My stomach was growling.
After physical training that made me want to reincarnate as a houseplant, I finally realized one thing: I hadn't eaten at all since yesterday. Amazing, right? From corporate slave to royal slave, and now I've become a slave to hunger.
I slowly walked in the direction a soldier pointed me to, heading toward the trainees' dining hall. The building was simple, like a large wooden lodge with long tables and benches made from logs. The smell... was somewhat inviting, and somewhat concerning.
As I sat down, the food was served. There was some kind of gray-colored porridge (I'm not kidding), a piece of meat that looked like... something that used to be alive, and a glass of water that was slightly... murky.
I stared at my plate.
"Okay Aria, you've eaten expired instant noodles before. You can do this."
With determination—and a few tears—I tasted the porridge. The taste?
Like… rice that forgot its identity.
Then I tried the meat. The first bite felt... chewy. Like biting into a boiled pencil eraser.
"Ahahaha… so this is what life in another world tastes like? Not food with buffs and healing effects... but food with trauma."
A soldier next to me glanced over and chuckled.
"New here? It's always like this at first. But after a week, your tongue goes numb and everything starts to taste fine."
"Wow," I replied, exhausted. "That's not reassuring at all."
"Think of it as training too. For your tongue."
I let out a weak laugh and kept eating. In the midst of weird tastes and fading hope, at least… I wasn't alone. Maybe—just maybe—I could survive this place.
Morning came again… unfortunately, so did the reality that I was still in this world.
The sun shone through the small window in my room—though honestly, it looked more like a ventilation hole than a window. I got up with sore muscles, a mildly rebellious stomach (thanks, porridge trauma), and a thinning mental state.
I showered as fast as I could (because the water was freezing), then put on my soldier uniform: rough fabric clothes and heavy boots that made me feel like I had two bricks strapped to my feet.
Walking to the training field felt like walking to my execution.
The other trainees were already gathered. The commander stood with arms crossed and the usual sharp gaze. As soon as I arrived, his eyes immediately locked onto me.
"Aria! You actually showed up. I thought you'd quit."
Believe me, I considered running away, I thought. But of course, I just gave a strained smile and stood straight... though my knees were trembling a little.
"Today, we'll have physical training and horseback riding. Also, we'll check on everyone's progress."
I glanced toward the stables. The large horses stared back at me with empty eyes. One even looked like it was smirking. Either I was hallucinating, or these horses were evil too.
Training began. Running laps again, push-ups, lifting rocks—yes, literally rocks—and finally, the part I feared most…
"Now, mount your horses!"
I turned to the horse prepared for me. Big. Black. Strong. And clearly not a fan of me.
"Get on," the instructor ordered curtly.
With a determined (but very awkward) move, I tried to get on... and… THUD!
I fell. Instantly.
The entire field went silent. Then… laughter erupted.
"Yo, she fell off!""Hahaha! The newbie!"
I got up, swallowing my shame and pain, and tried again. This time I managed to get on, though my body tilted like I could fall again at any second.
And then karma hit fast—the horse started moving… and me?
I screamed silently in my head, gripping the reins like I was clinging to the last threads of life.
Horse training… did not end well. I fell twice. Got kicked once. Got yelled at by the trainer three times.
As the sun started to set, I finally returned to the barracks. My breathing was heavy. My clothes were dirty. And my soul? Practically gone.
I sat on my bed, staring up at the wooden ceiling above me, and asked the universe...
"God… what kind of vacation is this, exactly?"