The architectural style of the entire military academy is solemn. Standing at its main entrance, one can't help but feel an oppressive aura that forces frivolous expressions to sober up into reverence.
It turns out, upon entering the highest-ranked military academy in the kingdom, one is greeted by a giant, grandiose monument. It's engraved with scenes of human allied forces facing the blue-eyed enemy without flinching. Below the relief is a heart-wrenching number.
Countless soldiers of the human allied forces fell resisting the invasion of the White Walkers, splattering their blood on the northern lands, leaving their lives there forever.
This was an idea proposed by Viserys, telling stories has always been the best way to unite a nation, to unite a kingdom. Throughout history, numerous legendary stories have been told, forming the history of various nations and humanity.
No story could evoke more fervor and unite more nations than resisting foreign invasions.
The war between humans and White Walkers is essentially a battle between life and death. Every living being on this planet, be it humans or other species, cherishes life and fears death. However, death forcefully takes them away, so people have no choice but to unite and withstand the calamity together.
Tell this story well.
...
"In all the wars throughout history, not every battle was won by the side with more soldiers or stronger forces."
"In such situations, strategy plays a crucial role."
"How to achieve victory in war?"
"How to confront a more numerous enemy with fewer soldiers?"
"How to win a war at a smaller cost?"
"These are the arts of war that you will learn in the coming days."
"My name is Matus, and I will be your instructor accompanying you through the learning process in the next few months."
A bald middle-aged scholar in a gray robe, with a chain of iron symbolizing military or war studies around his neck, stands on the podium speaking confidently.
Below, the classroom is filled with densely packed desks, yet the atmosphere isn't very lively.
Most of the students are burly men, some with intimidating faces, long scars on their arms, or an eye patch covering one eye.
The age range among the students varies greatly; the oldest has white hair at his temples, even older than instructor Matus on the podium, while the youngest looks only in his teens.
However, there's a common characteristic among them – an overwhelming aura of murder. They all have been on the battlefield and are soldiers or officers who have made significant achievements.
After the construction of the new military academy, the first batch received orders to be sent to King's Landing for a period of study. Only those who pass the training are allowed to return to their troops; otherwise, they will stay here to continue their studies.
What Viserys is inspecting now is the performance of these first batch of students participating in the pilot program.
Unfortunately, these founding heroes and valiant soldiers who have won battles are not good students. They certainly won't sit quietly in the classroom.
"Hey, that bitch called Matus."
A ruthless-looking officer from the Golden Company puts one foot on a stool, then speaks insolently.
"Do you know where this scar on my chest comes from?"
He unbuttons his shirt, revealing a shocking scar. Although healed now, it's still dark red, looking like a twisted reptile.
On the podium, Scholar Matus continues his lecture, analyzing a war initiated by the Kingdom of the Riverlands' King Gyles Gardener III before the Conquest.
He waged war against the Stormlands, personally leading a knightly army on an eastern expedition capturing all Stormlands territory north of the Rainwood except for Storm's End, then besieging Storm's End for two years, but was ambushed by Westerlands' King Lancel Lannister V seizing the opportunity.
Matus is analyzing the pros and cons of this war, as well as the mistakes made by the three kings and generals involved in this war.
However, he is suddenly interrupted and slightly stunned because this is the first time these disobedient 'students' have spoken to him.
Matus is a scholar who has independently earned the military chain ring through examination. His research on military strategy is impeccable. Once, he was responsible for receiving new students recommended to join the Citadel in the city of scholars.
However, most of those students were second sons or bastards from their families. They were obedient, following the instructors' arrangements, doing what they could, and were very diligent in their studies.
If there were disrespectful or academically failing students, the Citadel had the right to expel them directly, without the need to save face for anyone.
But now, times have changed.
The Citadel no longer holds its once lofty status, but has been directly split into several academies. From now on, they are not close-knit family members, but enemies competing for educational funding budgets.
Moreover, the students now are even harder to serve. They are all burly, with ruthless faces. Just their gaze alone makes Bald Scholar Matus' heart skip a beat, not to mention disciplining them.
"Sir Henrick."
Scholar Matus glances at the name list, learns the name of the person in front of him, and although his face looks a bit unpleasant, he still speaks up.
"I don't know where your scar comes from, but we are in class now, please."
"My scar on the chest was caused by a fucking Frey during the Battle of Coppergate!"
"He slashed me from behind!"
A grassroots commander of the Golden Company, now knighted and granted a village in the Westerlands, Sir Henrick's voice roars. He also takes off his shirt, turns around, and lets everyone see the scars on his back.
At that time, Henrick served in the Golden Company, was ambushed and knocked down from behind by a Frey knight, who then rushed over to finish him off, leaving another shocking scar on his chest.
"But in the end, I bit off his throat!"
"Fucking broke one of my teeth."
Laughter erupts in the classroom, Sir Henrick has a good sense of humor and is able to make a lively scene, causing laughter among the rough men present, followed by thunderous applause.
However, with a smug smile on his face, Henrick opens his arms to unabashedly show off his scars, his manly achievements.
He then turns his head disdainfully towards Scholar Matus on the podium, asking a fatal question.
"So, that fucking Scholar Matus?"
"What's your greatest achievement on the battlefield?"