On Snowhearth 11, 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), Alistair became the Squad Leader of the 12th Snow Defender Squad. He was assigned five Elite Knights and five Winter Soldiers. The Elite Knights were all at Aura Materialization Realm levels 7 to 8, while the Elite Winter Soldiers, who were non-aura users, were Mid-Level Warriors.
The Knight Commander designated only those Platoon Leaders and Squad Leaders to receive temporary officer training to explain military regulations, hierarchies, military deeds, and the topics that needed to be discussed. Inside the newly established tent where the 12th Snow Defender Squad was stationed, Alistair, the Squad Leader, introduced himself.
"Hello, everyone. I am Alistair, a wandering hunter from Leaf Village. I refer to you all as seniors because you are older than me, and I am also inexperienced with military etiquette, so I may make many mistakes along the way."
The knights and soldiers looked at him and patted his shoulder. "Don't feel pressured, kid. We will teach you. First of all, since you are part of the military, we will refer to you as Squad Leader, and you can address us by our names."
Among the squad members, there were two male knights named George and Michael. The three female knights were named Hina, Mel, and Zina. The three male soldiers were Zerg, Karl, and Andrew, while the two female soldiers were Nina and Sheba.
According to Alistair's understanding, his squad members have distinct specializations: George and Michael are specialized aura users functioning as Defenders; Hina and Zina are long-range aura specialists; Mel is a support aura user who enhances the abilities of her teammates; Zerg and Karl are Vanguards, positioned at the back to protect Hina, Mel, and Zina. Lastly, Nina specializes in a non-aura user technique called Silent Step and Eagle Eyes, making her either a Scout or an Assassin. Sheba serves as the squad officer, responsible for commanding, positioning, and planning.
"The squad's positioning is already solid," Alistair remarked. "Let's see, according to the document sent from the command hub..." He reviewed the documents detailing his squad members' military ranks. "Staff Sergeant Sheba will handle the squad's commanding, positioning, and planning, while I will take the role of both Defender and Vanguard."
Everyone was taken aback by his decision. Sheba asked, "Squad Leader Alistair, we can't let you take on the roles of both Vanguard and Defender." The system, responding to Alistair's inner thoughts, noted, "I think they are worried about your safety, especially since you are still just 15 years old, and they want to handle the more challenging tasks."
Alistair smiled at the system's observation and replied to Sheba, "Although I may be young and inexperienced, I have some battle experience. The reason I chose these roles is that all my abilities are related to close combat and defensive techniques, which means that most physical attacks won't hurt me, except for those imbued with aura."
"Don't worry; if things get too serious, I will fall back." After chatting with his squad members, the temporary officer arrived, holding military documents. He entered, and everyone saluted. Alistair, feeling confused, followed suit as the system prompted him to salute as well.
"My name is Knight-Lieutenant Vincent, and I am from the Winter Strategic Commander Center. I will be your temporary instructor for military training, young soldier Alistair." Thus, Alistair's military life began.
On Snowhearth 11, 1850 AC to Snowhearth 18, 1850 AC
Knight-Lieutenant Vincent, an officer from the Winter Strategic Command Center, begins personally teaching him the fundamentals of military knowledge. Vincent does not overwhelm him with complex strategy or large-scale warfare theory. Instead, he focuses on the basic principles every soldier must understand before stepping onto a battlefield.
The first lesson Vincent teaches is military discipline and chain of command. In the army, individual strength is important, but obedience and coordination matter even more. Vincent explains that the army functions like a living machine where every soldier is a moving part. Orders flow downward from commanders, and reports flow upward from soldiers. A recruit must listen, understand, and execute commands without hesitation because hesitation on the battlefield can endanger an entire unit. Alistair learns that even powerful aura users must follow this structure; strength alone does not grant authority in the army.
On Snowhearth 19, 1850 AC to Snowhearth 26, 1850 AC
Vincent then introduces the concept of battlefield positions, explaining that soldiers rarely fight alone. Instead, they fight in formations designed to protect allies and exploit the enemy's weaknesses. Alistair learns about the front line, where heavily trained fighters hold the enemy's attention and absorb the initial impact of battle. Behind them is the support line, where soldiers assist with ranged attacks, defensive maneuvers, or reinforcement. On the outer edges of the formation are flank guards, whose job is to prevent enemies from attacking from the sides. Vincent emphasizes that holding a position is sometimes more important than chasing an enemy because a broken formation can collapse an entire battle.
Rather than teaching advanced tactics, Vincent explains simple battlefield ideas such as terrain awareness. In the north, terrain is as dangerous as the enemy. Snowfields can slow movement, forests can hide ambushes, and blizzards can disorient entire units. Soldiers must constantly watch their surroundings, communicate with their squad, and avoid fighting in locations where the enemy has an advantage. Vincent teaches that a good soldier does not only fight well but also chooses when and where to fight.
On Snowhearth 27, 1850 AC to Starcrest 3, 1850 AC
Another important lesson is the structure of military units. Vincent explains that soldiers are organized into squads, small groups led by a Corporal or Sergeant. Several squads form a platoon, which is commanded by an officer such as a Knight-Lieutenant. These groups allow commanders to control many soldiers at once while still maintaining order during chaotic battles. Alistair learns that every soldier has a role within the squad, whether as a frontline fighter, scout, defender, or support. Cooperation within the squad is what allows the army to function effectively.
On Starcrest 4, in the year 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), the winter season becomes harsher as temperatures drop more rapidly than they did a month ago. This marks the beginning of the harshest month of Wintermere, during which resources from the Whisperpine Expanse will become limited. As a result, monsters and wild snowy beasts become highly active, including the formidable Snowy Mountain King.
Because of this impending danger, Vincent halts the lectures as he is called back for an emergency meeting. Alistair looks up at the sky as the snow begins to fall heavily. Thanks to the barrier surrounding the Five Great Northern Fortresses—colossal defensive structures designed to monitor and protect against threats emerging from the Whisperpine Expanse—the temperature inside the barrier remains normal. In stark contrast, outside the barrier, an unseen snow blizzard rages, so intense that light cannot penetrate it.