Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. In the midst of rigorous body training and tempering his strength, Lin Lei lived through the warm spring, the scorching summer, and stepped into the cool late autumn. Next to the clearing on the eastern side of
The sky was gradually darkening.
Today, there were an unusually large number of people on the eastern clearing, nearly three hundred.
"The evening training session ends here,"
After the autumn harvest, the season for military recruitment began. In an era where martial prowess was valued across the entire continent, every young man dreamed of becoming a great warrior. Of course, many also wished to become mages. However, the difficulty of becoming a mage was far greater. Only about one in ten thousand people possessed the aptitude for magic. With such low odds, ordinary folks could forget about it.
Becoming a warrior was much easier. One only needed to reach the age of sixteen, adulthood, and achieve the minimum rank of a first-level warrior. Meeting these two simple conditions allowed for easy entry into the army.
"Thank you, Uncle Hillman!"
One hundred and twenty-six youths, aged seventeen or eighteen, bowed respectfully. Normally, these youths did not attend the training; they were already adults with their own work. However, they had been trained by Hillman since childhood. Hillman was like their mentor.
Before enlisting, they came to bid Hillman farewell.
Hillman gazed at this group of vibrant, seventeen or eighteen-year-olds, his heart filled with a thousand emotions. He knew that right now, these children were filled with longing for military life, but after ten years of service, how many would actually return?
"Hopefully, half of these one hundred and twenty-six will survive," Hillman wished inwardly.
Looking at the group of children, Hillman spoke in a loud, clear voice: "You brats, listen up! You are men of Wushan Town! Men of Wushan Town must stand tall, meet any challenge head-on, and never show fear! Do you hear me?"
The group of seventeen-year-olds puffed out their chests, standing ramrod straight. Their fervent gazes held anticipation for their future army life, and they all shouted back in unison: "We hear you!"
"Good." Hillman stood just as straight, his sharp eyes holding the distinct bearing of a soldier.
"You set off tomorrow, so prepare well tonight. I know your abilities well; you will all easily enter the army! I, Hillman, will be right here in Wushan Town, waiting for you to return in glory!" Hillman declared loudly.
A light shone in the eyes of the one hundred and twenty-six youths.
A triumphant return home was the dream of every young man.
"Now, I order you, return home immediately and prepare! Dismissed!" Hillman commanded sharply.
"Yes, sir."
The one hundred and twenty-six youths responded respectfully, then departed one by one, under the watchful, admiring eyes of nearly two hundred younger children nearby. Tomorrow, they would embark on a brand-new journey.
"I still have two years until I'm an adult. Then I can join the army too."
"I really want that blood-pumping army life. Spending my whole life just staying in Wushan Town, even if I lived a long time, would be meaningless."
...
A group of thirteen and fourteen-year-olds chatted amongst themselves, their eyes full of expectation for a thrilling, passionate life. They wanted to make a name for themselves, earn the admiration of girls, and receive praise from their hometown elders.
This was their dream!
"Lin Lei, your father, Master
Reading was an extremely luxurious endeavor. Generally, only nobles had the opportunity to learn. The
"Uncle Hillman, I know. Father has already reminded me three times today. He has never been so serious about something before. I won't stay here to play," Lin Lei said with a grin, revealing a row of bright white teeth, though there was a gap right in the middle.
Lin Lei had started losing his baby teeth.
"Alright, you're even missing a front tooth now. You whistle when you smile," Hillman chuckled. "Come on, let's go back."
In the front courtyard of the ancient Baruch Family mansion, after the family had finished dinner, Lin Lei was playing with his little brother, who was only two and a half years old.
"Gege, hug, hug."
Little Wotton looked at Lin Lei with pure, innocent eyes, took unsteady little steps, and extended his chubby little hands, running happily toward him. Lin Lei crouched down a short distance away, waiting quietly for Wotton to reach him.
"Wotton, go on, you can do it!" Lin Lei encouraged.
Wotton's running steps made it seem like he might fall at any moment. However, in the end, Wotton suddenly launched himself into Lin Lei's embrace. Wotton's skin, as smooth and translucent as water, was now flushed pink. His dark, bright eyes looked at Lin Lei excitedly as he called out in a sweet, milky voice: "Gege, Gege!"