Many people called me crazy for wanting to fight ethereals. They thought I would die in the first few days of work. "You're not ready," some told me. "You're not worth it," others said. Despite all the criticism, I never gave up.
It was 4:50 in the morning. I was staring at the ceiling, taking in the fact that in ten minutes we would have to get up. Life as a soldier was a living hell, but I was willing to endure anything to fulfill my dream: to make it to Division 6.
I turned my head toward my buddy. He was busy reading a magazine of famous models from New Eridu.
-That shit is going to suck you dry," I said, breaking the silence.
He let out a soft laugh.
-It's the only way to be entertained in this dump," he replied as he calmly turned the page. Look at this," he said, offering me the magazine.
I took it and looked at the page he pointed out. It showed a woman who was considerably beautiful, though not enough to impress me.
-Should I be surprised? -I asked, looking at the image without much interest.
My companion gave me an incredulous look, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
-Are you telling me you don't think she's hot? -he asked, his eyes wide open.
-The only thing I like about her is her hair," I replied, handing her back the magazine.
The model had short hair, almost masculine, but with a volume that gave her a certain style.
-Man, you have the weirdest tastes," he said, glancing at the magazine again.
-And you're a fucking pig reading this stuff," I replied, throwing the magazine at him and making pig noises to annoy him.
-Seriously, I don't know how anyone puts up with you," he replied, slapping the magazine away.
At that moment, the sub-general burst into the module with a slam of the door and a deafening shout.
-COME ON, EVERYBODY UP! -he shouted.
My heart skipped a beat with shock. I jumped out of bed and hurriedly started to fix the bed.
-FIFTEEN MINUTES, REMEMBER! -he added before leaving.
The whole module turned into controlled chaos. Some ran to the showers, others to the sink to shave or brush their teeth. I, following my routine, finished making the bed and put on my uniform, ready for morning training.
-You don't even wash? Then I'm the pig, huh? -Sergio scoffed as he walked past me.
-I wash at night to save time in the morning. Maybe you should learn something from me," I replied, my tone charged with superiority.
Sergio looked at me sideways, squinting his eyes.
-I wouldn't want to be as repellent as you," he blurted out, and hurried to the bathroom.
Although his comment was a joke, it hit home. I had always had trouble relating, especially with women. Maybe the way I was was the problem, but this wasn't the time to worry about that.
I sat on the bed and took out the cell phone I was hiding under the pillow. As always since I got here, there were no messages. I sighed, put it away and stood waiting for the sub-general.
Sergio came back from the bathroom still wearing his towel, clearly in a hurry.
-You have two minutes left, Sergio," I said, winking teasingly at him.
-Don't distract me. I don't want to go out in my balls to run," he replied, in a hurry.
I laughed heartily.
-Maybe you'll win the nurse's heart," I said, still laughing. I still don't understand what you see in her, though.
-That shows your lousy taste. You don't know how to choose," he replied as he put on his uniform.
I rolled my eyes and lay on my back on the bed, waiting for the sub-general's next move.
-Tell me, at what kilometer do you plan to surrender today? -I asked, provoking him.
Sergio, exhausted after dressing in a hurry, plopped down on his bed.
-It depends on how many we do. What day is it today? -he asked, with a hint of concern.
I looked up at the calendar hanging in the center of the module.
-Friday," I said, without emotion.
-Shit! -Sergio cursed. Today it's ten kilometers...
-So you're going to stay in the fifth," I joked, laughing.
Sergio answered me with a sarcastic laugh as he stood up, resigned.
-Today I'm going to hold on. For the nurse! -he shouted with mock enthusiasm.
Suddenly, the sub-general slammed the door again, as he had done fifteen minutes before.
-FIRM! -he shouted.
We immediately jumped up and adopted the military salute position. The sub-general walked slowly, checking us one by one with a critical eye. Although we had had no problems in the last month, we all knew we could not relax. Finally, he stopped at the door.
-REST! -he ordered.
We let our guard down, although no one relaxed completely.
-As you know, today is ten kilometers, followed by calisthenics and endurance exercises. Anyone who can't make it will do extra exercises after breakfast. Understood? -he said in a firm voice.
I turned to Sergio and whispered:
-I see you with no strength before breakfast.
-Shut up," he replied, biting his lip to keep from laughing.
The sub-general set off on the usual path, and we all followed him in silence. The path was a muddy trail through the forest and culminated in a hill.
-BEWARE! -shouted the sub-general. As today's race is a long one, you will be allowed to speak quietly as long as you do not disturb the others.
It was customary on long runs to let us talk to ease the tension, as long as we didn't bother the superiors.
-Come on, let's go! -he ordered.
The group started running, and the sound of our boots echoed over the mud. The road seemed endless.
-Fuck... There are still ten kilometers to go," Sergio complained.
I gave him a serious look, although inside I was laughing.
-We've been running for two minutes, sluggish.
-Flojo? I'm one of the toughest here," he replied, as if trying to convince me.
As we ran, the road was filled with small talk. Some of my companions started to fall behind, but I kept up the pace, despite feeling out of energy.
-COME ON, GUYS! -shouted the sub-general. Breakfast is just a few meters away!
At the sight of the base, a strange shot of adrenaline surged through my body. Sergio, panting, gave me a pleading look.
-I think I'm going to faint....
-Hold on... -I replied, picking up the pace to catch up with the first ones.
Finally, we arrived. The sub-general gave us permission to have breakfast, and we all rushed to the mess hall. As I was moving forward, accidentally bumping into someone brought me out of my thoughts.
-Shit, sorry," I said, helping her pick up the papers.
When I looked up, I was met with a smile that brightened my morning.
-It's okay, it's my fault for carrying so much paperwork at once," she replied as she stood up with all the papers perfectly in order.
Her face looked familiar, but I couldn't place where from.
After apologizing again, I continued on my way to the dining room. Upon entering, I found the canteen full, with most of the soldiers already having breakfast.
-Hey, over here! -Sergio shouted from the other end of the canteen, waving his hand at me.
As I walked to their table, I looked at the dishes on the other people's trays. It was then that I understood why Sergio had been in such a hurry. When I arrived, I leaned on the table without sitting down.
-Fuck, I can see why you were in such a hurry," I said, amused.
-There's a good breakfast today! -Sergio exclaimed enthusiastically, almost euphoric.
I went to the bar where breakfast was served, and there was Victoria, the canteen chef. She always smiled, even when I was having a hard day.
-Good morning, Victoria," I greeted her with a smile.
-Good morning, Lucas," she replied kindly. You seem to be in a good mood today.
I looked at the food she was serving, and my mouth began to water. The aroma was spectacular.
-It seems that today they have decided to give us a feast," I replied. Of course, all breakfasts are good, because you make them. -I gave her a smile.
Victoria served me my plate and placed it on my tray delicately.
-Oh... You're a sweetheart, Lucas," she said, clearly happy. How are your parents?
-I haven't heard from them since I got here," I replied indifferently.
-I see... Well, have a nice breakfast," he said, maintaining his smile.
I nodded in thanks and returned to the table with Sergio, who was still devouring his food with an almost wild energy.
-Dude, why don't you fuck the chef for fuck's sake? -Sergio blurted out, with that lack of filter that characterized him.
I left the tray on the table and sat down on the table.
-Do you really think that's what I'm interested in? -I replied as I poured the cocoa powder into my milk.
Sergio leaned forward, suppressing a laugh.
-You know what they say, do you know what tits and lentils are like? -he asked, smiling mischievously.
-No, Sergio. Not again... -I answered, putting a hand to my forehead, anticipating the joke.
-That the best ones are your grandmother's! -he exclaimed before bursting into laughter.
-Ha, ha. Yes, I'm laughing. Very original," I replied sarcastically as I stirred the milk to mix the cocoa.
Sergio took a long drink of his coffee, recovering from his laughter.
-Well, I'd fuck her," he said with a seriousness that made me frown.
I looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and disgust.
-Don't fuck with me. You'd fuck a corpse.
He laughed again, although I noticed that this time it was more to soften the conversation than out of sincerity.
-And what do you think of the head of Division 6? -he asked suddenly.
I remained thoughtful for a moment, trying to remember who he was talking about, until it dawned on me.
-Miyabi? Well... -She's not bad, but she's not my type either," I said as I took a sip of my coffee.
While it was true that I didn't dislike the look of the "supreme boss", it wasn't something that fascinated me either.
-And what do you think of the c...? -he began to ask before I interrupted him.
-Let's stop talking about women, shall we? -I replied, already fed up with the subject.
Suddenly, the sub-general entered the room and said, "Let's stop talking about women, shall we?
Suddenly, the sub-general entered the canteen with a firm step, followed by Miyabi, the head of Division 6. Her presence alone was enough for the noisy canteen to fall into an expectant silence.
-ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, LISTEN UP! roared the sub-general, in a voice that echoed in every corner of the canteen.