The Military Academy open day

Dawn broke over Merham's eastern quarter. The Shmidt family walked through streets already bustling with activity - merchants setting up stalls, soldiers running drills, craftsmen heading to their forges.

The Military Academy's iron gates stood open, its stone walls weathered but solid. No gilded decorations or elaborate displays adorned the entrance, just the imperial sword-and-shield emblem carved above the archway.

"Different crowd." Leo nodded toward the gathering families.

Parents in practical clothing stood with straight backs, many bearing the telltale scars and calluses of military service. Their children wore simple tunics, carrying practice weapons or well-worn books rather than jewelled accessories.

A gruff sergeant checked their papers at the gate. His efficiency stood in stark contrast to yesterday's chaos at the Royal Academy.

"Through the main yard. Assembly starts in twenty minutes." He marked their names in a leather-bound ledger. No flowery speech, no ceremony.

The courtyard stretched before them, packed dirt rather than marble tiles. Training dummies lined one wall, their wooden forms scarred by countless practice strikes. Archery targets occupied another section, while rope climbing frames dominated the far corner.

Students and instructors moved with purpose. No servants scattered rose petals, no nobles demanded special treatment. A captain demonstrated sword forms to a group of prospects, his movements precise and controlled.

"Look." Elly pointed to where older students sparred under an instructor's watchful eye. "They're mixing noble-born and commoners in the same training group."

She was right. The students' backgrounds showed in their initial stance and equipment quality, but the instructor corrected them all equally, paying no attention to family names or social status.

"First years, gather round!" A battle-scarred commander stepped onto a wooden platform. His voice carried across the yard without need for magical enhancement.

The Shmidts joined the crowd of prospective students. Around them, conversations focused on combat techniques and magical theory rather than family connections or political alliances.

"Welcome to the Military Academy's assessment day." The commander's gaze swept the assembled crowd. "Here, your worth will be measured by your actions, not your ancestry."

The commander paced along the platform's edge, his boots striking the wood with measured steps. "You've all heard the speeches from other academies. The Royal Academy speaks of noble bloodlines. The Power and Magic Academy generally speaks about the same things in those days."

His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "But when you're facing down charging cavalry or defending against enemy spells, your family name won't save you. The battlefield doesn't care who your parents are."

Sunlight glinted off the medals on his chest as he stopped mid-stride. "Our empire needs officers who can lead, fight, and think. People who understand that victory comes from skill, not status."

Leo watched the crowd's reactions. Some noble-born prospects shifted uncomfortably, while others stood straighter, accepting the challenge in the commander's words.

"In five years, you'll graduate as officers of the Usman Empire. Your soldiers won't follow you because of your lineage - they'll follow because you've proven yourself worthy of command."

The commander's voice hardened. "If you're here seeking special treatment or an easy path to advancement, leave now. Save us both the time."

No one moved.

"Good. Here's what we offer: combat training from veterans who've bled on real battlefields. Tactical instruction from commanders who've led armies. Magical education from battlemages who've faced enemy mages and came back to tell the tale."

He gestured to the training grounds around them. "Everything you learn will serve one purpose - making you a competent officer. Someone who can keep their soldiers alive while completing their mission."

Elly stood rigid, her usual playfulness replaced by focused attention. The commander's words carried weight earned through experience.

"The empire's enemies grow stronger each year. We need officers who can adapt, innovate, and overcome. That's what this academy builds. Not nobles who expect respect - leaders who earn it."

The commander unrolled a scroll, its edges crisp and official. "Let's discuss our graduation requirements. For knights-in-training, you must achieve at least first circle knight status within your five years here."

He paused, letting the weight of that sink in. Several prospects exchanged glances - reaching knight status wasn't a simple task.

"We won't accept apprentice knights as graduates. The battlefield demands more. Your soldiers need officers who can stand at the front, who possess the strength to lead by example."

His gaze swept across the crowd. "Those with life energy affinity will undergo intensive training. We'll push your limits daily until you break through to true knight status."

Leo noted how some prospects straightened their backs while others slumped slightly. The commander's words had separated the determined from the uncertain.

"As for mages," he gestured to a battlemage instructor standing nearby, her robes bearing scorch marks from recent practice, "requirements differ. First circle apprentice mage status is acceptable, but with conditions."

The battlemage stepped forward, her voice carrying across the yard. "You'll master both defensive and offensive spells within your elemental affinity. Whether you command fire, water, earth, wind, or lightning - you must prove capable of protecting your unit while supporting offensive operations."

"A mage officer who can only attack is useless if their unit gets wiped out," the commander added. "Similarly, pure defensive capabilities won't win battles. You need both."

He rolled the scroll back up with practiced efficiency. "These requirements aren't negotiable. If you can't meet them within five years, you won't graduate. The empire's armies have no use for half-trained officers."

The commander pulled out another scroll, this one bearing the imperial seal. "Now, for those who show exceptional talent - the academy rewards excellence."

"Each breakthrough in power levels opens new opportunities," the battlemage stepped forward. "Reach second circle knight status, you'll train with our elite instructors. Third circle grants access to restricted combat techniques."

The commander nodded. "The same applies for mages. Show prowess in your element, prove you can harness it effectively - you'll receive personal tutoring from our battle-hardened staff."

"Some of you might achieve high knight status during your studies." His voice carried pride and challenge. "Those exceptional few will graduate directly into command positions. The empire needs powerful officers."

The battlemage's hands flickered with controlled flame. "Mages who reach the fifth level of apprentice mage and higher will lead specialized units. Mixed combat groups require officers who understand both magical and conventional warfare."

"Remember this," the commander's gaze swept across the crowd. "Every circle you climb, every level you master - it shapes your future role. A fifth circle knight graduate commands more respect than a first circle. Their soldiers know the difference."

He gestured to the training grounds. "The academy provides resources based on your growth. Advanced training halls, rare magical texts, enhanced combat instruction - all unlocked by your achievements."

"Prove your worth," the battlemage added, "and you'll find doors opening. The higher your power level at graduation, the more choices in your military career. Front-line commanders, tactical advisors, specialized unit leaders - your strength determines your path."

The commander held up the sealed scroll. "These opportunities are earned, never given. Show us your potential, and we'll give you every tool to reach it. The empire rewards power backed by competence."

The commander tucked away the scroll detailing advancement opportunities and produced a different document.

"Now, for those wondering if they qualify to join our ranks." He unfolded the paper with practiced precision. "Knights-in-training must demonstrate second circle apprentice knight capabilities at minimum."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. The battlemage raised her hand for silence.

"However," the commander continued, "we also accept those who show exceptional combat prowess, regardless of their current power level. Skill and determination can overcome initial limitations."

Leo noticed several prospects with basic training weapons stand straighter at those words.

"As for mages," the battlemage stepped forward, her robes shifting with each movement, "our requirements differ significantly. Any confirmed magical affinity qualifies you for admission, regardless of current mastery level."

The commander nodded. "The empire faces a shortage of combat mages. Whether you command fire, water, earth, wind, or lightning - if you possess the gift, we'll train you."

"Higher initial power levels are welcome," the battlemage added, "but not required."

She gestured to a group of instructors standing nearby. "Our battlemage corps maintains this policy because magical talent is rare and precious. Every mage we train strengthens the empire's capabilities."

"The difference in standards reflects reality," the commander explained. "For every hundred knights in our armies, we might find one combat mage. We can't afford to turn away magical potential."

His voice carried across the yard. "This doesn't mean mages face easier training - quite the opposite. We'll push your abilities to their limits, regardless of your starting point."

After a few more remarks and showing the students the training grounds and the campus the open day of the Military academy ended. The entrance test will start in the beginning of the next week.