They were gathered into their designated class line. The children who had spent the past three weeks together looked to each other with sad eyes.
Simon was alone in transferring into class A, 4 people into class B, while the rest were gathered into classes C and D.
There were many students who were in class D along with Han.
"It doesn't make sense that Kuro is in class B while Han is in class D."
The drill instructor spoke looking to the chattering children. The instructors understood the children's true thoughts behind the children's words.
Kuro was only able to withstand the past three weeks due to Han's help. In reality, Han had to work 1.5x a person's worth of training.
"If he has true talent, he will be promoted soon enough. He has low psychic talent so it is natural for him to be in class D."
"If Han's psychic talent was average he would have been easily placed into class B or A."
"The most important factor is psychic powers. We don't need human power, we need psykers."
Han passed the instructor's falling gaze and marched into the class D's dormitory. The other children looked nervous.
"Welcome to class D. I'm the class president, Jose. Just call me President, or just Jose is fine."
A young youth sporting a healthy tan spoke from the dormitory.
Class presidents were given bonus points that would be added to allow earlier transfers to the next class over. In turn, they had the responsibility of handling all the trifling matters. Each class already had a set of rules that had been formed naturally through time.
"Your places have already been assigned. Check your data bracelet's holograms. The dormitory cleaning has always been handled by the new transfers. You understand what I'm saying, right? Other than that, there should be nothing others can discriminate against you for. As long as you work hard, you'll be transferred up. Any questions?"
Jose eloquently spoke. He looked to be the same age as the new transfers but spoke like an older brother.
"No."
Han had been the spokesman for the group of transfers.
He had tacitly become the spokesman for the group of new transfers to class D. Han's grades was the most outstanding, and most of all, he had the charisma to lead others.
"Good, you become the temporary head for now. Han."
Jose was able to quickly evaluate the situation between the new transfers.
"Head?"
"It's not an official position, but it was made for smoother organization. Until the first year new transfers get settled in, you will be the head to lead everyone. After everyone settles, this position becomes pointless. However, the drill instructors are also aware of this system so you will be able to get bonus points for yourself."
Han thought for a moment and nodded. There was no reason to reject an opportunity to score more points.
"Okay."
Jose patted Han's back and went on his way.
Han walked to his assigned bed. Many eyes followed Han.
First year class D totaled about 90.
Everyone understood they were all rivals without any exchange of words. You must be acknowledged as an A rank in order to graduate into year two.
'This is finally the start.'
Han mumbled to himself. He viewed this as a chance.
The morning started with a running drill. They had to go to the military training grounds and run laps. They could see their high-ranked peers in the far distance.
"They're our age?"
Han's eyes also grew large in surprise. It was his first time seeing his seniors.
His seniors were tall and muscular, dressed in uniform. Their physical bodies were no different from adults.
A few were taller than many adults. Their faces still had childishness to them, but nobody would assume them to be in their early teens.
"So interesting, right?"
Jose stood next to Han. Jose was the president of class D. He spoke as if he were mentoring someone.
"The second years are administered drugs. They mature exponentially faster. Did you forget? In three years we have to wage war against the dragons. The adults won't wait for us to mature naturally."
Han felt psychologically repulsed. They had been forced to become adults. Teens in their early 10s had been turned into adults through drugs.
However, humanity had no choice. Though Psykers had unique powers, physical strength was also required to use them. It was impossible to fight a war in a child's body.
"But still, this is…"
The children complained amongst themselves.
"Nobody is forcing you; you have the option to retire." Jose spoke with a cold laugh.
Their seniors sprinted around the track inhumanly fast. They promptly went to the shower room first and came out while showing off their burly tan bodies.
"Not bad."
Han mumbled to himself. Jose looked towards Han.
"What's not bad?"
"I always hoped to quickly become an adult. Nobody was generous to me just because I was a child back home."
Jose burst out laughing loudly.
"Aah, you're from Korea, right?"
Korea had been one of the first countries to be hit in the first wave of aggression and thus had suffered the most casualties.
Out of the six dimensional gates, one had opened in Siniju of North Korea.
The dragons that appeared in Siniju divided into two groups before invading China and Korea.
The North ruthlessly fired their nuclear bombs, but it had been useless. On the contrary, it had made North Korea a land of death.
The citizens of North Korea fled in large scales for refuge across the cease fire border between the North and South. The North Korean government was no more. South Korea accepted all northern refugees and had to defend against the invading dragons all at the same time.
"I don't need such a thing like a childhood. It's more important to survive."
Malice reflected Han's eyes.
The orphanage that had been his home had filed for bankruptcy. The director who had been under a mountain of debt ran away late in the night, leaving all the residing children homeless.
There was no such thing as government aid.
'I had to compete against adults all of my life.'
Han used his small body to his advantage to steal food, but homeless vagrants would frequently attack small children to snatch their food.
Han's normal life had always been this way. He was never protected by the law nor human rights.
"Work hard, rookie."
Jose said while blankly looking toward Han.