After the announcement, the Grand General's orders rang clear and final.
"You are dismissed. Return to your dorms and prepare yourselves. Tomorrow begins a new era under my command."
The recruits shuffled out of the training grounds, their boots echoing against the stone floors. Despite being dismissed, the whispers and gossip didn't stop.
"Did you hear what they said? The Grand General doesn't tolerate weakness," one recruit muttered, eyes darting nervously around.
"Not only that… they say he trains harder than anyone alive," another replied, shivering despite the warmth of the dormitory. "People have quit just trying to survive a single week under him!"
A few recruits exchanged terrified glances. Some murmured about sneaking out, or asking for transfers, or even running away from the military entirely. The fear was palpable, hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
Even so, Alexandra walked steadily, her mind focused. She could hear the gossip, see the fear in their eyes, but she did not waver. Let them panic, she thought. I've endured freezing water, endless drills, and exhaustion. I can handle whatever he throws at me.
As the recruits continued to speculate and whisper, Alexandra made her way to her dorm, determined to face the Grand General tomorrow, ready to prove herself—and to carve her own path toward becoming a true soldier, and eventually, a general.
---
The next morning, a hush fell over the barracks. Word had spread that the Grand General Edward had arrived, and the soldiers moved like shadows, careful not to draw unnecessary attention.
Suddenly, the doors to the training grounds burst open, and a tall, imposing figure stepped through. Every eye turned instinctively. He moved with a calm precision, his posture perfect, his gaze sharp and calculating. The air seemed to chill as he walked, as if the very presence of Edward the Grand General carried frost in its wake.
No one spoke. Even the whispers died in mid-air. He stopped in the center of the yard, scanning the rows of recruits with an expression that showed nothing—no warmth, no leniency, only piercing scrutiny.
"Listen well," he said, his voice low but cutting through the tension like a blade. "From this moment forward, your comfort no longer matters. Your limits will be tested, your endurance pushed, and your weaknesses exposed. Those who cannot endure will be removed from this barracks."
A ripple of fear ran through the recruits. Some swallowed hard, glancing at each other nervously. A few paled, muttering about how harsh this would be. Others considered quitting entirely.
Alexandra stood rigid, eyes locked on the Grand General. Her heart raced, but she held her ground. This is the challenge I've been waiting for, she thought. I will endure. I will.
Edward's eyes swept over the recruits, lingering slightly on her. Interesting, he murmured to himself, though no one else could hear. Among these timid soldiers, there may yet be one with fire.
Without another word, he motioned sharply. "Line up! Today, we begin your first trial under my command!"
The ground seemed to vibrate with tension as the recruits scrambled into formation, fear and anticipation battling within them. Alexandra took a deep breath, ready to face the coldest, harshest, and most demanding training of her life—and determined to prove that she was more than just a princess.
---
The Grand General's gaze swept across the formation, cold and unyielding.
"Today," he said, his voice cutting through the morning air, "you will learn the meaning of endurance. Weakness will not be tolerated. The unfit will perish. Move!"
The recruits froze for a moment, then scrambled as he gestured toward the trial course: a sprawling obstacle field filled with deep trenches, razor-sharp wooden stakes, freezing water pits, and uneven rocky terrain. Even seasoned soldiers knew this trial was infamous for leaving recruits broken—physically, mentally, or worse.
Alexandra's breath caught in her throat. Her legs trembled as she glanced at the other soldiers, many of whom already looked pale and fearful. Yet something inside her sparked: This is why I came. This is my test.
The whistle blew, shrill and unforgiving. The recruits surged forward. Alexandra plunged into the icy water pit first, her teeth chattering violently as she struggled to climb out. Then came the trench filled with jagged rocks, cutting her hands and knees. Each step was agony. Each obstacle demanded every ounce of her strength, every shred of her will.
Around her, screams echoed. Some soldiers faltered, others collapsed under exhaustion. The Grand General walked slowly among them, his eyes like blades, observing every hesitation, every falter. Not a word of sympathy, not even a hint of mercy.
When Alexandra stumbled and fell, icy water sloshing around her, she could hear Edward's sharp voice behind her:
"Get up! Weakness is death here! Are you a soldier—or a princess playing at courage?"
She forced herself to her feet, blood and mud covering her hands and clothes. I am not a princess! I am a soldier! she thought fiercely. With every aching muscle, every burning lung, she pressed forward, determined to survive the trial no matter the cost.
By the end of the day, only a handful of recruits remained standing, trembling, bruised, and bloodied. Alexandra, exhausted beyond belief, collapsed to the ground—but she had endured. She had faced the deadly trial of the Grand General, and she had survived where many others had failed.
Edward's piercing gaze landed on her, and for the first time, a flicker of interest crossed his face. Perhaps one among them possesses fire, he thought silently, though his expression remained as cold as ever.