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"I don\'t know. Just walk. We are already late."

"Haaa."

Kartik and Sarvesh were childhood friends.

Just a week ago, there was a huge announcement in their small village. It was the recruitment of the military academy in the outskirts of the city of Warangal.They were inspired by the warrior stories narrated by an old soldier that had settled in their village long ago.

They both heard these stories together and strived to become warriors like them. As soon as they heard the announcement of the recruitment. They both knew it was the best chance for them to fulfil their dreams.

It took them some time to convince their parents. Their parents were reluctant, like every parent, to send off their kids to the military, but both of them had the unwavering conviction to join the army and become warriors.

Thus they set out to Warangal with the blessings of the villagers and their parents. The villagers gathered some extra food for them. They also gave them good luck charms and sent them on their way.

After a while of walking, the heat was getting to them. They were slowing down and every step felt heavy. It usually took around 4 days to get to the city on foot from their village. They were already late by a day.

They were supposed to reach the place before the test began but at this pace they would just reach the test area right on time. They will have to go through the test without rest.

"Hey! Where are you young boys headed to?" A rough voice pierced their ears.

"Um…." They glanced back.

It was an ox carriage going in the same route as them.

"We are headed to the city!"

"Hooo. Is that right?" asked the man. "Are you headed for the test as well?"

"Yes," said Kartik with a smile.

"Get in, young boys. I am going to the city as well."

The man was dressed quite well. Sarvesh could quickly tell he was a merchant.

They exchanged glances and got into the carriage with a wide smile. "Thanks a lot, mister," said Kartik.

"Don\'t worry, you have some company." He laughed out loud.

Sarvesh and Kartik got in the back of the carriage. It was filled with different goods like ceramics and textiles. A young boy like them sat in the corner, hugging the cloth bag filled with his belongings.

They stared at each other for a while.

"Hey!" Kartik broke the awkward mood. "Are you headed for the test as well?"

"Yes." Muttered the boy. He was shorter than them and thin.

"What is your name?" asked Kartik with an enthusiastic voice.

"Sh-Shyam."

"Oh! Where are you from?"

"Um…."

Sarvesh hit Kartik in the ribs with his elbow. "You are overwhelming him, you dumbo."

"Sorry Sorry.." Kartik laughed. "Mister, are you a merchant?"

"yes. I am just a small-time merchant."

Kartik was a chatterbox and got along with almost everyone quickly. His energetic manner helped a lot.

Sarvesh, on the other hand, was a much more silent guy. He was observant and calculating. While Kartik chatted with the merchant.

"So where are you from?" asked Sarvesh to Shyam

"Um..I am from a faraway village." He muttered meekly.

"I see. Are you interested in becoming a warrior?"

"I heard soldiers get paid well." He mumbled.

"Oh…" Sarvesh voice trailed off.

"Also, they can read books too."

"You are in for the money, huh?"

Shyam was the youngest sibling of three. His elder sister and brother worked hard to feed his disabled father and ill mother. When he heard of the announcement and the stipend. He knew it was the chance to help his siblings. He convinced them to let him at least try for the academy.

His elder brother trusted him and convinced the others to let him go.

Shyam\'s was always interested in books, but they didn\'t have any money to spare for books. He was close to the village chief, who had the Mahabharata book. The chief would happily lend him the book to read. He even taught Shyam how to read and write. Being a bright kid, he grasped it very quickly.

Sarvesh shrugged. "I guess everyone has their problems."

He wasn\'t the one to judge. Everyone had their fair share of problems and different dreams. He didn\'t want to shame or judge him for trying to join the army for money.

They managed to reach the city a whole day ahead of the test, thanks to the merchant carriage. The academy was on the outskirts of the city. It was just a few minutes away.

"Thank you, Mister." Kartik shouted and waved at the man.

"Umm…" Shyam muttered. "Where are you staying?"

"In that Inn." Sarvesh answered, pointing in the direction.

"I see." Shyam stepped back. "See you at the test." He stuttered and ran away.

It was a bright morning and they changed into good clothes. They trekked to the huge fort structure. They stood before the huge gate of the academy. Despite the announcement. There were fewer people than they expected in front of the gate.

"I don\'t see that kid!" Kartik exclaimed, looking around with an energetic smile.

"STAND IN LINE," yelled a soldier. Everyone near the gate scurried into line at the command.

After a quick verification at the front of their gate. They were issued a badge number to paste on their clothes.

"Keep this when you are in the academy. You will be disqualified if you appear without it," instructed the soldier.

They both nodded.

Both of them were instructed to go to the large field in the academy. They reached the field to see hundreds of people gathered to take the test, unlike the ones at the entrance. The soldiers lined them up according to their numbers.

"Look, it\'s that guy from yesterday," Kartik pointed.

Shyam was standing in the front with his badge number.

"LINE UP. The test will start soon; further entries will not be allowed." Yelled a captain.

After everyone was lined up. The captain began to explain the test procedure. The first test would be a physical test to test the endurance of the candidates.

It included running, pushups, and pullups, some others as well.

The candidates were divided into different groups according to their badge numbers.

The test began.

The last-place candidates in the running race were promptly disqualified on the spot by the soldiers. They were guided out of the gate.

Shyam barely passed the first test, while Kartik and Sarvesh were first in their groups. Half of the candidates were disqualified after the running test. The rest of the tests began to filter out the unfit candidates.

Kartik and Sarvesh were constantly outperforming others in the physical tests. They have won first place in all the events. While Shyam was placing last in most events but was barely passing the physical tests. He pushed himself to the limit. He remembered his family every time and somehow managed to pass the tests.

After all the tests were done. All the remaining candidates were tired and collapsed on the ground. The sun was setting in the distance; it cast an orange hue on the ground. Three of them managed to pass the physical tests.

There were a quarter of the original candidates left in the test. Many left with dejected expressions. It was the survival of the fittest in the academy. There was no room for the people without merit.

The captain who oversaw the test stood before the tired candidates. Stay connected through empire

"LINE UP." He yelled.

Everyone swiftly got up and scurried into a line. They tried to stand straight; some guy\'s legs were trembling. Some were leaning on others to support themselves.

"You all have passed the first round!" exclaimed the captain.

"First?"

"Yes First. There is another test tomorrow." Said the captain with a wry smile.

Everyone was bewildered by the statement. Most of them also had problems because they didn\'t bring enough money to stay in the inns for another day.

"What is the test?" asked Kartik.

"It is an intelligence test. Don\'t worry about the reading part. We will have narrators for anyone who can\'t read," explained the captain. "Verbal answers are enough."

"Um…" Shyam mumbled.

"What is it?" the captain asked in a loud voice.

"I don\'t have money... to stay at the inn."

"HAHAHA." Laughed the captain.

"Don\'t worry. Everyone will be staying in the academy for the rest of the tests."

"Food shall be provided by the academy without any costs."

The captain took a deep breath and declared.

"The candidates that pass the second round will be enrolled in the first batch of the Military Academy of Warangal."