The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

"FOR this morning, you will do the proper soldier's stance.  Because looking at you all standing like children playing at being soldier is seriously hurting my eyes," Wulfric said.  "Now, do as I say.  Stand upright with your chin up, chest out, shoulders back, and stomach in.  Your arms should be fixed at the side and your head and eyes locked in a fixed forward posture.  Keep your heels together with the toes apart and with the feet at a 45-degree angle.  And finally, shut up and don't move until I tell you otherwise."

Of course, as he said those directions, he also followed along and was now showing a perfect soldier stance.  The students also did the same.  Seeing that, he went back to a normal stance.  And then, he walked around to check the stance of each student.

When he saw someone that had a wrong stance, he would correct it once and then list the name of the student who got it wrong on his Terminal.  He planned to deduct a point for that.  When it was Reas' turn, he stopped in front of the kid a bit longer than the others.

The other was looking straight ahead and did not even looked at his direction.  Which was much better than some of the students he passed by who clearly showed their nervousness.  He looked at his stance and reluctantly admitted that it was perfect.

Hmp.  This kid.  At least he's good at following instructions.

After he's done checking everyone, he walked back to the front and faced the students.

"Those with A level physique should stay at that position for three hours, those with S level for four hours, and those with SS level for five hours.  If you accomplish that, you will get 10 points.  Those who fail to do so would have their points deducted.  Of course, if you held out more than the hours required, you will get additional points," he said.  "A timer would appear to signal the start.  We will be on another room to observe you all, so don't even think of cheating.  Of course, if you wanted to be automatically kicked from here, no one would stop you from doing so."

After Wulfric said that, he and the other two faculties walked to the attached room where they could observe the aspiring freshmen.

"Turn on the simulator," he said once he sat down comfortably on one of the available seats. 

"Yes, your highness," said one of the faculty members.

-----

Outside, in the training facility, the surrounding suddenly changed and turned into a dessert.  There was sand all around them with the sun shining brightly over them like a big lamp or something. 

It would be fine if that was all.  But they could feel the heat of the sun, as well as the arid and dry air.  As if they really were transported into a desert.  But they knew that wasn't the case.  This must be due to a high-level environment simulator.  It could not only mimic the appearance of the chosen environment perfectly, but also the state of the said environment.

For example, if it was the snowy mountain, then it would simulate a very cold environment.  If it was a rain forest, then the air would be very humid.  So, since it's simulating a desert, everything that could be felt in that environment, they were feeling right now.

Reas should have known that they wouldn't just be simply standing.  Of course, they should do it under such a harsh environment.  Standing like this for hours was already hard enough.  But add a hot temperature and dry air to that?  The difficulty just went a level higher.  If this was a game, then they just entered the hell mode.

He felt the sweat sliding down his face.  He couldn't help but inwardly sigh.  Remaining like this for five hours under this condition would definitely be tough.  But that didn't mean that he would give up.  Not only would he not do that, he would also do his best to rake in as much points as possible. 

This was the start.  He had a feeling that if he didn't do well here, he wouldn't be able to do well for the rest of the week.  After all, it's important to have a good start.

So, Reas remained standing there, unmoving.

Three hours passed and those with level A physique were allowed to leave the room and rest.  Some stayed for the extra points but the majority left.  Those that stayed only managed to do for half an hour at most before leaving.

The same happened when it was time for the S level physiques to leave.  Although the number of people who stayed was much bigger compared to the last batch.  They also stayed much longer.  But at the end, their extended stay didn't last for an hour. 

By the time it was the turn of the SS levels, only 12 people were in the room.  And all of them chose to remain there.

Reas was, of course, one of them. 

He did not know how many people were still there since he was at the very front.  But he knew that Ash was still standing beside him.  He could feel it since their position was side by side of one another. 

He already expected that the other's physique was at least SS level, so, he wasn't really surprised that he was still here. 

Five hours.  He felt like he was being fried in a hot pan.  His muscles were screaming at him to move.  His clothes and hair were already soaking wet from sweat, as if a basin of water was just poured onto him.  He was so thirsty, he felt like he could drink a drum of water. 

But despite all the discomfort, he still remained immovable.  He closed his eyes.  This was fine.  Just a simple mind over matter.  So, just like how he did for the past five hours, he filled his head with his favorite Mecha fights from the Mecha Hall.

----------

Meanwhile, Astrid just finished making his own breakfast.  A simple tomato egg fried rice with garlic shrimp.  As he ate a spoonful, he thought of his brother.

He wondered what Reas was up to now.  He definitely must be having fun, right?