Chapter 151: The First Candidates

The military training grounds of Althoff were unusually crowded that morning.

Hundreds of soldiers stood in organized formations beneath the early sunlight, their uniforms neatly maintained and their weapons secured at their sides.

Officers moved between the assembled companies, checking attendance and distributing instructions while several Household Knights observed from the raised training platform.

At the center stood Captain-General Boris, holding a thick collection of personnel records.

"Listen carefully!" Boris announced, his commanding voice carrying across the grounds. "His Excellency has authorized the establishment of a new military training program. Unlike our existing arrangements, this program will provide selected soldiers with an opportunity to pursue formal Knight cultivation."

The announcement immediately attracted attention.

Although the soldiers maintained their formations, surprised expressions appeared throughout the assembled ranks.

For ordinary men and women serving in the conventional army, becoming a Knight was an ambition that frequently remained beyond reach.

Boris allowed them a moment to absorb the announcement before continuing.

"Selection will be based upon discipline, physical conditioning, combat performance, loyalty, and service history. Every eligible soldier will be considered according to the same standards. Family background, wealth, and personal connections will provide no advantage."

A young soldier near the front exchanged an astonished glance with his companion.

Neither dared interrupt the Captain-General, but the excitement spreading through the formations was unmistakable.

Standing beside Jonathan on the observation platform, Raymond watched the proceedings with satisfaction.

"Well, that certainly got their attention," Raymond remarked, folding his arms. "I imagine some of them thought they’d never receive an opportunity like this."

Jonathan nodded. "For many ordinary soldiers, Your Excellency, Knight cultivation is something they associate with noble households or established martial families. Even talented individuals may lack access to proper instruction."

Raymond glanced toward the assembled troops. "Then it’s about time we changed that. If someone has the discipline and ability to succeed, I don’t care whether their father was a farmer, carpenter, merchant, or nobleman."

Jonathan smiled approvingly. "A sound principle, my Lord. However, we must ensure the selection remains demanding. The opportunity itself is valuable, and unsuitable candidates could waste considerable resources."

"Agreed," Raymond replied. "Everyone deserves a fair chance to qualify, but nobody deserves automatic selection."

Boris had already organized the evaluations into several stages.

The first involved examining service records and disciplinary histories. Soldiers with serious unresolved misconduct or repeated failures to fulfill their duties would not proceed, although minor mistakes from earlier service would not automatically disqualify otherwise capable candidates.

The second stage assessed physical conditioning through endurance exercises, loaded marches, and controlled strength tests.

Combat evaluations followed, with experienced Household Knights supervising demonstrations of weapon handling, defensive technique, and practical judgment.

Finally, commanding officers would provide assessments concerning reliability, teamwork, and conduct during actual service.

Raymond had specifically instructed Boris to prevent favoritism.

He had no intention of replacing the privileges of noble birth with privileges determined by personal connections to military officers.

The first evaluations began shortly afterward.

Groups of soldiers moved between designated stations while officers recorded their performances.

At the endurance course, candidates carried weighted packs around a marked circuit before completing several demanding physical exercises.

Some performed exceptionally well, while others struggled despite considerable determination.

Boris observed carefully, occasionally questioning the supervising officers.

"That soldier has excellent endurance," Boris remarked, indicating a broad-shouldered young man approaching the final stretch. "What does his service record show?"

An officer consulted his documents. "Tomas Grell, Captain-General. Three years of service, consistently strong evaluations, and commendations for maintaining formation during a difficult patrol."

Boris nodded. "Record his performance. I want to see how he handles the combat assessments."

Nearby, another candidate completed the course considerably more slowly.

The soldier was lean, with dark hair and a noticeable scar along his left forearm.

An officer glanced at his results. "His endurance is below the leading candidates, sir. Should I mark him for elimination?"

Boris examined the record before answering.

"Not yet. The standards establish minimum requirements, not a competition to identify whoever runs fastest. If he meets the threshold, he proceeds."

The officer immediately corrected the entry.

Raymond, watching from the platform, approved of the decision. He wanted capable soldiers, not merely impressive athletes.

The combat assessments proved even more revealing.

Jonathan personally supervised several matches, while selected Household Knights evaluated candidates using wooden training weapons.

One soldier possessed remarkable physical strength but repeatedly abandoned his defensive position to pursue reckless attacks.

Another lacked comparable power yet demonstrated excellent timing, patience, and awareness of his surroundings.

Jonathan halted the second match and addressed the candidates.

"Strength is valuable, but discipline determines whether that strength becomes useful," he explained, lowering his practice sword. "A Knight who charges without considering his companions can endanger an entire formation."

He turned toward the more cautious soldier.

"Sergeant Elian, your defensive positioning was excellent. However, you hesitated when an opportunity appeared. Work on recognizing when caution becomes unnecessary delay."

Elian bowed respectfully. "Understood, Commander. I’ll improve."

Jonathan nodded before recording his assessment.

Raymond continued observing the evaluations throughout the morning.

He noticed that some soldiers performed better under pressure than their earlier physical results suggested.

Others possessed impressive individual abilities but struggled to coordinate with partners.

The distinctions reinforced his belief that candidate selection required more than a single examination.

During the midday break, Boris approached with several preliminary reports.

"Your Excellency, the initial evaluations are progressing satisfactorily," he reported. "We have identified several promising individuals, although I recommend reviewing their complete service histories before making final decisions."

Raymond accepted the documents.

"Good. And remember what we discussed about family backgrounds. I don’t want anyone excluded because they lack influential relatives."

Boris inclined his head. "Understood, my Lord. In fact, some of our strongest candidates come from farming and artisan families."

Raymond smiled. "Then their families will have something to celebrate if they succeed."

Boris hesitated briefly before raising another concern. "Your Excellency, should we inform the candidates about the precise nature of the program?"

"Not yet," Raymond answered. "Tell them they’re being considered for experimental Knight cultivation training. Once we’ve finalized the selection, we’ll explain the requirements and obtain their agreement to participate."

Boris nodded. "As you command."

The evaluations continued over the following days.

Jonathan and the Household Knights reviewed combat performance, while Boris examined service records and consulted company commanders.

Cassian also participated, assessing the candidates’ judgment during simulated patrol situations.

Rather than testing their strength alone, he presented scenarios involving civilian protection, conflicting orders, and unexpected threats.

Several candidates who had excelled in physical exercises struggled when required to make decisions under pressure.

Others demonstrated calm judgment that impressed the experienced Gold Knight.

By the end of the selection process, the officers had reduced the candidates to a small preliminary group.

Raymond attended the final review inside military headquarters.

Boris placed the completed reports upon the table. "Your Excellency, after examining every stage, we recommend twelve soldiers for the initial program."

Raymond reviewed the list.

The candidates included experienced corporals, sergeants, and several promising ordinary soldiers.

Their backgrounds varied considerably, but each had demonstrated sufficient discipline, physical ability, and reliability to justify further consideration.

"Twelve seems manageable," Raymond observed. "Jonathan, can your instructors supervise that number properly?"

Jonathan nodded.

"Yes, my Lord. We can assign experienced Knights to oversee their development while maintaining regular military duties."

Cassian examined the reports. "I also recommend periodic reassessments. Successful awakening will not necessarily indicate equal cultivation potential."

"Agreed," Raymond replied. "Nobody should assume this is a guaranteed promotion."

The following morning, the twelve selected soldiers assembled inside a smaller training hall.

Boris stood before them alongside Jonathan and Raymond.

"Congratulations," Boris announced, studying their attentive faces. "You have successfully completed the preliminary selection process. Your performance and service records have earned you an opportunity to participate in Althoff’s experimental Knight training program."

The soldiers straightened instinctively.

Raymond stepped forward.

"I want everyone here to understand something," he began, speaking calmly. "You’ve been selected because of your own efforts, not because of your family names. However, this opportunity comes with responsibilities."

He allowed his gaze to travel across the group.

"The program will involve demanding physical training, unfamiliar cultivation exercises, and careful supervision. Success isn’t guaranteed, and participating won’t automatically make you a Knight."

Corporal Tomas raised his hand.

"Your Excellency, may I ask a question?" Tomas requested respectfully.

Raymond nodded. "Go ahead."

Tomas swallowed before speaking. "Does this mean soldiers like us might actually learn to cultivate Mana?"

Raymond smiled. "That’s precisely what we’re going to attempt, Corporal. But whether you eventually become Knights will depend upon your aptitude, training, and determination."

The soldiers exchanged excited glances.

After explaining the experimental nature of the program, Raymond confirmed that participation would be voluntary.

All twelve accepted.

That evening, Raymond returned to his private chambers and opened the Infinite Clan Treasury System.

He selected twelve Mana Awakening Elixirs from his accumulated supply of one hundred, carefully considering the arrangements for their first controlled administration.

The following day would mark the beginning of Althoff’s most ambitious military experiment yet.

For the first time, ordinary soldiers would receive an opportunity to awaken their sensitivity to Mana.