The curriculum for first years was not too different from the ones they received during the adjustment period. Math, history, science, and physical training courses were held.
Ark worked hard to erase any national patriotism from the children to the best of the abilities.
The psyker soldiers of the Ark were humanity's shield and spear. This was not a place to develop special weapons of mass destruction for any particular country.
However, following the Second Wave of Aggression, countries around the world continued to scheme while calculating these psykers into their war plans.
Ding.
Han's data bracelet vibrated. Han turned on the hologram function. He saw a message had arrived.
"Open."
The message was from Major Kang. It was a group photo of everyone from the orphanage.
-I heard you've succeeded passing the adjustment period. First, let me congratulate you. As promised, we're looking after your younger siblings well. They are receiving the best education that is normally meant for only the rich. They are being given nice clothes and food as well. I will continue to pray for your good luck. Next time, I shall send a recorded video clip of each child.
He listened to Major Kang's audio message. As he had said, his younger siblings faces were much rounder than before. They no longer looked pale and lifeless, but bright with joy.
"So they're doing well."
Han mumbled quietly.
Seeing his younger siblings looking healthy eased his heart. They were not blood related, but they were equally important to him.
Major Kang had kept his promise. As long as Han provided good results, Major Kang would provide better funds.
The government held fostering psykers of their own with utmost importance.
'I will climb the ranks.'
Han felt no national pride nor responsibility for humanity. He simply had his own personal reasons for working hard.
"His unique skill is in telekinesis psychic skills. He has the common ignition skill, however, there are those able to use blink teleportation skills. There are a total of 52 formally recognized skills. Depending on the unique skills, they will be sent to different military branches. The same thing applies to any skills that are of the same family. For example, those with the power to look into the far future will automatically be admitted into the Central Command division. However, those who can predict the immediate future would be put onto the front lines."
Han and the new transfers listened with focus. All the while, the remaining class D students who had listened to this same speech many times over sat completely apathetic.
"What happens when one has no unique skills?"
"Anyway, unique skills are nothing more than a single weapon. We consider ourselves lucky to have another weapon at hand. Of course this is very useful, however everyone's main weapons will be your psyker gear. Being unable to develop unique skills does not disqualify you from becoming a part of the psychic military forces."
The children of low psychic ranking heaved a sigh of relief. The lower one's rank, the less likely it is that they would develop a unique skill.
Han took down notes by hand. Han had always worked harder during classes than the rest of his peers.
The training course was hell and fatigue overwhelmed him, but he had never received formal training or education of any sort; therefore, he had to work many times harder to see the same results as his peers.
Han felt so drowsy as he walked. The Ark had many complicated facilities and it made the trip in between different courses that much longer.
"Don't fall asleep, Han."
BAM!
Sergeant Red kicked Han.
Han tumbled forward onto the ground. It had been a merciless kick. The small body of a child had flown through the air from the kick.
"Cough, Cough."
Han heaved erratic, fatigued breaths.
"If you want to sleep, you can sleep as much as you want at home. Understood, you brats?"
Sergeant Red shouted ruthless curses. The sleepy children's eyes snapped awake once again.
Amongst the drill instructors in the Ark, Sergeant Red was one of the worst tempered. He never overlooked anything, he drove the students into the corner with his cruel nature.
He's been the most hated among students.
"I'm sorry."
Han replied shortly and joined the group once again. He felt Sergeant Red's prickling glare from the back of his head.
The next training grounds were at the military gymnasium. Training dummies and equipment were hung around the wall.
"The next course will be weapon drills."
A Caucasian drill instructor stood inside the gym. The badge on his chest had his name, Chen engraved onto it. He was a man with a stocky build.
"Drill Instructor Wei, these are today's transfers."
Jose stood in attention and spoke. Instructor Wei nodded and took two of the weapons hanging on the wall.
Fwish!
Instructor Wei caused strong wind from just spinning his spear and sword. It looked showy like from the martial arts movies.
He easily proceeded to show an example of some moves and looked to the students.
"My name is Wei Chen. I'm a weapon martial arts specialist. I'm sure there are many here confused as to why we must learn to wield classic cold weapons when we have psychic powers. Cold weapons had disappeared from the war scenes since long ago, but the reason you must learn is because these will be your psychic gears."
Instructor Wei projected his hologram bigger. Many weapons of ivory color were projected. It looked like swords made of bones of some sort.
"These are weapons made from dragon bones and fangs. No materials from Earth can harness psychic energies. However, dragon leather and bones will respond to psychic energies and even transmit psychic energies. Weapons created of dragons are fatal against dragons themselves. You will need to master these types of weapons so that you can use them like they're your second limb. Any questions?"
Instructor Wei was short and concise with this commands.
"How were dragons killed before these weapon were made?"
"That's a good question. The answer is hand-to-hand combat. In order to kill a single dragon, hundreds of psykers were sacrificed. Of course, the psykers back in the day were merely a little stronger than regular, common soldiers. Only a minority of psykers had the ability to give critical damage, the remaining psykers were used as meat shields. When the first dragon was killed about 500 psykers were sacrificed. When the second dragon was killed, 200. Upon the third dragon, 100. Only from the sacrifices of your seniors were we able to compile the data to kill the seventh dragon with only two casualties."