The Bent World (Formerly: Multiverse Revenge Stories): Chapter 12 A proper Indoctrination (Five Months Later)

Chapter 12

A Proper Indoctrination

(Five Months Later)

Following the events of the profiling ceremony massacre, what the people of town and the surrounding countryside called that botched awakening event, my life changed dramatically.

First, my self-defense training intensified, moving from one hour to three hours a day. While we always started off with an hour of the basics, hand strikes, breaks, and holds, the latter two hours were spent with weapons.

Many kinds of weapons. I trained with knives, brass knuckles, and weighted padding. Then once I was deemed proficient in moving with my weighted padding, I was then forced to train with the actual armor meant for someone my age who was beginning to train in the ways of a warrior.

For the most part with my sheltered upbringing, I almost thought that this was acceptable. I knew many of the girls in my class, well those who survived, they too began to train in similar fashion. At least they had before school let out for the summer.

Once summer hit, that was when my real training began, as I would have a lesson in the morning with one instructor, and then a second set of training with various weapon types in the evening.

I didn’t let those hours in between go to waste, as I would often work out at that time as well. Having retained my memories from my past life, I found the need for survival far outweighed my need for mental improvements.

My personal want for strength was highly encouraged. Even if many of my instructors seemed hesitant to train me, at least at first.

“You want me to train a boy? But I will break him in minutes,” the instructors who all apparently owed favors to Auntie cried out.

“Try him, if he is too weak, or unable to comprehend what you are teaching then your debt is paid in full. However, if he survives this training, then I expect to see you again tomorrow, until you are done with your training.” Auntie declared.

At first, Auntie had to watch over me.

I thought that this was to be on hand should I get injured.

It wasn’t until later that I realized she was there to ensure that the instructors actually taught me.

She never told me of this, in fact it was an overheard conversation with a leaving instructor that let me understand what exactly was going on.

“He is just a boy, but you act like he will one day awaken his powers and be able to contribute to an incursion.” Ms. Tryden, my general melee instructor stated. Of all my instructors she was the most proficient in many different forms of weaponry. She was also the last to arrive, and most hesitant at first to train me. Only a huge debt that she owed my Auntie kept her from storming off when she first laid eyes on me.

There was a slight pause before Ms. Tryden continued her impromptu rant, “I mean he’s what six? He’s at that age where he should start growing his hair out, showing that he is a healthy mating partner. But here you are having him run around with short hair, getting trained in weapons, it’s not natural.”

Hearing that comment, especially the one about hair began to make me realize a few things. In class, I was the one boy with the shortest hair, though I just carried over the trends of my past world.

Likewise, the women here all sported different types of haircuts. Auntie’s was long and vibrant, while Sarina’s was more of a bob cut. Many of my teachers had typical pixie haircuts, but I figured that was a matter of preference.

Pausing for a moment, I tried to recall an image of my own mother, only to realize that she had long hair as well.

There were other such conversations that happened after school let out for the summer.

Probably the most important one was late one evening after Ms. Tryden had finally declared that I was passable, at bladed weapon usage, where I was told I was, “not likely to cut off his own finger or those of his comrades by mistake.”

Upon receiving that recognition, Auntie sat me down and then had the talk with me.

“All right, there is no easy way to say this, which is why I will just come right out and say it directly,” Auntie began, her words and tone echoing how important this conversation was. “You are at that age where you are still growing, and still able to mature. While this used to be the standard practice for all children of a household, particularly for nobility, it has since fallen out of favor due to its lethality.”

A pause.

“That’s right, you could die from this. The primary concern, that of being overexposed to radiation energy from a rift, is no longer a concern. But what is a concern a rogue monster coming through and striking you down when I would be unable to protect you.”

I sat there listening to my Auntie speak, knowing that this was one of those times when you sat and listened to the importance of what was being said.

I nodded, and Auntie continued.

“But know that I think this is the best course of action for you. The goal is to take you out into the wild, to areas where there are active rifts being formed. You will go with me and a group of other children, and you will be exposed to more types of energy, to hopefully awaken any latent abilities that have remained dormant within your blood to this point.”

Only after she spoke did she realize that there was a chance for hope in that comment.

“Do not think that this is a way to actually awaken your powers,” Auntie stated sternly.

Hearing her words, I could tell she meant this, and I had already grown used to this idea. For what it was worth, I could feel this thing called experience. I felt it every time I killed monsters from the rifts and then had to work out to apply that odd tingling energy.

While I had to work out different muscle groups, and my mind to strengthen them during this time, women had it easy. All a woman apparently had to do was choose which Attributes to direct their energy towards and boom done. The work that took me hours of running took them a matter of seconds to complete.

Again, I nodded, this time I was a bit more reluctant in my nod.

“The reason why I want to do this, is for many different reasons. I want you to potentially be able to awaken maximum tier power schools within perspective partners. I want you to be able to survive when you get older and your exposure to rifts might or might not increase. Then finally, I want you to be able to survive your own profiling ceremony.”

At this point Auntie’s face turned pale as she seemed to conclude that she would tell me a harsh truth about this world.

“As you may already know, you might die during your ceremony in a little over a year and a half from now,” Auntie began. “It is my goal to make sure that you survive. Not just survive, but for you to thrive as well. I know you will be a strong partner already. The fact that you can smell some types of powers is testament to that. What I want is for you to be able to do this for others. Or maybe even become the…” At that last thought Auntie trailed off.

It was clear from that last comment that there was something deeper that Auntie wanted from me. Or maybe something she wanted for me? I didn’t know. All I did know at this point was that Auntie truly wanted the best for me, and for that I was thankful.

I just nodded.

“Okay, with that in mind, you have been given the light to go ahead and are permitted to actually use your weapons in the field. A glowing endorsement that few ever actually receive from Ms. Tryden. While you are far from a master, she notes your skills are more than adequate to survive a standard low rank rift.” Auntie stated, concern evident in her eyes, but she kept her tone casual and light.

Hearing her concern, I realize that this is the time for me to speak, so I do.

“When do we go?”

Relief washes over Auntie’s face, before she then begins nodding to herself as if she expected this response all along, she continues.

“But before you come with me, know that there will be a few things you must do.”

***

Apparently, those things I must do, are dress up like a girl. Which in this world meant I wore a padded halter top as an undershirt that showed off my midriff. Fortunately, my muscular midriff was not something to be embarrassed about and was actually more defined than many females my age. The next was that I had on an outer shirt that provided protection for my shoulders. Long capris that were made of dense and durable leather. Long leather bracers on my wrists that were reinforced with metal plating. Shoes that were leathery on the inside and reinforced by metallic strips on the outside. Then there was my helmet.

At least, that is what I called it; it was a protective leather mask that would muffle my voice should I try to speak and would cover my skull completely. There was a wide opening for the eyes and mouth and was made surprisingly breathable due to inner mesh plating.

For weapons I was given a sword, two short swords on my sides, two daggers that were part of my bracers. Then a few knives throwing up my sleeves. The idea being that even if I lost one set of weapons, I would be able to survive long enough to get away.

“Now remember the deal, no talking. The other girls who will also be joining us are being told not to speak either. But even if they do, it is important that you just keep quiet, as your voice will be a dead giveaway that something is off. It is already enough that I am coming, but as a certified healer, few will dare challenge me or my conditions for coming. That said, just go out, join the group, do as your instructor states and then come back.”

I nodded, having heard the instructions for the fifth time this car ride alone.

Still, her intentions were in the right spot, so I just nodded in agreement.

Then finally, the vehicle stopped and it was time for us to leave.

There was a pause, as Auntie just stared at me and then at the door.

It took a second, until finally realization struck. I was now pretending to be a girl, at least for this next part. As such, I had to open my own doors and was expected to leave on my own.

Seeing her gesture, I nodded again and then exited the vehicle on my own.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ceecee clearly debating with herself about whether she should get out and open the door for me. But she managed to remain behind.

I jumped out of the vehicle, making sure to bend down enough that the pommel of my sword didn’t scrape the interior of the vehicle.

Then once on the ground, I got out and began running towards the group of female soldiers who were all standing at attention, backs straight, and empty fists clenched at their sides.

Looking at the other cadets, I knew this was going to be a big day.

All the other students wore similar mid-baring clothing. The idea was to get used to having your stomach out now, that way when you became pregnant and went on an excursion, you would be used to having a bare stomach from the beginning and be better prepared for the airy feeling of a bulging belly during combat.

I honestly didn’t understand that mentality, but then again, had it not been for my own mother doing something like my world I would not be here right now.

It was also times like these that I was glad that Auntie oversaw my clothing, and apparently, she was also moderately in charge of the clothing worn by the other practitioners, for they all had their faces covered as well. Some had finer mesh linings that showed feminine contours and facial features.

Not going to lie, it felt sort of odd wearing this type of clothing, but at least I didn’t stand out too much. In a way, I wondered if this was how women who dressed up as male soldiers back on my world felt like. It’s an odd feeling, but one I quickly grew accustomed to.

Especially after the long journey here, where I left my room in this garment, then went straight to the vehicle where I was then escorted here.

Not even Sarina was here, which was likely a good thing as she would more than likely be fussing over me. Which would be annoying on its own, but even more so as I noticed a few of the females from my school here. For a moment, I wondered if any of them saw through my disguise, just as I saw through theirs. But before I could get too lost in these thoughts, Auntie began.

“I am Dr. Andry. You may refer to me as Commander, God, or God Commander, while we are out I do not want to hear you talk, breathe, or even sweat in my direction.” Like a switch had been flicked Dr. Andry was already in her most commanding tone, barking out orders and pacing our line like a lioness ready to pounce.

“Your task today is simple, you are to stand tight, wait at the back of the formation, then when we call you forward, you are to run forward and provide a strike to each animal that we capture for you. Do not worry about killing these beasts, their hides are far too tough for the likes of you all. Instead, it is your take to run forward, jab your sword as deeply as possible and keep going until you draw blood.”

“I’d ask if there were any questions, but it would be a test. One that many of you likely would fail, forcing me to send you back because you can’t obey my first rule I gave you, which was?” Auntie began.

“Not to…” squeak, yes one girl squeaked when she realized her mistake.

“Sit out this time,” Dr. Andry began, and gestured for the girl to go back.

“Ahh,” the girl cried out.

“Relax, there will be other times, but this goes to show the importance of attention to details. If my first command is not to talk, then I will ask you a question later, I expect you to know that the question was a test of how well you paid attention. Fortunately, today we will not be fighting particularly tough monsters, as that will come at the end of summer, when you all have had more time to develop and grow. Consider this an initial foray into the world of becoming a warrior maiden.”

There was a moment as the girl who was kicked out, was forced to just sit out, while the rest of us went forward.

I had already known not to speak, as Auntie warned me on the way here. That was why I didn’t fall for her tricks, as effective as they might have been.

“Good, now come on, follow my instructions and remember no words, no sounds, you all are to be ghosts while we move.” Auntie began.

Then turning, Auntie gave a wiggling hand motion with her two fingers on her right hand up. Apparently, this gesture meant let’s start or head out, as that was all the lead warrior needed to begin moving forward.

Crunch, snap.

As we moved, an odd silence fell over the group.

Only the stomping of the boots over lush foliage could be heard, breaking the monotony.

It took a bit to realize, but we were clearly exploring the area, trying to find where a noted rift apparently opened. I only noticed this on the second time we back tracked our way through an already trampled group of bushes.

That’s when I smelled it.

Sniff.

Letting my sense of smell take over, I identified a faint trail of sandalwood and something metallic filled the air. One of these smells was clearly for wood or nature magic, while the second one was new. I had never encountered that second smell, but the fact that I could identify it, even briefly, was good.

Hearing my characteristic sniffing sound, Auntie turned to look at me.

“Do you know where it is?” She asked.

I nodded my head and pointed to the east, in the direction that the smell was seemingly more potent.

“Very good,” Auntie replied at my use of hand signals to point where we were to go. Then she made a rapid set of gestures, where a group of guards closed in around us, while a pair of two maidens went off in the direction I had indicated.

Realizing we had a moment, Auntie turned to me.

“What do you detect?” She asked, this was her basically showing me off to everyone. I understood the ploy, if in the future my gender was revealed, I would show off my abilities to dissect a landscape.

Still not wanting to talk, I hold up two fingers.

“Two different types of energies?”

I nod, then pointing at my head I pointed with one finger, then held that one finger up.

“But you only know one?”

I nod again.

“Okay, what is it?” She asks.

I turn and the point to a nearby tree.

“Wood?”

I nod.

“Okay, and the second one you don’t know?”

I shake my head.

“Okay,” Auntie begins, while she si speaking right to me, her words are loud enough for everyone to still hear in the silent jungle.

Then a moment later the two guards that Auntie sent on ahead come straight back from the area I indicated. Making contact with the group, the two nod in agreement, and then also indicate that the rift is in that direction.

“You have the makings of a natural Pathfinder,” Auntie exclaimed.

Gasps.

I didn’t quite know what that was, likely a class that was rare and highly coveted. But at the moment, it was enough to prove why I was here.

I’m guessing that if we had a pathfinder for our group, then our doubling back would not have happened.

For a moment, I almost wonder if Auntie planned this group to be aligned in just this way, for this very reason, but I soon dismissed that as we all gathered around Auntie who began leading our formation from the center.

Auntie in the center, and various guards and highly powerful warrior maidens to the front.

Tingle.

As we got closer, I could feel the energy of the portal. There was an odd tension, one that seemed to lightly grip my heart and embrace ever so gently. It felt like home.

Then before I could delve too deeply into this new sensation, Auntie spoke.

“Now is when your true test begins.”