Chances to Another Life

12. I Meet the Youngsters

I'm not an athletic person. I couldn't even go outside without getting injured—either spraining my ankle, stubbing my toe on something, or falling embarrassingly because I couldn't keep my balance.

So, I cringed inwardly when I arrived at the military barracks. The barracks looked huge, with wires serving as a fence. Five two-meter-tall military men stood guard at the post, looking curious about my arrival.

"Long time no see!" They called out to my guide aka the king's trusted soldier who sent me a message yesterday. Apparently that person was named Don, I only saw his name tag earlier, when he handed over the horse with a sour and annoyed expression.

We didn't speak the whole way. I'm sure he hated me. But, anyway, I didn't care.

They then flashed me a quick, insincere smile and whispered something that I could still hear clearly. "He's the King's entrustee?"

Hearing that, I felt like a nepotist who was doing everything possible to get into the military. If only they knew, I was actually a matchmaker directly appointed by the King.

I just smiled back with a flash while looking in random directions. I'd never been inside a military barracks, so I didn't know what to expect.

However, I could already imagine the physical activities that would definitely be grueling. I was used to hunting, but that was only around the kingdom and my fiercest opponents were wild boars and vultures.

For some reason, I had a feeling that what I was about to face here would be worse than encountering those animals.

"Hey, don't daydream! The horse's bridle is here!" Don's sardonic voice woke me up, so I obeyed his command.

He then walked quickly until I was overwhelmed by his wide strides. He was taller than me by less than two meters, but it still felt like I was the shortest man here.

The king said I would be directly under Cedric, but I didn't see him anywhere. I really wished Cedric would come and take me away from this little tyrant named Don.

I walked down a long hallway, which I had no idea connected to what kind of building. However, I could faintly hear people's voices from ahead.

When I reached the end of the hallway, the first thing that greeted me was a sea of people dressed in similar clothing-light green T-shirts and black training pants, complete with ankle boots. They were all built like bodybuilders.

I could already take pride in my physical stature in this world, but it still couldn't compete with them. I neglected to ask Adellia where the gym was in the palace.

Suddenly, I became the center of attention because I was the only one dressed like a poor hunter. Fortunately, I left my bow and arrows and sword back at the cottage, or else I might have become their laughing stock.

"Hurry up! So slow!" Don shouted. I really wanted to shut him up. However, I had no choice but to follow him to a sturdy cottage painted white. The sign hanging on its door read 15.

That's where I live now. Not an aesthetic cottage with luxurious interiors and a soft bed, but a room with five people on bunk beds.

Just from the doorstep, I could already inhale the distinctive odor of sweaty young men. Oh, I'm going to miss my little cottage so much.

As soon as Don entered, everyone inside stood up in unison, straight and solemn. I'm unfamiliar with ranks in the military, but I'm sure Don has a pretty high rank.

"Cadets of room 15, you've got an extra partner. He just joined today and I hope you will guide him well."

"Do it!" My ears perked up at the unified call.

Don then turned to me with a very obvious lazy face. "You're going to stay here, make an effort because you've fallen behind a lot. Take care of yourself."

After that, Don just left. His words just now sounded more like: You are weak, don't trouble your colleagues.

When Don really disappeared from my sight, the five people exhaled loudly.

"That Don never expresses himself well. I'm sure he'll have wrinkles in five years because of that attitude!" said the brown-haired youngster, returning to scrambling on his mattress.

"Maybe he can feel proud because he was assigned to the palace and is close to the King," said the brown-irises youngster. He stuffed his mouth full of bread, drank some water, then burped loudly.

I felt the corner of my eye twitch. Do I really have to live with them?

The tallest boy finally noticed me still standing in the doorway. He wore a shocked expression as if I were a ghost, then patted his own forehead, as if to declare how ridiculous I looked.

"You're our new partner, huh! Welcome to room 15." He spread his arms as if the room was spacious. In fact, it was just two bunk beds and a closet.

"I'm Willem, nice to meet you," he said.

"I'm Joe, nice to meet you too." I shook his hand back.

He seemed like a nice boy because I didn't catch any suspicious looks on his face.

"I'm Ben!" The young man who was eating bread earlier interrupted, extending his hand that was full of bread crumbs. I shook his hand, then quietly pressed my cracked hand against the door leaf.

"You should change your clothes immediately. Practice will start soon," said Dean, the brown-haired boy.

It wasn't long before I was transformed into a true military cadet. I had never deliberately looked in the mirror, but I could now see how different I looked in those clothes.

The mirror was cracked, like it had been punched, but there was no way I could mistake my own face. I don't usually compliment myself, but I was handsome! I felt like one of those action actors I used to watch.

"You're a hunter, aren't you?" asked a young man named Frans. He was the quietest among the others.

"Uh, yes, I am," I replied. Frans nodded his head in satisfaction, probably proud that his estimate was correct.

"Where have you been hunting?" Another boy chimed in. This time it was a young man with freckles named Liam.

I considered for a moment. From what they said, it seemed that they didn't know that I was from the palace. However, that was a good thing! I could avoid the possibility of being bullied by my roommates for being close to the royal family (even if it was true).

"I'm just hunting in the forest near here. There are many animals and they're not too wild," I said.

The five children suddenly became enthusiastic about my story. They also shared their experiences of being ordered to hunt by military soldiers.

"I was almost devoured by a hyena, but fortunately, my horse had good instincts so it quickly dodged," Frans said.

I no longer questioned why there were horses that were faster than hyenas. After all, this was a world in the middle of nowhere and I had already encountered strange animals. Maybe his horse was gifted with turbo speed.

"I like mountain deer the best. The meat doesn't need any special treatment and it's easy to cook!" said Willem, sharing his tips for cooking meat.

I couldn't help but be reminded of my experience with Cedric. I didn't even get to taste the mountain deer.

"I once met a thorn-tailed Panther when I was trying to retrieve a mountain deer that had been caught in a trap." I mean, the trap made by Cedric, I deliberately omitted it from the story by referring to it as 'a friend'. If they knew that I was hunting with the Military Commander, they might find out my origins.

"Ow, it must be so hard! Panthers are hard to tame, but when you can tame them, they can be strong and obedient pets!" Liam exclaimed enthusiastically.

I thought my actions were heroic, but it turns out that there are people who use Panthers as mounts.

In no time, we were chatting intimately. The five of them might have known each other for a long time, but for a new person like me, I felt comfortable making friends with people like them.

I've always wanted to have friends and I'm going to make it happen here. My relationship with Adellia or Cedric can't be called friends because we're just helping each other out, and I'm going to make friendships that don't require that to maintain.

I've been optimistic about my military career. I felt nervous and scared at first, but it didn't seem that bad.

Suddenly, I was startled by the sound of a very loud horn blowing. I almost felt like an angel had blown it to tell me that the world was coming to an end.

But it turned out to be a rallying call for the cadets. We elbowed each other to get out of the cottage first, I didn't want to imagine what punishment was given to those who were late.

I was late once for an extracurricular activity at school, and the punishment was 25 push-ups! That alone would make my hands shake all day.

Let alone with the military! Fortunately, none of us were late. All the cadets formed neat rows lengthwise. A soldier with eyes as black as onyx-it was the first time I had seen a person with such irises—watched us carefully.

When the blowing stopped, the situation turned tense. Or maybe it was just me, I didn't even dare to breathe.

"Welcome, new cadets. You are the 1656th batch of Swinggelir Royal Soldiers," he said.

Really? I thought to myself. No kingdom in my world had lasted that long.

"After this, you will live a real military life. If at home you are spoiled gentlemen who are used to being served, here you will be kicked out immediately if you dare to be spoiled." He threatened.

My eyes then wandered to the faces of the people. They did look like they came from wealthy families. You know what I mean, right? We can judge whether someone is poor or not just by looking at their face.

Then I was stunned, I hoped I was just looking at it wrong, but I recognized the face of the person who had thrown me from the 50th floor.

In the row to my right, Max was looking at me with a sharp, incredulous gaze. He probably wondered how I could have risen from the dead.