By the age of twelve, I was no longer an ordinary child. Training, the system, and my obsession with being useful in the chaos to come had shaped me. I knew the time would soon come to prove my worth on the battlefield. But I also knew that no one wins a war alone. It was time to form my first trusted group.
I took advantage of my travels with the feudal military instructor and carefully observed all the children around my age or slightly older. Most were sons of soldiers or squires, some even orphans taken in by the lord. From among them, I selected three:
1. Han Zhi, the Hillside RunnerAge: 13Specialty: Movement, stealth, and perceptionBackground: A quiet orphan raised in the stables, he knew every corner of the valley. I saw him climb a steep slope with a rat in his mouth (yes, he caught it bare-handed).Potential: Scout / Messenger / Secondary Archer
2. Li Min, the Tireless SpearAge: 14Specialty: Melee combat (spear)Background: Daughter of a maimed war veteran, trained since the age of 8. She had more scars than most adult recruits.Potential: Vanguard / Guardian / Tank
3. Bao Yu, the Silent StrategistAge: 12 (my age)Specialty: Memory, calculation, strategyBackground: Illegitimate daughter of a minor noble. Her mind was a sharpened blade. She had learned to read before she could speak clearly. I found her defeating three adults in Go consecutively.Potential: Sub-commander / Tactical Support / Logistics
Li Wei's Skill Development: Level 25 Unlocks
While selecting my companions, my own abilities also reached new thresholds.
[Horsemanship Mastery: 25]You have reached Horsemanship Mastery: 25The system offers 3 upgrades:
Beast Mastery: Your equine companion's endurance increases by 50%.
Combat Rider: You can maneuver and use weapons effectively while riding (accuracy +25%).
Equestrian Empathy: You can calm and train wild horses more easily.
Choice: Beast Mastery
Unlocked: Beast MasteryYour training horse "Xuefeng" now has +50% stamina. He can ride twice the distance without fatigue.
[Basic Command: 25]You have reached Basic Command: 25The system offers 3 upgrades:
Inspiring Presence: Your commands boost your group's courage (morale +10%).
Voice of Authority: Recruits follow your orders without question (obedience +15%).
Squad Coordination: You can divide and lead up to 3 subgroups without tactical penalty.
Choice: Inspiring Presence
Unlocked: Inspiring PresenceYour group gains additional morale in battles when you are present and active.
[Strategic Leadership: 25]You have reached Strategic Leadership: 25The system offers 2 upgrades:
Field Tactics: Small bonuses to group positioning and movement (movement +10%, cover +15%).
Detailed Planning: You can foresee one round of enemy actions if your intelligence surpasses that of the opposing commander.
Choice: Detailed Planning
Unlocked: Detailed Planning
With my small group formed and my skills steadily growing, I knew this was only the first step. If I wanted to survive the wars of the Seven Kingdoms, I had to turn these three into trusted swords, steadfast shields, and eyes that could see beyond the horizon.
And to do that, I had to become more than a leader.I had to become a symbol.