Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 569 - 342: Knight Trainee
Chapter 569: Chapter 342: Knight Trainee
One hour later, the training session concluded.
Bruch walked past each squad, leaving brief comments.
When he reached Kosa, he simply said, “You have talent.”
Just this one sentence, yet Kosa remembered it clearly.
That night he sat on his dormitory bed, his wrist still faintly aching, but he did not frown.
Red Tide did not treat him differently because he was from the Barbarian Race, teaching him real skills, practicing real tactics, and even punishing with real penalties.
This was a place that truly respected rules.
And he found himself beginning to… want to become a part of these rules.
Kosa took out a copy of “Red Tide Knight Promotion Regulations” from the bag beside his bed.
It was given to them during their first discipline class, one for each, which he originally dismissed as mere Imperial phrases and statutes.
Now he opened the first page, each regulation clearly numbered, without superfluous language or ambiguity.
All sons of military households can apply for promotion based on meritorious achievements in combat.
Those who complete the two-year training camp courses and pass the final assessment will be considered qualified candidates and may be included in the list of Red Tide Knights.
Outstanding performers may be recommended to enter the command system and serve as junior officers, assistant civil servants, or overseas special envoys.
Under Red Tide law, all registrants enjoy equal legal protection, with no increase or decrease due to birth, clan, or origin.
Kosa read very slowly, going through each regulation one by one, as if confirming some answer.
He remembered what his father said before departing: “Forget the past, you are a Red Tide now.”
At that time, he was incredulous, thinking it was just the compromise of an old man who had given up tribal pride.
But now… if the rules were real, if promotions were open, if hard work could truly make him a real officer.
Then he was no longer a hostage stripped of everything, but taking the first step on a completely new path.
“No matter the birth.” He muttered, almost unconsciously speaking out, “Then I have an opportunity too…”
Even if starting from zero, even with the blood of a Barbarian, he could become a part of this city.
He suddenly understood, his father wasn’t surrendering, but was pushing him to another battlefield with opportunities.
Training started every day at six in the morning.
Even the warm houses and geothermal heat of Red Tide City could not change the chill of the snowfield.
Especially on the training ground, frost formed on the permafrost, the echo of weapons striking was particularly clear in the morning air.
Kosa was always the first to arrive, never late, and never careless.
He swung his sword more frequently than others, ran faster in circles, and did not stop practicing Fighting Energy even when his arm trembled.
He was not the only smart one, and not the only young Barbarian entrusting hopes.
But he didn’t just want to integrate into Red Tide satisfactorily.
He wanted to become the strongest, not relying on anyone’s favoritism, not relying on his father’s instructions, but stepping onto the city’s ladder by his own effort.
Kosa didn’t boast, nor did he prefer attention, yet in every combat technique assessment, his performance never fell below the top three.
In the first combat exercise, his team won a complete victory; in the second confrontation evaluation, he independently defeated two Imperial young men collaborating against him; by the third time, even the instructors all remembered his name.
On a rest day, Kosa and four other outstanding trainees from the Border Guard Village were collectively brought to Red Tide Hall.
It was their first time being allowed inside this high building made of gray stone and dark gold.
Everywhere felt oppressive, from the mirror-like tiled floors to the wood doors edged with copper rivets, yet the source of this pressure was not easy to discern.
They stood in a line, Kosa stood at the end.
He expected a bureaucrat to offer encouragement or a reprimand, yet the legendary Red Tide Lord really appeared before them.
Louis wore a gray uniform, with a Red Tide Emblem pinned to his chest.
He didn’t stand on a high platform, just quietly stood before them: “Thanks for your effort.
These days, are you getting used to living here? Is the house warm? Is the food enough?”
He didn’t immediately talk about ideals or systems, nor did he first ask about their loyalty.
Instead, he cared about the most basic things.
Below the stage, the boys looked at each other; some felt embarrassed, some grinned, some lowered their heads saying nothing.
After a moment, one Barbarian boy quietly answered, “Very warm.”
“The food… is quite good too.”
Another nodded, even softer, “But the instructor is too harsh.”
Bruch’s face turned dark, while everyone laughed, knowing it was a joke.
Louis also smiled, “That’s just his face; even I dare not provoke him when he’s not smiling.”
The atmosphere gradually relaxed, and several boys laughed quietly, even the ones who stood rigidly at first unconsciously loosened up a bit.
Louis slowly withdrew his smile, and his tone also became somewhat solemn: “I know some of you came voluntarily, some were persuaded.
You might still be wondering if you’re here as hostages or to exchange for food.”
He glanced around, seriously saying:
“But I want to tell you, no, you are not here for anyone, not for the tribe, not to please the Empire.
It’s for yourselves, to live a better future. So your family won’t be hungry in the winter.
In Red Tide, there is no distinction in birth and name, only one thing can decide your position, and that is effort.
Whoever trains the hardest, whoever scores the best, whoever can go furthest.
