As the end of autumn approached, the continent was entering an increasingly turbulent period.
News of wars spread rapidly between cities. Armies were being mobilized, borders reinforced, and entire families were abandoning their lands in search of places considered safer.
For ordinary people, however, there were very few options.
In times of war, strength was the only thing that could truly guarantee survival.
Many young people chose to become soldiers. For them, joining an army at least meant food, shelter, and a small chance to build a better life.
Others, those with sufficient talent, tried to walk the path of magic.
But the chances of becoming a mage were extremely low.
Becoming a warrior was far simpler.
As long as someone was sixteen years old, healthy, and possessed a reasonably strong body, almost any military organization would be willing to accept them.
After all, in a war, even an ordinary warrior could be used on the battlefield.
And to many commanders, they were nothing more than numbers.
Cannon fodder.
On that day, the Kiran family's training grounds were crowded.
More than a thousand teenagers had gathered there.
Exactly 1,210 sixteen-year-olds stood lined up before the wooden platform built at the center of the training area.
Among them were the ten orphans adopted by Myth.
They had temporarily joined the recruitment process for the family's personal army to participate in this initial training.
The other 1,200 teenagers watched everything with anticipation.
Some clenched their fists.
Others puffed out their chests, trying to appear stronger than they actually were.
There were also those who could not hide their anxiety.
Everyone had their own reason for being there.
Some wanted to change their lives.
Others wanted money.
Some simply wanted to survive this era of war.
And there were those who dreamed of becoming powerful warriors.
But few truly understood what it meant to join an army during wartime.
Octavio walked up to the wooden platform.
He climbed the few steps and stopped before the assembled teenagers.
His gaze slowly swept across the rows.
Then he took a deep breath.
"Attention!"
His powerful voice echoed throughout the arena.
"I want complete silence! Stand in formation, chest out, backs straight, and heads held high!"
The teenagers immediately corrected their posture.
The arena, which had been filled with murmurs moments ago, became completely silent.
Octavio continued:
"This is an opportunity that very few people get. You were carefully selected by our captain to become part of Lord Aleric's personal army."
Some of the youths became even more excited upon hearing that.
The personal army of a noble.
For them, it was far better than simply being assigned to a regular military force.
"Therefore, show your gratitude when you stand before him."
As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps could be heard behind him.
Octavio immediately stepped aside to clear the way.
Aleric Kiran entered the training grounds accompanied by Myth and Matheus, the Captain of the Kiran Family Knights.
All the teenagers immediately turned their attention toward them.
Aleric's presence was naturally imposing.
Even without releasing his aura, an Eighth-Rank Warrior possessed a presence that ordinary people could not ignore.
Beside him stood Myth.
The young boy walked calmly.
Although he was only seven years old, his expression was composed, and his eyes observed the assembled youths without the slightest sign of nervousness.
Matheus stepped forward.
"Good morning, everyone."
His voice was firm.
"I am Matheus, Captain of the Kiran Family Knights. I am an Eighth-Rank Warrior, and together with Octavio, my vice-captain, I will be responsible for your training."
The teenagers remained motionless.
"Our goal is to transform you into respectable soldiers, capable of surviving on the battlefield and honoring the uniform you wear."
Matheus then looked toward Aleric.
"Lord Aleric would like to speak with you."
Aleric stepped forward.
His eyes swept across every row.
He remained silent for several seconds before speaking.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, my lord!"
The voices of more than a thousand teenagers echoed throughout the arena.
Aleric nodded.
"Matheus has already introduced me to you. Nevertheless, I will introduce myself again."
He placed his hands behind his back.
"I am Aleric Kiran, lord of this city and governor of these lands."
The teenagers listened attentively.
"You will not become part of the city's regular army. You will become part of my personal army."
Several youths exchanged glances.
Aleric continued:
"As the governor of these lands, I have the right to maintain a private military force under my command. I am not a particularly demanding person."
He paused briefly.
"The only thing I ask of you is loyalty."
The word echoed through the arena.
"As long as you remain loyal to the Kiran Family, the Kiran Family will never abandon you."
The teenagers remained silent.
Aleric then looked toward Myth.
"In addition to me, you will also answer to my eldest son."
Myth stood beside his father.
"His words carry the same authority as mine. Matheus, Octavio, I leave these young people in your hands."
Matheus stepped forward.
"You are dismissed. Your official training begins tomorrow."
The teenagers bowed.
"Thank you for this opportunity, my lord!"
Their reply came in perfect unison.
Afterward, the 1,200 teenagers began leaving the arena.
Before long, the enormous training grounds became empty.
Except for the ten orphans.
They remained where they were.
Myth had asked them to stay.
The young boy walked over to them and examined all ten.
"How are all of you doing?"
The ten immediately became attentive.
"Follow me."
Myth began walking.
"Starting today, you will train with me."
The ten exchanged quick glances before following after him.
They crossed the estate gardens, passed through a less traveled area, and headed toward the mountains behind the castle.
After some time, they arrived at the place Myth had chosen for his own training.
The waterfall.
Water crashed violently from high above the mountain, producing a continuous roar that could be heard even from a distance.
Trees, stones, and thick vegetation surrounded the area.
It was an isolated place.
Perfect for training without attracting attention.
Two hours later...
The ten youths stood gathered before Myth.
During that time, he had carefully observed each of them.
Now it was finally time to talk.
"Since you arrived at the castle, we haven't really had an opportunity to speak."
Myth crossed his arms.
"So let's introduce ourselves."
He pointed at himself.
"My name is Myth Kiran. I am seven years old, and I am the eldest son of the ruler of this city."
The ten listened attentively.
"Your primary mission will be to become my guards."
The youths immediately began whispering among themselves.
Some glanced at one another.
"You go first."
"No, you go."
"Eh? Why me?"
Myth watched the scene silently.
Then one of the girls let out a sigh.
"Tsk. Useless boys, wasting the Young Master's time."
She stepped forward.
With graceful movements, she bowed toward Myth.
"Young Master, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Frederica."
She raised her head.
"I am deeply grateful that you rescued us from poverty and gave us the opportunity to serve you. The others are somewhat shy, so I'll introduce them."
Myth smiled faintly.
"Oh, there's no need to be afraid. I'm not some scary monster."
He chuckled softly.
"Haha."
Frederica then began pointing at each person.
"This is Clara."
The girl gave a small bow.
"Angela."
Another girl repeated the gesture.
"Lucy."
"Jessy."
"These are Rodolphe, Jess, Siliver, Jeslei, and Claude."
Myth nodded as he memorized the names.
"We are all First-Rank Warriors, Young Master."
Myth looked at them.
That was exactly what he had expected.
The ten had received a solid foundation during the past few years and now possessed far greater strength than ordinary children.
He thought for several moments.
"Then here's what we'll do."
Myth pointed at Frederica.
"Frederica, you will act as their leader."
The girl's eyes widened slightly.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Myth nodded.
"Starting tomorrow, you will train with me."
He looked at the other nine.
"You don't need to specialize in any particular weapon. Use whichever weapon feels most comfortable to you."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The ten answered together.
Myth nodded.
After finishing his inspection, the eleven returned to the castle.
The ten orphans no longer lived in the city.
Since being taken in by the Kiran Family, they had been living inside the castle in quarters originally reserved for servants.
It was a completely different life from the one they had known before.
They had food every day.
A place to sleep.
Clothing.
And most importantly...
An opportunity.
An opportunity that Myth intended to turn into something far greater in the future.
---
That night.
After dinner, Myth returned to his room.
Moonlight streamed through the window, partially illuminating the space.
He walked to his bed and sat down.
For a few moments, he remained silent.
I am already a Fifth-Rank Intermediate Mage.
His eyes narrowed.
I'm not far from surpassing the limits of my mental power and reaching the Sixth Rank.
Myth knew that his progress was far beyond normal.
But for that very reason, he needed to be careful.
The more extraordinary his talent was, the greater the danger if someone discovered it.
He closed his eyes.
Perhaps it's better to keep all of this a secret.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
There's a popular saying that sometimes, to deceive our enemies, we must also deceive our allies.
Myth had no intention of revealing his true level to anyone.
Not even to those closest to him.
He then sat cross-legged on the bed and adjusted his posture.
Slowly, his breathing became calmer.
His mind gradually settled.
And then...
Myth began to meditate.
The room once again fell into silence.
Outside, the night wind drifted gently through the gardens of the Kiran estate.