The training yard of the outer camp was alive with sweat, grunts, and steel clashing against wood.
Throy moved like a man possessed.
Sweat dripped from his brow as he brought his wooden training spear low and pivoted, sweeping the legs of a trainee twice his size. Dust kicked up as the man hit the ground hard, groaning. The others around the circle either winced or looked away.
"Again," Throy barked, tossing the spear to another boy who caught it awkwardly. "Next."
There were no spectators today. No crowds. Only blood, bruises, and broken pride.
These weren't soldiers yet. They were farmhands, thieves, or sons of disgraced warriors. But Throy saw something in them—because he saw something in himself. Every time his body ached, every time his vision blurred with exhaustion, the System whispered in his mind:
[Iron Path Progress: +0.2%]
Current Alignment: Judgment of Iron – Stable
Training Others: Increases Leadership and Morale Stat
Squad Morale: 32% → 34%
"Kel," Throy called out, motioning the thin, wiry boy with a hawk nose to step forward. "Show them the counter to the low sweep."
Kel moved like a whip, light on his feet, and used the same move Throy had shown him
days ago—only faster.
"You see that?" Throy said, turning to the others. "That's what repetition looks like. That's what hunger does. You want to live out there? On the battlefield? You want to matter?"
No one responded.
"I said—do you want to matter?" he snapped.
A low murmur. Then louder.
"Yes!"
"Then bleed here, so you don't die out there."
He motioned for pairs to form. The training continued.
Later That Night
The fire crackled low in the command tent. Throy sat on a rock, staring into the flames, alone. His bruised knuckles rested against his knees.
The tent flap shifted.
Elarin entered silently, her blond hair tied back, a fresh cut along her cheek. "They're learning," she said quietly. "Tharn even stopped cursing for five full minutes."
Throy cracked a grin. "Miracle."
She sat beside him, her voice quieter now. "They're beginning to believe in you."
"No. They believe in survival. I'm just the loudest one telling them how to get it."
Her eyes met his. "You know that's not true."
He didn't answer.
[System Update: Leadership Rank – D]
New Perk Unlocked: Iron Voice
(You gain increased influence over those who witness your victories firsthand. Loyalty generation slightly increased.)
🧭 System Prompt
Moral Prompt: One trainee, Fenn, has been stealing rations. He's strong. But his theft risks morale.
⚖️ Punish publicly, but spare him (Judgment +1)
🔥 Let it go. Quiet warning. (Mercy +1)
🩸 Expel or beat him in front of others. (Dominion +1)
Throy stared at the system prompt, thumb hovering over his mental interface.
The right answer might not be the one they liked. Or even one he liked.
But he had to choose.
And fast.