It is the inauguration ceremony at the Xiaotec Fortress & Military Academy.
Late summer, 2nd Millennium, 854th Cycle.
In the pristine cut grass of the Quad the male student body stood side by side on the right. They donned crisp blue-grey plain uniforms with dull brass buttons and a single leather cross belt hung from the left shoulder attaching to the waist belt, polished black boots with bright white spots wherever the early morning sun hit, and a simple blue beret with a small button that denoted their year.
On the left were the female student body, far smaller and of a completely different stripe of education than the male students as demonstrated by the red nurse's dresses that they sported. What few jewelry they were allowed to wear as part of the uniform was modest and relegated to the hair. Unlike their male counterparts, their class distinction was marked by how complete was their headgear - a plain cap, a cap with small frills sown at the top, and a frilled cap with twin small tails at the back.
At the sound of the bugle, all the students snapped to attention as the commandant made his way to the platform facing all of them. He was man in his thirties with thick framed glasses and a face that was irregular - the last stage of a baby face that, under the shadow of the sun, flipped to one hardened by time and menacing encounters. His cream yellow officer's coat made the dirty blond hair and pale skin pop out more, silver buttons and epaulets outshining his boots, and white trousers so clean one was left to wonder if they had ever been taken into battle.
Accompanying him on either side were select members of the faculty that were slated to give their speech, with the majority standing attention out of the platform. Reaching the podium, the commandant cleared his throat.
For the most part, it was a speech meant to instill the students, mostly the new ones, an expectation to look at the upper classmen and graduates and see that they did not made it to where the were by staying where they were at the beginning.
An exhilarating prospect for those about to start their academic careers.
For every consecutive graduating class, the speech was regrettably repeatable. That is, though not necessarily finding the speech boring, they already knew too well what laid behind the pomp and clamor, the pride and flash of the morning ceremony.
"When the academy first opened its doors, the first class was so small they barely took one floor of the main campus. Today, every facility is in use in some degree, and we continue to receive more and more petitions every year to become a member. That you all now stand where you are is the first step; that you graduate is what makes you a part of an exclusive family. Wherever you go, take pride knowing that your superiors will note and respect the fact that out of many, it is you that have put in the work to demonstrate that you are whom you represent. To all students, new and returning, let us make the 75th academic year one that you will cherish and remember."
So it was that the commandant ended his speech, to the surprise of the first-year students expecting a more martial tone.
Though soon enough, they got exactly that as the other faculty members laid in no uncertain terms what it was being demanded of them.
Any remnants of childhood are no longer applicable in their lives. Discipline must start with oneself. The failure of one is the failure of all. Every student a soldier now and forever, even the nurses.
As of now, their lives are to be given at a moment's notice.
Though they may come from the different member states of the Tankaya Confederacy, by joining this institution they have subscribed to the ideal of a political project that, perhaps one day, may congeal the land as one entity, one mind, one people.
Then, one particular faculty member, an old major with tinted glasses and a thick chest made his way to the podium.
"The first-year students number to two hundred and twenty-four. I want to address this fact for, I'm afraid, there is a matter that I'm sure you all have noticed. You'll see that the 75th Graduating Class has a membership that is smaller, far smaller, than any of the other classes. Ninety two in total."
Because of how early the ceremony began, because it was not of much significance, because of how little the classes spoke to each other on the regular, was this discrepancy not paid attention to by the students until now, some of whom slowly turned their heads to look towards the stage, where the graduating class was standing at attention, the males aloof to the growing number of eyes on them, and the females having dread slowly creep against their being.
"It is a fact that over the years you will lose classmates. Some get injured, some cannot cut it. Some are simply not fit for the Academy."
On his person the major possessed a folder filled with all matter of paperwork and bulging against the string binding it together. He now opened the file towards one paper tacked with small blue tabs and paraphrased aloud the contents.
"It must be said that his has been the most disappointing course we have ever had a class fall to. You have all been participant in the most expulsions since your first year, have accumulated more time in detention than any of the other classes before, have collectively spent more time in "homework center" than any other class I can even remember. And of serious offences? I have never seen a class so involved in fraud of many sorts, lack of initiative to even pass the most basic of tests, and cannot even maintain a consistent level of academic grading in your studies. I will not even go into detail of the mischief you have caused to the local community and...well, I'm sure the female students need not be reminded of the conduct of the certain few whom we've had to let go."
The male students of the 75th Graduating Class grimaced hard enough they almost felt that they could pop their cheeks open, while some grinded their teeth holding in their emotions. Their female counterparts, however, felt the unbearable shame almost shut their eyes as they averted to look at anyone else.
"In short, THIS has been THE worst class the Academy has eve..."
The male half of the graduating class, at once, became a cheering, cacophonous mob of jeering, boisterous barbarians, fist-pumping and hands clasping in congratulatory smiles.
They threw their hats into the air and hugged in powerful merriment. They jumped in ecstasy and howled a daring cry towards the other classes below them.
The female half, by now, laughed in nervousness and embarrassment with as much restraint as they could muster.
Still others, especially those of higher social standing or modest comportment, succumbed to the painful cringe compressing on their faces, hiding themselves with their arms or their hands at the unbearable damage to their prestige.
Like thunder following a lightning flash, the rest of the students were stricken with the outrageousness of it all as they whistled and laughed with joyful intensity.
The celebration, which seemed like the pinnacle of an arduous path at long last coming to tearful revelry in the wake of a satisfying achievement, only lasted for mere seconds. Reacting fast at the first gesture of celebration, the commandant ordered the bugles to reel in the attention of the crowd at once.
Most of the student body ceased immediately with the celebrations, and like a river slowly ceasing its clamor, they returned to attention and silence, albeit with rosy cheeks and excited breathing.
"This is not a laughing matter! You may be students, but if you have not been paying attention, YOU are now under the purview of more serious matters!"
The major's mood dowered, and if one saw his face at a certain angle, he seemed liable to break into tears even if not a tear shed from his eyes.
"Not only do you shame yourselves against the newer students, you also disparage the legacy of your countries and of your families! I shudder to think to what use you will be to your peoples by the end of the year, but I know you will have to mature, and make it fast. No one will have the compunction to tolerate your buffooneries and your lack of self-worth. However you present yourselves will be what they think of you, what they think of where you come from. Your youth will not be a shield, nor a license. You either present yourselves correctly or you stand down in name. Here and now!"
The whole of the student body went mute as the verbal castigation continued.
For the majority who did not know the graduating class personally, the vicarious embarrassment manifested most sensitively on their faces as the rosy peaks of heat gave way to a sensation of skin peeling off like a citrus fruit's shell.
For those considered close friends of the class, despite being younger in age and grade, the words that continued on felt raw like a leather whip drowned in saltwater, for the weight of the words' significance cracked and lashed too close for their comfort, tailored as an exposition and warning of their own faults, for having allowed themselves to be corrupted by the wretched class above them, and of the disappointing expectation that they will lower themselves further into this moral muck next year.
For the graduating class themselves, regardless of the degree of guilt, the shame was naturally greatest, though not because of a moment of maturing epiphany. Neither was it for the inevitable inquiry, gossip, and nagging from their parents whom will certainly hear about this incident despite being far away. Rather, it was over that small detail about their legacy.
It was something that was best left unmentioned.
Not for loyalty to clan, family, and the greater confederacy. Not for the high ideals on which these are held together.
Rather, it was the little forms of legacy towards friends now severed away. Among the many circle of friends each has noticed it thinning little by little, and here in the morning, they now see how small that number has reached.
Far more than an existential matter, the culling brings more pressing matters: What has become of So-and-So? Will we miss What's-His/Her-Name's jests and cheer or can we at long last admit that they were unbearable and we're better off now? Does this mean the rumors of this or that controversy were true or to what degree did it warrant any attention at all?
The only thing that was certain was that each student that failed to make it to graduation was never mentioned again, and the faculty was just as fast as to snuff out any thought that said person once existed.
Soon the academic cycle would continue, and so would all matters with it carry on as normal, just like every year.
