Chương 12: The First Bell

I woke up with a jolt, heart racing, well before the first bell rang. Anxiety has a way of being a better alarm than any sound. After freshening up, I double-checked my uniform, standard-issue trainee shirt and pants, boots tightly laced. Everything had to be perfect. The bell tower was just across from the main barracks, and when the first bell tolled at 7, I was already standing nearby, shifting nervously on my feet. By the second bell, 8 o'clock, the training grounds in front of the main barracks were crowded.

Forty-five of us recruits had gathered, all wearing the same brown-gray uniform, eyes heavy with sleep, faces a mix of nerves and expectations. A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped onto the makeshift stage. His voice cut through the morning air like a drawn blade.

"Good morning, recruits! I'm Sergeant David." He stood firm, eyes scanning all of us.

"I know a lot of you don't want to be here. This might not have been your first choice, or even your second or third. But let me tell you this: you are now doing the most prestigious job in the kingdom." He paused.

"If you train hard, if you awaken a decent class, the army might sponsor your enrollment into a Knight Academy, or even the Royal Mage Academy. Those doors aren't closed. It takes grit and sweat to open them." He stepped forward slightly.

"Some of you will be chosen for elite divisions like the Vanguard or even a knight order. And if you make it there, Tier 3 before your ten-year service is not a dream." A murmur of surprise passed through the crowd.

"But even if you don't get that far, know this: you are the wall standing between civilization and chaos. To the north of this city lie barbarian clans, known to eat the children of city folk. To the northwest? The Untamed Forest. Monstrous beasts crawl from there during the beast tides every two years, destroying whatever lies in their path." He raised his voice.

"Those forts you hear about, the ones just two days' march from here? That's where real soldiers are stationed. They don't sleep easy. They don't get second chances. And after you awaken, you will join their ranks. You will stand where they stand." The recruits stood a little straighter.

"Take pride," he said, "that you are part of the Royal Army. Founded by the first Tier 7 to walk this continent, King Rex Magnus Aurellius of House Valerianus, the Phoenix-Flame Overlord. The one who liberated this land from barbarian rule and gave us peace. You serve the legacy of kings and the blood of warriors." Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Then he raised his hand and recited, and we all repeated after him:"We are the Wall that halts the barbarian.

We are the Flame that consumes the foe. We are the Unconquered, born of these lands, bound by its blood." His eyes burned.

"Today you begin your training. But first, you will give me two hours of laps around this training ground. After your meal, the quartermaster will introduce you to the army divisions and their requirements. Now GO!"

Training Schedule: Time Activity 04: 30 Wake-up bell 05: 00–06: 00 Physical conditioning (running, rope climbs, drills) 06: 00–06: 45 Morning meal (basic rations, no spices) 07: 00–10: 00 Marching + formation drills 10: 00–12: 00 Weapons training (spear, sparring) 12: 00–13: 00 Chores (cleaning, tending camp, sharpening gear) 13: 00–15: 00 Meal + Break 15: 00–17: 00 Survival or terrain drills 19: 00–20: 00 Sentry rotation / night formation practice 20: 00–21: 00 Free time + reading class for illiterates 21: 00–04: 30 Sleep Somehow, I survived the laps.

Four days of guard training in Oxspell and the brutal three-day march had toughened me more than I realized. My legs still burned, my breath was ragged, but I wasn't the last to finish. I quickly did the math as I studied the schedule. If I managed my chores efficiently, I might get three hours of true rest during the day, after weapons training and before the afternoon drills. It wasn't much, but I'd take it. We gathered again at the stage. A grizzled old man stepped forward. The quartermaster.

He looked to be in his sixties, with a permanent scowl etched into his face like stone.

"Listen up," he barked.

"I know half of you dream of getting into some knight academy. In my forty years of service, I've seen thousands pass through these barracks. Fewer than a hundred ever made it that far. As for knight orders, those are noble-bound. Once you sign on, you're theirs for life." A few hopeful faces wilted.

"But you won't listen to an old man's rambling, so let's talk divisions. You want glory? These are your doors." He began pacing slowly as he spoke:"If you've got strength in your bones and a melee class like Soldier, Swordsman, Duelist, or Shield Bearer, then aim for the Vanguard Division. You'll need a strength of at least 13, and your other physical stats, agility and endurance, better be no less than 10."

"Fast on your feet? Got Archer, Hunter, or Ranger classes? Then it's the Scout Division for you. Agility needs to be 13 minimum, and again, don't slack on the rest. Ten or above, or you won't be considered."

"Got brains and a bit of training? Maybe you're a Scholar or Scribe? Intelligence & Counter-Operations might find use for you. All physical stats need to hit 10, and your reading, writing, and math skills must be at level 10 or higher."

"Trained with horses? Cavalry Division's your bet. You'll need 13 in all physical stats, plus skill levels of 15 in Mounted Combat and 5 in Mount Care." He stopped and glanced around.

"Fall short of any of those? Or maybe the slots are already filled? Then you're looking at Infantry, if you've got a strength of at least 10. And if not, it's Logistics for you. Logistics takes anyone who can stand, breathe, and follow orders." He scratched his beard.

"Classes like Soldier and Squire are considered all-rounders. If you've got the stats and skills, you might fit into multiple divisions. That flexibility could be your ticket in." Then he turned toward the fire pit nearby.

"One last thing. I'll be taking the night reading class. I won't check who's present. But if you want to be a sergeant one day, learn to read and write."