Carthaki Experimental Secondary School
2162
Post-Pandemic Age
Alright, you little runts! Now that you've heard about my heroic feats during the officer's exam, I'm sure you're all fired up. Let's strike while the iron's hot and get back to our main topic.
As I was saying earlier, here's how you treat open wounds on the battlefield...
That will help you temporarily save a leg when you're facing rabid enemies. And I sincerely hope that if I ever wake up in a hospital bed, yours won't be the faces I see.
The impeccably dressed man lecturing at the podium is Major Li, the head instructor for this year's Scout training. He is also Carthaki's notoriously tight-fisted commander and the fastest-rising star in the Akdilek combat zone.
Now, I bet you all think you're now Florence Nightingale incarnate. But let me tell you, the real test is never just about flesh wounds... War, that terrible machine, is far more skilled at crushing what's in here...
He taps his temple.
Now, let's discuss something more... subtle.
Let's say a fellow soldier has been knocked unconscious by a projectile. Besides obvious external injuries, she's breathing rapidly, her skin is cold and clammy, and her pulse is racing like a rocket—what condition is this?
It's shock, sir!
Jagienka raises her hand and stands up.
Neurogenic shock, induced by severe pain and fear. We need to lay her flat, elevate her legs, keep her warm, and treat her wounds as quickly as possible!
Good. Didn't you answer a question earlier as well? What was your name again?
Jagienka, sir! I was the one who answered the question about "triage principles" earlier.
The only one!
She looks up, declaring it with pride and excitement.
Jagienka... I've seen your name on the parachute club roster. You have excellent grades, don't you?
I got six first-place finishes in eight competitions, sir!
Good. Now, let's say the soldier you saved has survived, but whenever she hears a thunderous noise—like a cafeteria tray dropping to the floor—she screams uncontrollably. What condition is this?
Uh... She might be...
Jagienka's smile freezes. This scenario hasn't appeared in the materials she studied.
...Maybe she's traumatized? Developed some emotional scars? She's emotionally fragile and needs support and companionship from her fellow soldiers.
The major's equivocal expression darkens into a frown.
Emotional scars? I wanted a medical term, something you can quickly look up in a field manual to find the proper treatment.
Um...
This is a pathological issue, Jagienka. Your chicken soup pep talk won't get anyone back to the battlefield to fight the Punishing Virus.
Jagienka droops her head dejectedly, awkwardly twirling a strand of hair at the back of her head.
However! Speaking of professional terminology, I should tell you runts about the time I took my officer's exam on Islay Islands...
1 minute and 28 seconds—I win! Told you he couldn't go 3 minutes without bragging about himself!
Dammit, it's all Jagienka's fault. If she'd answered a few more questions correctly, you'd be the one sweeping the hallway...
As the instructor continues his passionate speech at the podium, the children below resume their hushed conversations.
Hehe... Baked a cake{226|153|170}... baked a cake{226|153|170}...
Master baker{226|153|170}... baked a giant cake{226|153|170}...!
In the back row, Margaret lies on her desk, where a sweet-smelling cake rests. Her bright smile is reflected in the crystal-clear glaze.
Margaret.
Nirvatia quietly pulls out a stool and sits down beside Margaret.
Where were you last night? You didn't come back to the dorm.
Hmm?
Margaret looks at the newcomer with confusion.
Who... are you?
...?
I'm Nirvatia, your roommate. You helped me yesterday afternoon.
We're friends, remember?
Nirvatia raises her hand, revealing her lavender bracelet.
—!
Oh, Nirvatia!
Margaret beams with excitement and moves her chair closer.
Hehe, try this! I made this mirror glaze cake with the lunch lady. It's super delicious!
Chirp—chirp—careful now, Margaret. This is the most crucial moment in a baker's life.
She takes out a dainty little spoon and carefully scoops up a piece of the fragrant "mirror."
Uh... I'll pass. I don't really like sweets.
Open wide, aah—
Mmph—
Before Nirvatia can finish speaking, Margaret has already popped the delicious morsel into her mouth.
The satisfying aroma melts on her tongue, causing Nirvatia's eyes to widen involuntarily.
She kind of regrets having lunch earlier.
Well? Is it good?
...Yeah.
Nirvatia nods with the spoon still in her mouth as Margaret excitedly claps her hands.
Ehehe, one step closer to becoming the world's greatest baker! I'll have Jagienka try some after class!
Margaret's voice grows louder and louder. Neither of them notices that the entire classroom has turned to stare at them.
You two in the back row! Stand up!
!
Answer my previous question. When someone hears a thunderous noise like this...
—It's "shell shock," sir.
Nirvatia blurts out her answer before the major can finish his question.
It doesn't mean the patient is cowardly. It's a nonorganic, psychological trauma, and it's a documented illness that requires professional treatment.
...Correct answer.
H-how did you know that? It's not supposed to be covered in this lesson.
I flipped through the textbook once and memorized everything.
...???
Haha! Excellent! That's the response of a top student right there! You remind me of my own military academy days!
The major laughs heartily, though it is unclear whether he is praising Nirvatia or boasting about himself.
You again, answer this question: how do you quickly and effectively provide pain management for multiple wounded with limited resources?
"Medical Practices in Extreme Combat Conditions"...! That's from the final lesson... You definitely won't know this one.
Utilize any local anesthetics available in the field, such as cocaine solution, which can be applied to surface wounds or mucous membranes.
Or perform simple nerve blocks by injecting small amounts of anesthetic around specific nerve trunks in fingers or intercostal spaces to achieve pain relief in targeted areas.
The major nods approvingly at her clear response.
What's your name?
Nirvatia, sir.
...You're the transfer student, right? I'll remember you. You get three extra credits for the assessment.
Whispers spread throughout the classroom at the mention of extra credits.
Whoa, Nirvatia, you're so smart!
That's not fair! I've answered way more questions correctly than you before this!
Upon hearing Margaret's praise, Jagienka finally can't hold back and stands up irritably.
Maintain discipline in class, Jagienka!
I was just answering the instructor's questions. I don't want to argue with you.
Being able to memorize a textbook means nothing. Being a pilot requires actual thinking. Do you have the guts to compete with me in other subjects? What about mathematics?
Ignoring the warnings from behind, Jagienka boldly walks up to Nirvatia.
The classroom instantly erupts with excitement, the children apparently delighted to witness such a scene.
Go ahead. Ask.
The first term of a geometric sequence is 3, and the sum of the first 3 terms is 21. What's the fifth term of this sequence?
Let the common ratio be q. 3+3q+3q{194|178 }=21, which simplifies to q{194|178 }+q-6=0. Solving the equation gives q=2 or -3.
Nirvatia answers without a moment's hesitation, reciting her process without even blinking.
Therefore, the fifth term is either 3 multiplied by 2 to the power of 4, which equals 48, or 3 multiplied by negative 3 to the power of 4, which equals 243.
In conclusion, the answer is either 48 or 243.
The chatter in the classroom grows louder as Jagienka clenches her fists so tightly her knuckles turn white.
Y-your turn to ask!
The altitude of a right triangle is 6 cm, and it divides the hypotenuse into two segments that differ by 4 cm. What is the area of the triangle?
Let the two segments be x and y, where x-y=4. The altitude is h=6... The area is... is...
She waves her hands in the air, trying to visualize the geometric figure in her mind.
Go, Jagienka! Go, Jagienka!
Should I find you a blackboard, Miss Pilot?
I don't need it! According to the Geometric Mean Theorem, the square of the altitude equals...
At that moment, the classroom falls silent as a tall figure looms behind Jagienka.
Jagienka, Nirvatia, and you—
So x times y equals 36! And because x minus y equals 4... Shut up!!!
Jagienka, frantic with frustration, shouts and flings the cake from the desk behind her.
Splat—
A collective gasp echoes through the classroom, followed by instant, deathly silence.
Whoa, Nirvatia, check it out!
The instructor has turned into Santa Claus!
Outdoor Running Track
Carthaki
Ten Minutes Later
Huff... huff...
Huff... Cough, cough...
Ja—gien—ka, wait for us—!
Nirvatia, Jagienka, and Margaret are grouped into a three-person Scout Patrol and sentenced to run five laps around the outdoor track with weighted backpacks for disrupting the class.
The running track extends beyond the campus grounds. Under the golden sunset, the three girls begin their long trek around the Carthaki rocket factories with weighted packs strapped to their backs.
Every time they pass one towering smokestack, another will immediately appear on the horizon, identical to the one before.
The industrial Carthaki feels like an endless labyrinth to the girls in this moment.
Nirvatia is drenched in sweat, gulping down the hot afternoon air. She feels like she is seeing a mirage, the path beneath her feet seemingly stretching on forever. She regrets not stretching properly during warm-up.
On your left!
A rush of wind sweeps past, followed by a familiar voice from behind.
Huh... Jagienka? Huff... Weren't you... puff... ahead of us...
...
Miss Pilot, now a full lap ahead, squeezes between the other two girls. The exhausted Nirvatia can only glare at her, offering a token response to her taunt.
Margaret, let me take some of your weights.
As she says that, she opens Margaret's backpack and removes two cloth bags filled with sand.
...Whoa, it feels so much lighter!
Are you sure you're okay, Jagienka? Don't push yourself too hard.
I'm not pushing myself at all. This is nothing compared to the training at the club.
Jagienka wipes the sweat from her forehead and looks over at Nirvatia, who is gasping for breath.
Just yesterday Jagienka watched her collapse in exhaustion. Will her frail body really hold up?
The thought makes her bite her lip as an odd, unfamiliar feeling begins to stir within her.
She has to admit that both of Nirvatia's misfortunes so far have been her fault.
Nirvatia, you should also—
Don't touch me.
Nirvatia slaps Jagienka's arm away.
You...?
Jagienka is stunned, not expecting Nirvatia to respond to her goodwill like this.
I can handle my own problems.
Nirvatia adjusts the straps of her backpack and runs ahead.
Nirvatia...
...Tch!
Enjoy eating my dust, transfer student!
Even if you collapse on the ground or beg me on your knees with tears in your eyes, I'm not going to help you!
Jagienka suddenly accelerates, taking long strides and effortlessly closing the gap that Nirvatia struggled to create.
Their eyes meet for just a moment, but the air between them feels even hotter than the track beneath their feet.
On your left!!
