And so it happened. I joined the recruits just outside the city gates.

Everyone looked tense. I guess getting military training in time of war can lead to tenseness. You never know if you'll get mowed down by a surprise attack or something. Am I going to get myself killed?

Our names were called out loud and we were split into different groups. Soon after, an instructor stopped by and addressed our group.

「???: I am drill sergeant Malkohm. From here on I'll be teaching the basics of military life to your sorry asses. You won't eat, piss or sleep unless I say so!」

He kept verbally abusing us for some time with the usual blabber about authority and chains of command. My brain turned off just like in the work meetings.

「Malkohm: Very well, You got all that?!」

「「Yes, sir!」」

I parroted in unison.

The drill sergeant jumped on his horse.

「Malkohm: Let's get on with it, follow me. On foot, it's good for your temper. MOVE ON!」

We started walking.

After three hours my feet were hurting. I knew this was a mistake

「Malkohm: All right! First stop. Time to work those upper muscles, start doing push-ups!」

I groaned.

Everyone jumped down and started doing push-ups, myself included.

Other groups weren't far from us and were getting pretty much the same treatment.

We kept going until our muscles gave out. Well, I actually pretended to give out. I could've kept going with mana fueled endurance but I didn't want to look like a try-hard.

We resumed the march and kept going until noon when we reached a military camp located on a clearing. It was surrounded by palisades, full of oiled brown-green tents and bustling soldiers.

The drill sergeant turned sharply giving us a scowl.

「Malkohm: At ease! Very well. We'll be now distributing your gear.」

He said, then shouted orders to a bunch of soldiers in the proximity who quickly sprang into action.

I waited for my turn.

「Allen Smith」

I stepped forward and received my equipment, a steel chainmail armor set, a backpack with basic supplies, a serrated knife, and a spear.

I fastened the armor over my clothes and grabbed the equipment. Okay, I'm good.

Once we were all geared up, we had lunch, which consisted of a distasteful gruel. But I was hungry so I gulped it down anyway. We got the chance to rest a little until the drill sergeant showed himself again.

「Malkohm: Recruits!」

He shouted at us.

「「Yes, sir!」」

「Malkohm: We'll be now moving to the appointed training ground. If you need to shit and piss this is the moment because we'll be marching until dusk.」

My feet and legs gave a silent cry of despair.

At the end of the journey I was aching from muscles I didn't even know I had. *Why didn't I run away, I could've hidden in the mountains or something or traveled by sea far away.*

To make matters worse...

「Malkohm: What? Did you think you'd get food served to you?! Hahahahah, what a shame. Pick up your spears and go hunting!」

Groans filled the air.

「Malkohm: WHAT'S THAT, RECRUITS?!」

The drill sergeant made a disgusted face as if he were staring at maggots.

「「YES, SIR!」」

Fuck, I had never used a spear, my aim was shit. Thankfully I paired with a group of more competent men. Men... they were younger than me. I'd say between 18 to 25 years.

I wasn't completely useless, though. I helped in driving a four-tusked boar toward them, so they could take the kill. I managed not to get impaled by the tusks, so I counted it as a great success.

I also took the chance to see which herbs were available in the area and, thanks to the notes in my silver cube, I found something akin to spinach and something that looked and smelled like rosemary, so I'll just call it rosemary.

I used my burn magic to light up our campfire. My squadmates stared in wonder. Thank you, utility spells.

While the guys cut away the fur, I took over the cooking appliances. Given the average cooking skills in this world, I couldn't trust anyone else to cook things right. The taste of the gruel from before was enough reason to put me at work.

The meat turned out alright. Seasoning and sauce had covered the gamey taste and I had proudly cooked it to a perfect medium-rare. My comrades weren't complaining so I took they liked it. I had been expecting to be showered by praises, but apparently, everyone was so starved they only thought about stuffing their own mouths full.

Right after that, drill sergeant Malkohm had us dig trenches and build up the camp.

Once that was done, we were exhausted.

I found a spot, unfurled my bedroll and lost consciousness the moment I closed my eyes.

I was roused awake in the middle of the night, apparently, it was my round of standing guard. I grumbled and cursed but got out walking along the perimeter, among the other poor fellows who had been woken for their turn.

As I paced in circles, I started humming my litany of curses. Nothing soothes the spirit like a good combination of swear words. I just hoped the Creator wasn't listening.

So far I haven't had time to fiddle with my makeshift computer. I can only do some of the mana exercises while doing repetitive tasks. I'll need some leisure time to be able to get something done. How bothersome.

I finished my rounds and roused the next in line. The bedroll welcomed me in its rough embrace.

The days passed and we got our daily dose of suffering and exercise. After the first three days, the muscles stopped hurting.

The drill sergeant verbally abused me for my poor aim and lack of fighting finesse. Fuck him. We'll see who badmouths who when I become a walking magic death machine.

Mana infused strength didn't help me much. Mana burns too fast. I kept it for the final stretches so I wouldn't end up too tired at the end of the physical exercises. And we did lots of it.

I learned the basic of spear fighting, some unarmed combat. Then a bunch of soldiers came bringing different kinds of weapons for extended training.

I chose the mace, but in the end, they forced me to practice with all of them.

Recruit units were reshuffled every once a while, so I never stuck with the same people for long.

In the whole group, there were only nine people who had received magical training, including me.

All of them were from rich families, except one who had done some adventuring but gave up due to some circumstances and decided to join the military.

The drill sergeant didn't seem to know magic, I wondered who would be the one to train us in that regard.

「Recruit: Allen! Drill sergeant Malkohm is calling us for a practical fight!」

One of the guys from my group, whose name I couldn't remember, came bearing bad news.

How exciting. My thoughts were full of sarcasm. I sighed.

「Allen: Coming.」

I put away the silver cube in my pouch and rose up.

I followed the recruit and we reached the area where Malkohm was shouting from.

「Malkohm: We found a godforsaken area crawling with verklings!」

He raised a finger.

「Malkohm: I want you to make use of what you learned and cleanse that scum from our lands, GOT THAT CLEAR?!」

「「Yes, sir!」」

「Malkohm: Don't you dare lose your life to such lowly creatures! I don't want to explain to your parents or relatives what a fucking embarrassment you were! AM I CLEAR?!」

「Recruits: YES, SIR!」

Malkohm started pacing back and forth.

「Malkohm: Remember to keep formation, and protect your flanks, shield your comrades! SOLDIERS FIGHT AS ONE!」

「Recruits: YES, SIR!」

C'mon get on with it, let's go already. For fuck's sake.

「Malkohm: And for the love of the blessed one, guard your rear!」

「Recruits: YES, SIR!」

Finally, we started marching.

I looked at the sky and wondered what my young friends were doing back at Valarest.