The Mechanical Era

The recruits were all running around the field in a straight line, sweating and panting, as the first task of the day. At the very front of the line, leading the other recruits around the field was none other than Ridge.

The recruits all end up running 20 times around the massive field of grass before they could all collapse from exhaustion. They returned to their instructor Kristina, who now stood with 2 knights beside her.

"Well done on completing your first task. You may take a break. As your second task is more demanding. You all would to do 30 sit-ups! If you fail once, you will have to start again all over. Do you understand!" she shouted in a commanding tone.

"Ma'am, Yes Ma'am!" they all said at once, standing straight.

The recruits, all after taking a deep breath, got down on the short grass floor and sat down. The men, the same ones determined at the beginning, seem to have lost most of their motivation.

A man, one with black hair and brown eyes approached Ridge. He looked to be young, the youngest out of them all, and seemed just as tired and unmotivated like the rest.

"Man this training thing is a lot harder than I expected." he said.

"Yea, well tell me about it." Ridge replied.

"I mean really? Why do they train us this harshly? It's not like we are becoming a knight or anything?"

"It must for some other reason I presume. Probably to discipline us. You can ask the instructor if you want a proper answer." Ridge said as he used his hand to wipe off the sweat from his forehead.

"Heaven's no. She will kill me." the man replied. The two were silent for a bit. Just as Ridge was about to wander off into his mind, the same man asked a question.

"Say, what are you here for?" he asked.

"To earn some money. I haven't been able to get a job. I had been using the money I made previously to get by back then."

"Really? For how long?" he asked

"I rather keep that private." Ridge replied.

"... What about you then? Why did you came here?" he asked.

"I came here to earn some extra money, and for the free meal they would be giving. Though those 2 silver coins seem to be worth a lot, not when it comes to this." the man looked around, to see if anyone else was listening.

"I plan on skipping the training tomorrow. I would definitely be better off somewhere else." he whispers to his ear.

"Good luck to you then." Ridge replied. Ridge looked onwards at the instructors. A messenger seemed to have delivered something to Kristina. She signed and whispers something to the messenger before he leaves.

"Alright recruits, break's over! Get up!" Kristina shouted. The men all immediately stood up straight and formed 10 lines, each with 20 people on them.

"It has come to my attention that Sire Kant has been pleased with how you all are performing. Therefor he has instructed me to give you a reward." she said.

"Sire Kant has personally ordered to reward any recruits meat in their meals, freshly prepared by the staff of the kitchen, for complying and carrying out the tasks." she said.

"Do you understand?"

"Ma'am, Yes Ma'am!"

"Good. Now start the sit ups now!"

...

The sun was nearing the top of the sky, facing down the recruits on the ground standing still they were told. Though Ridge had a hard time completing his previous task, he managed to complete it nonetheless.

From the distance, he can see people carry an oak wood carts across the field. His brown eye picked up 10 of them, and his nose picked up the paint smell of food. The others picked it up too, as they turned their heads towards the carts.

The carts were set up in line. As soon as they were done, they got up and went over. They all formed a line to pick up each of their meals for the day. When it was Ridge's turn, the maid asked for his name.

"Ridge. Ridge Myers." he said. The maid looked at the piece of paper pinned at the back. It had a bunch of names, including his. She then served Ridge a piece of bread, cheese, some vegetables, a boiled egg, and a small slice of cooked meat on a wooden plate.

Ridge went over to a bench to sit down and eat up his food. Along with the plate, he had been given a wooden spoon and fork to help eat his food.

His eye looked on at the small slice of meat and smiled. He grabbed his fork to grab the slice of meat. He then bits a chunk off it and begins slowly chewing. His tongue picked up the rich flavors of the piece of meat, and hits his brain with a dash of dopamine.

"Hey man, what's up." Ridge turns around to see the same guy from before, sitting right next to him.

"I'm doing rather fine. You?"

"Doing great! I also got that slice of meat. It tastes so good. Can't wait for tomorrow."

"You are not leaving?"

"Heaven's no! I get to eat meat for the first time in my life man and this food is absolutely delicious. If think I am going to pass up the opportunity to eat meals made from the royal kitchen itself? Yea, no way man." he said.

"Huh, that's good." Ridge replied.

"Hey, I never asked for your name did I?" he asked.

"Apparently not."

"So what is it?"

"Ridge. Ridge Myers."

"Nice to meet you Ridge. My name is Siphon." he replied.

...

It was nearing sunset. Marco was walking back home. The streets were nearly empty, with the orange sun the only source of light at these times. Business owners closed up shop, and people went back inside their homes.

Ridge arrived back at his apartment. His wife was seen cleaning the house. As he entered, she turned her head to see Ridge sweating heavily and exhausted.

"How was your day honey?" she asked.

"It went well. I had to a lot of exercise."

"Like your brother?"

"Not as intensely, but yes. I guess it's a part of the training."

"Anything else?" she asked.

"Yes. Plenty. I will tell you all about it."