Subsequently, the other four people also got off the carriage and moved forward.

People coming from the south had to cross the Crati River to enter the main city of Thurii. There were two ways:

First, enter the south city of Thurii and take a boat from the pier to the main city pier on the opposite bank. This was mainly for Theonian citizens and envoys from other city-states.

Second, like Kardias, cross the wooden bridge west of the south city to reach the delta at the confluence of the two rivers, cross another wooden bridge to the north bank of the Crati River, and finally enter the main city.

Nicostratus and the other two crossed the checkpoint and stepped onto the wooden bridge. Lycas, unlike his teacher who feigned reserve, curiously stamped his feet, patted the railing, and occasionally craned his neck to watch ships pass under the bridge… Suddenly, he shouted, “Look! What are they doing?!”

Nicostratus looked in the direction he pointed. Not far under the bridge, a group of teenagers was swimming in the river. They weren’t playing or frolicking but lined up in several teams, swimming one after another from the north bank to the south bank and back, scrambling to be first.

Greeks were a maritime people, and good swimmers were common. But swimming like this, with every child wearing leather armor in such a tense and exciting scene, was relatively rare.

“Could it be a competition?” Stasippus said uncertainly.

“They are undergoing military training,” interjected a middle-aged man nearby, who was missing his right arm and had been leaning on the railing watching for a long time.

Stasippus looked him up and down and asked curiously, “Military training?”

“They are all students of the Thurii School. According to the requirements of the Theonian Education Law, besides learning knowledge, they must also undergo military training…” the middle-aged man explained.

“Forcing such young children to do such dangerous exercise is too cruel! What if they run out of strength and drown?! What if they get hit by a boat?!” Nicostratus said discontentedly.

In fact, there were not only instructors swimming alongside them in the river but also several boats stationed on the water, ready to rescue at any time. But the middle-aged man didn’t explain much. Instead, he said indifferently, “Vicious enemies won’t spare anyone just because they are young. Only through rigorous training can they kill the enemy on the battlefield instead of being killed by the enemy.”

Nicostratus was momentarily speechless and simply walked away quickly. Theonian men, whether young or middle-aged, spoke with an air that disgusted him. No wonder some called Theonians “Little Spartans”; looking at their practices, they were indeed cruel enough!

The middle-aged man ignored the departure of these foreigners and continued to focus on the children’s training in the river. Only when the instructor called them all ashore did he unhurriedly cross the bridge and go down to the river beach.

“Hey, Pariandros, my brother!” An instructor saw him and enthusiastically stepped forward to embrace him. Both had been soldiers in Amyntas’s battalion of the First Legion, so their combat friendship was naturally deep. “Your child performed excellently as usual. Today he took first place in his group in the armed swimming training!” the instructor praised unreservedly.

“I saw it all from the bridge.”

“Say, Pariandros, you’ve been so concerned about your child’s military training performance lately. Are you planning for him to replace you and become a Theonian legionary when he comes of age?” the instructor joked.

Unexpectedly, Pariandros nodded seriously. “I want him to enter the First Legion.”

The instructor was stunned, then persuaded, “My brother, although Patroclus performs excellently, there hasn’t been a war for several years now. The number of legion reserves exceeds ten thousand. The First Legion isn’t that easy to enter. Besides, he isn’t eighteen yet. Even when he reaches the age of military service, officers won’t rush to send a recruit like him to the battlefield. It’s better to let him temper himself into a qualified legionary in the reserves first.”

Pariandros thought for a moment and admitted the instructor was right, but he still asked somewhat worriedly, “I don’t understand the current situation of the legions. How long do you think it will take for Patroclus to enter a formal legion after joining the reserves? Especially the First Legion?”

The instructor laughed. “You, you should usually visit the old brothers of the First Legion more often, especially our old Chiliarch Amyntas; he values old friendships the most. Did you know he was just appointed Legion Commander of the Second Legion this year? If your son wants to enter the Second Legion, it’s just a matter of one word from him. Even if you insist on Patroclus entering the First Legion, with the friendship between Amyntas and Legion Commander Antonios of the First Legion, it’s also just a matter of one word from him.”

Pariandros listened silently to his comrade’s suggestion. Indeed, since his injury, his interactions with comrades and officers had decreased significantly. Now, for the sake of his child, he should make some changes.

“By the way, haven’t you been studying at the school recently, preparing to take the Thurii assessment to become a village head? How are your studies going?” The instructor suddenly remembered and asked curiously.

Pariandros smiled bitterly. “I used to be illiterate. Now that I’m older, my memory isn’t good. Just remembering those letters gives me a headache…”

“Then you have to work harder. I’m still waiting for you to enter the Senate in the future and take care of us old comrades!” the instructor joked.

Pariandros revealed a rare smile.

“Father!” Patroclus, having changed his clothes, walked over.

“School is over?”

Patroclus nodded. Nearing seventeen, he was taller than Pariandros. Although not as strong as the instructor, his body was well-proportioned and solid. For students like him nearing adulthood, the school’s afternoon curriculum was no longer general sports and military training but more rigorous exercises approaching actual combat, preparing them for legion service.

“Pariandros, don’t forget what I told you,” the instructor shouted a reminder as he watched the father and son walk away.

Pariandros waved gratefully.

“Father, what did you talk about with the instructor?” Patroclus asked curiously.

“About you entering the First Legion…” Pariandros told his son truthfully.

Patroclus let out a long whistle. “I heard from Stiphlos that it’s impossible for a recruit like me to enter the First Legion right from the start. But I believe, no matter which legion I’m in, I will be the one holding the flag at the triumph!”

Pariandros patted his child’s shoulder with gratification. Although Patroclus had a flighty personality, he was an extremely confident child.

As the father and son left the academy, Patroclus suddenly stopped and shouted loudly, “Hey, Cynthia!”

Cynthia, walking home with a classmate, turned back and smiled at him.

Patroclus winked. “The ribbon on your head is loose.”

Cynthia reached up to touch her hair, realized she had been tricked, immediately spat, and scolded, “Annoying Patro!”

Patroclus laughed heartily, staring wide-eyed as Cynthia walked away before withdrawing his gaze.

As someone who had been through it, how could Pariandros not understand his son’s thoughts? But most people in Thurii knew that girl’s identity—Archon Davos’s adopted daughter—while he was just an ordinary Theonian citizen who had recently obtained citizenship. The status gap between the two sides was huge. However, his son had a stubborn personality and had his own mind since childhood, so he couldn’t say much. He only hoped this was just a child’s simple crush and that everything would change when he grew up.

***

Cynthia bid farewell to her girlfriend and walked into her own home.

A house slave quickly came over and took her schoolbag. She immediately bowed to him to express her thanks.

Now, Davos’s residence had expanded again compared to before, divided into three courtyards: front, middle, and rear. The front yard was the residence for ordinary slaves, and the stables were also here. The middle yard was where Davos worked and discussed matters, and also contained bedrooms for the slave steward and office staff. The rear yard was the residence for Davos and his family.

Cynthia walked straight ahead. Wherever she went, slaves bowed to her one after another, and Cynthia returned the courtesy to each one. This was Davos’s family rule; although Cynthia didn’t quite understand it, she had formed the habit.

After entering the middle yard, she ran into Aristelas. Cynthia was somewhat afraid of her father’s attendant; she always felt his eyes, with more white than black, seemed to have some magic that could see through people’s hearts. In comparison, among Davos’s attendants, she preferred the former scribe Aristocrates. Unfortunately, he had already become a Theonian citizen and, under Davos’s suggestion, passed the League’s assessment to become a judge in the Thurii Court.

Cynthia pushed open the door to the rear yard, and a familiar voice came: “Oh, Cynthia is back!”

Crystoia stood by the garden smiling at her, while Asuna was bending over weeding the flowers.

“Mother!” Cynthia cried out affectionately, running up to give Crystoia a hug. After years of being together day and night, this sexy, elegant, and kind woman before her had replaced the gradually fading image of her mother in her mind.

“Gently! You reckless little thing, don’t scare your little sister!” Crystoia subconsciously covered her slightly protruding lower abdomen and playfully flicked Cynthia’s forehead.

“Little sister, Big Sister apologizes for disturbing your sleep!” Cynthia leaned close to Crystoia’s belly and said playfully.

Then, she suddenly shouted in surprise, “She kicked me! Mother, Little Sister kicked me!”

“That’s right, I felt it too!” Crystoia was also full of joy. This was her second pregnancy. How could she know if it was a boy or a girl? But having Little Croto, she was bent on having a daughter, so she told everyone she was carrying a girl. This was the first time she had felt fetal movement.