The Destruction of Batana

THE SKY ACADEMY 3

　

　

Day by day passed. Month by month changed. I don't know Marko very well. My schedule is getting more and more. I don't have time to take care of other people's business. My uniform has changed to a deep blue color which means that I am already one of the seniors in the Sky Academy. Guiding new students, even though my job is just to record students who commit violations. I'm not good at yelling or yelling like my senior-seniors come first.

Until one day, Marko asked me a question for the first time. As usual, he was lying on his bed. I was tidying up my bed. Prepare to sleep.

“Lian, what's your goal here?”

I jabbed, looking at him with a confused face. This is a very rare occurrence.

“Now, maybe I just want to keep myself busy.”

“in that case, what would you like to be if you graduated from this Academy?” He asked the question again.

I never thought about that all this time. About being what. I decided to shake. “I don't know yet what it wants to be.” I answered the question with a face down. Marko glanced at me, then covered his face with his arm.

“You, if you can't be like me. How hard I fight, no one will ever admit me. How strong I step, I will never be able to achieve my dreams.”

Waited for a moment. Marko showed no sign of speaking again. To be honest, this is a golden opportunity for me to get to know him better

“Why? Why are you on the dark list?” the question just popped out. I'm a little sorry. Marko didn't react, he definitely didn't want to talk about it.

However, once again I misjudged Marko. He is not the kind of person who doesn't like to talk. It's just that he always waits for people to greet him first. Waiting for me to ask. The next day, we were no longer as silent as the days that passed. Because I asked about him, about why he's on the dark list.

Marko smiled, a different smile when I first introduced myself. That smile was a sincere smile. There is no compulsion. “I'm sick” She replied briefly. The answer that eliminates all my questions about him.

“Actually I had time to hide this disease while in the Sky Academy. However, my roommate leaked it. It stuck me in the middle of my dream. My dream was just a dream. I'm not allowed to follow the entire training in the Sky Academy. In the end, I could only stare at the envy of the other disciples who were practicing. ”

“As I said earlier, I will never admit how hard I tried to get back on my feet. Because I have this disease. Unbecoming disease makes me a frontline warrior.”

“What disease do you have?” I asked in a soft voice. This fact really shakes my heart. How could I lightly tell her that if I had no goals she had dreams that might never come true? How could I arrogantly say that on top of the suffering of others?

“I have a respiratory disorder. If you see me sting often, it's not because I'm tired. All because of my breathing. If you see me waking up in the middle of the night or I don't fall asleep, it's all because of my respiratory distress. I don't want others to assume that I'm weak because of this disease. Be I never wanted you to see it. Remember when you were brewing tea at night and I asked you as if I was distracted? All because so you don't see my weak side.”

“Why did you just say it now?” I'm getting down. Feeling guilty about all my prejudices about her.

“Of course because I'm going to say..”.

“Don't give up!” My voice echoes. Surprised Marko who was lying on his bed. He sat down, raising both eyebrows.

“I know I don't deserve to say this. But please, don't give up on all your dreams. You're a very lucky person to have a purpose. Not everyone can have that special thing. And I'm one of them”

Marko laughing. Laughter that is undefined. “How can I continue my dream? I've even been laid off since I was still wearing a white uniform. I'm also not allowed to follow the exercises.”

“I.” I was silent for a moment. My eyes are looking hard at him. “I'll teach you, Marko. Taught you everything I've learned.”

“You fool! Can you teach one of the students the dark list?” He called out ketus. However, I could still see hope hanging on his face.

“Of course you can. That's a student like you.” I answered firmly. Although I actually know there is a ban on teaching students the dark list.

Marko was crying. Her crying was nothing more than a lost child. He came up to me, saluted. “Senior, i... I will obey all your orders! I'll follow all your directions!”

The next day, as I promised, I taught Marko everything I learned. We're doing all this in secret. There's only one place we can't be watched. It's in the room. Since he had problems with his breathing, I made his training lighter. I also teach you how to manage and cure breathing problems. Ruzdora once taught me how to give first aid to someone with a respiratory disorder. Ruzdora also provides herbal remedies that are able to eliminate the feeling of tightness. Surely the tea is not delicious. Tea that I never sipped again. I told Marko to drink it. He complied even with the force.

We do this at leisure or at night. Marko has learned so far quickly. I simply repeated one move a few times and he was already able to master it. Maybe it was his determination that made it so. Our relationship is getting closer.  I no longer referred to him as a mysterious roommate. I am the one who still holds that title.

“Senior, exactly how old are you?” Marko is no longer waiting for me to say hello or ask. He asked in the middle of his training.

“Sixteen” I replied briefly.

“Sixteen?” He looks surprised. Reassure.

I'm nodding.

“Eh, that means Senior is two years older than me. Sorry for all my disrespectful attitude!” I don't know since when he became sentimental like this. Sometimes his respect for me is too much.  But I was also surprised to learn that he was two years younger than me. Sometimes he looks childish.

The day passed quickly. It didn't feel like I had been in the Sky Academy for two years. This year is the last year of learning for me. After that I will be made one of the soldiers. I still haven't decided what it's going to be. Marko occasionally gives suggestions. I often feel embarrassed if he gives me a suggestion with a face of spirit. I feel like I don't deserve to be in the Sky Academy. I finally decided to become a frontline soldier.

About trauma? Surely it was gone a long way. I even did a simulation of fighting with the robot. I'm not scared at all. Maybe my daily life at the Sky Academy helped me forget those bad memories. Turn my fear into a force. Plus my embarrassment towards Marko made my resolve. I'll be a front-line soldier.

Now I am facing my last test in the Sky Academy. It's a battle simulation. The disciples to be tested were gathered in an artificial forest. We will put all our training in the forest. The rules are simple, we are asked to go to the river at the end of the forest.in the forest is filled with traps and also a copy of RP-2 that has been given red paint, which is painted in red, anyone who is exposed to the paint will immediately fail. We were only armed with a rifle. There were only ten bullets.

Again, I have no problem with this test. I have faced the truth, of course, making this simulation as if it were just a stepping stone for me. I was able to complete the exam within half an hour.

Tomorrow is the day of graduation and the handover of office for me has arrived. We were given a certificate and a Sky Academy identification card as proof of our graduation. There were only five people who dared to propose to become frontline soldiers. Marko congratulated me.

“Senior, I'm really grateful for all your guidance so far. Like you said, about not giving up. I will definitely not give up even if it means that I have to be in this Academy forever. I will definitely realize my dream and catch up with you at the forefront.” Marko said the sentence with enthusiasm even though it actually sounded very sad. I just nodded. Respecting.

Marko bent his body. Paying respects. I'm still not used to his respect for me. I decided to touch his shoulder, shaking unnecessarily. He returned to his original position.

“Marko, I'm no longer your senior. You don't have to pay any more respects for me. In exchange I only ask you one thing. If one day I come back and ask you for help, will you help me?”

Marko smiled. He looks very happy. “Of course, Senior! I'm happy to help!”

I rubbed my face. He still calls me senior. But I let him. Not be able to rebuke him.

All the students, no we are not students anymore. All the soldiers were taken by bus. We'll be transferred to Keios Army Headquarters. It was quite a distance away from the Sky Academy.it was about three hours away. The headquarters is in the heart of Keios City. Unlike the Sky Academy which was on the edge of the city. I stared at the Sky Academy Building for the last time. The bus started to move away, splitting the street. Leaving behind millions of memories stored in that place. I will definitely miss my days there.

“Goodbye Sky Academy. Goodbye Marko.” I said in a soft voice.