Three years have passed since that harsh battle which claimed the life of one of Qin's Five Great Generals and left a critical shortage of experienced commanders and officers. At only fifteen years old, Li Wei has already proven his worth by graduating from the military academy with honors, earning first place in the written exam thanks to his outstanding intelligence and perseverance.
War has changed, and with the loss of 80,000 men, the situation in Qin's territory is tense. The need for young but talented officers is urgent, and Li Wei is one of those selected to take the officer exam ahead of schedule.
But before that, the academy imposes a practical test that will challenge one of his most essential skills: archery.
Li Wei, having discovered a barbarian bow during the last campaign with a +20% accuracy bonus, has trained intensely. Now is the time to prove he can master it.
The morning is cool, and mist still covers the shooting field. Supervising officers watch the young cadets as they prepare. The young Li Wei adjusts the gear on his back and picks up the bow, which seems to have absorbed the energy of the very wind—just like Viento Gris, the captured horse that is now his inseparable companion.
With controlled breathing and a clear mind, he aims at the target set at a considerable distance. His pulse is steady, the string drawn tight, and as he releases—
One after another, Li Wei maintains focus, hitting over 95% of his shots, far surpassing the required standard.
The supervisors quickly notice his exceptional skill, the bow's bonus, and his rigorous training. This result not only secures his promotion as an officer, but also strengthens his growing reputation.
Skill Unlocked: Master Archer
Accuracy increased by 20%.
Can shoot with both hands (ambidextrous).
+10% accuracy at long range.
Improved control when shooting under pressure or while in motion.
The ceremonial hall was filled with solemn tension. In the central tier, Qin's high generals examined the scrolls containing the practical officer exam results. The candles flickered softly as the final verdict was read aloud.
"First place: Li Wei, son of Li Zhong, grandson of the Lord of the Northern Frontier."
A wave of murmurs swept through the room. Though many had heard of the boy's talent, the confirmation of his practical skills—combined with his perfect score in the theoretical exam weeks earlier—cemented his place as the most promising cadet of his generation.
"In light of his exceptional performance," the examining general continued, "he is hereby granted the rank of Captain of One Thousand... From this day forth, Li Wei will command his own unit within the Northern Army."
Alongside him, four other young officers—also under twenty but with proven merit—were named. They would be assigned to various regions of conflict or unstable border zones. Their names were:
Fang Zhen, 19 years old, specialist in assault warfare and engineering tactics.
Meng Huo, 18, known for his physical strength and spear mastery.
Zhao Ling, 17, a tactical strategist with great command of light cavalry.
Yan Bo, 20, long-range archer and veteran of border skirmishes.
But the youngest, only 15 years old, was Li Wei, who had already participated in a real campaign as an observer and earned the respect of veterans for his past decisions.
The next day, before a formation of 1,000 men, many of them recruits but also hardened veterans, Li Wei rode atop Viento Gris, his inseparable steed. His presence was far more commanding than his age suggested.
One of the veteran lieutenants, seeing the young commander for the first time, muttered under his breath:
"That's the boy everyone's talking about? A child commanding a thousand?"
"That 'child' rode through a rain of arrows without breaking pace and made shots not even a seasoned hunter could match," replied another soldier with a raspy voice. "Don't be fooled by his age. He's a lion in a deer's body."
Li Wei's Updated Stats and Skills
Rank: CaptainAge: 15
Strength: 30
Endurance: 30
Speed: 30
Combat Skill: 30
Horsemanship: 30
Swordsmanship: 30
Leadership: 35
Intelligence: 49
Luck: 40
Archery: 27 ✅ (New attribute added)
New Unlocked Skills
Strength 25+ → Powerful StrikeCan perform melee attacks that destabilize enemies and can break or knock back common shields.
Endurance 25+ → Iron BreathAble to fight without fatigue for extended turns. Reduces physical strain by 10% during demanding maneuvers.
Speed 25+ → Phantom StepMove silently across moderate terrain without being detected by standard enemies.
Swordsmanship 25+ → Sweeping SlashAttack up to three enemies in a single spinning motion (effective against lower-rank foes).
Combat Skill 25+ → Combat ReflexesAutomatically react to ambushes or surprise attacks, +10% chance to block or dodge.
Horsemanship 25+(Already active)✅ Beast Mastery: +50% stamina for mount (applied to Viento Gris).✅ Four-Legged Mountain: +5 stamina when riding Viento Gris.✅ Lightning Speed: Sudden bursts of explosive speed.
Archery 25+ → Master Archer+20% general accuracy, +10% at long range, ambidextrous.
Intelligence 45+ → Premature StrategistCan anticipate enemy tactics one round in advance if intelligence surpasses that of the enemy commander.