A man knelt on the floor, tying his shoelaces with a look of determination behind his glasses. As he stood up, he turned to the woman in the hallway.
"Mom, call Varg. I'm getting late; I have to go."
From a closed room, a voice emerged, shaky and filled with anguish. "But why is he leaving now? He promised to celebrate my birthday with me. It's just three days away! Why does he have to go?" Varg's voice cracked with tears.
"Oh, dear," his mother said softly.
"Can't you stay just three more days until my birthday?" she pleaded.
"No, Mom," the man replied, his expression grave. "The fog is thickening near the border. All the units are being called back as fast as they can."
A figure stepped out of the shadows—it was Varg's father. "Varg, come out. Your brother is leaving. Be respectful; he's sad too, but he has to go."
With tears streaming down his face, Varg slowly emerged from his room, standing between his parents, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"I know your birthday is coming, and you're heading to the Badger Academy afterward," his brother said, kneeling to meet Varg's eyes. "But I have to fulfill my duties to protect our nation. I promise I'll come back to see you."
Varg remained silent, lost in his sorrow.
"Listen, Varg," his brother continued, "things don't always go as planned. But remember, we can still find strength in our solitude. And when we meet again, you'd better beat me in arm wrestling."
With a heavy heart, he added, "I left your present in your room. You should check it."
As he stepped outside, a bus pulled up, and he boarded without looking back.
Varg awoke with a start in the institute infirmary, tears still glistening in his eyes. "Shit, my head hurts," he muttered, recalling the blow from that teacher. "I thought I could survive, but then I fell. I need to get stronger—for my brother's sake."
As he contemplated his resolve, he noticed his bracelet glowing. "Oh, it's glowing!" he exclaimed, touching it. A screen flickered to life, displaying: Fallen: 46. Survived: 7.
Shocked, he realized only seven had made it through. "This academy is going to be tough."
"I need to get to class before the second lecture starts," he said, heading toward the door. Just then, a voice called out, "Hey, wait, you piggy!"