(M.C.'s Pov)
Instead of sprinting at full speed like most of those around me, I ran at a good pace that could be sustained easily for 5 miles, 'They're going to get gassed after a while...what's the point in trying so hard? She said it was only a warmup.'
As I had predicted, most of the kids ran out of steam fairly quickly. I finished the run first in 17 minutes and 38 seconds.
The next person finished 3 minutes after me. It was a boy with light blue hair who looked a couple of years older than me.
"Alright, WOW...some of you have a VERY rough 3 years ahead of you.", the instructor said, scoffing at the endurance of some of the kids.
She wasn't wrong. The 'Academy' is a 3-year camp designed to improve marine prospects. It didn't guarantee admiral, vice-admiral, or even Captain tier marines, however, the ones who went through the 'academy' have a slight advantage over those who didn't, connections. Sadly the physical advantage dwindles fast as you climb the ranks because nothing compares to talent.
The 'academy' has 3 stages. In the first stage, we train rigorously on some islands they own for a couple of months. Then, we're sent to random marine bases as 'interns' to learn from actual Marines for about 2 years, but usually, no actual training is done. They use the interns for cleaning the quarters and such. Finally, the last stage is our 'graduation', where we come back to the islands for a send-off.
The send-off is a trial; We have around 6 months to land a hit on the Captain. If we manage that then they sign us up for the actual Marines. However, if you fail they send you to a deserted forest island for a week. You have to survive for the week and can challenge again once you're back. If you don't land a hit within the 6 months, you'll still be signed up, but not at a safe/good base.
The 'academy' also has 3 different 'classes' or 'tiers' for students. There are the basic ones, who will be taught on this island by random marines. The second 'tier'/'class' are the intermediate ones, who are taught by the local marine captain. Then there are those in the advanced class, who are taught by a Commodore. The fact they're taught by a Commodore doesn't mean they'll learn more. They might, they might not, but it with the connections.
I saw the drill instructor thinking deeply. She eventually said, "Look, I really don't want to be stuck here for a day or two assessing you fucks into different classes based on whatever criteria the captain's given me. So what I'll do instead is one big physical assessment to see where you'll be placed, because, at the end of the day, strength triumphs all. Some of you already failed because of how shit you did during your warm-up."
She separated the ones who she thought weren't good enough into their own group and handed them over to another instructor. They went to another training field. There were now 20 left.
"Ok, we'll now start the physical assessment. It's a light and easy workout of 500 pushups, 500 sit-ups, 500 squats, 500 pull-ups, and a 50-mile run (~81km). If you finish it, you're part of the advanced class, if not then you're not my problem. The captain will take care of it."
'How the hell is that light and easy? The run alone will take hours!'
『Quest Created』
I wanted to check what the quest was but the blue-haired kid started running, and because I'm a sheep, I followed suit. I would have started with the run anyway as I think it's the most time-consuming, so it's better to get it out of the way first.
As I was running, I opened the quest tab.
『=======
❮Quest: Complete the tasks assigned!❯
‣ 0/500 Pushups
‣ 0/500 Sit-ups
‣ 0/500 Squats
‣ 0/500 Pull-ups
‣ 0/50 Miles
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
Reward(s):
‣ 5 Stat Points
‣ Random Talent
=======』
'A talent? It better be good if I'm running 50 miles for it!'
-1 hour later (12:12 PM)-
〖17/50 Miles〗
I started to get gassed out around mile 13, but I persevered and kept going. I'm sure I could take a minute or two to catch my breath, but that'll be detrimental to my development. Why? Because the more I push myself, the easier it is to get a +1 on Endurance.
〚+1 Endurance〛
Speak of the devil.
The blue-haired kid puked around mile 14, but he is still going; bearly, but his legs are still moving. Everyone else who chose to do the run first has given up.
-1 hour later (1:12 PM)-
〖32/50 Miles〗
Fuck this shit. I'm both physically and mentally exhausted. Running around the training field for what feels like hundreds of times has made me dizzy and lightheaded.
The physical pain in my legs is bearable even though it hurts like a bitch. What I hate more is the mental fatigue of running the same course again and again and again.
The blue-haired kid gave up miles ago. I lapped him a dozen or so times and I could tell that he was getting annoyed by that. I respect him for trying though.
-1 hour later (2:12 PM)-
〖49/50 Miles〗
I hate this so much. Why am I even running? What am I working this hard for? I could easily live a peaceful life with how I am now: my family is rich, I have a gift no one else has, and I have knowledge about the future. What am I gaining from this?
Those were my thoughts as I finished the run.
〖50/50 Miles ✓〗
『Average speed: 16.7 mph (3 min and 36 seconds per mile)』
I finally finished. I collapsed onto the ground and just lied there for a couple of minutes to catch my breath.
After my breathing was regular again, and since I was already on the ground, I started the sit-ups.
〖1/500 Sit-ups〗
〖2/500 Sit-ups〗
〖3/500 Sit-ups〗
-30 minutes later (2:45 PM)-
〖500/500 Sit-ups ✓〗
That was really fucking easy. Yeah, my abs are aching, but it's nothing compared to the run. My morale increased tenfolds after finishing the sit-ups because of how easy it was. I also got a +1 Endurance.
I then moved on to pushups.
〖1/500 Pushups〗
〖2/500 Pushups〗
〖3/500 Pushups〗
-45 minutes later (3:30 PM)-
〖500/500 Pushups ✓〗
It was harder than the sit-ups but still relatively easy. I got a +1 in Strength so my morale was even better than before.
I then moved on to squats.
〖1/500 Squats〗
〖2/500 Squats〗
-30 minutes later (4:00 PM)-
〖500/500 Squats ✓〗
My body is begging me to stop, but I want to finish this workout so badly. I know tomorrow will be a pain with how sore I will be, but I honestly don't care. I also got a +1 in Agility.
After finishing the pushups, I immediately moved on to the pull-ups because I was determined to finish this.
〖1/500 Pull-ups〗
〖2/500 Pull-ups〗
-1 hour later (5:00 PM)-
〖500/500 Pull-ups ✓〗
『Quest Completed!』
『"Claim Reward"』
This one hurt. My muscles were sore from the other activities, so I had to take a break once or twice, but it still hurt a lot. It felt like my arms were going to fall off.
I clicked 'Click Reward'.
『_____________
〔+5 State Points〕
‣ New Talent: 〚Social Butterfly:〛The User naturally gets along with people. Everyone has a positive impression of the User during their first impression.
_____________』
I read the description, 'This can actually be helpful. Always good to have more friends than enemies.'
"Good job, you little shit. You're the first to finish" I heard the drill instructor's voice behind me.
"Thank you. By the way, My name is Marcus-"
"I don't give a fuck what your name is! Just say, 'Thank you, Sergeant!' and go stand over there and wait!" She yelled pointing to where we were standing before the physical assessment.
'I thought it made others like me easier?', I think she could tell I was annoyed by her rude response because she looked at me with the 'what the fuck you gonna do about it' look.
I composed myself, gave her a nice smile, and said, "Thank you, Sergeant." Before walking to where she pointed me.
Only 5 out of the 20 completed it. The drill instructor faced us and said, "Congratulations. You 5 are now a part of the advanced group. You've all shown me you're not worthless. Go say goodbye to your parents and come back to this spot. We're heading to the training islands right away."
We all looked at each other confused, "Sorry, what?"
"You won't see them for the duration of the training, so 3 years." She replied, "It was part of the agreement your parents signed. Both you and your parents should have been informed again during the interview if you didn't read the agreement form."
None of us knew about it, or at least I didn't know about it.
The door opened. Lots of adults swarmed into the training ground. I saw Mrs. Harumi and walked over to her.
"How'd it go?" She asked
"I got into the advanced class."
"Good. That means you'll become a strong and high ranking marine quicker."
"Yeah." I don't think that's how it works, but sure.
She lowered herself to my level, "I'm going to need you to be strong quickly, Marcus. Your father's business depends on it. Learn as much as you can, as fast as you can. I trust you."
The manner in which she said it made a nervous. Why would me becoming a strong marine help with our businesses? But I don't want to betray her trust and faith in me.
"I'll do my best."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a rectangular box, "This is a gift from uncle Ryan."
She handed it to me. I opened it; it was a pistol with ammunition.
"Keep it in the box and don't show it to anyone."
"Why do I?" I looked at her stern face, "Ok."
"He said that ammunition is special so don't use it against a random person." She said pointing to the one the far right.
"Tell him I said thank you."
"Ok, good luck." She left.
I headed back to the instructor.
"That was awfully quick, boy." She said, "First to finish the warm-up, the assessment, and now this. That's good, but there are some things you shouldn't aim to be first in."
I did what I did earlier. I looked at her, smiled, and said, "Thank you for your advice, Sargent. I'll make sure to keep that in mind for next time."
She looked at me blankly, then at what I was holding, "What's in it?"
"My mom gave it to me."
"I'm going to need to see what's inside."
I tried to persuade her not to, but she took it from my hand and looked inside.
"You're a Cantù? Why the fuck didn't you tell me earlier?" She hurriedly handed it back to me.
"I tried to say my name earlier but you told me that you don't care."
"Hmm. I apologize about the way I acted. Please make sure to keep it in the box until I say otherwise."
"Okay."
The other 4 eventually arrived.
We followed her into the ship that takes us to the islands. She showed us to our quarter, which was very small. There was only one room with 2 bunk beds.
After we were shown our room, the instructor brought us down to eat, "This is the first and last time you're getting a free meal. From today onwards you'll have to work for it."
The chef had prepared us a simple chicken alfredo. It was decent.
"Go clean yourselves and then sleep. You have a very difficult day ahead of you tomorrow."
We took turns showering and then went to bed.
I played around with the system setting while lying in bed. I set the alarm function of the system to 6:00 AM.
Four of us chatted and got to know a lot about each other. Well I already knew one of them, William.
The other 2 were Alex Oryil, the blue haired kid, and Taio F. Odder, the most normal person I've ever met. He's just there.
The other person was a girl who didn't talk. She kept doing hand signs whenever anyone asked her a question. She must not know justu's don't exist in One Piece.
We eventually stopped talking and tried to sleep, 'Tomorrow is going to hurt like a bitch, I already know it'
...
Author's Note:
『_________________________
Name: Marcus Cantù
Race: 1/2 Fishman, 1/2 Human
Age: 8
Level: 1 (72/100)
____
‣ Str: 11
‣ End: 12
‣ Agi: 8
‣ Int: 9
‣ Chr: 12
‣ Luk: 10
____
〔Stat points: 11〕
_________________________』
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p.s: Hope you have a great day...or night.