In the weeks Cornelius had spent in the fortress he had mostly kept to himself outside of his training he was not concerned with making friends, and this had given him a reputation of a lofty lord who thinks himself too good to keep peasant company. He knew of the rumors of course he just did not care, they could think what they wanted as long as they left him alone he was satisfied.

One morning while he was going through the drills he was called to the commander's office, partially confused he made his way there. In his time here he had learned a lot about his stoic commander, he was lord Zoan of House Hammerfront he was the second son so his elder brother had inherited the estate while he had established himself as a great soldier.

Growing up he had heard many stories about the great Zoan Mountain Breaker, he was a hero of the Dynasty a legend in his own right. Who had not heard the stories of how he got his title, the man who had destroyed a mountain with his mighty hammer to repel the forces of the Holy Empire of Vael, his actions directly caused the peace treaty that had been established shortly there after.

Reaching the door he knocked before entering “You called for me sir,” he asked politely standing at attention.

“At ease soldier,” he said allowing Cornelius to take a more relaxed stance “Take a seat,” he said motioning to a chair.

He waited for Cornelius to sit before continuing “Captain Zagrues says that you have made great progress in your magic, he also says that your affinity is uniquely suited to lead soldiers?” he said the last part questioningly.

“Yes sir, it seems my affinity is capable of augmenting others as well as myself giving an increase in both their physical and mental capabilities,” Cornelius stated.

The commander seemed to be taking the information in “Good that simplifies things, you are aware of the approaching trial but what you are not aware of is that it will be a team task, units will be comprised to tackle said tasks and we have determined that you are suited to be a unit leader,” the commander said.

It took a while for Cornelius to respond he was deep in thought about what the commander had just said “If I may ask sir, why me? I have shown nothing akin to leadership so why me?” he asked.

“You are correct in assuming that it is not just your affinity that made us choose you, but instead of me explaining it will be easier if you simply read this,” he said while handing him a letter bearing Prince Shtad’s crest, the letter had already been opened so the wax seal was already broken.

Opening the letter he read ‘Commander our efforts have been going smoothly, the battle for succession seems to have reached a standstill for now. But that is merely temporary, within your garrison there is a soldier named Cornelius. He is an ally of the cause I ask not that you show him any favor merely that you put him in a position where he can stand out, he is not as simple as he seems so fret not, even without your intervention he would have gained infamy but we need to speed things up a bit.

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Yours truly Prince Shtad.’

While he was reading he let go of his kind facade, the room itself seemed to have dropped in temperature to match the coldness of his gaze. When he finished reading the letter understanding dawned on him “I see,” he said simply.

He returned the letter to the commander bowed his head and left. No words were necessary the instruction was clear he needed to make himself stand out so that is what he would do.

Another week passed before the trials officially began, that morning the trainees were called to the training grounds. Drill Sergeant Myers was waiting for them in the middle, while the other soldiers were standing around the edge of the training grounds with savage grins displayed on their faces. The trainees were visibly nervous, but Cornelius was strangely calm not even the dragon within his soul could disturb his calm.

Only after all the trainees had fallen into rows standing at attention did the sergeant begin to speak “The trial will not be easy many of you will die, but those who remain will be the best of the best. For a soldier can only be forge in the fires of combat,” his words caused a murmur within the trainees.

“The trails will be simple, you will be separated into units thus unit leaders will be selected. In the fields of combat, their word is law so they will be given the ability to enforce their laws, disobedience will not be tolerated as such it will be punished accordingly. Without further ado the captains will be selected first, the leader of the first unit will be Cornelius. The leader of the second unit will be Mathew and the leader of the third unit will be Leonard,” when Cornelius’s name was mentioned some of the trainees cried out in outrage but a stern look from Sergeant Myers silenced them.

It made sense that there were only three units as there were only thirty trainees at the fortress so each unit was comprised of ten trainees. As such the trainees were separated within the three units. “For the trials, the three units will be placed at different intervals at the foot of the mountain on the side of the frozen plains, your goal will be simple you must return to the fortress within a week of your departure and bring back trophies of the beasts you have slain. Depending on your performance points will be given these points will dictate your score, there will be both an individual score and a unit score,” the sergeant said before motioning to the soldiers to begin.

Three soldiers separated themselves from the crowd and made their way to one of the units each “These soldiers will guide you to your starting positions, they will also be the ones to grade your performance do not speak to them do not approach them or there will be consequences,” he said with his steely gaze “May the 57th trial of the mountain commence,”

The soldiers who had previously been quiet, started chanting ‘Glory, glory, glory to the mountain,’ it was quite eery even Cornelius had to suppress a shiver as they were led outside of the fortress.

The soldiers who had previously been quite started chanting ‘Glory, glory, glory to the mountain,’ it was quite eery even Cornelius had to suppress a shiver as they were led outside of the fortress.

The trainees followed their guide diligently, Cornelius led at the front walking next to their guide. He was calmly composed, and his posture was impeccable as the leader of his unit he could not show fear so he led by example. The initial outrage his soldiers felt was slowly being replaced with understanding as they watched the back of the man who was supposed to lead them, they could not deny that he was one of the best trainees currently within the fortress, his swordsmanship was impeccable he was like a storm when he wielded his blade and his affinity made him even more fierce add that to his iron will he was a perfect choice.

They were led all the way to the bottom of the mountain, and further still, the rolling hills of the Frozen plains passed them as they were brought by cart deep into the outskirts of the Frozen plains before they were dropped off, and their guide left them stranded. Thus, the Trial of the Mountain began.