***Soltain City***

---Midday---

“After you complete your weapon combat training for the day we will move on to leadership instruction. Your parents would like me to teach you how to lead soldiers into battle and come out victorious. Although currently I find that easier said than done, because anyone will be hard pressed listening to the orders of children.” The general said.

The three just continued to look up to the older man. Not a word or sound of response. They were obviously already tired from the morning's exercises. Kana and Max specifically looked like they were about to peel over any minute now. The muscles in their little arms visibly flinching from overexertion.

“I think what I’ll do is tell you how I led in previous battles and then just throw some fresh recruits for you to practice battlefield tactics and strategy. ” He rested his chin in his palm and contemplated the training regemen. “Will start small, you three will learn your own way and lead your own way. As you continue to progress I’ll add in more soldiers and different variables to keep you on your toes. Maybe my son could convince some of the officers and knights to assist you if they chose.” His eyes scanned back over the smaller beings. “Though it will be doubtful at best unless Jacob gives incentive.”

Although the general said this aloud he knew that most of the men and women he called subordinates wouldn’t actually mind helping the children. With the borders secure and fishing season still a few months away, his officers and knights were probably growing bored. He found himself really struggling on teaching a quality to children most found natural to themselves. If you wanted to lead others you needed to be charismatic and determined. An effective leader needed to create a vision for the future, and motivate and inspire those around him or herself to follow that vision. They needed to hold common ground with the followers and know what they were experiencing to base decisions as commander.

Thinking this, the general came to another realization. When it came to leadership training, Maximus Soltain I was really just going to wing it.

The man freed both his arms and said, “Scratch everything I just said, here’s what we're going to do. We’ve got a boot camp starting up tomorrow for the new recruits and would be knights. These boys and girls are about double your age and older but I can’t think of a better way of getting to know the troops and gathering their respect.”

The kids were visibly trembling at the implication.

Hellish training in the morning and then hellish training meant for people twice their age in the afternoon?

“So why don’t you just rest for the day and prepare for tomorrow? Also unlike the other recruits you’ll be carrying your weapons all the time unless the officer on sight says you can release them.” He looked directly at the two children carrying weapons far too big for their bodies. “I would suggest talking to Mary about fashioning some sheathes to hold the weapons on your backs. Otherwise you will find yourselves incapable for the next two months of training.”

The three children nodded and headed to find Sophia. They learned that the redheaded maid was almost always with Sophia or at least in her vicinity.

~~~Maximus Soltain II POV~~~

Kana and I were leaning against Arthur as we went to go look for my mom. Arthur, although as tired as us, was smart enough to pick two small daggers as his weapon unlike us because we thought bigger weapons were better. I’ll admit that Arthur is probably the smartest out of the three and I’m kind of angry he didn’t guess grandpas ideas and warn me to pick a smaller weapon. I just couldn’t let a girl have a cooler weapon than me!

“Why don’t you two rest on the couch over there and I’ll go find Ms. Mary. You can starting channeling mana for body recovery and I wouldn’t have to deal with the weight of carrying both of you and your oversized weapons. Why did you pick those anyway? They're too big for most grownups let alone kids our size.” Arthur said.

“I just wanted something cool like big sister Skylar but I didn’t want her to think I was copying her. I don’t know why Max picked that big sword over a regular one though.” Kana replied with a huff.

“I can’t let you have a better weapon than me! You're just a girl so it’s natural I have a bigger weapon than you. When we get older I’m going to be stronger anyways.” Of course I need to get stronger than her, once I do I can move on to fighting my sister, and then even fighting mom and dad. Once I beat them, I’ll be able to do whatever I want.

“Why do you keep looking down on me cause I’m a girl? Isn’t your mom stronger than your dad? Where did you even get that stupid logic from?”

Before I could shout back Arthur voiced himself as he carried us to the couch in one of the many rooms in the castle.

“I think I can answer that for you Kana. While we we’re back at your families, sometimes after training Elder Urashi would have extra lessons for just us two. Most about the responsibilities as men and to watch over the women and leading our clans. I usually just tuned him out because I know better than to listen to the ideals of a man who thinks women inferior to men but it appears Max let it get to his head. I do agree with you on the point that it makes little sense for Max to think like that. You know, considering Aunt Sophia is probably the most powerful woman on the continent if stories are to be believed.”

“Hey I’m right here! I know mom is strong all I’m saying is that the old fart told us that men are naturally stronger compared to women. We just develop differently.” I said appeasingly, trying to reign in my pride and also knowing there was no way I would win an argument against both Kana and Arthur.

Finally reaching the couch Arthur placed us on other sides of the cushions.

“I’ll go get Ms. Mary so don’t move anywhere. We’ll it’s not like you can anyway.” He said with a chuckle and left.

We just sat in uncomfortable silence and I closed my eyes and began channeling mana throughout my body to relieve muscle and bone stress. I heard shuffling on the cushions and looked to see Kana now in the middle of the couch with big watery eyes.

“Why are you being so mean, even to me? Did I do something wrong?”

What is she talking about now?

“You used to be so sweet and smile all the time. I remember having so much fun at Arthur’s when we were there but now you're acting so rude to everyone. I feel like you haven't really smiled in a long time. Even Arthur smiles a lot but with you it’s like having anyone see you smile will be horrible. Again, did I do something wrong?”

“I smile!” I said indignantly. It’s become almost instinctive for me to argue against her and I don’t really remember how that started.

“Oh yeah? When’s the last time you really laughed?”

Like usual, Kana had me at a loss for words. When we were six, I remember Kana specifically telling Arthur and I that she was going to grow up to be the strongest in her clan. She wanted to be Head of the House, and bring Kumio out of the shadows so it could flourish in the public stage. It was an unbelievable goal to be coming out of the mouth of a six year old, but I knew that she would be able to do it. No one would stop her from achieving her dream. I was jealous.

I am jealous. Ever since that day, I’ve tried and struggled to match her. I don’t really know why I always want to beat her, but I feel pretty good when I do. Makes me feel like my efforts are just as good as hers.

I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, “I don’t remember actually.”

Kana moved a bit closer and sat down right next to me.

Her tail appeared right in front of my face and I immediately grabbed it without even asking. It was a little bigger than last time I held it and seemed even softer. “When we were younger, I remember you would always feel better when you starting petting my tail. I noticed that all the Soltains like to do that, Aunty Sophia included. I think it’s a family trait. I don’t really mind though, it feels good to me but next time you ask Max.” she said with a giggle.

Not really paying attention, I mindlessly nodded. Holding this soft and fluffy tail did make me feel alot better, and Kana even laid against my shoulder as I continued to pet it. I closed my eyes and starting channeling mana in my more comfortable position, the room in peace.

Arthur sure is taking a while.

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After the really painful weapons training we had in the morning, the old man had us rest while we took a carriage to the Knights barracks near the mountains behind the city. Grandpa gave us a quick summary on how the barracks was mainly where fresh soldiers and knights stay until they can afford a house of their own. He said they were mostly younger men and women their, and the boot camp training was meant to weed out the weaker willed trainees. We would participate no matter what, and be pushed to our limits alongside people twice our age.

Getting out of the carriage, we spotted several teenagers lined up, all wearing brown leather armor. There backs facing us and unmoving.

A short woman with brown hair tied in a small ponytail faced them. Max was able to tell based off her armor that she was a Sky Knight, and an officer at that. Her plate armor covered her arms and legs, but separated to a combination of plate and silver-colored leather along the rest of her body. She had a single golden sash wrapped around her left shoulder, telling me she was an officer.

“Alright whelps. Today marks day one of the thirty day period which covers the entirety of boot camp. If you make it through this, you will be given a recommendation on what to pursue in the future but will be allowed to choose either way, recommendation or not. I will admit the passing rate for boot camp has always been around fifty percent, no more no less. If you aren’t fully committed to becoming a soldier for the province and the empire, don’t waste my time.”

As we approached, the old man finally spoke up, “Knight Lieutenant Lancaster. I have a request to make.”

The woman in armor looked towards us and placed a fist atop her chest. “General Soltain, if it is in my capabilities I will gladly assist.”

I could tell the rest of the teenagers were fighting the urge to turn towards our direction. Either that or they were confused if they should or not.

“I’d like to place these three runts with your trainees for the month. They may look like little children and I’ll be the first to admit they are, but I feel boot camp will do them just as much good as it did for me when I was young. Treat them how you would treat the rest, regardless of their ages and status. You will have free reign because I’m rather busy and don’t have time to babysit them. Can I trust you with this?”

The woman looked at us and the weapons on our backs. “Those weapons General?”

“Ah yes the weapons. I’d like the runts to carry them around unless they would delay a training exercise, but again, it’s really your decision.”

The lady actually had the audacity to smirk at that! That was enough for me to feel shivers running down my spine.

“Very well General. I would be honored to watch over the three young heirs. Thank you for trusting me in such an important duty.”

I was really getting nervous now. Even the other recruits visibly flinched when the Knight lady looked in their direction again.

“Aren’t you chipper Lieutenant? Do try to leave them in one piece when I pick them up.”

She bowed again, “I wish you luck on your duties General.”

The old man nodded and left us without saying a word.

The scary Knight lady examined us, I swear I felt like she was staring into my soul. I haven’t felt like this since mother got mad at me in the carriage and my instincts were screaming at me to get out of her sight. The other recruits even turned to look at us without moving their feet. I could feel the judging gazes of everyone in the area and I didn’t like it.

“Hello Knight Lancaster! My name is Kana Kumio and that is Arthur and Max.” Kana bowed to the older woman, seemingly unfazed by the multitude of stares. “Please treat us well.”

The older woman smiled at that, “Hello to you too Miss Kana, now will you and friends please line up with the rest?”

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Kana made friends with some of the other trainees after the first week. When the others noticed kids half their size and carrying weapons too big for most men keeping up in the running, they worked much harder. Unlike Arthur and I, she would actively go out of her way to seek the attention of the others.

That helped her, because during the training she actually had a girl who looked to be in her late teens help her carry her halberd. She was definitely the best at using others to her advantage. At least I think so.

After our some basic training, the scary Knight lady said we’d be doing something special for the rest of the day.

“Today we’re going to have a little competition. You are welcome to call out any of your fellow recruits for a one on one spar. We have a healer on standby so everything is permitted except lethal blows.” She looked at a particular large built man who was one of the oldest out of the entire group. He had to be at least three times my height if I made my best guess.

I can finally show off and have a little fun.

I pointed to the large man the Knight lady glanced at earlier.

“I’d like to fight him.” Ignoring Arthur facepalm and Kana’s muttering, I waited for the the brutes response.

He shrugged and looked at our instructor, “Everything goes? Even for him?”

She nodded and we faced each other in the man-made circle made by the everyone else. He was given a massive warhammer far bigger than my friends halberd and said, “You wanted this kid. Don’t blame me for hurting you.”

“Please let us begin instructor.” I said.

“Very well. You may now begin.”

I held my hand out and began channeling mana throughout my body. Although Kana and Arthur are better than me in a lot of things but I’d like to think I have a pretty creative mind. I am strong and I have now gotten a chance to show how strong I am.

Since we began exploring the Kumio manor forest, I have had a lot of time to test my new move on the smaller animals within.

The man rushed at me and would no doubt reach me within another second. Focusing my senses, I formed a small ball of wind a little smaller than my fist. Though the size or power of the spell didn’t really matter, no what I needed to get right was it’s location.

Uncle William was the one who taught us about human and humanoid bodies and I had a very good idea on where exactly the esophagus was in the man rushing at me. The man clearly had little magic resistance training as my spell easily formed inside his own throat and blocked his breathing.

Still mid-charge, he swung down while I dodged to the side and held my hand out. I needed to concentrate as to not actually permanently damage his throat, I just had to continue to block his airways.

After his miss with the hammer, the results of my spell immediately began to show. The brute dropped his weapon and brought his hands to his throat. Visibly trying to grab at the ball of condensed air that was just out of his reach. I smirked. This is how it should be, with me in control and making the orders. I heard screams coming from around me and even recognized my friends voices from them. Though I found myself drowning out the noises as I focused on the fact that I held this peasant's life in my hands. Right here, right now, I ruled.

The man even fell to his knees. I considered releasing the spell but then I remembered how he looked down on me before our fight even began. He needed to pay for that mistake.

Fully immersed in my own thoughts, I didn’t notice the foot coming straight to my face or comprehend why everything in sight went black.