Closing the zipper that stored every belonging he was supposed to bring, Cesar readied himself. He wore the dark navy blue uniform of the academy and a dark blue dixie cup above his head.
Looking dignified and formal in the mirror, Cesar grabs the case and strolls towards the exit of his room. Once he was outside, he went straight to the academy entrance, the same place where countless new first-years he saw a month ago first came in.
That's how their squad, the first cohort to be sent from the fourth year, was also going.
After a while, Cesar saw five more figures standing at the hall's entrance. Four of them had each baggage they carried while the person in charge of their departure was present which is no other than Arnold, the headmaster.
"Now we only wait for Jacqueline. Why does she always can't take five minutes early for once, huh? She's actually always like this..."
Arnold shook his head as he watched Cesar patiently standing in his position. The rest brought their attention back to the front where they couldn't feel disconnected, knowing this would be the first time in three or so years they'd be stepping out once more.
They reminisced about how they started and how they were going now. All they could see was they definitely changed. As for whether it was a bad or good change, only themselves could know it.
Suddenly, an academy van made out of smooth alloy that had the ability to camouflage made its way to the front road where all six of the people present were watching. It stopped and a person clad in dark green uniform greeted them.
"Commander Arnold!"
The man respectfully saluted to Arnold, who merely waved his hand with a chuckle, "At ease, soldier. Though let me remind you again, we're not on a site any longer. Instead of commander, just call me instructor, Sergeant Alms,"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
Sergeant Alms cast a glance at the first group of cadets and respectfully brought his hand down doing the salutation. With a light cough, he continued.
"I was informed that there'll be six students being deployed. Are we perhaps wrong or only waiting for the last person to come?"
"We're definitely waiting for someone. Don't worry, she had every right to be. She's the top after all." Arnold slowly let out a crooked smile, "However, that's all she gets. If she wasn't doing her job on the expedition, please report it directly to me. I'll get her to renew her and straightly change her for the better,"
Just right after he was done talking, Jacqueline walked outside the corridor holding a rectangular case in her hand. Wearing a dixie cup the same as others, she went on her group with a confident gait.
Bringing her hat down, revealing her neatly braided hair, Jacqueline nodded once, "I think we're ready,"
...
After the group had introduced themselves, Corporal Chin suddenly raised a question of his own, making others put their attention to him.
"So what's the feeling of leaving the academy after being cooped up in here for over three years?"
Jacqueline gave her opinion that she didn't mind nor did she care.
"I'm good,"
Her answer had a bit of similarity to Reyna who expressed that the academy is some sort of responsibility brought down from her family which is mandatory to have.
"I'll become an heiress of the best bank company in the world. My life is pretty secure at this point. If that doesn't work, I'll continue being in here, probably enlisting in the army where we'll be sent from mission over and over again."
Leaving it or being sent to mission will likely be what's going to occur from time to time which she's willing to adjust. She didn't care what comes next.
Quentin solemnly felt becoming 'homesick'. He grew attached to the academy that it was his 'safe zone' where he could live freely without being worried in the world.
"I've thought about it hard. When I'm old enough, I'll become a teacher at this school,"
When Quentin spoke about it with conviction, the cohort became surprised. Alms and Chin gave their utmost sentiment and support to his goal.
"We're just glad to be here,"
"Yeah,"
The twins expressed that they'll be ready to face the challenges and do it with extreme perfection knowing they have each other's backs. As for their future plans, it was to return back to their hometown and live there peacefully.
Cesar, upon careful deliberation, finally managed to answer after a few seconds of being stared at by everyone.
"It feels unreal. Though it is to be expected. We're not going to be always at our comfort zone. But I guess we just had to prepare for the future," Cesar paused as he cast a glance to Quentin, "By the way, it's not called a safe zone. That's a comfort zone, Quentin,"
Quentin shifted his attention with a hateful expression before pointing his middle finger at him which made Alms giggle and everyone chuckling.
The last thing they knew, they were out of the academy's safe walls.