Chapter 20:

Last Minute Preparations (Military School Part 7)

Diary of Void: The Millennium War


Kanles Battle Arena, Capital City Blae, Cloud Empire

A lone figure stands in the quiet grounds of the Kanles Battle Arena, with the night sky filled with stars shining upon them. The figure walks and rests upon one of the thousands of seats in the arena and looks up towards the sky. A chilly breeze blows from the south, but the figure pays it no mind. The figure sighed. 

Lieutenant General Vula thinks about the duel later today, in a couple of hours. It was roughly 4 hours from dawn and she had been awake ever since she had awoken 3 hours ago. Another chilly breeze blows but once again, she pays it no mind. Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from the entrance of the battle arena. 

Vula quickly springs into action, with her partner, a Sun-DD50 hand pistol held tightly in her hands, aiming at the entrance. 

“It’s me, Vula. No need to be cautious.” a voice ensures Vula. 

Vula, recognising the voice puts her partner away and replied. “Oh, it’s just you, Shi. You had me worried for a second there. What are you doing here?" 

"I'm here just to watch the duel," Shizuko answered. 

"Watch the duel? But that doesn't happen until 9 am." Vula replied in a state of confusion. 

"Oh well, it's better to come early than later. And also I knew you will be here so what's the matter?" she said as she sat down next to Vula. 

"Hm? You knew I would be here?" 

"Yeah. We have been friends for such a long time now, I know your thought process for basically everything." Shizuko replied. "Want to play some cards as we chat?" 

"Sure." 

Shizuko foraged through her pockets and pulled out a packet of cards, a small tablecloth, and a small lamp. 

"You really came prepared, didn't you?" 

"Hehe. Maybe." 

As Shizuko set a foldable table with the tablecloth and everything else, Vula stayed quiet.
"What's wrong, Vula?" asked a concerned Shizuko. 

"Oh," Vula responded. "No, it's nothing." 

"You can share it with me. It's fine." 

"No, no, it's really fine." 

"Well, alright then. Just come to me if you need someone to tell and get it off your chest." 

"Thanks, Shi." 

"Ah! How many times I have told you not to call me by your nicknames!" 

Vula stared at Shizuko before roaring with laughter. Shizuko also started laughing which brightened the mood. 
"Well, it looks here we are ready to play some cards," Vula stated. 

"Yep. But let me warn you, I don't go easy on you!" Shizuko countered. 

"Hoho. Then let's test your skills!" 

Another chilly breeze of wind blows and the lively friends of Vula and Shizuko chatter away as they played cards to pass the time. 

... 

A few hours pass and the game's overall victor was decided. With almost 200 wins, 37 draws and 163 losses, the game's champion is Vula! 

"Argh. I had it at the beginning. Well, good game, Vula." 

"Yeah, good game Shi. It was pretty close, I must admit." Vula replied. 

By now, dawn was arriving. So the duo went to the highest point of the arena and watched the sunrise from there. It was a stunning view. Gold rays of sunlight slowly replaced the pink and dark sky before the sun itself could be seen. White clouds that the Cloud Empire was named after, float in the sky like gold ingots. In the distance, the mountains and the ocean glowed due to the sunlight and that added to the beauty of the view. 

"Beautiful isn't it, Shi?" 

"Yes..." Shizuko mumbled back. 

"This peaceful life and this stunning view are the fruits of our work. And we should maintain it this way. Keeping the frontlines away from our home nation and protecting the Empire from diseases, and natural disasters and also eliminating threats are the only way to do so. Don't you agree?" 

"I totally agree. If a small portion of us can maintain this life that the common folk and the remaining portion of the population can enjoy and prosper, then it's all worth it, even if our lives aren't the best." 

"Uhm hm. True. Well, I'm going to start on my warm-ups. Do you want to join me?" Vula asked Shizuko. 

"I'll see. For now, I'm going to stay here for a bit longer." 

"Alright then, you do you." 

Vula leapt from the statue's head onto its arms before jumping down onto the upper spectator seats. From there, she travelled down the stairs and made it to the arena. She took off her Entanian Senior jacket and uniform and placed them on a seat nearby. 
Shizuko watched from above, on top of the statue's head before joining Vula an hour later. 

By then, Vula was done with her warm-ups and started to do some sets of various activities. 
"Oh." Vula noticed Shizuko walking towards her. "You came down. Care for a mock battle?" she asked. 

"No, I'm good. You'll probably mess up my hair." Shizuko answered. 

"Your hair? No worries! Just fix it up afterwards. It doesn't take that long... does it?" 

"I don't know about you exactly, but from what you are telling me, you sure have it nice. Don't have to worry about brushing your hair, or your hair overall because you have rather short hair for a girl." Shizuko explained to Vula, now annoyed. 

"Okay, okay, I get it that you have long hair and need to take care of it." 

"Honestly. You're a girl and don't know about this?" Shizuko sighed. "Maybe I need to educate you about these things." 

"Yeah... that might be good for my public image. How about a week from now, my place?" 

"Huh? You really want to be educated about these things?" Shizuko asked, surprised. 

"Yeah. I have mainly been on the battlefield for the past 300 years and growing up, I didn't have much of a connection to anyone, since I basically had no friends and my parents died when I was young, it was just me really." 

"Well, if you say so! And I hope you are prepared." Shizuko smirked, joyfully. 

... 

"Hey, wake up." Heodia whispered.  

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Heodia's face. 
"Oh... good morning... Heodia..." I said. 

She seemed pleased and exited the room. I yawned and got up, changed into the clothing provided by Heodia on the chair and left the room. 
On the table, I could see a couple of dishes and Heodia was in the kitchen. 

"I didn't know you could cook." I said. 

"You didn't know?" answered Heodia. "Well, it is the first time you saw me in the process so I wouldn't blame you for not knowing." 

"Well then, thank you for this meal, Heodia."

"No worries. Glad to be of use." she replied. 

I sat down at the table and started eating. I was surprised at how delicious and enjoyable it was. It was an authentic Sagen breakfast with some Cloudian features like vegetable soup, and some salty meat which gives some protein and counters the sweet Sagen breakfast of jam, sweet bread and a drink, which in this case, fruit juice. 
After stuffing my face with Heodia's cooking I became curious. 

"Hey, Heodia, can I ask you a question?" 

"Yeah sure, go ahead." she replied. 

"Did Uto program this or you just learnt it yourself?" 

"Well, Uto did program the very basics like everything else but I chose to learn how to cook, which I did by playing a simulator during the night. It was pretty useful and eventually, I got up to where I am now. I do intend to keep learning culinary to keep you, my master, well-fed with delicious meals every day." she answered. "I hope you don't mind, Void." 

"Of course I won't mind. After all, why would I? I'm getting a great deal and you get to do something you like." I answered. "But though, I really do not wish to do this." 

"Well, you just have to deal with it. Good luck though! I'll be cheering for you while taking care of Charlin." 

"You made this duel sound like a sporting event... that isn't helping at all." 

"Oh did I? No, I don't think so. Anyway, it would help if you go now. It's 47. It takes around 15 minutes to arrive at Kanles Arena if you didn't know."

"47?!" I jumped in surprise. I rushed out of the door, and down to the lobby where I greeted the staff before rushing down the busy street. There were people everywhere getting ready for work and children heading to school. 
I caught a taxi, automated of course, and told it to go to Kanles Battle Arena as soon as possible. Heodia gave me some money, around 13,000 Ampru, enough for several taxi rides, that's all I knew. Though we were quite lucky as the roads were still not at peak hour yet, nonetheless, the road was still very packed with vehicles. Most I have ever seen in my life up to yet. More than Touimai back in its prime, around 400 years ago I'm pretty sure. 
We made it to Kanles within 10 minutes and it charged me 2,000 Ampru. I don't know how much 2,000 Apmru is when converted to the Sagen currency, Gou, but I have to trust the automata whether it is generous or not.   

But I pushed the thought aside as soon as I stepped out of the taxi and onto the stone brick stairs. 
Just standing on top of the stairs, in the sun's glittering rays of light, there stood Lieutenant General Vula. One of the Cloud Empire's strongest people, just a couple of metres away. 

"Glad to see you here, Void!" she exclaimed. "Why not come up here first? I'll explain the rules of our duel while walking." 

I quickly obliged, going up the stairs and walking right next to Vula.

"Okay good. Now, I'll start explaining. First, it's a normal duel. The first one who successfully lands a finishing blow wins. Of course, Shizuko would be our referee and she would be stopping the duel if she determines our bloodlust levels are too high. Got it?" 

"Got it. And by the way, Lieutenant General, did I just hear you say Shizuko would be our referee?" I asked. 

"Yes, I did say that. And please, do call me Vula from now on." 

"Okay, Vula." 

"Good. Back on topic, second, this duel won't determine your fate for the future, but instead, just think of it as a friendly fight like you and Shizuko a couple of days ago. And that's basically it. I'll give you 10 minutes to prepare yourself before the match begins." Vula walked away. We were now at the centre of the Kanles Battle Arena and to me, it just looked like a bigger version of the training facility in the park. 
I started to do some stretches in order to prepare my joints, muscles and bone for the upcoming fight. 
As I was doing those stretches, Shizuko came up to me and said hello and gave me some tips and encouraged me to do my best. I thanked her for her encouragement and she went back to her post. 

"Hey, Void! Time is up! You ready?" Vula called out. 

I smiled. "You bet I am!" 

We went to our positions and faced each other. Shizuko fired a gun and that meant the duel had begun.