Soot never had to adapt much when entering knight training. Where other trainees struggled to find their footing in the hard regiment, Soot’s path had always been laid out. From a very young age on, it had been clear he’d become a royal knight. There was never any question about it. His family, his social circle, he himself… they all had known where his future would lead him.
Knighthood wasn’t part of his family’s history, like it was for some of the noble families that were part of Lunerest’s court. Yet, he’d always carried the “gene” for it, showing signs of virtue from a very young age one, promising greatness.
So, he entered knight training, knowing exactly where he wanted to end up, expecting nothing less but ruthless training and critical weeding out of recruits. He never questioned a superior, never complained and always finished top of his class.
He was sure he’d make it far, not out of arrogance, for he wasn’t arrogant, but out of sheer confidence in his own abilities.
Other trainees sometimes resented him, though he did nothing wrong, at least not as far as he knew. He never paid them much mind, didn’t see himself above them, was never interested in such kind of petty comparisons. He kept to himself and concentrated on his training. He didn’t know why he drew their resentment, but he also didn’t dwell on it. Some recruits approached him and exchanged friendly words, but no friendship ever came from it. It was as if there was an invisible wall between them, that no side could overcome, except Soot didn’t even try. He was fine with how things were. It was not like he was suffering.
So, he took everything in stride and continued his rather lonely road.
His instructors were thrilled by his progress, for it seemed like they barely had to teach him anything. He was a fast learner, talented and disciplined. Some even joked, they might as well make him a knight right away, but there were no exceptions: Everyone had to go through the same program, not matter where they came from or how talented they were. Soot expected no less and never asked for special treatment.
Where training dragged on for some, Soot followed the schedule diligently, looking forward to his first patrol outside of the castle grounds, but also never pushing his superiors to let him out early, to finally acknowledge that he “had what it took”, like some of his fellow trainees tried (and failed) to do.
And when the time finally came and his class went out on their first patrol, Soot was put in front as their leader, their instructor trailing behind them to keep an overview of everything. It was proof of his trust in Soot’s abilities, though he once again thought nothing of it, mind set on doing his job. May his fellow trainees think of him, what they wanted, but their success -and their lives- were put into his paws, and he had no intention of failing them.
