When my grandfather returned home, his face was unusually bright as he told me, "Erin! You need to pack your bags today and head to Berlin tomorrow!"
I couldn't help but smile slightly. "...It seems things went well."
"Yes! I managed to get your report to a high-ranking officer in the military."
My grandfather loosened his tie and continued excitedly, "To be honest, I thought they'd dismiss it outright, especially since you don't have 'von' in your name. But your report must have been more valuable than I imagined."
"No, sir. If you hadn't published the book, it wouldn't have attracted this much attention."
"Ha ha! Aren't you subtly praising yourself? After all, you wrote the report and main details!"
If grandfather hadn't found a publisher willing to publish the book and hadn't appealed to the other nobles so strongly, it would have taken much longer for my work to gain recognition.
Moreover, my grandfather, grasping at straws, turned to the Junkers, which ultimately led to this new opportunity for me.
Knowing this, my grandfather wore a proud smile on his lips.
"Tomorrow, you will head to Berlin-Lichterfelde and find the Higher Cadet School. Wait... there must be a map..."
My fingertips tingled.
The Main Cadet School, also known as the Royal Military Academy of Prussia (Preußische Hauptkadettenanstalt).
The most elite path to becoming a general in the German Imperial Army, and the cradle of countless renowned war heroes.
This is the first turning point.
"Alright, you should be able to catch the first train leaving at dawn," grandfather said, handing me a map.
I hesitated before speaking. "Thank you. I won't forget this kindness..."
"It's only natural for a grandfather to do this," Weber senior replied, straightening up and patting my shoulder. "Don't talk about kindness or owing me anything. If anything, I'm the one who owes you so much more."
As grandfather carefully embraced me, I also wrap my arms.
"Son, stay healthy in Berlin. Remember, in the end, you can only rely on yourself."
"...I will keep that in mind."
I woke up early at dawn, bid my final farewell to my family, and boarded the train.
Pee-eep!
With the steam locomotive's powerful whistle, the scenery gradually transformed.
As time passed, beyond the pastoral landscapes of vineyards and forests, plumes of smoke began to rise into the sky.
This was the smoke billowing from Berlin, the heart of the German Empire.
...I've come this far.
I propped my chin on my hand and stared blankly at the smoke.
My homeland... Germany.
As a soldier, my duty is simple:
To uphold the glory of Germany.
...However.
There was something that troubled me.
"Nazis."
The runaway train that drove Germany to ruin, the absolute evil that condemned tens of millions to death.
Considering the immense harm they inflicted on human history, it was impossible to simply ignore them.
Like a thorn stuck in my throat, the discomfort lingered—
"..."
Military matters should be handled by soldiers, political affairs by politicians.
If Germany demanded the Prussian Spirit from me, I would have to comply.
Mechanical neutrality, devoid of political judgment, was a core tenet of that spirit.
I closed my eyes tightly, shaking off the lingering thoughts.
Screech!
As the train came to a halt, I gathered my bag and stepped out.
By afternoon, the streets were bustling with people.
There wasn't enough time to see the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (Parliament Building), Berlin Cathedral, and Unter den Linden (the main boulevard).
Reluctantly, I boarded a tram to Lichterfelde.
"This must be it."
The Main Cadet School wasn't just an educational institution; it was a strict and authoritarian fortress, forging the very essence of the future German Army officer corps.
The imposing stone main gate exuded an overwhelming sense of grandeur.
The high walls and the menacing black Prussian Eagle emblems flanking the gate proclaimed this as the cradle of the German Army.
"What brings you here?" the guard asked.
"I'm Erin Weber, a newly enrolled cadet," I replied, showing him my admission certificate.
"At this time of year? Cases like yours are rare..." The guard frowned, scrutinizing me from head to toe.
Though I was properly dressed, my attire lacked the aristocratic flair that would dispel suspicion. After all, this military academy was the exclusive domain of noble and military families.
However, my admission certificate was flawless.
"...Enter."
With a clang, the iron gates of the Main Cadet School swung open at the guard's command.
I retrieved my certificate and stepped inside.
It's enormous.
From within, the Military Academy appeared even more colossal than it had from the outside.
I'll be spending a few years here.
That was my first thought as I entered the main building.
"Erin Weber... I've heard of you. Your uniform and personal belongings are in the dormitory. You can start your full cadet life tomorrow."
"Understood."
The Drill Sergeant scrutinized the documents I'd brought with cold eyes before returning them to me. Then, with a dry chuckle, he said, "When I first heard about you, I assumed you were just a parachute recruit... but looking at your grades, it seems you're not just a parachute recruit after all."
"..."
"Be punctual. According to the higher-ups, if your grades slip, they'll expel you immediately. Keep that in mind."
"Yes, sir. Understood."
"Good. For an ordinary boy, you're remarkably disciplined. We won't need to focus much on that aspect. Dismissed."
The Drill Sergeant waved his hand dismissively, signaling me to leave.
Following his order, I headed toward the dormitory.
"Hmm? Who's that?"
"A commoner. Looks like some backwoods peasant, too."
"Oh, right! I remember hearing rumors about a new cadet joining."
"Since when did our Military Academy become some pushover school that accepts transfers?"
The Royal Military Academy was renowned for its authoritarian atmosphere and grueling schedule, but seeing these cadets gossiping like this made me doubt that reputation.
I found my dormitory room under hostile glares.
"This must be it..."
"Ah, you're finally here!"
The moment I opened the door, a handsome young man greeted me with a cheerful tone.
I resisted the urge to step back and stared at him.
Reading between the lines of my gaze, he chuckled awkwardly and slowly retreated from the doorway.
"Haha, sorry about that. I was waiting for the transfer student... I heard you'd be coming to this room."
He extended his hand to me.
"I'm Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen. Just call me Manfred."
"...Red Baron."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing... It's nice to meet you too."
I shook his hand and stepped into the room.
Manfred von Richthofen.
The ace pilot of World War I, a war hero nicknamed the Red Baron (Der Rote Baron).
His confirmed kill count exceeded 80 aircraft, and rumors suggested the actual number, including unconfirmed kills, might have surpassed 100.
While his kill count was lower than that of World War II aces, military analysts believed that had he served in the later war, he would have achieved the highest kill count in history.
In other words, the handsome man standing before me was the greatest ace pilot the world had ever known.
As a soldier myself, I held him in deep reverence and spoke warmly.
"Erin Weber. Just call me whatever's easiest."
"Oh... now that I look closer..."
He examined my attire with curiosity.
"You're not a Junker, are you?"
So that's what stands out. I suppressed a bitter smile.
Everyone's so curious about my background the moment I arrive.
"Well, my name doesn't have 'von' in it."
"No, no! I didn't mean to be discriminatory. I'm just surprised!"
Did my words sound that bitter? Manfred shook his head vehemently, dispelling my concerns.
He draped an arm casually over my shoulder.
"This is the Empire's Royal Military Academy! The nobles here are all mediocre, but the commoners who get in are the real deal."
I set down my luggage and listened to his explanation.
"It's smaller than the noble academies, but the cadets here have survived fierce competition to get in. They're some of the most outstanding students you'll find."
"Really?"
But... no matter how hard I thought, I couldn't recall ever hearing about a commoner war hero who had graduated from the Main Cadet School.
"Yeah, and you're skipping the elementary and intermediate levels to start at the advanced level."
Manfred nodded emphatically.
"There might be some discrimination against you now... but there are plenty of people like me who have high expectations for you!"
His confident and cheerful tone made me smile involuntarily.
"Thanks for saying that. Let's get along well in the future."
"Sounds great!"
This was the first meeting between me and the Red Baron.