I went back to the bunkhouse and seen both Fes and Hes fast asleep in the bunks with no sign of Richard. It wasn't quite sundown but I was still tired after my practice and also decided to get some shut-eye.
The sun rose on the last day that we had before training started for real. Today was the day we got our last 2 bunkmates Sergeant Kace informed me and asked that I guide them around for more tours as I had done for Fes and Hes. Kace only smirked at me when I asked who the last two were "Oh you will find out soon enough boy." was all he said before he dismissed us after roll call at the training yard.
'what was that about' i wondered before I meant back to training with the unarmed forms I had been learning and I tried to follow the advice Sergeant Kace had given me beforehand to do the form properly.
Close to midday, Sergeant Kace found me in the training yard, but he didn't arrive with only two people he was joined by Commander Harriot a couple of other sergeants as well as a few trainees that followed in the group's shadow.
I quickly came to attention and saluted Commander Harriot as I bowed to the group with my fist still on my heart in proper form for a trainee," Good day Commander Harriot". I said still bowed
"oh enough of that Bruni, Training hasn't even started so for today let's drop the formalities if you will," she said as she waved at the trainees to approach from the back of the group. She pulled a girl same age as me in front of her while pulling down her cloak hood and said " This is my daughter Hazel and her close friend Bell, they will be your last 2 bunkmates."
I just stared at Commander Harriot in disbelief at what she had said. Her daughter? What the hell?! it took me a second to respond. "Umm.... yes Ma'am," I said and shut my mouth before I made a blunder that I would regret.
Commander started to laugh slightly in bemusement before explaining further, "yes all Bunkhouses are mixed between both sexes, didn't you wonder why each bunkhouse had 2 separate bathrooms? One is for the female population of Mages that eat, sleep and train as a group with everyone else and the other is of course for the boys," she said with a smirk
" I see ma'am," I said as I started to frown don't they expect problems to rise up? A bunch of hormonal teenagers living under the same roof, what could possibly go wrong.
"I just wanted to come to have a friendly chat with you before I drop off my little girls," she said with love in her eyes as she gazed at Hazel and bell. she looked at me after that with steel in her eyes and a glare on her face, "If I hear about ANY foul play, I will castrate you by fire in front of the whole outpost, do I make myself clear Bruni?"
"yes Ma'am!" I responded instantly as I started to fear for my life. Yet again I had to ask myself 'What the hell was I getting myself into!'
Once I had settled my nerves I finally looked up at the Commander again "How can I help you, ma'am. I don't think you came here to introduce me to your daughter." I asked with respect.
At this one of the sergeants snorted behind the Commander as he came forward and confronted me out of nowhere " who do you think you are, asking questions of the Commander! Know your place peasant!" The extremely rude man said as he came to stand in front of me.
He was Sergeant Everheart I found out later that he was the second son of some self-important noble and he didn't quite lose his snobbish upbringing after he made it through basic training it seemed.
At this, Sergeant Kace just shook his head at the man before taking a step forward to intervene in what was bound to happen.
He stopped once The commander made a discrete wave to stop him from stopping yet another fight, both were aware of how angry Bruni could get at any perceived insult to his mother as implying that he was a peasant was as good as calling his mother a peasant and she was a journeyman weaver and a good one at that so the insult hit extra hard and stroked the flames inside my soul even hotter than usual.
Fire flew out of my hair in true Firemage fashion once again in reaction to my anger. The sudden usage of magic made the offending Sergent take a step back before he remembered he had insulted only an untrained mage and couldn't lose face in front of the Commander so he prepared to teach the insolent firemage his place as he also started to gather his mana but before he could call any forth I was standing not a foot away from him and I was already swinging my hand towards his ribs in a jab that looked almost exactly like the first form of unarmed combat.
Fire wreathed my arm and started to twist up my body from my waist into my shoulder and down to my wrist as my hand made contact against the side of the man's metal breastplate sending him flying. When he finally stopped rolling I dashed at him to see if I could finish the man before he got up but as I got halfway to the man, Commander Harriot blocked my way with a grim smile on her face.
"Looks like I'm going to have to recommend someone teach you the real Fire Fist forms before you kill someone when you only mean to hurt them," she said as I got a look at Sergeant Everheart. He was coughing up mouthfuls of blood while curled in a ball on the ground as another Sergent was trying to take off the deformed breastplate that was hindering the downed man from breathing properly.
"I REALLY need to learn to control my emotions," I said out loud
At this Commander Harriot just laughed at this without a shred of pity on her face as she stared at the overstepping sergeant.