The next day, the biting cold of the Finnish countryside was a stark contrast to the rugged yet serene beauty that surrounded Häyhä Academy. Named after the legendary sniper Simo Häyhä, the school was situated on a sprawling, snow-covered military base. The atmosphere was as unforgiving as its reputation—a place where both the tanks and the students were pushed beyond their limits. Tyrone stepped out of his transport vehicle, his breath visible in the freezing air.

Standing at the gate to greet him was Lumi Törni, Häyhä Academy's Overall Commander.

At 16 years old, Lumi was already a legend in the Tankery world. Her long blonde hair, tied into a simple ponytail, swayed in the icy wind. Her striking emerald eyes, one artificial due to the burns she'd suffered in an ambush years ago, carried a sharp intensity. The burn scars on her face and hands were a grim testament to Häyhä Academy's brutal training environment.

Lumi stood with her two half-sisters—Aada Törni, her German half-sister, and Aino Törni, her American half-sister.

All three bore scars, but their commanding presences made it clear they were survivors, not victims.

Lumi extended her hand to Tyrone. "Vice-Commander Williams. Welcome to Häyhä Academy."

Tyrone shook her hand, his usual grin subdued by the sheer weight of the academy's reputation. "Thanks for having me, Commander Törni. Heard a lot about this place—none of it sounded like a vacation."

Lumi smirked faintly. "Häyhä isn't for the faint of heart. I hope you brought thick skin."

Aada, standing slightly behind Lumi, crossed her arms. "Or a strong stomach," she added, her German accent sharp.

Aino, the most easygoing of the trio, chuckled. "Don't scare him off just yet. He hasn't even seen the motor pool."

As Lumi led Tyrone through the academy, the sheer intensity of the place was impossible to ignore. The sound of tank treads grinding through snow, the sharp reports of blanks being fired, and the occasional shouts of instructors echoed through the air. The motor pool was packed with WWII-era tanks—KV-1s, T-34s, and even a rare KV-85—parked alongside modern Finnish armored vehicles.

"This," Lumi said, gesturing to a group of students repairing a tank, "is where the real work happens. If a tank isn't battle-ready by sunrise, the crew doesn't eat breakfast."

Tyrone raised an eyebrow. "Harsh."

"Necessary," Lumi replied bluntly. "Discipline and self-reliance are key here. If you can't handle the pressure, you don't belong."

Aada chimed in, her tone as sharp as the icy wind. "Most schools pamper their students. Häyhä doesn't."

Tyrone nodded, impressed despite himself. "I respect that. But what's the deal with all the injuries? I heard this place is nicknamed 'The Tank School of Injuries.'"

Aino gave a dry laugh. "Because it's true. Broken bones, burns, concussions—they're part of life here. You learn to push through the pain."

Lumi's gaze hardened. "Pain is temporary. Weakness is forever."

As they continued, Tyrone witnessed firsthand the toll Häyhä Academy took on its students. In the training grounds, a crew was evacuating their tank after a simulated ammo rack explosion. The students emerged coughing and covered in soot, one of them clutching a hand with burn marks already forming. Despite the severity, they didn't complain—they simply saluted their instructor and marched off for medical attention.

Tyrone shook his head. "Damn. You guys don't mess around."

Lumi turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Tankery isn't a game here. It's war. Häyhä prepares its students for the worst because, on the battlefield, hesitation gets you killed."

Aada added, "And if you're not strong enough, the academy will break you."

Later, Tyrone sat in Häyhä Academy's dining hall with Lumi and her sisters. The hall was surprisingly warm, filled with the scent of hearty Finnish stew and fresh bread. The students, many of them bearing visible scars, ate in silence, their focus on their meals rather than idle chatter.

"You've got one hell of a team," Tyrone said, breaking the quiet. "But what keeps them going? I mean, with everything they go through, how do they stay motivated?"

Lumi leaned back in her chair, her one good eye locking onto Tyrone's. "Pride. Honor. Legacy. Häyhä students aren't just tankers—they're warriors. They know that every scar, every injury, is a mark of their dedication."

Aino nodded. "It's not for everyone, but for those who stay, it's worth it."

Tyrone glanced at Aada, who was silent but watching him closely. "And you? What's your take?"

Aada's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "You either survive, or you don't. Simple as that."

As the day wound down, Lumi escorted Tyrone to the academy's observation tower, where they could see the entire campus. The snow-covered grounds stretched out below, tanks moving like shadows in the fading light.

"You think Liberty Prime could handle a match against Häyhä?" Lumi asked, her tone almost challenging.

Tyrone chuckled. "Oh, we'd handle it. But I'll admit, your crew would give us a run for our money."

Lumi smiled faintly, the scarred side of her face catching the light. "Good. I like a challenge."

There was a brief pause before Lumi added, "You should bring Anthony next time. I'd like to see what makes him such a legend."

Tyrone smirked. "Oh, he's not that special. Just a guy who knows how to lead."

Lumi's expression softened slightly. "Leadership isn't easy. You both seem to understand that."

Tyrone nodded, his respect for Lumi growing. "You're a hell of a leader yourself, Lumi. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

For the first time that day, Lumi's stern demeanor cracked, revealing a genuine smile. "Thanks, Tyrone. That means a lot."

The Next Morning

As Tyrone prepared to leave Häyhä Academy, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just experienced something unique. Häyhä wasn't like any other Tankery school—its brutal training, its scarred students, and its relentless pursuit of excellence set it apart.

Before he boarded his transport, Lumi approached him with a small box wrapped in plain paper. "For Anthony," she said simply. "Tell him... tell him I'm looking forward to meeting him."

Tyrone smirked, taking the box. "Will do, Commander."

As the transport pulled away, Tyrone leaned back in his seat, already planning how he'd mess with Anthony when he handed over Lumi's gift. One thing was for sure—Häyhä Academy had left an impression he wouldn't soon forget.

Additional info

At Häyhä Academy, where the training is notoriously rigorous and matches—even practice ones—are highly intense, injuries are not just common but are almost a grim expectation. The academy's reputation as "The Tank School of Injuries" is well-earned due to the brutal physical demands and unforgiving nature of its Tankery program. Here are some of the most common and brutal injuries that students sustain during their training:

1. Severe Burns

How it Happens: Häyhä Academy's tanks, many of which are WWII-era vehicles, often overheat or catch fire during high-intensity matches and training exercises, especially when they are pushed beyond their mechanical limits. Explosions, particularly when the tank is hit in sensitive areas like the engine or ammo rack, can also lead to fires inside the crew compartment.

Common Injuries: Students often suffer first- to third-degree burns on their hands, arms, and faces. The most brutal burns occur when fire erupts inside the tank, leaving lasting scars, like those seen on Lumi and her sisters after their ambush.

Brutality: These injuries are particularly brutal because the confined space of the tank often means there's little chance to escape before the flames spread, and burn scars can be permanent. The emotional toll of living with such injuries adds to the physical pain.

2. Crushed Limbs

How it Happens: Tanks are massive and heavy vehicles, and in close-quarters training or rough terrain, it's not uncommon for accidents to happen. Limbs can be crushed when a student is pinned between two tanks during maneuvers or if a tank rolls over unexpectedly on uneven ground.

Common Injuries: Broken or crushed bones, particularly in the arms and legs. These injuries often require surgical intervention, and in the worst cases, amputations are necessary if the damage is too severe.

Brutality: These injuries can be life-altering, forcing students to leave Tankery or requiring long recovery periods. The force of a tank pinning a limb can cause such severe damage that bone fragments, nerve damage, and tissue death are frequent complications.

3. Concussions and Head Trauma

How it Happens: The jarring impacts from tank collisions, sudden stops, or rough landings often throw the crew around inside the tank, even with safety harnesses in place. When practicing high-speed maneuvers or during training matches where tanks collide or fire near each other, students often hit their heads on the hard interior of the tank.

Common Injuries: Concussions are frequent, as are more serious forms of head trauma. These can range from mild to severe, with students sometimes being knocked unconscious or suffering from prolonged symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and cognitive impairment.

Brutality: Head trauma is one of the more dangerous injuries because it can have lasting effects on memory, focus, and physical coordination. In extreme cases, students may experience long-term effects like migraines or require extended medical leave to recover.

4. Spinal Injuries

How it Happens: The jerky, high-speed maneuvers and harsh terrain that Häyhä Academy tanks frequently encounter put a lot of strain on the body. Hard landings, sudden stops, and rapid turns all contribute to a significant risk of spinal damage, especially when the tank's suspension struggles to absorb the shock.

Common Injuries: Herniated discs, fractures in the vertebrae, and neck strains are common. In the worst cases, students can suffer from more debilitating injuries like nerve damage or partial paralysis if the spine is severely impacted.

Brutality: Spinal injuries can be debilitating and often require months of rehabilitation. Even when the injury isn't severe, pain and mobility issues can plague a student long after they've returned to training.

5. Broken Ribs and Internal Bleeding

How it Happens: Tank crews are packed into a confined space, and even with harnesses, the violent movements during combat simulations can slam students into hard surfaces, like the turret or tank walls. Collisions with other tanks or getting rammed by opponents often result in serious impacts that break ribs.

Common Injuries: Broken ribs are very common and can lead to internal bleeding if a sharp edge of the rib punctures an organ. These injuries are painful and can limit the crew's ability to function during practice or matches, with students often pushing through the pain until it becomes life-threatening.

Brutality: The danger with broken ribs is that the pain is constant and worsens with breathing. If internal bleeding goes unnoticed, it can lead to severe medical emergencies, putting the student's life at risk.

6. Eye Injuries

How it Happens: Häyhä's reliance on older vehicles means that shattered glass, shrapnel, or even flying debris from explosions are constant threats to the crew inside the tank. Periscopes, scopes, and viewports can shatter under fire, sending fragments toward the crew's eyes.

Common Injuries: Eye lacerations, burns, and loss of vision are frequent among students, especially those working as gunners or commanders who need to use optics for targeting. Lumi and her sisters each lost at least one eye due to the explosion in their KV-85.

Brutality: Losing an eye or suffering severe burns on the face is devastating not just physically but emotionally. Many students require eye patches, prosthetic eyes, or surgery to repair their vision, and the disfigurement can be difficult to cope with mentally.

7. Hearing Loss and Ear Injuries

How it Happens: Tanks are incredibly loud, and with the firing of heavy weapons like cannons and machine guns inside a confined space, the noise can cause permanent hearing damage. Even with modern hearing protection, the vibrations and concussive forces from tank rounds can rupture eardrums or cause long-term hearing loss.

Common Injuries: Tinnitus, ruptured eardrums, and partial or full hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to the loud sounds of tank combat can result in students needing hearing aids or other medical interventions to restore partial hearing.

Brutality: Losing hearing is not only frustrating but dangerous in Tankery, where communication between crew members is crucial. Students who suffer hearing loss often struggle to adapt, and tinnitus can cause constant discomfort, making it difficult to focus.

8. Shrapnel Wounds

How it Happens: Explosions from near hits or impacts from enemy rounds often send shrapnel flying around inside the tank, especially if armor is penetrated or internal equipment is damaged.

Common Injuries: Shrapnel can cause deep lacerations, puncture wounds, and embedded fragments, which can require surgery to remove. Students often suffer from blood loss and infections as a result of these injuries.

Brutality: Shrapnel wounds are brutal not only because of the initial injury but also due to the risk of infection if the metal isn't removed promptly. These wounds also tend to leave jagged scars, which can be painful and unsightly.

9. Fractures from Tank Rollovers

How it Happens: During practice or rough terrain maneuvers, tank rollovers can occur if the vehicle is driven too fast or misjudges a slope. When a tank rolls, the crew is often tossed around inside, leading to fractures.

Common Injuries: Broken arms, legs, and collarbones are typical when students are thrown inside the tank during a rollover. The crushing weight of the tank as it rolls can pin crew members inside, leading to more severe injuries.

Brutality: Rollover accidents are particularly dangerous because they often happen suddenly and with little warning. Students caught in a tank rollover often require long recovery periods, as the fractures can be complex and painful.

10. Mental Trauma and PTSD

How it Happens: Beyond the physical injuries, the intensity of Häyhä Academy's training and the constant threat of injury can take a psychological toll. Students are pushed to their limits in scenarios that feel like real warfare, complete with explosions, fires, and the risk of severe injury or death.

Common Injuries: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and emotional numbness are common among students who have faced repeated injuries or witnessed their teammates getting hurt.

Brutality: The mental and emotional toll of enduring constant physical injuries, seeing friends get hurt, and living with permanent scars can lead to long-lasting psychological trauma. Some students may develop survivor's guilt, nightmares, or panic attacks, which can affect their performance and daily life.