Aldred entered the barrack for Pressure Platoon II. Because Bartrem was only a knight, he could only lead one platoon consisting of fifty squires. In this empire, all official soldiers were considered squires. If they had competence and skills, they would be promoted to a knight. Squires were trained since they were a child. Generally, they were the sons of a knight. These children would learn how to become a soldier from their fathers.

Unlike the modern world where people could go to school learn what they want and have a career of their choice. The children only had their parents as a source of information. So they were in some kind of apprenticeship without their choice. Most of them didn’t complain much, because they didn’t know what other jobs there were.

Their knowledge and wisdom was too small. This led them just to accept whatever their parents taught.

Farmers also rarely drafted to become a soldier. Ceraisian was in war for a while. They knew that having farmer in the battlefield weren’t that good. Only properly trained soldiers could be relied upon in the battlefield.

These were what Bartrem told him. He was really kind to Aldred, telling him a lot of things about the world. Just like any other children, Bartrem did not know anything else except swordsmanship. That was because he saw a lot of soldiers training in the Royal Palace where the empress kept him when he was a child.

Only when he got older did he knew more things, but he did not plan to change occupation anytime soon. If he had a child, he would teach that child how to fight with a sword, because that was the only thing Bartrem know a lot of.

And that was the entire cycle of a family. They born, enter apprenticeship, and then teach their kid what they know.

Aldred did not know if that was good or not compared to the modern world. Would it be better if parents taught their child what they knew, instead of forcing them to go to medical schools? Parents put their dreams of success upon their child, not knowing what they had to go through.

…

“You stupid child. Your exams score is terrible. You won’t get any scholarship this way.” His father punched his face.

“Dad, it hurt! Please! Stop!”

“Then do better next time.”

“I am trying, dad. I study as hard I can, but I can only get 80 in the final exam.”_-.

“Study hard? Our neighbor got 95 in his exam. If he can do it, then why can’t you? Stop being lazy! You will have no food for three days. Don’t go out of your room and use that time to study.”

Aldred cried as he open his math book. All the numbers, all the formulas, all the find X and Y made him sick. He felt so sick he wanted to die.

…

Aldred sighed as he stood inside the barrack.

“What’s wrong, Aldred?” Mary asked. She looked at him with a worried gaze.

He swiped his tears with his arms. “I am fine.”

Bartrem sighed. “Mary. Can I talk with you for a few seconds?”

Mary looked at Aldred. “Stay here okay?”

They went outside the barracks. Bartrem closed the door.

“What do you want to talk about?” Mary asked.

“We cannot do this. He’s only ten,” Bartrem said. “You see he cried the moment he entered the barrack. He must be so scared.”

“He wasn’t scared when he throw those dust at the captain.”

“Those must be momentary confidence. Now he realized that he has to stay here for a long time. He will break before I can put him on the battlefield.”

“I will protect him,” Mary said. “That boy has talent beyond anyone I know. Besides, the empress told me to protect him. He will get through this. I know he can.”

Mary spoke with such a conviction that surprised Bartrem. “I know the boy is talented. Reaching Bronze Rank at such a young age is an amazing achievement. But he is still a boy.”

“I will go with him on the battlefield. Wherever he goes, I will be there.”

“No you will not!” a man shouted. He walked haughtily like he owned the entire place.

Bartrem grimaced when he saw who the man was. It was a middle-aged man. Standing around 180 CM tall, with a sword mark on his mouth. He wore his Knight Rank armor that was ensued by the brigade. He was the leader of Pressure Platoon I.

And he was Pharder’s toes.

“Simond. This is not your barrack. Go wherever you came from,” Bartrem said.

Simond snorted and domineeringly approached them. He crossed his arms. “I am sent here by Captain Pharder. Mary, you will not go to the battlefield because the captain assigned you to protect the fort.”

“I’m more useful on the battlefield than staying in here!” Mary shouted. This man pissed her off. If this was outside the fort, she might kill the man with her newfound strength.

Simond analyzed the woman in front of her and gritted his teeth. ‘Gold Rank. This woman has the strength of High-Knight.’ He clicked his tongue. “You’re not in a position to decide. Are you trying to disobey the order of a captain? You’re just a woman.”

Mary wanted to blast the man’s face right here and there. ‘So what if I am a woman? I’m stronger than you.’

The man turned around and was about to leave. His step halted. “Even if you are a Gold Rank, you are still a woman. We, men, are better at fighting than you. You are just a burden in this place.”

Mary gritted her teeth and stepped forward. She’d kill this man. She’d mince him to pieces and feed him to the dogs!

Bartrem held her. “It’s not worth it. Remember why you are here.”

She stared at the man as he left. Rage boiled in her chest. “I will kill that man someday.”

“Who do you want to kill?” A girl said from behind. Her chest bounced as she slowly strode to them. When she arrived, she crossed her arms below her breast and pushed upward, making her chest seem bigger than it already looked. Her body was voluptuous.

Her rosy cheeks smiled. “Hello.”

“Who are you?” Mary asked.

“She is Sophia,” Bartrem said. “She is a magician High-Knight that leads Magician Company III.”

“Nice to meet you, beautiful,” Sophia said. She approached Mary. She smelled like flowers. She brought a magic staff with her. It was beautifully made out of birch wood. It was straight, and end with a little crystal on top.

“Yes, nice to meet you too,” Mary confusingly said. She didn’t know how to behave in front of this seemingly-aggressive woman.

Sophia chuckled. “Your breast is so big.” She grabbed her left breast. “Men will love fondling it and sucking it. Oh my, it’s so plump too.”

Sophia moved her gaze to her confused expression. She smiled sweetly. “You don’t mind me playing with them don’t you.”

Mary didn’t know what to do. Except for Aldred, she never had anyone touching her breast. “I don’t mind,” She hesitantly said. Sophia was a woman, after all, so she thought it was fine.

“You’re such a kind girl. Men love a sweet and caring girl like you. Oh, you’re a virgin, yet you already have breastmilk. This is a rarity, a lot of men will want to have you in bed, I am sure of it.”

Mary was shocked. ‘How the hell does this woman know I have milk in my breast. And she also knows I’m a virgin?’

Sophia played with her nipples. “Don’t be too surprised. I am a magician.”

She turned her gaze to Bartrem.

Bartrem flinched in fear and he took a deep breath.

“If isn’t this my lovely Bartrem.” She released her hand from Mary and put both of her hands on his shoulder. Ohh, why are you closing your eyes, Bartrem? Come on, look at my breast.”

Sophia used her left hand to slightly open her robe, revealing part of her breast. “I know you want it, Bartrem. All men wanted it. Come on, Touch it. Feel it.”

She leaned in onto his left ear. “You can also suck it if you want.”

Bartrem was trembling, eyes closed as he clenched his hand. ‘Get yourself together, Bartrem. She will get bored and walk away. Don’t say anything!’

Mary did not know what to do in this situation. If a man did this to a woman, she would apprehend him, but this was a woman doing it to the man. Bartrem seemed uncomfortable, though. She wondered if she should do something.

Sophia covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. “That’s Bartrem for you. Strong as always.”

She licked Bartrem’s ear before turning to Mary. “It was nice meeting you. I believe we will meet again soon.”

When she left, Bartrem opened his eyes and breathed haggardly. He pushed out air from his nose and inhale through his mouth.

“Why are you so troubled?” Mary asked. “Doesn’t men enjoy that sort of thing done to them?”

Bartrem breathed out. “I tried to hold my masculine urges and not treat women as such.”

Mary smiled. Bartrem was raised by the empress’ maid. During that time, he must be taught how to treat women properly. Now he become a gentleman and also a Knight.

“I wonder if Aldred will grow into someone who can respect women,” Mary whispered under her breath.

“What was that?” Bartrem asked.

Mary shook her head. “Who is that girl earlier anyway? You said she was a High-Knight magician?”

Bartrem nodded. “She’s a High-Knight, but none of her behavior and personality fit for the position. She’s a crazy woman. Everyone knows about it.”

“How crazy?”

“A few days ago, she came out of her room naked. She walked around with no clothes on a bright day. The other day, she even went to the battlefield with no clothes. At that time, she climbed on someone’s shoulder and went around, shooting distracting spells at the enemy. A lot of people believed she didn’t even need to cast distraction spells.”

Mary was shocked. “Everyone is fine with this?” She was fine with showing her breast like men did but fully naked was too much. Even men couldn’t show their dongs so blatantly, not to mention on the battlefield.

Bartrem sighed. “she’s also Pharder’s woman.”