"We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country—its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps."

-Sun Tzu

In the heart of a dense forest, where ancient trees stood tall, Mengus, once known as Randy, took his first breath. Born into a family of foresters, the cries of woodland creatures and the rustle of leaves welcomed the newest member of the Nightwind clan. The scent of pine and earth became the earliest memories woven into the mind of Mengus.

His parents, skilled foresters with a deep connection to the natural world, nurtured him amidst the towering trees. Their level was low, his father Rolgan was only lvl 7 while his mother Eelga lvl 4. They were no mighty warriors, they couldn't teach him how to use a sword or how to defend himself, but he still loved them. They were his parents after all. From a young age, Mengus found solace in the whispering winds, the dappled sunlight filtering through the branches. His childhood was a tapestry of adventures amidst the roots and foliage.

Mengus, even in his early years, displayed a keen awareness of the environment. His parents, recognizing his affinity with nature, shared their knowledge of flora and fauna, cultivating a profound understanding that went beyond the ordinary. As he grew, so did his prowess in navigating the woodlands. Climbing trees, tracking wildlife, and identifying plants became second nature to him. The forest, with its ever-changing moods and mysteries, became his playground and mentor.

From the early days of his childhood, Mengus displayed a remarkable quality that set him apart—the innate ability to lead. Even as a young forester's child, he exhibited a natural charisma and a keen sense of responsibility that drew others toward him. His playmates willingly followed his lead in the various games they devised amidst the towering trees. His ventures into the woods were not just explorations; they were guided expeditions, with Mengus at the forefront, mapping out their adventures. As he grew older, Mengus' leadership skills flourished. His parents, recognizing his potential, encouraged him to take on roles within the forester community. Whether organizing communal tasks, leading hunting parties, or coordinating resource management, Mengus demonstrated an uncanny ability to inspire cooperation and unity. The elders observed his development with a sense of pride and foresight. They recognized that Mengus held the seeds of leadership within him, seeds that, when nurtured, would grow into a tree capable of sheltering and guiding those around him.

As Mengus entered adolescence, the forest became his haven for a different purpose. His keen interest in plants and herbs grew, leading him to a new frontier of exploration—the world of herbalism. Guided by the knowledge passed down through generations of foresters, Mengus ventured deep into the wilderness to gather and study the medicinal properties of the flora that adorned the forest floor. Armed with a woven basket, Mengus traversed the winding paths he had come to know so well. His fingers danced delicately among the leaves, identifying each herb with an instinctive precision.

But like every other grown men in his clan, when he reached a certain age it was time to get into infantry. The dense forest, teeming with life, also harbored potential threats that required the strength of a trained infantry. Under the watchful eyes of seasoned warriors, Mengus embraced the rigors of military training. The rhythmic clashing of wooden blades and the shouts of commands echoed through the training grounds. The once serene forest now bore witness to the forging of a defender—a guardian who would stand vigilant against any threat that dared to encroach upon the forester enclave.

Mengus' leadership skills, honed during his early years, seamlessly blended with the discipline of infantry training. His ability to inspire and unite became evident as he led his peers through various drills and exercises. The camaraderie formed on the training grounds extended beyond the battlefield, creating a tight-knit unit bound by trust and mutual respect.

There, the power of "Stats" offered Mengus a unique advantage in the realm of combat. He could analyze battle situations with a strategic acumen that surpassed his peers. The dance of tactics and maneuvers became second nature to him, earning the admiration of both instructors and fellow trainees.

He could see his own stats, he knew what to work on to improve himself as much as he can. Soon he was ready to leave his home, for the first time ever. He wanted to explore the world, and like in the games he used to play in his past life, to become a champion.

But a grim test awaited him—one that would force him to confront the harsh realities of the world beyond the forest. One fateful day, looters descended upon the forester enclave, their motivations veiled in the shadows of greed and chaos. The tranquil haven of the foresters erupted into chaos as the looters breached the outskirts. The elders rallied the defenders, and Mengus found himself at the forefront. The clash was swift and brutal. The looters, driven by avarice, met the unwavering defense of the forester infantry. Mengus, standing amidst the chaos, felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. The rhythmic clashing of blades and the desperate cries of combatants filled the air, mingling with the rustle of leaves in the forest.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

In the heart of the skirmish, Mengus faced his first true test. A looter, driven by desperation and aggression, lunged toward him with a crude weapon. Time seemed to slow as Mengus, guided by his training and the insights of 'Stats,' calculated the perfect countermove. The looter was only level 8, his HP and Stamina were flashing-red, he was slow and wide open. With a swift motion, he parried the attack and, in a moment of instinctive defense, struck down his adversary.

The forest fell into an eerie silence as the reality of what had just happened sunk in. Mengus, having taken a life to protect his home, felt a complex of emotions. This was not a game, now this is real life, and he just killed someone.

"Fuck...." is all he thought before getting back to reality, the fight was still not over. The looters, defeated, left scars on the forester enclave. Mengus, now bearing the weight of a defender who had taken a life to protect his clan, looked into the shadows of the forest with a newfound awareness. The young adulthood that unfolded before him became a crucible of experience—a blend of earthly duty, interdimensional prowess, and the stark realities of a world that demanded both strength and sacrifice.

The decision to leave the familiar embrace of the forester enclave weighed heavily on Mengus, yet a call for adventure echoed in his veins. With a firm resolve, he approached his parents, the elders of the community, and announced his departure. The elders, understanding the potent blend of leadership, combat skills, and mystical insight Mengus possessed, bestowed their blessings upon him.

His father, a seasoned forester, presented Mengus with a finely crafted sword—a family heirloom that had weathered countless battles. The blade, a symbol of his lineage and the resilience of the forest, now rested in the hands of a defender ready to venture beyond its borders.

His mother, a source of unwavering support and wisdom, handed him a pouch heavy with gold. The culmination of years of careful savings, the gold represented her hopes for Mengus' journey. With tearful eyes, she whispered words of encouragement and reminded him to stay true to the values instilled by the forester community.

Mounted atop a sturdy horse, Mengus stood at the edge of the forest, the familiar rustle of leaves bidding him farewell. The elders, his parents, and the forester community gathered to witness his departure. The forest, with its ancient trees as silent spectators, seemed to murmur its blessings as Mengus embarked on the path to become the arena champion.

He didn't know much about the world, only that the Empire is on the edge of a civil war after Emperor Arenkos died without an heir.

-The Valdians, led by King Dethert, are a feudal state that specializes in heavy cavalry.

-The Barranians, led by High King Kaladogg, are famed for their marksmanship as archers throughout Aquthra.

-The Stargians, led by Grand Prince Ravgavad, inhabits the northern woodlands and are lethal axe-men and swordsmen

-The Khazaits, led by Monchag Khen, are a steppe tribe confederacy and makes heavy use of horse archers.

-The Asarei, led by Sultan Unqad, inhabits the southern desert lands of Aquthra and combine footmen and horsemen in battle.

At the age of 20, Mengus Nightwind left his home and started his journey. A Status window popped-up in front of him.

Tutorial Over

Page 1/2

Review:

-Culture: Barrania

50% less speed penalty and 15% sight range bonus in forests. Towns owned by Barranian rulers have +1 militia production. 10% slower build rate for town projects in settlements.

-Family: Foresters

10 Skill Levels and 1 Focus Point to Scouting and Tactics. 1 Attribute Point to Cunning.

-Early Childhood: Leadership Skills

10 Skill Levels and 1 Focus Point to Leadership and Tactics. 1 Attribute Point to Cunning.

-Adolescence: Gathered Herbs

10 Skill Levels and 1 Focus Point to Medicine and Scouting. 1 Attribute Point to Endurance.

-Youth: Trained with the Infantry

10 Skill Levels and 1 Focus Point to Polearm and One Handed. 1 Attribute Point to Endurance.

-Young Adulthood: Defeated an enemy in battle

10 Skill Levels and 1 Focus Point to One Handed and Two Handed. 1 Attribute Point to Vigor

+1 Valor

+20 Renown

----Next

Page 2/2

Mengus

Level : 0

One Handed: 20

Two Handed: 10

Polearm: 10

Scouting: 20

Tactics: 20

Leadership: 10

Medicine: 10

The rest of his skills were Level 0.

"Why is my One Handed skill better I wonder?" in deep thought he was headed to the closest city. Marunath.