. After they found their place, Captain Corven left with the members of the fifth battalion. A man in a deep red uniform lined with gold and silver stood straight in front with his hands on his back giving them a sweep with his eyes. Behind him were some other people, which were presumably Captains from different battalions of the army.
"Silence!" The man before them bellowed which caused stillness among the crowd. To see this kind of powerful authority can be considered lucky but Dreigh thought that not one of them was impressed with those people in front.
He felt that most of the remnants gathered in this place developed self-confidence and arrogance because of their abilities. Most consider themselves as more superior than the common people and they consider the people in front as common.
"You are here today to give service to your country-"
"More like forced labor," a man from the crowd snickered and some of the people around him also laughed which interrupted the talking man before them.
"Silence! Don't think that because you are people with abilities, we will not be able to deal with you. Remember this, we are more experienced than you. We have taken down countless enemies on the battlefield, even beasts fear us, so do be careful." The man warned but the crowd was obviously not convinced but they remained silent.
They feigned listening to the ramblings of the man and didn't take it to heart. Dreigh observed his fellow and saw that none of them was paying attention to the person in front. Captain Corven also noticed this but he chose to stay silent until the man was done speaking.
After the speech, they were immediately led to their quarters and was instructed to rest for the rest of the day. They were also told to be on the training grounds before the sun rises the next day. Dreigh found himself roomed with three other people inside a decently sized room. The room was equipped with two double-decked beds and a large closet that the four of them will be sharing. A small table was in the middle of the room presumably for putting their things on. Beside each bed was a small dresser with lamps on it.
They each took a bed and relaxed for a bit. "So from where are you all from?" A lanky man with shoulder-length hair broke the silence.
"I'm from Westdenn, Dreigh Straut," Dreigh answered first.
"I'm from Falhalm, east of Glasfale, I'm Rond Ruid," the man on the top bed above the one who asked answered.
"Vira Asfer, from the capital city Kuein." The last one of them introduced himself.
"Wow, I'm also from Westdenn, Endo Cleyton at your service." The one who asked also introduced himself. "I've never been to the capital, so how is it like there?"
"Nothing special, it's just a place where most of the soldiers loiter around," Vira shrugged, his deep blue eyes were showing dislike while talking about the place he came from.
"That was unexpected, I never knew someone can hate their hometown," Endo was taken aback by the way Vira described the capital. If it was like that then he was lucky not to be born in that place.
"Even though they say Kuein is the capital, in reality, it is a place owned by the military. They could do whatever they want in that place and ordinary people can't move without their moves being monitored, it was more like this place." Vira didn't hold back and continued to say bad things about Kuein. "The moment I entered this place, I already had the same feeling as I have while I was living in the capital city. I'm really unlucky to come here and experience this again." He can't help but complain. He thought that coming here would at least change the atmosphere but he was utterly wrong. The only thing that changed was that he was now together with people who are on the same boat as him.
"My father has also talked about the capital, it was the same as what Vira had said. Every corner of that place was filled with soldiers, according to my father," Rond added. It was the reason why he never wished or joined his father during his travels to that city.
"Thank you for that information," Dreigh spoke. "I wanted to go to the capital but now, I'll be thinking again."
"Okay, okay, enough of this depressing talks. Why don't we just go out and tour the place," Endo suggested. The four of them left their room and walked around the institute. They saw a lot of buildings and different grounds where they would be training. They also saw some remnants who were also exploring. The place also had its dining area where cooks would prepare the food for them. The institute was wide and spacious, very convenient for training new soldiers.
This military institute also had its vegetable garden and a place where anyone can relax. It can be seen from the surrounding that the construction of this place was well thought. Natural barriers also surround the place, very good for keeping someone in and keeping the enemies from coming in.
"This place is huge," Endo exclaimed in amazement at all the things they had seen.
They spent a lot of money in this place because they wanted people to believe that this institute was good. For all they know, this appearance might just be a disguise.