Word of the Emperor giving Prince Aetherion command of the Seventh Auxiliary Battalion spread through the palace like a bad joke. The upper-class spiritualists laughed at the idea of the Worthless Prince leading the Worthless Army. But for Aetherion, it wasn't a joke. It was a real chance. He felt a strong pull to the Seventh a group made up of soldiers who screwed up small stuff, spiritual apprentices who failed, or new recruits stuck with the worst jobs in the Empire. They were the trash of the Azure Empire, and Aetherion got their bitterness better than anyone.
His trip to the garrison outside the capital was fast and without any royal show. He didn't ride in a fancy carriage full of spiritual energy, but on a plain warhorse with only a few old guards from Lord Valerius guys who knew better than to leave the side open. When Aetherion got to the dusty barracks, it was just as he figured: no one cared. The soldiers were slouched over, their uniforms didn't fit, and they weren't lined up right. They were an army with low spirits and even lower hopes.
As Aetherion got off his horse, not showing off any royal spiritual power, a few tired eyes looked his way. He saw doubt, boredom, and a lot of tiredness, but no respect. He walked to the main yard, his armor making noise, moving with a purpose.
The officer in charge, a tough captain named Commander Rexus who got demoted for a small mistake years ago, stepped up looking tired and defeated. Your Highness, Rexus said, saluting stiffly and without any excitement. The Seventh Auxiliary is here... or, what's left of them. They're waiting for your orders, but I should warn you, they're not ready to fight.
Aetherion nodded, looking at all the soldiers in front of him. He saw potential hidden under a lot of neglect. He saw people who were told they were failures by a system that cared more about spiritual stuff than real work. He raised his hand, telling Rexus to step back. This didn't need any fancy talk or spiritual showing off. It needed the hard truth the kind only someone who's been kicked out can give. He was ready to give them a choice: join his way to get strong or stay worthless forever.
The yard was dead silent as Aetherion faced the Seventh Auxiliary. His brothers would've given some loud speech, showing off their spiritual powers. Aetherion? Nope. When he talked, his voice was calm but firm, like he was in charge. He looked at them like a commander checking out his gear, not like a prince talking to his people.
You're called the rejects, Aetherion started, looking at everyone. You're the screw-ups, the failures, the 'useless' guys of the Azure Empire. They stuck you here to waste away, gave you uniforms that don't fit and weapons that suck. They sent me to lead you because they think I'm just as 'useless' as you are.
Him saying that he was trash too? Total shock. Some soldiers looked at each other surprised; princes don't admit they're weak, especially saying the Empire thinks they're losers. Aetherion paused so they could take it in. He saw they got it they all knew what it was like to be underestimated.
I can't give you any spiritual power, he kept going, his voice getting tougher. I can't give you instant strength with some magic training book. All the commanders before me used that, and where did it get them? Beaten at the border. You guys are just waiting around for someone else to decide what happens to you." He stepped forward, kicking up dust. I'm offering you something different. Real power, the kind you can touch. You're people with bodies, hands, and minds stuff the spiritualists forgot about.
He pulled out his plain training sword just for balance and weight, no magic stuff. Super fast, he showed off some moves, turning a block into a hard counter-attack. The blade cut through the air. He wasn't showing off; he was just good at what he did, using physics and knowing how the body works. Right away, the slouching soldiers stood up straight, looking interested. They might not get spiritual stuff, but they knew what real physical strength looked like. For the first time, the soldiers of the Seventh Auxiliary didn't see a prince, but someone who could teach them a thing or two.
The yard was dead silent until Aetherion's sword clicked as he put it away. What he did was quick but super precise, and it got everyone in the Seventh Auxiliary to pay attention like years of spirit stuff never could. Commander Rexus was doubtful at first, but now he looked at the new commander with a bit of fear and respect. Aetherion was crazy fast and didn't waste any energy that said a lot.
This is what we're really about, Aetherion said, his voice strong. Forget the fancy spells and using magic. We're doing two things: being tough and using our brains. We'll practice until you can do this stuff in your sleep. I want you thinking about what the enemy will do, not just their spells. He looked at some new guys who were now excited. You're not just here to get blown up with magic. You're going to be the best soldiers the Azure Empire never cared about. Your body is your weapon, and your will is what makes it work.
He gave his first order, which was simple but broke all the rules. Captain Rexus, stop the spirit training. Starting now, we're doing twelve hours of hard workouts, practicing formations, and learning how to get supplies, scout, and defend forts. Everyone needs to know how to live without magical protection.
Rexus stood up straight, looking serious and like he finally had something to do. Got it, sir! We start tomorrow!
As the soldiers left, they seemed like they had a lot more energy. Some were still not convinced, but others were moving fast, grabbing their gear, and looking like they had a reason to try. Aetherion watched them as the sun went down, making his shadow long on the ground. He had his army of rejects. He wasn't going to beat the Shadow Empire with magic like his brothers, but with the strength of people who had nothing to lose and wanted to show they were worth something to the guy who believed in them the Prince who everyone else ignored. The real fight, the fight against being seen as worthless, had started.