23 Military Service (1/2)

”What's going on today?”

”I'm not sure. I heard there was going to be a big announcement.”

Inside the assembly hall at Crawford University, all the students were gathered. The day was proceeding as usual, when a notice for all the teachers on campus were to cancel their classes and escort their students to the assembly hall and wait for further instructions.

Leon didn't really care about the cancellation of the classes as he weren't planning to attend them anyway. He had planned to continue his reading in the library, when he was forcefully dragged along.

There were military personnel everywhere on campus and it was not wise to resist. He was dissatisfied with the interruption of his schedule, but he could only comply. Considering the severity of the issue, it seemed like something big was about to happen.

There were hundreds of students gathered in the hall as They were chatting among themselves. Their noise was soft but when many are chattering at the same time, it becomes a noisy commotion.

”Silence!!!” The Dean on stage demanded.

The noise died down into utter silence as the student waits for the Dean to start speaking. A person stood behind the dean in military uniform with medals indicating his rank as a commander in the army.

”The Queen has decreed that all students are to be conscripted into the army and start their military service. This person here will be your training instructor for the following two months to prepare you for the service at the front lines. Those attending from other kingdom do not have to partake in the conscription and can return to resume your classes.” The dean announced.

It didn't take long before the students broke out into an uproar.

”What!? Forceful conscription into military service? What is happening?”

”I thought we had the choice of deciding when to start our military service before the age of 25?”

”Did something big happen at the Great Wall?”

”It... can't be another war... right?”

”What about our mid semester exams?”

”Wow, they are kind of lucky to skip the exams.”

”Yeah I kinda want to join.”

”Do we still get to go home during the 2 months training?”

All sorts of topics and concerns were raised. The dean was not angry at the commotion. Such a reaction was to be expected. He gave the students some time to digest the news before stepping away from the front stage and nodded to the military commander.

They would all be assigned as cadets, a rank higher than sergeant major. Cadets were only 4 ranks away from commander. There is 2nd lieutenant, 1st lieutenant, captain then commander.

It might not take long for them to reach his rank if they achieve some major contributions during their military service.

They were different to him who started from the bottom. He had spent 15 years in the military, climbing up the ranks step by step from a private to corporal, then sergeant, sergeant major, followed by the next 4 ranks to commander.

He had skipped the cadets rank. Cadets was a special rank in between sergeant major and 2nd lieutenant that was created to temporarily assigned the students of Crawford University, before they receive their official rank as a 2nd lieutenant.

It wasn't fair treatment for commoners like him, but such was the way of the world. It had always been a cruel and unforgiving world. It was just a matter of when you realize that fact.

The noise finally died down when the students became aware of the commander standing at the front.

”I am Commander Eugene. Your training instructor for the next 2 months. You would be allowed to go wherever you wish outside of school hours. However! During school hours, you will all be under strict military regulations. You are expected to be present on time and ready to carry out any instructions given. Punishments will be meted to those who failed to comply. That is all. Training will commence tomorrow. You are free until then.” Commander Eugene stated in a strict and disciplined manner before leaving from the back of the stage.

”You can choose to continue classes for today or return home and mentally prepare yourselves for tomorrow. Assembly is dismissed.” The dean added before returning to his office.

Leon rubbed his chin in thought.

'Looks like things aren't going well at the front lines.'

He has 2 months to settle his matters in the Capital. When he is sent to the front lines, he would longer get the chance even if he wants to. Military service is expected to last 1-2 years but if a war had broken out then it could last even longer.