Loup’s training had started in earnest after adjusting to firing the strange new rifle, though he’d continue to hone his skills every day for about an hour each day. However, with the first initial four weeks being focused on physical fitness and marching with the other soldiers, the Rifles opted to focus on training their soldiers' tactics, such as skirmisher movements, firing and manoeuvring, and, of course, survival and reconnaissance. Loup had to admit he was a little excited to begin training with the Regiment, more so when there was talk of utilising the skills he had gained after hunting and tracking for most of his teenage years. Now, he was getting to show off a little, which to him was something new. When he told Léonce, he was happy to hear such, though he was a little surprised to hear that he was having a vastly different experience in his unit. While Loup had relaxed and open-minded officers, Léonce had the opposite. But Léonce urged him not to worry about it.

  “It’s going to be a fun little challenge, little Wolf,” Léonce told him before they finished their first evening discussion.

  Since then, Loup felt far more comfortable as he marched in rank with the rest of the company. However, unlike Léonce, who was treated like a Trooper, Loup was treated as an actual Lieutenant and held command of a small platoon, as the Captain believed the only way one could learn to lead was actually to lead a unit.

  Many of the commoners within the rifles didn’t care much for Loup, though, or where he started and was about to end up, only that he was competent. He knew they would only follow him if he took a few lessons from his brother. So, he tried to emulate that same confidence his brother had when it came to leadership… though he didn’t actually lead anyone until now. So, Loup had to envision how his brother would lead a unit, even if he had never actually done such a thing yet.

  “How far are we marching, Sir?” Asked one of the soldiers.

  Loup shrugged, “Another half a mile or so.”

  The soldiers let out a unified groan as they got their answer.

  “Come on, it’s not that bad. At least it’s not raining!” Quipped the Platoon Sergeant.

  Smiling, Loup shook his head. Many people in the unit reminded him of the Captain. Still, the march up towards the forest was relatively peaceful, and this would happen a fair bit. Every week, they would march up the path and through the woods and learn how to survive, hunt, and work together to ensure that any future conflict would not pose a problem for the Skirmishers. Though Loup wondered if it was just the Captain’s way to ensure all his soldiers knew how to fend for themselves.

  It was time to act as scouts. His first week with the unit had told him that no one save maybe ten out of the hundred men and women knew how to hunt, kill, skin, and prepare an animal. Even fewer knew what vegetation was good for them and what was bad for them. In reality, they all seemed to act like children, with only Loup himself having to pick up the role of educator.

  Many of the unit had flocked to Loup, with many nicknaming him “Wolf” in relation to his name and the fact that he hunted like one. He didn’t really know what to think of it other than it being embarrassing in a way. Still, he had made it. The unit trusted him, with even those outlier nobles giving him their support when it came to matters of leadership and even deferring to him when it came to navigation.

  Still, with all the trust being placed on his shoulders, it put a new sense of pride in Loup, and he was content with his new position, so much so that the Captain opted to give him his own desk in the building, allowing Loup to learn how to organise things as an officer was expected to. In truth, the level of education was a little bit better than the one he was initially given at the four-week introductory training course. Even though his brother showed him a few tricks, they still didn’t match up to what he was being taught now. The level of bookkeeping required to maintain a platoon of soldiers was staggering. Constant forms related to who was where, what each was given, forms to make sure they were paid, forms to ensure they were following the law, etc.

  His first few days of administration were headache-inducing. He wasn’t the bookish type like his older brother, so it took some getting used to, but he was eventually able to do the work expected of him. He wasn’t anything special or revolutionary in regards to how he handled the platoon, so he was given only what was expected of a lieutenant; the rest would require him to learn through experience. So, the Captain ensured he was given some free time when he got back from base to learn, just in case there was a war, as paperwork helped keep things orderly and well-managed enough to ensure the soldiers were given everything they needed to keep fighting… and provide for the families of those lost in battle. If a soldier’s files were stowed incorrectly, then there was a good chance the soldier’s family wouldn’t receive the life insurance payout should the soldier be killed in action or some other means.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Still, with much of his training done, he was able to focus on other things, such as tinkering with his rifle to iron out those imperfections he had come to see as a glaring issue. Ever moment of free time he had, be it during lunch or dinner, he’d spend it working on the rifle until he was certain it wouldn’t blow up in his face if he kept firing it, and that it could be a reliable weapon in the field.

  On the final day of his and Leonce’s graduation, both brothers came to their dorm, exhausted.

  “Bloody finally~” Léonce bemoaned as he sluggishly walked into the room, casting off his heavy cuirass, letting it fall to the floor with a clatter.

  Loup agreed with a groan as he slumped face first into one of the long couches in the middle of the room, not bothering to take the time to remove his boots. Léonce did the same on the other shortly after resting his helmet on the coffee table next to his chosen bed.

  “Graduation Loup… graduation. Can you believe we’ve finally gotten this far?”

  Loup didn’t bother to open his eyes as he replied, sounding half asleep already, “Mhm, amazing alright.”

  Léonce smirked and chortle as he lay on his back, looking up at the plaster white ceiling with its gold and silver trimmings carved out in such a way to appear like veins ending in roses. Even after eight weeks of living here, he still hadn’t adjusted to the gaudy nature of Hussar Square or their dorm. The whole place just wasn’t his style. Neither was Loup, who hated the whole appearance even more, often just going out of his way to say how he’d build himself a home back in Oakenhart after they’ve amassed their fortune. The older brother had to agree the idea was nice, but he wondered if they’d ever return to Oakenhart… the life of an adventurer was one that saw to a lot of travel, and there was a good chance they could find a place far more beautiful and relaxing than their hometown.

  “You never know little Wolf – you or me might meet some beautiful woman out there and want to live wherever it is she calls home,” Leonce suggested, prompting a grunt from Loup.

  “So long as it’s not the Princess. You were ogling her the entire time you saw her without her hood.”

  “Correction! Was ogling her,” Leonce countered with a smile.

  Loup turned to face his brother, his head resting on the cushion of the chair, smushing his face in such a way that it made Leonce laugh; likely out of exhaustion than genuine comedy.

  “You know what I mean, Leo.”

  “I do, yes. Don’t worry… I’m not gunning after her anymore. Not after we learned the truth… how could I?”

  “So long as you know.”

  “Hard to forget if you keep bringing it up~”

  “Wouldn’t be a good brother if I didn’t.”

  As they lay there laughing at the situation, they soon came to lay in silence, nearly falling into a deep sleep until they began to hear shouting come from outside the door, prompting both to slowly push themselves upright, eyes fixed on the doors. Suddenly, just as Léonce got to his feet and made his way towards the door, they burst open, with a young Ensign rushing in, the look of shock clear on his face.

  “Cadets, stow your gear, and report to your units immediately!” She ordered, prompting the two brothers to look at her confused for a moment before she finally answered, “War! Civil War was declared!”

  A shiver ran down both their spines as they stood there in stunned silence, “Civil War? How? And… by who?!” Léonce demanded, prompting the Ensign to shake her head.

  “I don’t know! I was just told to round up the officers here by command. Everyone’s to report to their Regiments and prepare for muster, the entire damn First Army is being deployed… tonight!”

  “Alright, we’ll head to our units then, Sir,” Loup said, before she gave both a nod and dashed out to alert the others.

  As the doors came close, Léonce and Loup stood in silence, fear… excitement… nervousness…. All of it gripped their hearts and guts, prompting a fluttering of butterflies to dance around in both.

  “Fuck…” Léonce cursed softly as he grabbed his cuirass from the floor and began to redo the leather straps.

  Loup tossed his brother his helmet, before he grabbed his rifle, and his shako, “Should’ve known this was going to happen.”

  “What?”

  “Think about it, Leo! Why else did the Princess do this? She knew this was coming! Fuck!”

  Leonce frowned, he couldn’t disagree, “I – I know.”

  As both walked out of their dorm, they had to weave through the throngs of officers, NCO’s, and clerks who rushed through the halls carrying reports, papers, and shouting for orders in the chaos. As they emerged into the darkness of the night, both brothers took in a breath of air.

  “I – Leo, look after yourself. We both know Cavalry is first to ride ahead,” Loup said, trying to keep his emotions in check as he felt a wave of dread wash over him at the thought of Léonce riding off to what could very well be certain death.

  Léonce smiled as he tightened the scaled chinstrap of his helmet before looking to Loup, “You know me, Little Wolf. I’m always careful~”

  Loup gave a faint smile, “I know…”

  “But… you too Loup. Technically, we’re graduating tonight, so come tomorrow, you’ll be responsible for the lives of a whole platoon of men and women. Remember to breathe, trust in them, and they’ll trust in you. As for me, I wouldn’t worry,” Léonce said, his eyes turning towards the full moon high in the sky, “Something tells me we’ll be fine in all this…”

  Loup couldn’t explain why, but he felt the same. His sense of dread began to fade away for the moment, but still, he couldn’t help but feel nervous. Léonce, too, was nervous – scared even. Neither would admit it. Not right now. With their well wishes given, the brothers hugged, and Léonce pulled away to check his brother once more, nodding as if satisfied by what he saw.

  “You’ll be fine. Just… if you see me out there, try to cover my ass with that rifle of yours,” He would add, prompting Loup to smile and nod.

  “Will do.”

  With that, they went off to their respective regiments. Ready for war.