Lana looked around the room and noted the other class was not present. She was pondering why while they were getting lunch and 2A was not when it occurred the timing of their processing may have just started before lunch was served so her class got to eat first. They must be out touring the campus right now. With 50 students, they were probably just finishing up as her class was just starting to fill up.
She felt a hand on her shoulder "Hey sis!"
She turned to see her brother. "Hey Dobin. Do you like your room?"
Dobin shrugged with a smile, "I don't have to share my bed and there are no leaks in the ceiling so I can't complain!"
Lana laughed. "Mine's not so bad either. I only have one roommate and it's the girl with the bird. I'm assuming anyway since I didn't see her in there but the room is geared for a beast companion."
Dobin smiled as they got in line to suffer through the meal, hoping the remainder of their day won't be so bad.
As she and Dobin sat down, Lana noticed Paul standing off to the side. She watched curiously as she choked down one of the worst dishes she has ever been presented with, swearing when she was in charge of the menu, this recipe would be shredded then burned in the fire. She noted it didn't taste as bad as that in the orphanage but that didn't give her much solace.
About a third of the way through her bowl of torture, she noticed Paul being presented with a rather nice looking sandwich and a crystal clear glass of water. Paul sat at the most empty table in the room, which was easy to find since the other class was not there. He appeared pleased with his meal and solitude his chosen seat presented.
"Dobin," she leaned closer to her brother and whispered, "When we get our money cards and after you teach me how to link it to my watch, can I keep your card? I think it would be more prudent to protect your money from the bullies, if you end up getting targeted. I'll keep a good record so you know what you have available."
"In light of the... nutrient presentations here, I will need to buy me another portable kitchen setup like what I had borrowed from the orphanage. I can't suffer through such horrible food!"
Dobin laughed but nodded in agreement as his bowl was almost empty.
"How can you even eat that so quickly?"
"I'm a growing boy. I'm starving!" he chuckled.
"More the reason for me to prepare our meals. If you'd like, you can eat what you want here then I will grow some good stuff and provide that as well."
He nodded then looked at her bowl as his was empty. She simply slid the bowl over to her twin and watched him eat quickly with a disgusted look on her face.
Just as he finished his sister's soup, Dobin noticed the teacher stand up. "Everyone stand up and take your trays to the return over there," pointing as he said it, "then head to that door next to it. Starting this evening, both classes will all be eating at the same time."
Well, that explains that, thought Lana.
There was a mad scramble to get it done as they were excited to see this new world they would be living in for the next two years, longer for those that chose to sign on with the military after graduation. It was one of the reasons the military gave or of three abilities: earth, healing, or hardness. Most took the earth ability because it was the only one with offensive skills of the three. The only way to get the higher books over level 5 was to sign on. Many even signed on in their first year so they could continue to grow.
Once all the remnants of the meal were placed in their appropriate receptacles, the teacher led his students out the door and they saw several buildings made of the same material.
"The first thing we are going to do is fall into formation. I need 4 columns of people starting here, here, here, and here." One person volunteered to stand in each spot.
"Now, I need everyone else to fall in behind them. The rows should be as even as possible."
It took a bit of time to get everyone organized so they could understand what a formation looked like. They would have 13 rows with the back row incomplete.
"Now, this next step is done 3 times. When I say, you are to move just like this if it applies to you." He stepped forward to the right then forward to the left. "That was if you need to go forward. If you need to go backward, you step back to the left then back to the right. Now, if you are taller than the person in front of you tap them on the shoulder and take their place until you are no longer taller."
As people followed his instructions, he explained, "this is called taller-tap. At the end, the tallest person will be in the front right of the formation. The shortest person will be in the back left. This will happen each time we form up. Eventually it will be quick as you learn your place in the formation. Marching is a requirement to get from place to place for the first three phases. You'll learn more about this in the classroom and during drill practice."
Finally, they had stopped moving forward. One poor soul was all the way in the back and had to move all the way forward. "Now, turn a 45 degree angle to the right. You'll learn facing movements later in drill training."
He waited for everyone to get turned. Some needed to be reminded which direction was right. One person needed a physical demonstration.
"If you're taller than the person in front of you, tap them on the shoulder and move forward."
This way went faster as only 4 people were in each line.
"Now, turn back to the left."
Nis waited to see how many would forget which direction was left. He was impressed it was only one. "Taller Tap."
About 6 people needed to move. "Very good! When marching, we need a rhythm. Also, if you are marching, your shoulders don't bounce. If I tell you to quit bouncing, it's because you are moving your legs incorrectly. Your arm should also swing 6 inches to the front, 3 inches to the back. Every command has 2 words. The first is a prepatory command the second is the action. In a moment, I will command Forward March. Forward is what you will be doing. March is the command to move. Do not move on the word forward!"
Nis waited a few seconds. "Forward." He watched as 3 people lifted their feet and tried to move forward. "Do not anticipate the command!" He glared in the direction of those who did.
"Forward!" He looked around. There was no movement. "March!"