After resting for fifteen minutes, we six were taken to another ground. A single target is placed there, but there are neither guns nor any arrows here.
"This time every one of you will be given a shuriken." (Throwing stars or ninja blades)
The general made sure we six had heard him loud and clear, even only when some of us knew what they were.
We were all given those blades. I looked up to see others' expressions, but all of them had their heads lowered, looking at the blades in their hands. I guess they haven't ever aimed at it before. That's why maybe those 'don't know' expressions.
General: "Come aim and throw them at the target."
None of us moved.
"Don't any of you have guts or confidence in your abilities?" He shouted for volume.
Still, no one moved.
I had confidence in my abilities, but that didn't mean I wanted to show them off in front of everyone.
Especially not in front of him.
"Rosen, step out."
Why did this happen?
I was trying my best to stay unnoticed, and here he was, specifically calling me out.
I stepped forward, though I really didn't want to. And then, to make things worse, why was he coming toward me?
Please, stay where you are.
"Why are you trying to hide your talents?" he whispered, his voice low enough for only me to hear.
Again, a question I had no answer for.
Why did this guy always have to ask questions I didn't know how to answer?
I moved toward the center of the training ground. The target was a few meters away, probably around ten.
The blade rested firmly in my right hand.
Everything was in place.
I drew my arm back, gathering my strength, then threw the blade toward the target with all the force I could manage.
The blade cut through the air and flew straight toward its mark.
Bullseye~
Riley Shade looked a little too excited, but after having a clash with the general's eyes, he made a face as if he had never made a single sound.
That look was an appraisal. What is his problem? I really feel slight sympathy for Riley for taking that glare.
I had done my work, so now I was looking for a spot to sit. After a little searching, I am finally able to find a comfortable spot for myself.
I sat down and closed my eyes.
I really miss home.
I miss my brother.
Why can't this whole thing just end quickly? Well, only a month is left for now. After that, not only me, but all of us will get a week-long holiday.
There aren't many days left.
Soon, I'll be able to see them again.
The thought alone brought a small smile to my face.
"Why are you smiling?" the General asked.
My smile froze. I came back from my euphoria and looked at him with a certain gaze as he sat beside me.
"What's with the look?"
Rose, calm down. You don't want to lose your temper at him. It'll just be a waste.
"Still angry at what I said."
You bet.
"Okay. I won't kill him. Now, at least talk to me."
He sounded almost compliant.
Looks like he had already put his weapons down.
Wow. All it took was a little silent treatment. Nice.
"You wouldn't even be able to put a finger on him," I shot back immediately.
He scooted closer. "Really? Can he stand against me?"
I scoffed, "Who said that he'll be standing against you?"
"If not him, then who, his bodyguards?"
Yes. Of course his bodyguard is me.
"Yes, you'll get to face a bodyguard of his."
"Oh. I'm scared. Wait, should I even be scared?" he said, trying to make his tone sound serious.
He paused.
He was definitely laughing on the inside. He probably had no idea how frightening I could be when it came to fighting.
"Tell me, have you seen this bodyguard of his?"
His face was close to mine, but I didn't feel the need to move my head back.
What was he thinking?
I was starting to get suspicious, but he clearly didn't know enough to put my mind at ease.
"Yes, I've seen him. Quite a lot, actually."
He smiled at me, though I had no idea why.
"Then who do you think would win if I got into a fight with him?"
That was a difficult one to answer. If I were being honest, I'd say it might end in a tie. But he had far more merit than I did, so, sadly, he might have the upper hand.
Still, I wasn't about to give him that satisfaction.
"I don't know."
"Okay. Then tell me whose physique is better."
Why did he suddenly sound so excited about this?
Sadly, yours.
"Yours." I rolled my eyes.
"Who is better-looking?"
He leaned closer as he asked, closing the already small distance between us.
This time, he came close enough that I actually had to turn my head away a little.
Was this some kind of interrogation, or had he simply decided to make my life difficult?
"Rosen's bodyguard."
Ha ha.
I added, "But his bodyguard is not as good-looking as he is. Rosen's perfect."
I looked up at him, and yes, that sentence of mine had definitely ruined whatever charming mood he had been in.
Maybe if I kept talking to him like this, he'd eventually maintain a proper distance from me.
He stood up from beside me and walked away.
Well, that was fast.
And judging by the look on his face, he seemed pretty cross.
Who knew that his anger would soon become a disaster for everyone, including me?
We had barely finished our tasks when his next order came.
"All of you, I want ten laps around the camp. Anyone who fails to complete them today will have to run twenty tomorrow."
He shouted the order at us, his voice carrying across the entire camp.
I think I might have pissed him off a little too much.
The general glared at us.
"Now, what are you waiting for? Move! Get out of my sight!"
The people who had been punished with fifty push-ups and no lunch really got no lunch.
Whereas those of us who had passed the tasks... well, we got nothing either.
What's the point of passing if you still end up with nothing?
We all made our way to the tracks and, in one miserable little group, started running. By the time we finished two laps, everyone was already struggling, tongues practically hanging out, but apparently, sympathy had not been included in today's training.
The more I thought about it, the clearer it became.
He was angry because of me, yet everyone was being made to pay for it.
I felt bad. I really did.
It wasn't fair that everyone else had to suffer because of my big mouth.
Although, to be very precise...
It wasn't entirely my fault either.
I was being falsely accused here.
Still, the guilt was beginning to bother me.
Ugh.
There was only one way to get rid of it.
I went to find the general who was seated at one side, under shade.
"If you're doing this to them because I made you angry, then it's not right." I paused and started again, making sure he looked into my eyes.
"If you want to vent your anger, then do it on me, not on them."
I wasn't expecting it, but he gave an abrupt response, "Ok."
He isn't this smooth, is he?
He called a soldier over and ordered him to stop all the trainees.
Good. At least he listened. But then why did he tell the soldier to bring everyone here?
What was he planning now?
Gulp.
Something told me I probably wasn't going to like the answer.
"Do any of you know the reason why I gave you such a punishment?" He asked, looking at me, not them.
Not a single soul knew, so nobody spoke
"Rosen Nightingale was the reason. Now you may all go back and have your lunch."
His voice was clear enough for every single person to hear.
Why did you even bother telling them?
You could have just stayed quiet.
Thanks, General.
That was the only thing I could think as hateful looks came at me from every direction. Some of them didn't even bother hiding their irritation.
My guilt reached a whole new level.
Still, I should be thankful to this guy for letting everyone else go. I really should.
But seriously?
I looked up at the General and gave him a small nod.
"I'm sorry for making you angry, and... thank you for letting everyone go."
"Where do you think you're going?" He let the question hang in the air.
"Um... with everyone else." I couldn't stop my fingers from fidgeting behind my back.
"Go complete your laps. I took their punishments away, not yours."
He made sure to say it loudly and clearly enough for everyone to hear exactly what my punishment was.
What?
You're cruel.
He forgave everyone else but me.
Shouldn't you have a big heart when it comes to forgiveness? Then why did yours suddenly shrink when it was my turn?
It wasn't the others' fault. They shouldn't have had to suffer because of me.
But now I couldn't stop wondering... Was it even my fault?
I stood there for a moment, debating whether I should talk to him again or simply accept my punishment.
Nope.
I wasn't going to talk to him.
I'd rather complete my laps than give him another reason to punish me.
Back then, he had been angry with me for not telling him about my breathing issues. But now, it seemed as if he had either completely forgotten about it or simply didn't care anymore.
And so, my course of action began.
One lap.
Then another.
Then another.
By the time I had completed five more laps, I was convinced my legs had permanently abandoned me.
That made seven laps in total.
Only three more.
Just three.
Somehow, I had to finish them.
As if the punishment itself wasn't enough, the rain suddenly began pouring down. During the day, it had been unbearably hot, and now, at night, the temperature had dropped enough to make me shiver.
Stupid luck!
I kept running through the rain, trying to distract myself from the exhaustion by blaming myself for everything that had led me here.
Why hadn't I eaten breakfast?
If I had eaten properly, maybe I wouldn't feel this weak now.
And because of this punishment, I hadn't even gotten lunch.
So here I was, running ten laps on an empty stomach while the rain decided to join the General in making my life miserable.
At this point, I wasn't even sure which was worse: my punishment, my hunger, or my own decisions.
Everyone must have already returned to their respective places after dinner.
And, yes, there was no dinner for me.
At this point, I was beginning to think I might die from falling over. The track had become horribly slippery from the rain, and every step felt like a gamble. If the track didn't finish me off, starvation probably would.
And then there was the breathing problem.
My inhaler had somehow disappeared from my possession, because apparently even that had decided to abandon me tonight.
I had no idea how, but somehow these useless legs of mine managed to carry me through one more lap.
Eight.
Only two left.
But if I wanted to avoid dying from suffocation before completing them, I needed permission to leave and get my inhaler.
I spotted a lonely figure standing in the rain.
The General.
I wanted to ignore him.
Really, I did.
But my stupid lungs had other plans, and my missing inhaler was practically screaming at me to go and ask him.
Your Majesty.
I dragged myself toward him.
"General, can I go to my room?"
"Are your laps finished yet?" he retorted.
Of course.
I knew he had been counting them. There was no point in lying.
"No, sir. Only two left."
I was already struggling just to speak to him. My voice had practically abandoned me along with the rest of my functioning body.
"Why?"
He stepped closer, entering my space.
I instinctively stepped back.
Can't you just say yes?
I cleared my throat, trying to bring my missing voice back.
"I need to go get something from there."
I hated how much my voice sounded like I was pleading.
I was not pleading.
"Get back there and complete those laps first."
"But I can't..."
He wasn't going to let me leave.
Fine.
Rather than wasting what little energy I had left arguing with him, I turned around. I'd just finish the punishment.
I slowed my pace, hoping I could make it through without completely running myself out of breath.
Apparently, that wasn't acceptable either.
"Faster!" His voice suddenly came from behind me. "I didn't tell you to walk."
I clenched my jaw and kept moving.
"Got it."