It was a month after Gus's injury. During the time he was admitted, he trained his reading and writing skill proficiency to the basic level. Carter had visited him almost thrice every week. Today was Gus's release date from the hospital. He signed the release forms and said his goodbyes to the hospital staff. As he exited the hospital, He could see Carter waiting on the massive ground owned by the hospital. Carter was fidgeting with his pocket watch as Gus approached him, "how are your injuries, kid?" Carter asked as he let go the Pocket watch and ruffled Gus's hair.
"They 're good, Carter." Gus replied as he held Carter's hand to stop the embarrassment caused by Carter's ruffling.
"Good, we're going to the Crimson knight's training grounds." Carter explained "Lucky for you, this year's new recruits will be arriving shortly." Carter then gestured Gus to follow him.
They both arrived at a parking area for carriages. Carter approached a stagecoach. It had open roof with two passenger seats. The owner, was sitting in the rider seat. He was opening cashews with a knife and popping them in his mouth.
Carter asked the man, "how much for the Crimson training ground's?"
The man glanced at Carter and the replied, "20 zes."
Carter slid his hand in his left pocket and took out two coins, each worth 10 zes. He showed the coins to the man and then he handed one coin to the man. "Half now, half later." Carter said.
The man grunted as he got up from his seat, he then walked over to the stables and lead his horse to the stage coach. Carter and Gus sat in the passenger seat as the man was tying the horse to the coach.
As soon as Gus got comfortable with his first time sitting in any vehicle, Carter said, "we are going to the training grounds. When you met anyone wearing any uniform that looks like mine or redder, you have to give them a military salute."
Gus nodded as Carter continued. "If we ever meet in public after this, I want you to address me as Sergent, Am I clear?"
"Yes Carter." Gus said.
Carter raised his eye showing disappointment as Gus corrected himself, "... Sergent."
Carter smiled and ruffled Gus's hair again. Gus did not try to swat away his hand.
The driver finished tying the horse and climbed up to the stage coach. He then tugged the lease once as the horse carried the coach forward.
As the Coach entered the street, Gus awed in amazement, He could see a well paved road that was laid between thousands of buildings; all different sizes. Between every two building; ran smaller streets. Gus could see many different types of shops as they continued their travel.
"Beautiful, ain't it?" Carter said he as observed Gus's reaction. After travelling on for twenty minutes; Gus was marvelled by something else, the road ended up ahead. It extended in a huge well paved area where a large fountain with a whale statue stood in centre, Water spraying from its snout. Behind the fountain there laid two massive buildings. The building on the left was circular in shape the top extended about two hundred metres. The circumference of the building could easily extend a ten to twenty kilometres. The building on the right was shaped like a castle its size was the same as the building on left. It had huge walls that covered the lower part of the castle.
'Welcome to the Colosseum, The training grounds for the crimson knights. Also, your new home." Carter said.
The stage coach stopped as it arrived to the entrance on the left building. Carter and Gus climbed out of the coach. Carter then handed the man the other coin.
The man grabbed the coin and moved his coach away looking for new customers.
Carter led Gus through a huge gate, there were six guards guarding the place on either side.
There were many weapons that were bolted to the wall.
"These are the weapons of the fallen brothers. This reminds us soldiers to never forget their roots." Carter explained.
They reached the end of the massive entrance to see three corridors that went straight, left and right. Carter led Gus down the right corridor. There was a banner on the top which stated 'Trainee Area.'
Carter and Gus walked a long corridor. They crossed 20 doors that were spaced differently. They reached the last door. Carter led Gus in. There were a hundred double bunk beds that stretched on left side of the room and five small basins on right side. In the right corner, there were five small room. Which Gus believed to be restrooms.
"You have ten minutes to set your bed." Carter said, then he left the hall.
Ten minutes later, Gus arrived outside to see Carter. Then Gus gave Carter a salute and said, "Sergent!"
A smile crept up Carter with pride, he then motioned Gus to follow him and started to walk. They arrived at the first door, which Gus had seen they entered through the door. A huge number '1' was written in the centre of the door. On the other side, What Gus saw amazed him. There was a 100 × 100 metres ground. The ground did not have any roof. The hot sun shone upon The field. In the middle of the field there were about one hundred and seventy boys that stood in front of a military man. Gus followed Carter to the Man. The uniform of the man had same shade of red that Carter had.
"A new recruit, personally recommended by the general." Carter told the man.
The man nodded turned towards Gus and asked, "Name?"
"Gus." Gus replied.
"Is this your grandma's house you pipsqueak." The man retorted.
"No sir, my name is Gus. Sir!" Gus realized what happened so answered.
"Give me 20 push-ups and count each on aloud." The man said.
Gus's face flushed with anger, but he showed self-control.
Carter nodded at the man, saluted him, and left the room.
"Now, for the rest of you lot." The man continued "You are not here for anyone's marriage. Here, discipline has to be followed. If I say run; you run. I say you squat; you squat." "I am instructor sergeant Halrick and I am gonna turn you filthy feeble sack of bones into outstanding officers, Understood?"
"Sir, yes sir." The crowd of student roared out loud.
Meanwhile Gus just finished his push-ups but maintained the pose.
"Standup recruit." Halrick ordered, "join the others."
Gus joined the big group.
"Stamina is the most important thing for a soldier. In case of an unbeatable force, you should be able to hold your ground. Now start run the boundary. You are not allowed to stop until I say so."
The group of students started to run. Gus had sneaked into the middle of the group. Every round they ran was about 0.6 kilometres. On fourth round a few students started to stop. At first, they feared the instructor's wrath, but the instructor said nothing; so, more and more people started to drop out. A few minutes later, about a fifty people had stopped. Gus though showed perseverance. He had been out of breath on the sixth round. What kept him going was the promise he made to himself to become strong. For Gus, this was an opportunity, an opportunity to prove his beliefs.
Gus continued till the 9 rounds, as he ran, he felt his eyes closing but he pushed himself. After the 10 round Gus had survived his legs hurting, even a few drops of blood oozing from his heel. He had always used his speed to get away from people, so his legs were not trained to run for long distances.
On the 10th round seventy people had dropped out. Instructor Halrick counted the people still running and ordered, "Stop!"
The group stopped everyone of them gasping for air but still standing. "You lot can relax. The training for today is complete go back to the dorms." Halrick instructed.
The group that had stopped in the middle got up and started walking away, leaving the runners behind.
"Not you lot." Halrick said. "I have no use for fellows that don't follow orders. You are to leave the building."
Loud gasps echoed the ground, the seventy people started to retort. But alas the instructor ignored them all.
Gus reached the dorm with the group. When he entered the dorm and reached his bed. He could see that his heel was bleeding profusely. He tore a cloth from his old worn clothes and tied it around his injury. They were not provided uniforms yet. After tying the cloth to his heel, Gus laid his back on the bed and pure exhaustion made him sleep.
A bell rang in the evening, Gus woke up with a jolt, he looked around to see confused people. Minutes later Halrick arrived at the door of the dorm. The entire group immediately got up and dropped whatever they were doing and formed a group.
A smile that portrayed satisfaction. "Whenever this bell rings you are to reach the cafeteria. You will find it in room 3. In the morning, I want you lot to eat and immediately arrive on the ground. Is that clear?" Halrick asked.
"Sir, yes sir!" The crowd of students said.
Then the group followed the instructor towards the cafeteria.
A thought crossed across Gus's mind, 'I am gonna fit in, just fine.'