Chapter 249 - The Boot Camp Tour - Part One
A few days have passed since returning to the Royal Capital. As autumn begins to make its presence felt, our Kikyo Society has launched a new venture.
The final examination for our Kikyo Society apprentices—a kind of initiation to become full members—is now open for observation. The admission fee is a steep thirty thousand gold per person, mind you.
This idea originated from noble parents who wanted to reform their wayward daughters and were keen on seeing our educational methods. Baron Icetoy foresaw this demand and decided to capitalize on it.
Beyond that, there's a certain prurient interest in how a group of strong women is formed, and we aim to turn that curiosity into gold.
It's unclear if this will sustain as a business, but I see potential and am looking forward to it.
Today marks the inaugural event, and I'll be joining the visitors. The Public Relations Bureau will be the main hosts.
The Instruction Bureau, headed by Fulaveneta, is responsible for the apprentices' training and the final examination. Their work is truly commendable, as they are tasked with nurturing new members for our Kikyo Society, a section critical to our organization.
We aim to train, teach, and transform, ensuring each apprentice becomes an integral part of the team. The bar for becoming a recognized Kikyo Society member is set high.
The training covers a broad range—physical strength, magic, skills, knowledge, all sorts of practical and theoretical learning. But mere memorization isn't enough; practical application is key. We drill them until it becomes second nature, body and mind.
The intensity of the training increases with the apprentice's capabilities. For the least experienced, it starts with basic physical conditioning and fundamental reading, writing, and arithmetic, pushed to their limits. It's grueling, but that's the point. For the observers, it might be a bit dull, just foundational education.
To keep things interesting, we show a part of the final examination instead of the entire training process.
The final examination is the ultimate test for apprentices to become full Kikyo Society members. Only those who pass earn the right to bear the Kikyo crest. It's a clear demonstration of all the training and hard work. Even a glimpse should be enough to appreciate it.
The final examination has been optimized by the Instruction Bureau to measure whether the apprentices meet our minimum standards. It's a rigorous ninety-day trial that pushes them to their physical and mental limits.
Hearing the duration might be daunting, but those who have made it this far should be capable of passing.
In fact, the pass rate is over eighty percent. This is the final test, not ongoing training, so it's a showcase of their accumulated skills.
Those who fail or drop out will have to start the training again, addressing their shortcomings before the next examination. There are various outcomes, but that's another story.
Few enthusiasts would want to observe the entire ninety days, and we can't accommodate such requests. Instead, we provide a condensed, one-day program that gives a taste of the final examination.
It's a packed day, but the participants are expected to handle it. After all, this is the final test, and there should be no weak links.
By being here, they already possess the basic abilities and potential to succeed. What we want to see is their trust in their teammates, their determination, and resilience in achieving their goals.
As the Kikyo Society staff waited for the visitors, a convoy of vehicles appeared in the distance.
Our jeep led the procession, guiding dozens of vehicles through a winding route to the mountaintop parking area.
Gentlemen and ladies in fine attire began to disembark. We have sixty visitors today, though more applied. We had to cap it at sixty due to capacity constraints, but based on the response, a second tour is likely.
Each visitor has their own guards, but they are considered ancillary and won't be accommodated for questions or special requests.
I watched from a distance as the Public Relations Bureau greeted the wealthy visitors. Baron Icetoy was also present, interacting with the guests as a mediator.
"Welcome, everyone! Please gather here for an overview of today's events!"
Margaret enthusiastically directed the group under a large tent.
First, she explained the day's itinerary and the examination process, followed by a live viewing of the examination. The Public Relations Bureau would handle any questions.
I waited in the staff tent until it was time to begin, then joined the others outside. A large blackboard-like device was set up, and the visitors gathered around it after the briefing.
"As you might know, this device will project the examination live. You can also view it directly with a Far-seeing Magic Item, but we'll be providing explanations through the projected images."
This device was salvaged and repaired by the magic item enthusiasts from the Commerce Guild. It uses light magic to project the view of the user onto a large board, making it highly useful for such occasions.
On a side note, Frederica and her group have been collecting old or broken magic items from the guild for free, a strategy to acquire items they couldn't afford otherwise.
"Today is the ninth day of the final examination. It's still early, but it's going to be a challenging day. Let's start with the first group's footage!"
A Public Relations Bureau member activated the device, and a rather mundane scene appeared.
"What are they doing?" someone asked.
"Exactly as you see, they're carrying logs. They must transport them on foot to the campsite, crossing a river and a mountain, covering about two kilometers. At the campsite, they'll use the logs to build a makeshift fort."
The logs were about two meters long and as thick as a person's arms. The weight, depending on how dry they are, would likely exceed a hundred kilograms.
"Two kilometers with that much weight! And there are so many logs. They can't possibly carry all of them, can they?"
"Yes, the fourteen members of the first group will carry all the logs and construct the fort. They've been at it for about five hours now."
The visitors' faces showed a mix of surprise and concern.
This is just the beginning, though. The repetitive, demanding tasks serve a purpose. They test physical endurance and, more importantly, mental fortitude. One must push beyond their limits to reach the next level, and this examination is no exception.
The Kikyo Society must constantly grow to stay ahead. If an apprentice can't meet these standards, they won't pass.
However, the method is flexible. They can work alone or in pairs, and finding efficient team strategies is crucial.
With so many participants, some might try to slack off. Cheating or taking shortcuts is allowed, as long as it goes unnoticed. If caught, it's grounds for disqualification. At least, they need a plausible excuse.
The examiners keep track of who carries what, making it hard to slack off. However, giving good instructions or contributing significantly to the fort's construction can offset this.
"One question—why are they carrying weapons and equipment during such a task? It seems to hinder their movement."
"That's not a construction job in the city. In the wilderness, anything can happen, so we don't allow them to remove their gear."
In combat, carrying one's equipment is essential. Dropping your weapons signifies surrender. That's the mindset we instill.
"Currently, more than half the logs have been transported, and the fort is taking shape. However, there's a time limit, so they can't afford to rest."
"Will they finish in time?"
"If they maintain their current pace, they should. Assuming nothing goes wrong."
The ominous tone hinted at an upcoming challenge. The visitors sensed it too.
This is an examination, after all. Troubles are intentionally introduced to test the candidates' resilience.
As if on cue, a group of magical beasts appeared near the fort site. It was perfect timing.
"Magical beasts!?"
"Ah, looks like they're under attack by insect-type magical beasts! They must defend the fort they're building!"
Margaret's commentary took on a live-reporting style.
The apprentices were caught off guard. After hours of intense work, their vigilance had waned. The insect-type beasts, large and unsettling, added to the chaos.
Even I find them unpleasant, and the apprentices must face them to protect the fort. They're not a significant threat, but the psychological impact is considerable.
Despite the training, the apprentices looked uneasy. The appearance of these creatures was no coincidence.
The Northeast Forest is vast, but we know it inside and out. We've explored even the remote areas where few adventurers dare to tread.
We have a complete understanding of the terrain, the habitats of various magical beasts, and the distribution of plants. This knowledge allows us to use the environment to our advantage.
The area where the apprentices are located is known for its insect-type magical beasts. We chose it for a reason—to test their mental fortitude against a repulsive foe.
The examiners provoke the beasts to attack the fort. It's a challenging and exhausting task.
"Oh no, a magical beast is on the fort!"
As the scene unfolded, one of the visitors let out a scream. With most apprentices occupied with carrying logs, the fort's defenses were thin.
The repulsive insect creatures kept appearing and being defeated, but they had a nasty trait. When struck, they spewed a foul liquid, adding to the apprentices' distress.
The apprentices, drenched in the foul liquid, had to keep fighting, unable to let their guard down. Using magic from a distance would risk damaging the fort.
Despite their efforts, the fort was eventually destroyed.
"Wow! They couldn't hold it off. They'll have to start over. More magical beasts are coming, and they need to clear the bodies. Should they continue with the log-carrying or regroup and come up with a new plan? Time is running out!"
Rebuilding what they've already constructed is a significant mental and emotional challenge, especially with the time pressure.
While a single failure in the final examination doesn't heavily impact the final verdict, it can be demoralizing. Hard work should be rewarded, and setbacks can be particularly tough.
The first group's trials are just beginning.
"Let's move on to the second group's footage."
The scene shifted to a cliff, where an apprentice was seen falling.
A high-pitched scream echoed from someone who wasn't fond of heights.
"Ah, she fell! What a shame!"
The fall ended in a lake. The apprentice resurfaced, swimming with a tired expression. Margaret continued her commentary.