Listen up, maggots!
Some of the others chuckle at this. They haven't gotten it yet.
Stop laughing!
If you think I'm joking, you're sorely mistaken. I'm not a jovial person, and I don't make fucking jokes.
No one is laughing now.
Someone way over to my right clears his throat. I can't see him for the other cadets.
Permission to speak, sir?"
Denied.
Apparently he moved as if to speak again, because the commander continues.
Hold you tongue, cadet! Don't even think about it.
Sir, I just-
The cadet is cut short by the commander's fist.
I told you. To shut. The fuck. Up. Cadet.
I hear a groaning.
Now get yourself off the fucking floor.
The commander starts pacing in front of us, moving from one end of the room to the other.
Listen!
I don’t give a rotten fuck about who you were before right now. I don’t care what your rank was, what you earned, who you knew, what you did or who your fucking father was. None of that shit even exists anymore. Not while you’re in here.
You do not have names.
You have numbers.
If you’re lucky, you may earn a name. If you fight long enough. If you do well enough. If you fucking live long enough.
Understand that I will have no complaints. If life here is too hard for you, leave.
Understand that I do not suffer fools, and that I do not fucking repeat myself. If I’m moving too fast for you, leave.
Understand that I will expect you to give me your best. If I don’t think that’s good enough, you’re out.
For the next year, pleasing me will be your only concern. Forget your girlfriend, your family, forget your God. For the next year, the guild is your religion, and I am your fucking Messiah.
Your training begins tomorrow. Enjoy your last night without pain.
Welcome aboard the Sword of Justice.
Welcome to Ensis Equitas.