[System reboot in progress]
[...system reboot complete, applying changes to EXP gain]
[EXP changes complete]
[Daily quest: Drink Milk rescinded]
[Daily quest: Physical Training - Rewards 1000 EXP with 10% chance for stat gain]
The two cadets awoke to an alarm blaring at 0500. Arthur immediately noticed his system notifications and asked Strong if he had gotten any as well.
"I got a message stating there was a change to experience points gained. I'm assuming something happened in the pod that initiated the change so we can earn experience while we train here. It's the only thing that makes sense" replied Strong
"Well, let's get ready to test it out shall we?" said Arthur as he put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. They had yet to be issued uniforms being their second day here so he thought they would probably get them in the next couple of days.
Both cadets made a point of making their beds and putting everything away before they walked out of the South wing barracks and onto the grass outside. They noticed a few others standing there waiting so they formed up on them and continued to wait for the rest of the group.
At 0530 on the dot their favorite person, SSG Payne, walked over pushing a large gray cart with a lid on it and called them to attention. Thankfully everyone was in attendance as they could only imagine what they would be doing "waiting" for their comrades.
"Cadets! Listen up! Today I'm going to be introducing you to your new battle buddies. Fall out and make a circle around me!" yelled Payne as he flipped the lid over for everyone to see. The cadets gathered around Payne and saw him take out a large cinder block.
"This is Private Brick! We were fortunate enough for Private Brick to have 29 other brothers and sisters named Brick that wanted to join the academy at the same time. Instead of putting them in their own class, I thought I'd do them a favor and pair each of them with one of you. Take your battle buddy and get back in formation!" Yelled Payne as he stepped back and allowed the cadets to grab their own "Private Brick".
Once in formation they were instructed to put Private Brick on the ground to their right.
"Look here cadets, Private Brick is already trained in the basics. Private Brick! Attention!" yelled Payne. "See here cadets? Private Brick doesn't talk, he doesn't move. Private Brick, front leaning rest, move! You see that cadets? Private Brick can do this allllll day long. He doesn't need rest. For this next year we are going to turn you into Private Brick here. You will take Private Brick where ever you go, to the chow hall, to training, when you use the bathroom. Private Brick is going to be your best friend until you make it through the year. If you do. Private Bricks success will be tied to your own. Don't let the Private down! Do I make myself clear cadets?"
"Sir, yes sir! cried the cadets as they wondered how in the world they would keep their sanity for the next year.
"Repeat after me cadets, this is your new creed for the next year we are here.
"This is my Brick. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My Brick is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My Brick, without me, is useless. Without my Brick, I am useless." Said Payne while he listened to everyone repeat it three times.
"Now that we have that over with, lets get onto the training!" Yelled Payne with a smile on his face. Everyone, Take Private Brick, hold it over your head and follow me on a run to conquer Easy Hill!
Arthur and the rest of the cadets silently groaned, too afraid to make any outside noises that may equate to more punishing physical training.
[Daily quest: Physical Training complete]
[1000 EXP awarded]
[1 strength, 1 stamina point awarded]
"Well, at least it wasn't all for naught" thought Arthur as the group struggled back to the yard outside the south wing barracks. They had all about fell out, the training taking an extra hour to complete because of the one hundred times they had to turn around and pick someone back up in formation up the hill. Arthur's body was screaming at him but the extra stat points he got in strength and stamina were worth it. It would just make the training easier the more he accrued. He wondered if any of the other cadets would get stat points as frequently as he did or if it was a side effect from his unusual system.
"Cadets, take Private Brick and head over to supply. The evaluations came through and your new uniforms are ready for pickup. I expect everyone dressed and ready 5 minutes after chow outside the chow hall" said Payne.
"Sir, yes sir!" cried the cadets, some of them literally holding back tears.
Arthur and Strong picked up their brick which literally felt like they weighed a ton and proceeded to go back to their rooms first. "We need to figure out a way to make a sling for these things so we can move around easier" said Arthur.
"I've got an idea" said Strong as he pulled out a thin blanket from his locker. He proceeded to cut it in half and hand one piece over to Arthur. "Loop it between the two holes in the block and then tie a loop on each end. You'll put your arms through the loops and I can help adjust the tension so we can get them high and tight on our upper backs so they aren't dragging us down."
Both cadets adjusted each others ties and knots and once they were in a good place, or as good as they could be, they left their rooms and went over to supply to pick up their uniforms.
When they entered supply, the same female supply officer from the day before looked them over and laughed as they walked up to the counter. "I see you got paired with Private Brick" she said. "You know, contrary to popular belief, you aren't really helping them. For some reason they never make it past year one and keep getting recycled to the new first years." She laughed when she said this and then held out tablets for the two cadets to sign so they could get their new uniforms.
"Names?" she said. Both cadets replied with their names and she handed them two bags full of uniforms. There were two physical fitness uniforms, three basic combat uniforms and one dress uniform that the cadets would wear on special occasions or during ceremonies.
"Thank you" said Arthur as he took his bag. "Any advice for us during our first year?" He asked.
"Don't lose Private Brick" said the supply officer as she laughed and shooed them away from the desk so she could help the ones behind them.
"Fantastic advice" Arthur mumbled as him and Strong walked back to their rooms to get dressed into their basic combat uniforms.