========================
June 28, 1914.
While we, now fourth-years, were enjoying our status as seniors and watching the new cadets roll around in the mud…
On the other side of the world, in Sarajevo in the Balkans, the gunshot finally rang out.
[Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary Assassinated!][War Crisis Looms Over Europe][Another Assassination—A Red Plot?][Austria-Hungary to Invade Serbia?][Will Russia, Protector of the Balkans, Choose War?]
The day after the assassination, newspapers across Austria flooded the streets with extra editions.
The power of modern communication crossed the Atlantic in an instant, and on that same day, American papers like The New York Times reported the shocking event.
Not long after…
West Point exploded.
“Eugene!
Where is Eugene?!”
“Ugh… my whole body aches.
What is it?”
“Hurry!
Get over here!”
They were seriously calling for me like that?
Fine.
I decided to move, just this once.
“Look at this.”
“…It’s started.”
“What do you mean started?
This is serious!”
My classmates were practically ready to riot.
“Anyone can see this is a war crisis, right?”
“Is West Point’s lunatic about to become its prophet?”
“Calm down.
We don’t know yet.”
Of course, I knew.
War would come.
But not immediately.
Still, their eyes had already changed.
To most Americans, this was someone else’s war.
Why should the United States get involved?
The Monroe Doctrine still guided thinking.
Even the U.S.
Army itself was unprepared, constantly worried about budget cuts.
“This new president, Wilson, is a pacifist, right?”
“Will he dismantle the army?”
Even instructors spoke like this.
And yet, over the next month, everything shifted.
At first, people relaxed when Austria issued an ultimatum instead of declaring war.
“See?
Diplomacy wins again.”
But something was wrong.
[Serbia Partially Accepts Ultimatum]
Not fully.
And then…
[WAR DECLARED!]
July 28.
Austria declared war on Serbia.
Then came the chain reaction.
Mobilizations.
Alliances activating.
The great powers being dragged in.
This was not a simple war.
This was the war.
August 1, 1914.
The day began like any other.
Then.
Bang!
An instructor burst into the mess hall, holding a crumpled newspaper.
[PEACE REFUSED BY FRANCE]
“What does that mean?”
“France?
Germany?”
“My God…”
Like a falling domino, the word spread.
War.
The entire hall erupted.
Even instructors stood frozen, whispering in disbelief.
And in the middle of it…
I calmly finished my bread.
Let them see.
Heads turned toward me.
“Hey.”
“What.”
“You heard?”
“I heard.”
Silence.
Then.
“WAR!”
“You crazy bastard!
You were right!”
Cheers exploded.
My friends grabbed me, shaking me.
“When will I get married?!”
“What assignment will I get?!”
“Am I a fortune teller?!”
The entire hall descended into chaos.
Some cadets ran outside shouting,
“War!
Eugene Kim predicted it!”
It should have been a moment of dread.
But not here.
Not in this era.
They saw glory.
Victory.
A chance to rise.
And in that frenzy, instructors approached me.
“How… how did you foresee this?”
I had to choose my words carefully.
“The conditions for war have existed for years.
I simply followed logic to its conclusion.”
“Prediction?
Just prediction?”
“What else would it be?”
That answer was enough.
The crowd erupted again.
“West Point’s prophet!”
“Jeremiah of West Point!”
“Bow before the seer!”
Before I could react, they lifted me into the air.
“Don’t throw me!”
They carried me through the academy like a conquering hero.
Madness.
Pure madness.
“This way!
The unbeliever is here!”
They dragged me to the instructor I had made the bet with.
“Sir,” Eisenhower said calmly,
“Cadet Eugene Kim was correct.
Europe is at war.”
“…Yes.”
“Then you will honor your promise?”
“I will… do what I can…”
The crowd booed loudly.
“Coward!”
“Keep your word!”
Even other instructors joined in.
Finally, he gave in.
“Fine!
I’ll help!
Now get out before I punish all of you!”
He retreated inside.
The crowd jeered.
Still hoisted in the air, I smiled.
I had not expected anything from him.
In fact, it was better this way.
A prophet shines brightest when ignored.
At that moment, one thing became certain.
My future would not end in some forgotten coastal artillery post.