November 11, 1868.
The Hechingen Royal Family held a cadet review ceremony in the outskirts of Hechingen.
After being streamlined through examinations, the student body numbered only a little over 3,300. However, these were the first relatively high-quality batch of students since Hechingen Military Academy had been founded. They were well disciplined, obedient to command, and carried themselves with considerable military bearing.
Morning.
A little after six.
Construction began on the review stand, reserved exclusively for the Hechingen Royal Family—the seats for Prince Constantin and Ernst.
Viewing stands were set up on both sides of the review stand for the academy's teachers and the gentry and officials of the Hechingen region.
At eight o'clock, the students of Hechingen Military Academy began assembling and entered the review grounds.
"Listen carefully, all of you. Today's review is unlike the usual ones held at the academy. This time, you will be facing the public, as well as the officials and gentry of Hechingen and the surrounding areas, so you cannot afford a single mistake.
If the stupidity of one person—or several people—causes embarrassment later, it will not just be yourselves who lose face. You will disgrace Hechingen Military Academy, disgrace the Hechingen region, and disgrace His Highness the Prince and His Highness the Prince's son.
So not even the slightest error is permitted. If you make fools of yourselves before the guests, then when we get back, my riding crop will give you a proper greeting. Do you hear me?"
"Reporting, Instructor, we hear you!" the cadets answered solemnly and loudly, every face set in an expression of resolve and gravity.
Today, every student of Hechingen Military Academy wore the uniform of the Hechingen army, an exact replica of the attire once worn by the forces under the original Hechingen Royal Family.
This