Rookies, line up!” The head of my department barked. I gulped as I slowly followed the other rookies to the training area. I was the only female and the youngest soldier enrolled. The other trainees looked at me as one might a cockroach. I brushed it off. It's probably just nerves. I thought to myself. They were new.. just like me. Anyone would be nervous. “What’s a girl doing here?” I heard a man on the younger side mumble to the man next to him, who shrugged. “I’m here for training?” I said. He burst out laughing. I must've looked confused, because he looked at me weird and took a deep breath. “Girls are too gentle to be soldiers.” He said, as if it was fact. “W-what? Since when?” I asked, offended. “You didn’t know? You’re a girl, you should know this better than I do.” He said, looking at me as if I was an idiot. I clenched my fists, and walked off. I got to the training area. I was given a spear. I thanked the maid, and she looked at me weird. I realized she thought I was an additional maid. I sighed. “Maggots!” The captain growled. I quickly ran over, and I was trapped in the back. I strained to hear the instructor. “Today we have spear training. We will be doing this for three weeks. Anyone who has failed to complete and master the course will be whipped three times in the back. Got it?” He said, looking at us all with disdain and frustration. “Question, Sir?” I call out, thus causing intense stares from everyone. “What, girl?” He asked, looking down on me like I was a bug. “Why must we be whipped if we fail to meet deadline? Many trainees are busy and probably won't make it to half the sessions. Why must you punis-” I was cut off. “Men know how to handle their time. No wonder a girl would ask such a foolish question. But to answer your question, I offer night training sessions for those who missed the day.” He growled, acting as if I was an idiot. I bit my tongue and nodded, as I felt everyone's eyes on me....