Closing the zipper that stored every belonging he was supposed to bring, Cesar readied himself. He wore the dark navy blue uniform of the academy and a dark blue dixie cup above his head.
Looking dignified and formal in the mirror, Cesar grabs the case and strolls towards the exit of his room. Once he was outside, he went straight to the academy entrance, the same place where countless new first-years he saw a month ago first came in.
That's how their squad, the first cohort to be sent from the fourth year, was also going.
After a while, Cesar saw five more figures standing at the hall's entrance. Four of them had each baggage they carried while the person in charge of their departure was present which is no other than Arnold, the headmaster.
"Now we only wait for Jacqueline. Why does she always can't take five minutes early for once, huh? She's actually always like this…"
Arnold shook his head as he watched Cesar patiently standing in his position. The rest brought their attention back to the front where they couldn't feel disconnected, knowing this would be the first time in three or so years they'd be stepping out once more.
They reminisced about how they started and how they were going now. All they could see was they definitely changed. As for whether it was a bad or good change, only themselves could know it.
Suddenly, an academy van made out of smooth alloy that had the ability to camouflage made its way to the front road where all six of the people present were watching. It stopped and a person clad in dark green uniform greeted them.
"Commander Arnold!"
The man respectfully saluted to Arnold, who merely waved his hand with a chuckle, "At ease, soldier. Though let me remind you again, we're not on a site any longer. Instead of commander, just call me instructor, Sergeant Alms,"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
Sergeant Alms cast a glance at the first group of cadets and respectfully brought his hand down doing the salutation. With a light cough, he continued.
"I was informed that there'll be six students being deployed. Are we perhaps wrong or only waiting for the last person to come?"
"We're definitely waiting for someone. Don't worry, she had every right to be. She's the top after all." Arnold slowly let out a crooked smile, "However, that's all she gets. If she wasn't doing her job on the expedition, please report it directly to me. I'll get her to renew her and straightly change her for the better,"
Just right after he was done talking, Jacqueline walked outside the corridor holding a rectangular case in her hand. Wearing a dixie cup the same as others, she went on her group with a confident gait.
Bringing her hat down, revealing her neatly braided hair, Jacqueline nodded once, "I think we're ready,"
…
Putting their baggage at the back of the van, everyone settled down on their seats. Aside from Sergeant Alms, there was another person in front of the van that seated right beside him. The only difference between Alms and the mysterious person was he was wearing the uniform for the Nightmare Corps.
Cesar found himself placed at the very back of the seats just right in front of their baggage, sitting in between the twins, Joshua and Nike. On their front were the other three of their squad with Jacqueline sitting in the middle, Quentin on her left with Reyna on her right.
Cesar could see the van moving steadily, traversing through the large expanse of the resisting academy. They had been moving very calmly as their ride didn't appear to be bumpy.
On the other hand, they thought it would take a few minutes to be out of the academy premises yet they were entirely wrong. Remembering that it would take a few hours from going to one place from another inside its area, it's obvious that the way outside will take that much time to do so.
"So, I was informed the first batch of the deployed students will be you guys." Alms raised up a conversation in a friendly tone before chuckling, "I wanted to hear if you're nervous,"
As if this question was directed to the leader of the cohort, the heads turned in one direction, towards Cesar who blankly stared at them. Cesar even saw that the mysterious person beside Alms was also looking at him through the front windshield.
Coming up with a reply to give, Cesar answered, "I don't know if this is a trick question to make us say that we're indeed nervous but honestly, we're feeling confident. Yes, this is our first time going out as a team. Honestly, the last few days of practicing our synergy isn't enough to make me fully completely say we're good to go but it's different if we're talking about individual performances,"
Cesar paused, "If we can continue performing to the best of our capabilities, then there's nothing nervous to be worried about, I guess."
Alms was silent for a moment before the man beside him suddenly let out a chuckle as he answered.
"Don't worry, the question looks like a trick question that will make everyone say they're nervous and start breaking down. We don't have time for such antics," The man paused as he stopped chuckling, "I mean, if you're nervous, better bring you back to Arnold, noh?"
The mysterious man finally moved and curiously looked behind, "Hello promising students, my name is Corporal Chin. I'm one of the few Nightmare Corps that will be guiding you through the City of Wheels. You see, after I was done with my previous task, I was tasked to retrieve the batch of students coming with me to see the case altogether since our roads intersected with each other. A pleasure to meet you,"
Corporal Chin had a round face wearing small circular glasses hanging on his nose. He had a very amiable face though his gaze had a glint of dangerousness within them.
Everyone from the Nightmare Corps that Cesar had met was mysterious hence he wasn't surprised any further nor will he get surprised in the future.
'These people are really talented wretches… Wretches, I wonder why they are called like that. Like truthfully…'
Soon, the cohorts introduced themselves one by one, expressing whatever came from their mouth in a friendly tone with a mix of respect. The van had undone its camouflage for a moment to mix themselves with cars and vehicles on the road since they weren't out yet from the academy.
Knowing that such a valuable piece of utility had to be conserved since they'll be riding it for most of the time until they were in their designated area, it's better to keep it unused and keep it a hundred percent working.
'Though I'm confused why they had to use it when we're exiting out from the main academy's grounds. If we're thinking about efficiency, wouldn't it be better to do it right outside its walls?'
After the group had introduced themselves, Corporal Chin suddenly raised a question of his own, making others put their attention to him.
"So what's the feeling of leaving the academy after being cooped up in here for over three years?"
Jacqueline gave her opinion that she didn't mind nor did she care.
"I'm good,"
Her answer had a bit of similarity to Reyna who expressed that the academy is some sort of responsibility brought down from her family which is mandatory to have.
"I'll become an heiress of the best bank company in the world. My life is pretty secure at this point. If that doesn't work, I'll continue being in here, probably enlisting in the army where we'll be sent from mission over and over again."
Leaving it or being sent to mission will likely be what's going to occur from time to time which she's willing to adjust. She didn't care what comes next.
Quentin solemnly felt becoming 'homesick'. He grew attached to the academy that it was his 'safe zone' where he could live freely without being worried in the world.
"I've thought about it hard. When I'm old enough, I'll become a teacher at this school,"
When Quentin spoke about it with conviction, the cohort became surprised. Alms and Chin gave their utmost sentiment and support to his goal.
"We're just glad to be here,"
"Yeah,"
The twins expressed that they'll be ready to face the challenges and do it with extreme perfection knowing they have each other's backs. As for their future plans, it was to return back to their hometown and live there peacefully.
Cesar, upon careful deliberation, finally managed to answer after a few seconds of being stared at by everyone.
"It feels unreal. Though it is to be expected. We're not going to be always at our comfort zone. But I guess we just had to prepare for the future," Cesar paused as he cast a glance to Quentin, "By the way, it's not called a safe zone. That's a comfort zone, Quentin,"
Quentin shifted his attention with a hateful expression before pointing his middle finger at him which made Alms giggle and everyone chuckling.
The last thing they knew, they were out of the academy's safe walls.