Chapter 320: The Prince and His Common Fiancee
Erwin’s life at the military school was far from special. At school, he was not treated with any regard for who his father was, or the accomplishments of his extended family had during the ongoing war. No, he was just another cadet, one through his sheer intelligence, will, merit, and charisma found himself today being promoted within the ranks.
As was tradition, cadets had their own ranking system, one that fostered a sense of familiarity with the military command structure whose binding rules they would one day all be living under. Previously, Erwin had been a Cadet Sergeant.
But today he was being promoted to a Cadet Staff Sergeant, or in the German language Vizefeldwebel. More or less, he was the assistant sergeant to a platoon leader. The thing is, these ranks had no real authority outside of the academy, or more specifically the cadets within it.
Yet it was a sign of his ability to perform with exception, as others whose tenure in the school was much longer than Erwin’s had yet to reach such a rank. In fact, the academy was much like the German military based upon merit, and one’s willingness to perform above and beyond their peers.
In this regard, Erwin had filled his day to day outside of mandatory schooling and other tasks, with voluntary assignments. Learning things like field craft, basic survival techniques, mountaineering, et cetera.
And for each of these things which he excelled at, the boy was granted another chance at a promotion above his peers. Striving for excellence had become Erwin’s goal at the academy. He did not just wish to graduate at the position of a commissioned officer when the time arrived for him to do so.
No, Erwin wanted to be known for his exemplary conduct and skills as an officer candidate. One which would not be overshadowed as by his father’s legacy. And because of this, he had quite the proud smile on his face as his uniform was updated by the actual adult military officer who was in charge of his class.
The officer was quick to salute Erwin after attaching the rank insignia to his shoulder tabs, and after doing so he spoke to the boy with an almost proud tone in his voice. He was an older man, in his late fifties, rapidly closing in on his sixties.
In fact, he was remarkably similar to the age Bruno had been in his past life before reaching his untimely end on that fateful day in Hamburg. The man’s wrinkled face showed signs of combat experience, but from ages ago.
And it was perhaps with this in mind that he was quick to say something that Erwin was not expecting.