Road Of Advancement

Theodore entered the familiar office of his grandfather.

Ever since landing on his b.u.t.t by sitting on a projected chair, Theodore first checked if the chair was

'physical'. His hand patting the chair was met with a chuckle.

"Ah, Mr. Jones has given you the 'what looks real does not necessarily have to be' lesson I see?" His grandfather jokingly said.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone sits down when the setting indicates you should. He does not necessarily refer to the disappearing chair but he tries to show you how malleable people are when you put them in certain positions. "

"During negotiations, many psychological tricks are used to ease the negotiations. What's important is to be aware of what the other party is trying to invoke in you. Don't be fooled in complacency and be aware that information and even your surrounding can be used to influence you. That's the gist of what he is trying to teach you. Don't tell him I helped you figure it out."

"Well, let's move on. How has your day been, Theodore?"

"Challenging. Tiring. Satisfying. I'm not even sure I can keep up with all that's being taught in a day, let alone in seven days. If I can digest the information then I will definitely progress by leap and bounds. The classes are great. If I manage to hang on, even if I can't digest everything, I feel that I will definitely be ready to enter KMU. With Summit writing summaries and recording the lessons, I can make optimal use of the time in each lesson. He's proving to be indispensable to this operation."

"Hmm. Great to hear you're having 'fun'. Don't worry too much for now. The schedule will relax more as we go. We can't overload you with information without giving you time to digest. The point is to cram as much as possible in the three and a half month window that we have until enrollment."

"When will the schedule relax then?" Theodore perked up after hearing his schedule would be lightened.

He had been running around all day and was now finally fealing the fatigue settle in as he slumped in the chair across his grandfather. It's not that he wanted to do the 'hardcore' route, it was that his confidence to withstand the spartan training had taken a direct hit today.

"Already wanting to relax, are you? You'll be notified every morning by your schedule. Redford will take time to train and evaluate our family forces and Boulton has his own research to worry about. So they'll give you a breather every now and then. Don't expect to have Kruys or prof Wilkinson to give you a breather. Kruys would even want to increase your training time and prof Wilkinson is very enthusiastic after meeting you. You'll have to walk a tight rope with him, don't get dragged into politics just yet." His grandfather ended on a serious note.

"You know, he's already more or less said he'll take me as an apprentice or even direct apprentice if I show I'm capable enough. I remembered you advising me to play it loose, as he's in the Royal's camp. But what am I supposed to do then?"

"Well, sooner or later he'll ask if you want to be apprenticed to him. There's nothing wrong with being an apprentice to him. He has quite the political cloud and is incredibly knowledgeable. However, things get complicated if you formally become a nominal or core disciple. Even more so if you become a legacy disciple."

"Why so?" Theodore couldn't understand the underlying meaning of the status of a disciple.

"There's a saying about teachers, 'he who teaches me for one day is my father for life.' It is a proverb that teaches you to respect your mentors and teachers. When you are a nominals disciple, you automatically come under his influence sphere. Since he, as a former advisor to the king, is firmly in the royals camp, people will assume you also support them as did your mentor."

"As a nominal disciple, things are not that bad. It's a relationship where he imparts you with knowledge and does not expect much in return. Sure, you can run some errands for him, but it's still far from a son to father relation."

"When you become a core disciple, you will learn much of his findings and core teachings. This also makes the relationship much more intimate. As he's sharing the fruit of his many years of research he can also expect you to assist him in various matters or even represent him on some occasions."

"When you're a legacy disciple, you are literally his most treasured disciple. The one he teaches without any inhibitions. You then become a literal representation of himself. This relationship is akin to a father-son relationship. It would also immediately put you in the same camp."

"So for now, as you're not well versed in politics and cannot walk the ropes like the old-timers. It's better to have a loose relationship with him than burn your hand in something you cannot see the consequences of. As the heir to our Thompson family, you represent your generation within the family. You shouldn't rashly become close to any big powers, as there can be a severe backlash to the entire family."

"Then what are our stances in politics, grandfather? Is there anything I should take note of?" Theodore understood the implications but had no clue regarding the family's outlook. He now also understood he had to gain an understanding of the power structure of this monarchy.

"That's what I wanted to discuss tonight with you, Theodore. You can no longer be clueless as you're going to represent our family at KMU. Your nephew Constance might have a spot in the Elite class but he is not the appointed heir."

"There are 14 dukes and thirty-one marquees. The dukes and marquees more or less align in three great influences. The Royals' lead is one, the Walters lead another and the Hightowers lead the third. There are many marquees and even dukes that are unaffiliated, but everyone has to take account of these three influence spheres."

"The Walters is well known for their aggressive stance towards expansion. They are notoriously arrogant but have always proven to be capable during war-times. They have quite the following and are known to field the largest private force."

"The Hightowers are very conservative. This also bleeds through in their martial tradition as they are well-known for defending important bulwarks and have a great reputation among the people as they are known as the 'peoples champions'. Their military might equals that of the Walters, but their economic assets are less expansive."

"The Royals are a passive party. They rule with their own set of morals and values. During their ascent to the throne, they reformed the laws extensively in their favour. This allows them to call upon the nobles and levy taxes from all incomes to pay for their expansive military regiment. They firmly believe that for peace to continue, you must prepare for war. They're currently ruling for roughly two-hundred years; which is very 'recent' in the history of this kingdom."

"We don't belong to any of these influence spheres and have chosen to be neutral. This is also important for our family business. As we protect convoys, transport valuables and have a strong mercenary tradition, if we aren't neutral - who would trust and hire our services?"

"Though we would deal more with those that would align with a chosen power, we would lose patrons on the other influences. Since we market our services both domestically as on a wider scale, being unaffiliated is very important to our family. So don't brazenly take up invitations."

"So I can't hang out with the various heirs and followers of the big three?"

"Its a bit different in your generation. There's nothing wrong with getting to know those in the front of your own generation. By the time you'll have to fill my shoes, you, in all rights, should be acquainted with all the various leaders and important personas."

"Just don't ostracise yourself. Don't hang out with just one influence. Mingle and find friends and acquaintances among different power influences. Don't get caught in a private meeting of one of the influences. That's about the only thing you need to keep in mind. Also, there are many more peers entering from different regions of the galaxy, so you'll definitely find yourself in good company."

"Hmm, thanks, grandpa. I guess I'll be fine then. I am not really accustomed to these formal relationsh.i.p.s. But I should be able to play it off if I keep your advice in mind."

"Don't worry kid, we'll have more time to discuss these topics as we go. You can always contact me if you're in a tight spot on campus. Let's move on to the various people you should take note of."

"First of, Zeus Regus - crown Prince with a stellar record. The Royals herald him as a 'once in a hundred years genius'. He's supposedly an exemplary mech-pilot and fleet strategist. Well, can't be helped with all the tutors they've hired to help him through the years. The economic support that goes into supporting a royal heir is absolutely baffling."

"Second, we have Dwight Hightower, Rose Mckellen, Davey Walter and Arthur Levi. Sons and daughter of renowned dukes. You've met an offspring of the Levi family today in commander Arin Levi. He's from a subsidiary family of the Levi's. His genetic talent wasn't bad so he was granted the Levi last name. He split later wanting to find his own footing as he was never really appreciated that much."

"Anyways, they're all superb in one way or another. Dwight is a formidable mech-pilot, known to favour medium-class offensive knights. He's been in the spotlight as he has participated in online tournaments and even won a couple. Quite a prodigy."

"Rose McKellen is known as the beauty of the McKellen family. As far as is publicly known, she enjoys to delve in science but is also a pretty decent ranged mech pilot. Then Arthur Levi, he is known to have registered a pseudonym to attend online fleet-command tournaments. He is definitely talented in this field. He is most known for writing a poem, trying to curry the favour of Rose."

"Lastly there's Davey Walter. Very little is known about him. He's known to have trained with the greats and even has some actual experience in a mech as he joined his families forces on an expedition. Hardly much leaks out, but I suggest you keep an eye out for him."

"Then there are several notable descendants of marquees families. Anthony Hollow, Hames Potter, Lilly Davenport are the most well known. I've sent all the intel we have of notable entrants to your com. You can study it during your own time. Those that I've mentioned are all exerting their family rights to get a spot in the Elite track. There will be more dark horses appearing during the public entrance test." His grandfather concluded.

They then chatted about his day, various small things to consider before being sent off to get some well-deserved rest.

Before he knew it, a three-and-a-half-months of intense training and studying passed. He was ready, more than ever, to enter the KMU!