I was about to blurt out 'Major Neil', but I changed my decision at the last moment. And guess what, my knuckles got lucky.

"Captain Neil Fermin, Sir."

Fucker knew normal Pushups won't hurt since his name is short. One armed definitely did! And knuckle jumps would have stung like a bitch.

It's so difficult to guess names and ranks when others are not in uniform.

But the main point noted - whoever this guy is, he knows bloody everything. And, he can hear my thoughts. So, James, one lesson - don't start a conversation in your mind that you can't tell him.

"Up." I got up and stood straight.

"Rub your shoulders. Comeon, stretch your arms." He ordered and I wanted to kiss his feet. I did as told and immediately felt better.

"Thank you, sir." "You are welcome. Next question?"

"How are you an agent at such a young age, sir?" "If I'm not wrong, they don't see your age. They count your years of experience topped with the performance in their test. I have three years of service in the army already, and I cleared the test with decent margin. So, I'm here." He said spreading his arms.

3 years already?

"Umm.. Three..?" "I'm was special case. Just like you."

"How old are you?" "2 years elder than you." He said laughing and turning it into a quiz.

My brain was storming doing all the calculations when he said "I was enrolled into army and started my training much earlier than you. And yes it all happened against the age rule." He whispered the last part, putting a finger on his lips.

I understood I'm supposed to stay shut. I nodded a confused yes.

"How...?" I couldn't help myself from speaking.

"That's a story for some other day." "I hope I'm here till that day." I whined.

"Why not? Why do you think you can't do this?" "They want me out at any cost. Nobody here wants to see me." I said looking down.

"Is that a reason good enough to crush the hopes of that one person who trusted you and sent you here, fighting against the same people?" I looked up into his bright eyes.

"You think I got showered with love, the day I stepped here? No. You atleast have a godfather. I had no one. I had to prove myself - before my test, during the test, and even today. Had I failed in a single mission and come back alive, they'd peel me layer by layer. People hate change, they want the system to remain same. They have their valid reasons. But if someone has the guts to prove them wrong, he should do it looking into their eyes, regardless of how much hate he gets in return. Because that's what earns you respect." He said in the same royal tone and I wanted him to just go on.

"So you want me to try?" "Try? I want you to pass the test and come to missions with me."

Missions? "I'm under trail period of 50 days. If they think I'm worthy enough, then only I'll appear for the test. And even if I appear, I have barely any experience to get those marks!" I really argued.

"I don't care about all that. You do anything, think anything, motivate yourself anyhow, I want you to clear this trial." "Can you help me in this?"

"If you think that I'll help you by going easy on you when my turn of trial comes, then you are mistaken. I'll make you go through the hardest times. Keep in mind." I gulped at his warning, and I knew he was not lying because it was all over his face.

"Not that way, sir." "Then which way?"

"Helping me face everyday. This conversation will help me get through today. I want you to keep talking to me regularly and boost my confidence. Nobody here does that." "No I won't do that either." he said coldly.

I suddenly felt like a beaten child. "You know why? Because then it will become your habit. You had Beta to kick start you. If I take that role here, you'll never learn the term 'self motivation'. And you need your own spirit to drive you when you're all alone in a forest - hungry, thirsty, sleepy and tired with wild animals at distance and enemy in camouflage. You can't look around for motivation to survive. It's all you." Dammit the fucker is right!

"But yes. I'll show you my face everyday and let you know that there's one person who wants to see you on the other end." "That would be enough, sir."

"Now coming to the job I was just given. You have any idea what you're in for?" "I had a faint idea on Day 0. Three days of barely an hour sleep per day, humiliating speeches, tense workouts and scary aura has made the picture a little more clear."

He laughed loudly. "So you have no idea what awaits you. That's okay. You can wait and watch."

I looked at him like I saw a ghost. What the heck is he saying?

"Sir...?" "You're going to hate yourself and your Beta for these fifty days of your life if that man continues your trial. That's all I can say."

Hate Beta? Never.

"Told you. Wait and watch. Don't trust me now." He said winking.

There he did that again. Read my mind.

I wish it was Neil instead of Norman. He'd be a hardass too but damn this man could teach me a hundred things I never knew. Most important being - reading minds.

"So you landed here within three days of becoming a Lieutenant? Not lived even a few days to know the perks of being an officer. Sad for you. Your royal life will take a few more months to arrive if you stick around. But trust me, you'll feel eternally accomplished when you'll stand one step ahead of other officers of the same rank as yours." He said showing me pity.

I think I have a few more reasons to push. Wait for my 'royal life' and be 'eternally accomplished'.

"I'll stick around, sir." I repeated his words and he smiled.

"That's what I thought." He said proudly. And man I felt so much better.

There's something with this man - he is not fake. If he's laughing, he's genuinely happy and impressed. If he's stern, he's really angry. He didn't shout at me, and damn I just noticed he hasn't sworn even once!

"You speak any other language?" He asked and I was confused. Why would he ask such a thing at that moment.

"I know a bit of German, sir. I learnt it in my junior school. But I can't converse properly." "How about reading German?"

"Not very confident, sir." I didn't lie. I was poor in the language and I accepted it.

"Get a book from library tomorrow. I'll pick it out for you. You have twenty days to brush up your new language. I want you to talk with such confidence that I can't mistake you as a non-German. Got it?" "I'll try, sir."

He lifted his eyebrow and now he looked scarier.

"You wouldn't give me that answer if I were your Beta, would you?" "No sir."

If he was Beta, I would have said yes sir to every thing.

"Just because I'm being nice to you, doesn't mean... You do not want me to say it, do you?" He started off angrily but got calm in the second half. My eyes were down with guilt.

"No, sir. I'm sorry for that. I'll learn it again in twenty days, sir." Neither I wanted to hear, nor I wanted to say the truth that I was misusing his good behavior. Shame on you James. He's your only hope here.

"Drop and give twenty. I know you people don't do sorries." He said laughing.

I dropped down and did twenty pushups. "Up."

"I'm really sorry." I said instead of getting up. This one came right from my heart. I was genuinely apologising this time.

"I know you are, and I won't make you push again for that. Even if it is what you want. Now up." How on earth is he reading my fucking mind?!

I got up and looked into his eyes straight. The question clear in mine.

"You have been taught how to apologise only in physical manner. The bigger your mistake, the bigger your punishment. But you never find it enough when the apology comes from within. Twenty is not accepted by your mind and it needs more to counter your guilt. Am I right?" "Absolutely right." I said dumbfounded.

This guy can not just read your mind, but put it in exact words! How the hell?

"It's written all over your face, boy." He laughed and I bought it. He will make the whole story just out of the expressions on one's face and I don't doubt him now.

"Reserve some guilt inside you. It will act as your fuel." He said looking into my eyes.

Every word he spoke was an advice to survive in itself! How did he do that? He has taught me so much already and our first meeting is not even over yet!

"Yes sir." I said taking in each of his words.

"Is he leaving?" Norman returned with the same asshole voice.

"Not anytime soon as I can make out. Are you, Lieutenant?" "No, sir."

"Then you are going back with a scarred mind and broken body. Front rolls till my office. Move. Commander wants to meet you, Neil." "I'll go meet him. Thank you, sir."

Neil took my diary, entered the time and signed off. I was surprised that he kept a note of it.

I started rolling soon and he walked and crossed me. I rolled and rolled all day every day since I've stepped here. But today I got the reasons to keep pushing and stay.

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That was something positive! Atleast the number of souls wanting James to win- changed from zero to one.

And Neil is such a gentleman! Looks like he has had a fair share of shit in his own life.

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What's really waiting for James? Will it be good? I hope it is. My boy just got some good vibes.

New characters are coming. Hope you'll like them too. (Oh wait. You already know one. 😉) Any guesses?

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Please VOTE and COMMENT.

Also- I'll be doing some minor changes and republishing a few chapters of my books- Fifty Pushups Miss & Wills Past. Wills Words. Telling you guys in advance - so that I don't race your hearts thinking that it's a new update, and then break them.