Chapter 2
January 13, Unified Year 1882
Posdamnt, Imperial Heartland
Schnantzern Estate
Franz found himself dressed appropriately for that of a noble child, though he never exactly loved such wear. It was uncomfortable at best, and downright painful at its worst. He had never gotten used to the strain of collars on his neck, even after years before of wearing dress uniforms.
Even then, he wore it, understanding his place in the current hierarchy as he stared up at an incline to the face of the old man before him with a plain gaze.
Johann Meyer.
Loyal servant to the Schnantzern family for what he could only guess was a few decades, a lot of time, especially so for the current period. Franz would never admit that he was quite fond of the old man, his brazen yet kindly disposition having rubbed off on him ever since he gained thoughts in his current body.
"Are you ready, Master Franz?" The old man asked, gravel seeming grate upon his throat as he looked down to the young man with a similarly plain gaze, a string of white hair falling down to the front of his face.
It was only then that the young boy was reminded of the current situation. His father had called him to his study after his most delicious feast of bread, well-made pancakes, and bread.
What he had called him for though, he had not had the slightest clue of.
Of course, he would be answered in due time as the doors were opened by the old man, who easily managed to usher Franz in with no resistance.
The polished smell of wood, arrays of bookshelves untouched by the aching young boys hands, and the stoic face of an older military man immediately met the mind of Franz.
He did his best to pay no attention to the knowledge simply wishing for his attention, making quick of his entrance to pay a greeting to his father, nodding as he spoke.
"Good morning, Father."
"Indeed, Franz." The man responded, before nodding down to the chair in front of him.
Franz would never be able to get used to the fact that his feet wouldn't be able to touch the ground for another batch of years, the limbs somewhat swinging as he placed himself down on the cushioned seat. He immediately decided to cut to the chase, only four years being enough to understand the cutthroat rationalism of the Imperial people.
"What do you need from me, Father?"
"An answer." The man spoke. The thoughts of Franz somewhat paused as he watched his father ruffle a few papers, the glasses placed upon the tip of his nose shuffling along with them.
"I've gathered the reports of your teachings. I think it is time we discuss your future before we begin to… personalize. Is there anything you wish to be?"
…
Aren't I a bit young for a question like that?
He couldn't help it. What kind of adult, much less a parent, asks a child who has not yet escaped pre-pubescence on their future goals and aspirations. But it was only then he remembered that he was in the Meritocratic rationalistic capital of the world. He gave a slight sigh within the confines of his own mind before he answered on the spot.
"A General."
The man stared at the child now, pulling his eyes away from the papers. He gave a nod as he spoke.
"As expected of my son. Normally, we would not make exceptions like this. However, you have shown intelligence and maturity beyond your years…"
The eyes of the older man seemed to soften slightly as he slid the glasses off his nose, allowing for the brown orbs of Franz to meet the ever similar ones of his Father as the man started once more.
"You are young. Why don't you spend some time with those your own age?"
It was then that he noticed something. He had always been trying to learn about this world, gravitating towards advanced books before being quickly ushered away. Now he had a culprit to his woes in the pursuit of knowledge.
He took a more careful look to the tired wrinkles of the man before him. The scars that were hidden by both clothes and a neutral face. The raven colored hair that seemed to have streaks of gray accompanying it.
He remembered the visions he had seen on that unfortunate day of his death and knew his answer.
"I must learn more to protect my family and my people from the enemies of the Empire."
That is, if this Empire proves itself worthy of my loyalty.
But he did not finish that sentence.
His father continued to stare at him, looking between both of his eyes as if waiting for some sort of answer, one he would be sorely disappointed to not find. The man finally sighed out slightly, nodding as he placed his glasses on once more.
"We will begin changing your private schedule. You excel in everything other than our language and History. You will then train your body, your spirit, your soul. If you wish to be a General, you must first become a soldier. And to become a soldier, you must first become a man."
The piercing gaze of the man returned once more, upgraded in its level of intensity.
"If you wish to defend the fatherland, the Schnantzern family will do its best to prepare you. But understand, that for the next ten years, you will not rest. You must choose now. Are you absolutely positive, that this is your path?"
There was only one answer to such a question, at least, in the mind of Franz.
"Yes."
Weitzel von Schnantzern
Weitzel von Schnantzern looked on as his son left his office with a straight back, confidence radiating off the young boy in waves.
He had always known that his child was going to be extraordinary, even if a bit strange.
He had never cried.
Not when he was born, not when he was hurt, never when he should have.
He always had a neutral face, only showing slight smiles to those close to him.
He would never play with those his age, or interact with the other noble children, even years ago when the family had attended a ceremony pertaining to the last conflict with the Francois.
He always wanted to read, even when he knew he wouldn't be able to understand.
There were so many peculiarities that it was difficult not to raise an eyebrow whenever he was brought up in conversation.
He had read through those reports of teachers who stated that he was a genius in anything committed to logic or rational thinking. Though he still couldn't grasp the written language and the past, it was written that this would all be fixed with time.
Even with all of this, however, he still felt that this boy of his might be progressing much too fast. That complications would be caused, those that would never be able to be fixed from the mind of such an impressionable and silent child.
So he worried.
He didn't allow the child to read those writings which should not be in the hands of the young. The tomes of history long past, of hundreds of wars and millions of deaths. Of knowledge that shouldn't yet be known.
He knew he was being selfish, that he should be proud to have such an unexpected child. But he couldn't help but feel like it was somewhat wrong. That he should be like a child, not like an adult when he was so young.
But then he asked that question.
He stared into the deep brown eyes of the boy, much like his own, which foretold an unshakeable conviction as he pledged to keep the people safe.
And he couldn't say no.
He felt a bit distressed as he watched the boy who seemed to much like an adult for his age fully exit his sight, believing that he would soon be watching the quick growth of a future leader in the Empire. One that we was sure would make waves and bring pride to the family name.
It was only then that he turned to the face of the old man, Johann, who was simply blowing a lick of hair that had fallen from his neatly tied hair, speaking up.
"Johann, once you leave, spread the word to the servants that the boy is able to read now. The lord knows he worships those books." A smile was brought on his face, the old visage of Johann seeming to mirror him as he gave a slight chuckle.
"It will be done my lord. Is there anything else you need of this faithful old servant?" The old man asked, bowing slightly in his curiosity.
"No, Johann. That will be all. Enjoy the rest of your day, you are dismissed." Weitzel responded in haste, waving away the elder as he leaned back slightly in his chair.
With the departure of the senior, he finally found himself alone in his study, shaking his head as he stretched his arms out with a groan. He began reading upon the paper nestled in the typewriter that had been left untouched before him.
With the lower of his hands, he went back to work with a simple sigh, eliciting a kind sound from the depths of the device as he thought absentmindedly.
I wonder how Anneliese and Lea are at the moment.
August 12, Unified Year 1882
Posdamnt, Imperial Heartland
Schnantzern Estate
"Mother, please." Franz couldn't help but gripe as his mother continued to mess with his hair.
The woman scoffed ever so slightly as she spoke up almost immediately, continuing to comb his unfortunately wild hair.
"You really do follow after your fathers genes. Handsome, but you never take care of your looks. You army men are all the same." She stated with an overarching fondness.
Franz couldn't help but bite back as he raised his head, stopping the hands of the blonde woman in their tracks.
"Mother, were you not a soldier as well?" He asked, staring at the short locks of hair that were neatly placed about her noggin. Viridian eyes simply stared down at him with an echoing amusement.
"Oh, but I am merely a civil lady. My days of service were over when I had a certain young and-" She poked him on the forehead, "unsurprisingly, stubborn little boy."
She smiled ever so slightly, before immediately grappling his head and pointing him forwards.
"Now stop moving around. You're only going to make this harder for yourself."
It was with the experiences of my mother that I had understood some of the differences of this world from that of my last. At least in the Empire, it seems like they have made extreme amounts of progress when it comes to equality and the wellbeing of the public.
Women and men alike were allowed to enter military service all the same, no care about who they were or what they were, as long as they gave their life for the nation. That granted them similar respect, and all throughout society, it seems the message is that they can do the same that their male counterparts can do.
It's quite respectable.
His black curls had finally become free of the manhandling after this thought, the brush his mother held coming off to the side as he looked into the mirror, held by a noticeably callused hand.
She was quite right. Genetics had certainly had his side, but that was not the only thing that he had observed. The fat that resided in his face was already beginning to scatter, the regime that he had been put under months ago already beginning to do its work.
He had become taller, stronger, and even lost a small amount of his pale pallor already from his exercises, now becoming more bronze. He had been 'learning' as well, or rather, showing his apparent extreme intelligence by doing simple problems.
The only thing he was actually learning was the written and spoken language, and history that continued to confuse him. It was very interesting to read about historical figures with slightly different names and histories. There was also the fact of the Sciences, which he didn't remember much of due to his lack of care for it. He is simply thankful that it relies on logical process, like much else.
"Hmm… Much better. Dashing, even." His mothers words took him out of his stupor, his eyes allowing him to see the grin plastered on her face. He wouldn't admit to feeling slightly prideful. He was an old man, why would he care about his apparent good looks.
She is most definitely seeing through rose colored glasses.
"Mother, are you finished defeating my pride? I'm sure my sister is awaiting our due presence." He stated, uncaring for the click of the tongue that came from above him as he looked around his room for one last time, sighting the lack of most items that would indicate a young occupant.
"So eager?" She questioned as she pat his shoulder, arranging the brush upon his bedstand as she left his side, hopping down in front of him. He was definitely not too enthused at the prospect of seeing that bundle of energy, but he surely wanted to leave the grasping claws of the woman before him.
He sighed audibly, taking the time to lift himself from the confines of his bed as he smoothed his clothes.
He was dragged out of his room, down the hallway, and to an accompanying room of which he already heard the excitement. His mother smiled down at him as she spoke.
"Lea! Your brother is here to see you!"
The turmoil seemed to stop for just a moment, and Franz couldn't help but let out a sigh as he heard the yell come from behind the door, hearing the fateful click.
"Baber!"
Seeing the familiar blonde mop of hair and similarly brown eyes pop out from within the room along with the weary face of her caretaker, he couldn't help but shake his head, a bitter smile donning his face.
This would be yet another shameful day.
March 24, Unified Year 1883
Posdamnt, Imperial Heartland
Schnantzern Estate
Franz was finally ten, his birthday having been on the 4th of March. With that in mind, he was before his Father in their study, something he had come to doing often as he made use of the bookshelves that the man obviously cared for.
"Magic?" He asked aloud, to no one in particular as he closed the book he had just finished after days of reflection. This would become yet another item added to his list of differences, though this would obviously take the cake as the most interesting.
He had even almost forgotten that he was alone.
"Magic." His Father had responded back, quite blankly. He had pulled his hand up to itch his jaw as he looked up from his work, eyeing the book in Franz' hands.
'The History of Magic'.
"You didn't know of it?"
His reply to his father was a simple dead stare, a chuckle seemingly elicited from the older man.
"Yes, there are magicians. You didn't think those books we read you when you were young were just simple fantasy, did you?" Weitzel shook his head with a smile.
I did, actually. Franz idly thought as he awaited for the man to continue.
"In fact, they are also in the military. There are a good handful of them rolling around trying to find a way to become more effective. The Empire has put good work into researching the topic."
Franz looked up at the man in pure curiosity.
"What can they do?"
"Some are powerful, some aren't, but the Empire is at the forefront of magical research. I'm sure our engineers will be able to make a breakthrough soon enough." His father responded with what seemed to be pride.
However, Franz only questioned further.
"A breakthrough in what?"
"A breakthrough in the devices used in magic. You see, the tools used today can't really be mass produced. But if scientists and engineers could create a smaller and more efficient technological device to aid in magic, we would probably have a whole new branch of the Army." Weitzel responded once more, looking off to the roof.
Franz rubbed his face slightly as he rose an eyebrow.
"Its interesting. Do you know of anything recently?"
His father rose an eyebrow himself, but gave the question clear thought before he responded.
"They seem to be using some sort of invention published a few years ago. It seems to be an analyzer of some kind, and magicians and scientists alike seem to be frothing over it in droves."
The man then stopped, before looking down at Franz and tilting his head slightly, a smile slipping onto his face.
"With what you currently know about mages, how do you think they could be used in combat?"
Franz paused for a moment as he took in the question, the knowledge he had just gained, and the details within the book nestled in his hands. He then responded in kind.
"They can be quite useful. It seems they cannot yet do anything too complicated as of yet, but I feel they can still be used now, even in low numbers that cant be multiplied. Their additions in medicine and otherwise could prove a boon in the future. But I would need to find out what they are currently researching before continuing. I don't want to be presumptuous."
His father nodded, seemingly agreeing with him.
"It's a shame that there are so little of them. But that makes them all the more rare and valuable if whatever research they are instituting succeeds." Weitzel spoke, leaning back in his chair.
Franz drifted off ever so slightly as the imagery of individuals flying through the sky with weapons in hand, raining down fire upon countless enemies tickled his brain.
Now he understood that it was not simply fearmongering or imagination. If what he had heard and seen was correct, this world was most definitely on route to such a fate.
He simply couldn't allow it.
He would not live through another war where nations would dwindle, where families would wail, where cities would fail. He will save his family, at the least, from such a horrid fate. But if he could, he felt as if he should save those of this nation as well.
It would be the least that he could do, to at least try to help the millions of unsuspecting innocents from the meddling of egotistical deities with his knowledge. To protect those who couldn't protect themselves, as he had done years before.
He looked past the face of his father to the window, to the light that seemed to cover the room in an airy glow.
And he glared.
AN:
Again, comments are much appreciated, especially when I'm just now starting the fic and still in the initial stages. I probably wont be able to change the plot and otherwise when I'm too far in, which would probably be at 10 chapters give or take, so as long as its kind, I'm all ears!
I would like to say that its probably going to take a pretty damned long time to get to the main plot of Youjo Senki, and I hope nobody has any scruples with that, but I will definitely be making use of this world as best I can.
Also, again, I understand if some of you may be dissatisfied with the complete change of the plot and utter restart I've done, but its simply a sacrifice I felt I had to make. I apologize for any misgivings.
Other than that, this was simply an introductory chapter of sorts, I didn't put in too much of pure familial interaction because that is not what this ff is about, and I think I'll be speeding it up from here on and focusing more on the character himself in sections of 8 months each until he reaches adulthood.
Still don't feel confident placing this anywhere near the holy lands of AOO, but we'll see what happens
Anywho, thanks to anyone and everyone still following!
I'll see you in the next chapter!