Chapter 24 : 5 Days Decision

This was already the second time I had been called up to Mr. Wymond's room. My anxiety grew with each step I took, getting closer to Mr. Wymond's room. Sam's willingness to take me all the way to the front of the room didn't really help. Several times I tried to talk to him to reduce my anxiety, but what I got was that my anxiety was clearly visible. My speech was incoherent and always cut off in the middle.

Sam said it was better if I didn't talk right now, because it would only confuse him.

I was surprised when I entered the room that was twice the size of the room I was in. There were not only Mister Wymond that I met, but also several people whose age was not far away from Mr. Wymond. Judging from their clothes and the insignia on their uniforms, they are the leaders of the Vigilante Union. Probably Mr. Wymond's subordinates at least. The thing that makes me sure is that their hair is shaggy. Very distinctive. and a familiar face is also present among them, the judges who evaluated the test this afternoon.

They all looked at me, as I took them one by one by circulating my gaze. there were at least 6 pairs of eyes that I looked at. They were all silent as if waiting for something that I should have done but didn't do.

I stomped my right foot at the same time as my right hand went up to my temple, " Salute, sir!", I said out loud.

The talk opened with one of the judges revealing my test results accompanied by a detailed scene of how I couldn't ride a horse. As the story unfolded, the reactions of those listening, including Mr. Wymond, were predictable. They listened but occasionally glanced over with dismissive looks.

I was waiting for the part where the man told about my expertise in archery. But it seems I was expecting too much. He didn't tell it and only showed the results of the score he wrote in the note. Maybe that's what is called the result is the most powerful evidence. Their pupils dilated in surprise as well as impressed by the score written there.

"How did you do it? Have you ever taken archery training before?" , asked a man with a square chin and sunken eyes that looked very curious.

"I used to follow my father hunting in the forest, sir!", I replied loudly.

"The forest? You mean the forest over there?" the man beside him replied, pointing to the forest just behind the camp.

"Yes, sir!"

They all looked at each other until finally the man with the square chin asked another question, " I can tell by your skills that you've been doing this for a long time. Have you completely memorized the route in the forest?"

I knew where this was going, "No, sir!", I replied matter-of-factly, "I've only ever hunted on the forest side, never really gone inside."

They all nodded in understanding but looked disappointed, "you have seen the results sheet of the test, right? Your name has not been listed there because it is still under consideration for you whether to place in the beginner group of the intermediate group. Your archery skills, I admit, are very great will the senior troops here not necessarily be able to make a perfect shot like that, but for your riding skills are very different. That's what makes us hesitate to put you in the intermediate level. you know for the soldiers that means the intermediate level can already participate in patrols and guard around the settlement. It is important to be able to ride a horse, just as important as the ability to master weapons." , Mr. Wymond explained.

Mr. Wymond's words apparently started a debate between the people sitting in front of me. there were some people who agreed to put me in a intermediate level, but some others disagreed considering that it would only be inconvenient for me and the others. The awkward began to spread from my feet to my head. I didn't understand why they had to argue in front of me like this. It would have been better if they discussed first and then informed me of the results.

"What's your name?" , asked the calmest-looking person, sitting to Mr. Wymond's right.

"Anne, sir."

"Anne, can you do horse riding in 5 days?"

some of the people who disagreed with me being in the intermediate group started chuckling, saying it was impossible and again suggested that I be put in the beginner group only. Plus they said that I was a woman and they wanted that fact to be taken into consideration.

Like a spark in a dry field, their words hurt most of my feelings and pride. Not even they had set the whole field on fire.

"I can do it, sir!", I said, cutting off the argument that had erupted again.

"Very well. I like that kind of enthusiasm. In the next 5 days, you must be able to ride a horse at all costs because it is a basic skill that all troops must have. We will test you again after 5 days and I want to see how good you are at archery."

I was let out after Mr. Mymond tapped his gavel to signal the final decision. As I closed the door I could still hear the debate going on. even Sam waiting outside was surprised to hear the noise in the room when the door opened.

"What was that? They kicked you out?", Sam asked.

I shook my head with a wry smile, "Where were we?", I asked, changing the subject.

"No problem. I already got the information from the trooper by the door. He asked me about the results. At first I didn't understand what results he meant, then he explained everything in great detail and maybe added a little dramatic spice in there."

I nodded a few times, "Good, you got the information from the right person."

When we arrived in front of the dormitory building where the troops slept, I saw in the distance Gerard who was walking towards the stables. From the width of his shoulders, his height, his back haircut, and also the way he walked, it was definitely Gerard.

I parted ways with Sam at the front of the stairs. We had originally planned to talk on the balcony, but when I saw Gerard, I suddenly felt that I had to meet him even though we would eventually meet in the room. Meanwhile, Sam said he wanted to spend the hot water by turning his bathroom into a sauna. I just hope his baby-like skin won't blister.

There are two good reasons why I want to see Gerard right away. the first is of course to brag about my archery skills that have been recognized by everyone, the second is to convey the results earlier with the hope that he will train me well. To be honest, his riding skills are great and I have to become great within 5 days. In order to do so I have to have a great teacher, right?

Unfortunately, I was not quick enough. I had planned to talk to him at the stables instead of catching up with him right away and chatting on the way. As soon as I arrived, there was already Angela who had arrived first. She was chatting with Gerard, and if I noticed, the two of them had been talking a lot lately.

I kept my distance from them and intended to pay attention for a while. Unfortunately my presence was noticed first by Angela who didn't seem happy to see me coming, she immediately said goodbye to Gerard and left without reprimanding me at all.

"Captain," , I called out as I approached him who was brushing his horse.

"What's going on? You didn't usually call me respectfully. Are you trying to say goodbye?"

"Why are you talking so sharply. I wasn't expelled."

"No?", Gerard turned to me as if in disbelief, "Ah, too bad."

I glanced at him sharply, "They won't expel me. I can assure you. They need someone like me."

"Someone like you? Looks like they've got the wrong person."

"No, they don't. Did you-I mean, captain, did the captain not see how my archery turned out? I think they just saw something like that and they called me to give me that compliment. I'm doing great, right?" I said proudly.

Gerard nodded, "I didn't see your name on the test paper, so I thought you were expelled."

I leaned my back against the iron fence of Gerard's stables and folded my arms in front of my chest, "Ha! My name isn't on there because they're still considering."

"Considering whether you'll be expelled or given additional punishment?"

"More like considering whether I'll be in the beginner group or the intermediate group, actually."

"Let me guess," , Gerard stopped scrubbing and ruffled Anne's waist, "Your riding skills are so poor that you're definitely in the beginner group, but your archery skills are pretty good-"

"Very good." , I interjected.

"To get into the intermediate group." , Gerard continued.

"Exactly. And I'd like to ask you a favor, captain."

"No." , Gerard replied briefly as he put down his brush and stroked his horse again in farewell.

Gerard walked away from the stable while ignoring me. Of course, I didn't immediately despair, and soon caught up with him. Now my plan to negotiate at the stables had failed.

"Don't want to? Why, weren't you appointed to be my mentor?" , my words urged him.

" Since when did I become your mentor? I was only asked to keep an eye on you, that's all."

"If you're just watching over me, why would you want to train me early in the morning?"

"Consider it your payment for washing my clothes. That's fair, right?"

I shook my head and tried to catch up with him, "No!", I said as I stretched my arms in front of him so that his steps stopped, "I don't want to just train to increase my stamina. I want the training to be replaced with riding."

Gerard took a step forward intending to intimidate me. He didn't say anything and just looked at me. There was nothing I could do but stand my ground. I can't blink, the one who blinks first loses!

"I trained you so I also decide what kind of training you will do. If you don't want to do it then just quit."