The morning sun spilled over the jagged Spartan mountains, painting the village in a warm, golden light. But Leonidas's mind was not on the beauty of the day—it was already calculating, analyzing, and planning. Today's focus was training, and he intended to make every second count.
Children gathered in the central clearing, their chatter masking the intensity of what was about to unfold. Leonidas scanned the group, the system interface glowing faintly over each child:
Marcus: Strength 8 / Agility 6 / Intelligence 5 / Luck 4 / Potential: S / Loyalty 65%
Lena: Strength 3 / Agility 9 / Intelligence 6 / Luck 5 / Potential: A / Loyalty 70%
Demetrius: Strength 7 / Agility 5 / Intelligence 6 / Luck 4 / Potential: S / Loyalty 50%
Leonidas: Strength 4 / Agility 5 / Intelligence 9 / Luck 5 / Potential: B / Loyalty 80%
Theron: Strength 2 / Agility 5 / Intelligence 6 / Luck 10 / Potential: SSS / Loyalty 60%
Leonidas's gaze lingered on Theron, the SSS-rated prodigy. The boy's raw potential glimmered faintly in the system, promising capabilities far beyond his current state. This one could be molded into something extraordinary, he thought.
He began forming squads, pairing strong children with weaker ones. The goal was simple: teach the weak through cooperative drills, push the strong to lead, and track growth in real time.
"Marcus, lead the obstacle course," Leonidas instructed. "Guide your partner carefully, but let him attempt each challenge. He must learn balance and timing."
Marcus scowled but obeyed. Leadership experience was part of growth. Leonidas observed quietly, scanning the system for discrepancies, potential spikes, or hidden abilities. Small adjustments—like letting Lena run first or giving Theron a lighter log—nudged stats upward:
Theron: Strength +1, Agility +1, Potential flicker
Marcus: Intelligence +1 from teaching
Lena: Agility +1 from coordinating with weaker children
Loyalty: Slight increase in Theron and Marcus from successful cooperation
It's working, Leonidas noted. Subtle interventions produced remarkable improvements.
Demetrius, restless and prideful, bristled at having to assist a weaker child. Leonidas noticed Loyalty: 50% in the system. Left unchecked, defiance could become dangerous.
"Demetrius," he called calmly, "your partner can improve if you teach him properly. Success here strengthens your leadership and loyalty stats."
Reluctantly, Demetrius complied. Within minutes, his stats began ticking upward. Strength remained his natural gift, but intelligence and loyalty were malleable under guidance. Even the hot-headed can be an asset if properly managed, Leonidas thought.
Next, he introduced the first real tactical drill. The clearing was designated "enemy territory," and squads had leaders, scouts, and support members. The children rushed forward, testing agility, strength, and coordination. The system tracked:
Scout agility +1 per successful maneuver
Strength +1 for lifting or moving obstacles
Intelligence +1 for effective coordination
Potential flickers for creative or unexpected actions
Loyalty adjusted according to team cohesion
Theron, initially hesitant, devised a clever shortcut to flank the "enemy." His creativity lit up the system interface. Leonidas recognized the flicker of potential that might one day surpass ordinary human limits.
Leonidas clapped softly. "Exactly what I wanted—thinking beyond the obvious."
Even Demetrius began to grasp the value of coordination. Clumsy at first, he shouted orders to his squad and gradually improved. Potential alone isn't enough; loyalty, obedience, and strategy matter just as much, Leonidas noted.
By midday, the children were exhausted but exhilarated. Leonidas reviewed their stats and made small equipment adjustments: leather tunics for agility, reinforced logs for strength, small shields for protection. Each tweak nudged stats upward, building toward natural potential.
System notifications appeared:
[Squad Loyalty +2]
[Unit Strength Average +1]
[Hidden Potential Activation – Theron flicker]
Every action had measurable consequences; every choice was an investment.
In the late afternoon, Leonidas introduced team synergy. Squads working together effectively gained:
Squad cohesion: Strength +1, Agility +1, Intelligence +1
Individual creativity: Potential flicker
He demonstrated a simple exercise: two children lifting a heavy log together. Individually, neither could succeed, but together they surpassed expectations. The system glowed with bright numbers, tracking improvement.
Even Demetrius nodded reluctantly. Leadership is more than brute strength. Loyalty and guidance can turn arrogance into an asset.
As the sun dipped behind the jagged peaks, Leonidas reviewed their final stats for the day:
Marcus: Strength 9 / Agility 6 / Intelligence 6 / Luck 4 / Loyalty 70% / Potential S
Lena: Strength 3 / Agility 10 / Intelligence 7 / Luck 5 / Loyalty 75% / Potential A
Theron: Strength 2 / Agility 6 / Intelligence 7 / Luck 10 / Loyalty 65% / Potential SSS
Demetrius: Strength 8 / Agility 5 / Intelligence 7 / Luck 4 / Loyalty 55% / Potential S
Leonidas allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. Even at eight years old, he was building the foundation of a loyal, capable unit, capable of exceeding ordinary limits.
And as the last light faded from the village, he knew this was only the beginning.