When I opened my eyes, I knew instantly: I had been reborn.The first thing I noticed was the scent of wood, the soft murmur of distant conversations, and the weight of a thick blanket over my small body. My body... small.I looked at my hands and chest and confirmed the impossible: I was a child. Again.
Passionate about military history and having written my university thesis on war tactics during China's Warring States period, I now faced the irony—or divine reward—of having reincarnated into the Kingdom universe, twelve years before the main events of the story began.
I had read the manga, watched the anime, studied the historical context. I knew how brutal, glorious, and tragic this world could be. A world where sword, valor, and strategy could change the course of a continent.
The family I was reborn into was no ordinary one.My father, Li Jian, was a commander of five thousand men in service to the state of Qin.My grandfather, Li Fang, had been a legend in his time, reaching the rank of general with fifteen thousand troops under his command. After retiring, he was named lord of a small fortified city in the north, near the Zhao border.
So I, Li Wei, was technically a noble. The fifth son of Li Jian, born of his third wife. I had no significant inheritance rights, but my lineage gave me something valuable: the opportunity to train from a young age as a military officer.
And most importantly: something had come with me when I reincarnated.A system.Not a miraculous one that granted me powers, but something more useful: a basic interface that showed personal statistics—both mine and others', as long as I observed them carefully.
It looked something like this:
Name: Li WeiAge: 10 yearsStrength: 2 (Potential: 2–15)Endurance: 2 (Potential: 2–15)Speed: 2 (Potential: 2–15)Combat Skill: 2 (Potential: 2–25)Horsemanship: 1 (Potential: 1–30)Swordsmanship: 1 (Potential: 1–20)Command Ability: 3 (Potential: 3–40)Intelligence: 30 (Potential: 30–45)Luck: 6 (Potential: 6–10)
In addition, the system had a unique ability: it could see a person's maximum potential. Not just their current stats, but what they could become with proper training. And every time I participated in battles or earned a promotion, I received stat rewards. For example:
You have completed your first military training.+1 Strength, +1 Endurance, +1 Combat Skill
It was modest, but everything added up.In this world, average soldiers had stats of 3, veterans reached 10, elites hit 20, and great generals like Ouki, Tou, or Kanki likely surpassed 60 in some categories.
That's why my first priority was to strengthen my body.I had the knowledge—but without strength, I'd be useless on the battlefield.
My childhood was comfortable, though not luxurious.In Fengwu City, where my grandfather governed, the military presence was constant.The castle had high walls, watchtowers, and a barracks housing over 1,000 permanent soldiers. From the stone corridors, I could hear the clashing of training swords, the shouts of officers, and the rumble of drums during war drills.
Old Li Fang was stern but fair. A war wolf in his youth, his bones could no longer ride, but his eyes still saw beyond the horizon.When he learned I was interested in military training, he smiled for the first time since I'd met him.
—Good, —he said. —Men of our blood are born to wield the spear and lead from the front. Tomorrow, you'll begin the cadet program.
And so began my life in the military academy. At age ten, I was enrolled as a minor noble at the northern Qin training camp, where future officers were forged.Classes were divided between theory—cartography, military history, strategy—and physical training: swordsmanship, spear fighting, horsemanship, and endurance.
Upon arrival, my system activated again.
You have entered the Qin military academy.Reward: +1 Command Ability, +1 Horsemanship
Updated Stats:Command Ability: 4 (Potential: 4–40)Horsemanship: 2 (Potential: 2–30)
The other children were a mixed group: sons of nobles, sons of officers, and even some commoners recommended for merit. One boy in particular, Gao Lin, stood out.He had a sharp look and a thin frame, but his smile was razor-sharp.I discreetly activated my system while we spoke.
Name: Gao LinAge: 11 yearsStrength: 3 (Potential: 3–10)Intelligence: 22 (Potential: 22–35)Command Ability: 5 (Potential: 5–50)
A tactical mind like mine. I wondered whether he'd become an ally or a rival.
As the sun set over the training fields and the war drums marked the end of the day, I realized I didn't have much time to prepare. The world would soon begin to move.Ei Sei's rise, the war against Zhao, the rebellion of the Six Great Generals… it was all coming.
And I, Li Wei, would not be just another piece on the board.I would be the one to redraw it.