The suggestion from Vice Commander Sedon and the olive branch extended by the Hearn Family were highly tempting to the boys of humble birth in the training camp.
During the assessment next spring, all followers who failed would be kicked out of the training camp.
Many boys faced the same circumstances as Reinhardt.
Like Reinhardt, they worked as hard as they could, giving their all and burning away their youth, but in the end, they were defeated by their origins and lack of innate talent.
Some didn't meet the height and weight requirements.
Some lacked the necessary strength.
Others had recovery periods that were too long.
Even if they possessed the world's most precious Spiritual Power and an unyielding will, the rules were the rules. The laws of the Empire were beyond question.
As for the noble youths with knightly bloodlines, even if they left the training camp in the spring, their family's wealth and their fathers' glory were enough to ensure they could continue their training until they awakened their Knight Power.
The harsh reality of their differing circumstances, much like the boys' burning passion and dreams, would ultimately be buried in the vast expanse of ice and snow amidst the cruel storms of the Northern Lands.
For followers like Reinhardt, who came from humble beginnings, there was only one chance.
The Hearn Family's olive branch was right in front of them. Reach out and grasp the opportunity firmly, or remain in the training camp and pray for a miracle.
It was a cruel, yet very real, choice.
To say he wasn't tempted would be a lie.
However, Reinhardt firmly believed that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Vice Commander Sedon's words were honeyed and smooth, but 'would these high and mighty lords really be so kind?'
Before long, three boys had already stepped forward, hoping to win Eliza Hearn's approval and permission to remain in Hearn Territory next spring to continue their pursuit of Knight Power.
Eliza glanced at Sedon, who gave a slight nod. She immediately understood.
But before she could respond, an angry roar erupted from the back of the ranks.
"You three! Get back in formation immediately! Sedon, what do you think you're doing? This is the training camp for the Steel Knight Order of the Radiant Empire's Seventh Group Army! Not your private guard!"
Brows furrowed, Vice Commander Erich strode forward with purpose. His broad back, like a steadfast mountain, was a solid, reliable presence as he positioned himself between the young men and Vice Commander Sedon.
Instructor An Jie walked up to Eliza. The immense height difference and the terrifying scars on her face created an overwhelming sense of pressure. Eliza had to crane her neck just to look up at Knight An Jie's face.
"You're not welcome here. Please leave."
Within the Steel Knight Order's internal affairs, Erich was responsible for selecting personnel for the training camp, while Sedon handled logistics, supplies, and discipline.
Strictly speaking, Sedon's actions today were a serious overreach of his authority.
If Lord Hearn and the Empire weren't such staunch allies, his actions could be considered treasonous!
Sedon stood his ground with his hands clasped behind him. His cold gaze, like that of an owl hidden in the darkness, deliberately lingered on Reinhardt for an extra second before shifting away.
"They need a good placement, Erich. And furthermore, Miss Eliza is my honored guest. Knight An Jie, please be more respectful in your tone."
With that said, he stood tall with his left hand behind his back, raising his right hand to point at Reinhardt—the shortest one in the crowd—his eyes filled with disdain.
"For instigating a brawl and maliciously inflicting grievous harm on a comrade, Mister Reinhardt, according to the Knight Order's regulations, I ought to send you packing. However, since Vice Commander Erich is willing to vouch for you, I won't be stingy with my mercy."
Before Erich could retort, Sedon's brow furrowed, and his tone shifted abruptly.
"Thirty days in confinement! Without my written order, no one is to let him out!
An Jie, you are an instructor at this camp. Your student, Robbie Hiling, is severely injured. Don't you think you should get a doctor to take a look at him?"
'Thirty days in confinement?!'
Such a severe punishment, at this critical juncture for awakening one's Knight Power, struck like a bolt from the blue!
Every boy present felt a jolt of shock!
They knew, of course, that Robbie Hiling had instigated the whole thing, but the guy was the son of the great Sky Knight Duval!
No one dared to step forward and refute him.
And Reinhardt was just a mediocre boy with a vicious streak.
The wind grew fiercer, and the distant skies over the Northern Lands turned pitch black. Leaden clouds, heralding a blizzard, churned and seethed.
When Reinhardt heard the punishment of thirty days' confinement, he froze for a moment. Then, a nameless rage began to spread through his heart, like flowing lava, surging and letting out a silent roar.
He gave Sedon's disdainful gaze a long, hard look, clenched his right fist, and forcibly suppressed his fury. In the end, he chose silence.
He was suffering this injustice simply because Robie was the son of a Sky Knight, while he himself was a nobody.
Reinhardt could have argued his case. 'It was that bastard Robie who started it!'
But his mind was perfectly clear. Contradicting a Vice Commander of the Knight Order to his face and defying an officer's verdict at a time like this wouldn't earn him a fair trial, but even more severe punishment under military law.
This was the Knight Order's garrison, not some street in Sea Eagle City where one could get into a shouting match.
Military law was absolute.
Vice Commander Erich's face fell when he heard Sedon's verdict. But since Reinhardt had, in fact, violated the Knight Order's regulations, there was little he could say.
His wife, Instructor Knight An Jie, was deeply displeased with Sedon's biased and deliberately targeted verdict. She ripped off a glove, threw it to the ground, and spun around to leave.
Everyone in the entire Steel Knight Order, and even the Hearn Territory Guard at Frostfire Fortress, knew that Robie and Reinhardt fought constantly.
Since it was always Robbie Hiling, that little bastard from a high-ranking noble family, who started the trouble, the Knight Order had always handled the matter by turning a blind eye.
But today, Sedon had suddenly made his move. He was clearly using Reinhardt's punishment as a way to show contempt for Erich's authority as a fellow Vice Commander!
Everyone knew that Reinhardt was the follower his wife, Instructor An Jie, thought most highly of, and that he was also a favorite of Knight Elias.
To confine Reinhardt for thirty days at this critical moment, with only three months remaining, was tantamount to handing him a death sentence on the spot!
'Since Reinhardt is the one Erich favors and is personally grooming, then come next spring, he can just wait to be sent back to his village!'
As for Reinhardt, his three years of unwavering effort and sweat meant nothing to Sedon. He was just an insignificant pawn.
Whether this incident would forever sever the boy's connection to Knight Power, or whether he would die in disgrace in the Imperial Infantry Corps, bearing the humiliation of being framed...
Earth Knight Sedon, an active Vice Commander of the Steel Knight Order and a man of real power even in the Imperial City, couldn't care less about the future of some poor boy, whether he lived or died.
Dozens of boys left the training camp every year. Reinhardt was just one of the most unremarkable, talentless strays among them.
In fact, the only reason the name "Reinhardt" was worthy of his notice at all was because this nobody happened to be a convenient tool for suppressing Erich Krueger's prestige in the military.
Before leaving the training grounds, Sedon glanced at Big-nosed Robie, flashing him a benevolent smile before turning to leave with Eliza, the daughter of the Great Lord.
Erich's face was grim as he stared daggers at Sedon's retreating back. Sedon had caught Reinhardt in the act and made the first move, so Erich couldn't openly protect him. He waved his hand dismissively. "Take Reinhardt to the confinement cell. Everyone else is dismissed!"