The Kingdom of Chen was one of the eight nations on the Easter continent, the majority of which had been absorbed by the three great empires. The Kingdom of Chen was flanked by two of these empires, necessitating a formidable military presence. In this realm, military generals were revered and held in high esteem. The Kingdom of Chen comprised thirteen provinces, each containing no fewer than four districts. Some districts garnered renown, distinguished by their esteemed academies, natural beauty, magnificence, and martial prowess. Governance of the districts rested in the hands of Lords, and given the nation's need for a strong army, conflicts among the Lords were permitted to a certain degree. The Lords could contest one another for territory and wealth.
Moorea was a small town nestled within the Lucia district of the Rising Waters province. The Lucia district was relatively obscure, lacking notable attributes, and its military was reputed to be weak. The Lord of this district was said to pay homage to the Lord of another district for protection. The inhabitants of this town were mostly peasants, destined for a life of obscurity. Visitors seldom ventured to this town, as it was encircled by imposing mountains.
One fateful day, a messenger arrived to confer with the town clerk, the de facto leader of the town and a distant relative of a noble. It was rumored that the Lord was fortifying the army, and all individuals above the age of sixteen were eligible to enlist; youths who exhibited exceptional promise could aspire to attend the military academy and vie for a commission as officers. This institution was typically frequented by members of the aristocracy and the offspring of civil servants. The reason behind this initiative was the pressing need for a more formidable military.
This announcement ignited a spark of ambition in the eyes of many youths, particularly two boys in particular. "Don't lag behind, Karun," a fatigued voice called out between labored breaths, "we must be swifter and stronger than the others if we are to be selected as officers."
"We are already swifter and stronger than most of our peers; we should be enjoying ourselves like the others," a tall boy with muscles that appeared disproportionately large for his age retorted, about thirty yards behind the first boy. His breathing remained steady, a stark contrast to the other boy's labored gasps. He wore respectable attire and presented himself far more neatly than his companion. A short sword hung at his hip, a weapon he had wielded since childhood. This boy possessed commendable features, and his hair was tied back in a ponytail. He was Karun, the son of the town clerk.
The other boy, shorter and leaner than Karun, had already reached the summit of the mountain, gazing down at the town and the farms that sprawled below. "Why are you so impatient, Lee?" Karun inquired as he finally arrived at the peak. "I've already told you not to sprint while climbing; you'll injure yourself." Lee turned around and flashed a grin at his friend. His hair was a silky black, cropped short, and his large, round eyes and well-defined features made for a striking appearance. Though Karun acknowledged that he was handsome and attracted the admiration of many girls, he was acutely aware of his own shortcomings in comparison to this boy.
Lee wore a pair of shorts that had once been trousers and a shirt that had likely once been blue. In contrast to Karun, who hailed from nobility, Lee was an orphan and peasant. They had trained together for the past two years to hone their bodies for military service, although Karun need not endure such hardships due to his noble lineage.
"You worry too much, young Lord, for this humble servant," Lee jested, approaching his friend. "A few scars and bruises won't be my undoing; how can I hope to gain admission to the military academy if I allow a handful of scars to deter me?"
"In just two moons, if we will find ourselves in one of the three principal towns, training to become leaders of armies," Karun remarked, gazing at his companion. There were three military training camps and academies in the district, situated within the three largest and most powerful towns, excluding the district capital where the Lord resided.
"Yes," Lee replied, "the time of year has arrived when the military recruits new soldiers, and we are now fifteen and eligible to enlist."
The two boys conversed about their aspirations of becoming illustrious generals, achieving victory in wars, and attaining honor and glory. After they had rested for a while, they began sword fighting, exchanging blows with a skill that even the town guard lacked. If one were to see these boys, he would think that they were trained by a master swordsman and had witnessed many wars.
Karun had been occasionally instructed by his father when he wasn't preoccupied. His father had once served in the army and had imparted his knowledge to him. The remainder of his skills he had cultivated by sparring with Lee every day for the last two years. Lee's swordsmanship was slightly less polished compared to Karun's, as he also practiced archery. They trained until sunset before descending the mountain.