This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/gregovin on 2024-10-28 05:17:23+00:00.

Title should say 25

*fun fact: Apparently during a (BSA) flag ceremony the command to drop salutes and return to attention is literally the number two, at least according to google. Despite having participated in many flag ceremonies, I did not know this. Thus, I’ve decided to “”translate”” the request to drop salute but remain at attention as two as I felt it was the cleanest option I had.

AN 2: onomatopoeia for instruments is weird.

First

Prev

I guess we should just get back to work.

We make it back without further incident and get sewing

---------------------------- Half a uniform later -------------------------------------------

BWVWT

That was… certainly a horn. Guess it’s time.

Our glorious leader calls out “set down your needles, it’s time to go.”

I insert myself into the procession through the door

We move in a single file line and funnel past a swarm of uniformed students into the courtyard.

After a few moments an authoritative call of “ATTENTION” sounds out from Ser Blakee

I salute, followed by the rest of my group I hope. The quiet hustle and bustle became almost completely silent in a moment.

“Your uniforms will be inspected. Should you fail you will run 10 laps of the courtyard. Otherwise you will be dismissed. Two*”

I return to attention. Ser Blakee starts walking in front of each unit.

Though I can’t hear her from here, I see some of the units start running soon after her visit, and the rest start leaving.

She is now close enough to hear

“Dismissed”

“Uniforms improperly trimmed… ten laps”

Someone starts to talk back “But…” before being interrupted

“11 laps”

Bad choice there bud. She must be feeling nice today. Grumbling is heard but they get moving.

“Dismissed"

“Dismissed”

She approaches us and gives us a quick look

“Dismissed”

We depart for food and rest. And more sewing. We love sewing. Better than having nothing else to do.

-------------------------------------------------Next Day----------------------------------------------------------------

I wake just after sunrise.

I guess I should take advantage of this time… I suspect the horn will go soon. I quickly get dressed.

Stretchies time. Probably a good idea after the bandit incident.

Lunges, splits, that one weird arm stretches behind your head.

BWVWT

Our dorm becomes a flurry of activity. On my side Chester and Leonard hurriedly woke up and got ready.

We met up with the rest and moved out. Breakfast was simple, but fine. I’d probably grow sick of it before too long.

Then we moved expediently to our first class Survival. This would be interesting

The building was easy to find. Inside felt… weird. Like there was some kind of opulence that classed with the simple vibes present here.

It took me until I sat down at a desk to get it. These desks… and chairs must be handmade. Not just put together, the wood itself must be cut and prepared either by mage or hand tools. There is simply no other way it could be done while the setting is classified as medieval. Why do we even have desks for this class? Unless this room is used for other classes at other timeslots…

The logistics here… are impressive. Despite the fact that this is only like a thousand students, the costs involved must be staggering. The whole system must be a fairly big chunk of annual government spending “just” to train on the order of, what, 12,000 students? But I’m guessing this investment pays off. I don’t think I’ve heard anything about a required period of service, but I’m guessing the empire operates off of some kind of conscription system so in any conflict they can use our gained skills. And I’m guessing mages can be enormously productive citizens even outside the army.

A light voice interrupts my thoughts. “Welcome to survival class. AKA how not to die horribly in the woods”.

Our teacher must be the one speaking. A fairly small human woman, wearing a wide brimmed hat and a waterskin with her at all times. I look around and notice the class has filled in. Looks to be 17 people.

“I am Profersor Wolfee. Now, you all likely have some idea as to how to handle the wilderness. Most likely you have heard warnings not to wander too far off the beaten paths. Unfortunately for you, soldiers sometimes need to eschew this common sense advice and take untrodden paths. My job here is to teach you the art of navigating these dangerous routes, foraging for food, and caring for injuries away from civilization. Now, does anyone know the first rule of surviving the wilderness?”

Silence prevailed the class 

“Any guesses?”

All where still reluctant

Hmm… I know many things from scouts… but only one is universal. I tentatively raise my hand

“Go on, you in the 3rd row”

She’s pointing at me

I reply confidently “don’t go alone. Stick with at least one other person whenever possible. Don’t leave both their line of sight and  range of voice.”

“Correct! In the future, I expect every one of you to answer. If I haven’t taught you it, you won’t be punished for being wrong. Now, someone else, why is this so important?”

A bit of silence passes.

A voice I don’t recognize replies “in case something happens someone can help you or get help”

Our teacher continues “That’s right. Though I like to phrase it as ‘when something happens someone can help or get help’. Because something will happen, and it will happen at an inconvenient time. Maybe not the first time or the second or the tenth, but inevitably something will go wrong. It’s happened to me, it will happen to you. Now that we all know the first rule, we’ll spend the rest of the class on how to help someone who has become injured in the wilderness”

The teacher handed out a large triangle bandage.

“For this class we will focus on non-magical solutions. Can anyone guess why?”

Another student answers “we can’t assume the person has mana to spare, a useful affinity, and the awareness to be able to cast. Thus, magical solutions are only useful to students with the correct affinities, who are almost certainly in the minority.”

“Perfect! Now, does anyone know the first step in dealing with an injury?”

Adelina speaks up “ensure the area is safe”.

“Correct. Now, I’ll demonstrate how to use a triangle bandage to cover a wound and go over treating large cuts and bleeding”

The rest of the class flew by. I already know most of this from scouts. They even mention cleaning the wound with water! I appreciate not getting infections. A couple of them are nice reminders. It’s good to remember how to use a triangle bandage as a sling.

Now it’s time for lunch