The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. The solider's eyes darted around to find his possessions that had been knocked out earlier, his sword and a heavy box, which is his kit to make tea, as he began to fall into the ice cold water. With his heavy armour dragged him down and he could only save one item before he either freeze to death, suffocate under water, or both items sink to the bottom of the lake.


Okay. Why the hell is a solider on an icy lake, while carrying a tea kit and a sword?! I hear you, so let's go back to the beginning to explain how this happened.


This nameless solider loves tea. Since he was little, he was always fascinated with tea. For a commoner child, it is almost impossible to obtain such a precious luxury. A luxury traded from elven lands. Luckily some noble ladies pitied him when they saw him staring curiously at the liquid like a hungry kitten, so they gave him a sip in a separate cup. Pretty nice of them, considering he was paid to work in the gardens instead of gawking at cups. But in that moment. That moment his curiosity turned into passion. The fact that dunking a different dried leaf can change colours in the water? Cool. The fact that it actually tastes and smells good? That got him hooked. In his spare time, he would examine dried leaves in the garden, then use the leaves he gathered and mimicked the servants who prepared tea. Of course he got sick and handful of times and got earfuls from his mother because of this. Lady Luck smiled upon him again when the town spread rumours about this 'little tea fanatic' and made its way to the 'big tea fanatic', an adult male in his town. Although the man had raven black hair reaching his collarbone and a slightly worn out grey cloak, which is unusual, but the boy did not care and gained a mentor to help him safely differentiate different types of tea leaves and leaves that are not safe to consume. Despite both being commoners and the whole town think they are idiots chasing an impossible dream, their exquisite taste did not simmer down and their bond brewed stronger and stronger. There were even rumours that the man is the boy's biological father. His mother was a prideful woman and cared more about her reputation than anything else. Needless to say, she was not happy about those rumours, that's for sure. With the rumours, the boy's shenanigans and his new friendship, the relationship between mother and son was very rocky.


How did this tea lover entered the army? As the boy grew up to be a young man, he learned that it is expectation for him and other males of his age to join the army. It brings honour to their families if they go, and shame if they stayed back. Since his mother saw this as an opportunity for his redemption, she urged and pressured him to apply for the army. He refused, her request fell on deaf ears. Soon after, the young man visited his 'tea soulmate' and was given a gift. It was a sturdy chest filled with some magical portable tea making equipments. This porcelain set is well used and well maintained. Though the tea stains in the microscopic cracks interior betray its shiny and clean exterior. Shocked at the precious gift he received, he suddenly got worried about his friend and asked for the reason behind this gift. The older man told him that he was fine and explained the consequences of not joining are more dire than others might describe in public. Not only will others mock those who stayed back as weaklings, but they will often be justified if they were to break an entering to your own home, steal and/or break personal belongings. "The worst part is, they will also physically harm you and those you hold dear as a justified 'punishment' for their cowardice." A hint of remorse and guilt flashes in the older man's eyes. While he understood the young man did not want to potentially die in war and never be able to taste tea again, it is a far better fate than years of justified torture. "Besides, no one will know if you are fighting or making tea on the battlefield." The older man gave a cheeky smiled and winked. He tapped the gift in the young man's hands. "Just don't get caught by your captain or your enemy. I heard the captains in the army will either break your spirts, break or confiscate some of your belongings if you are caught 'slacking off'. As for the enemy? Hooo boy I don't even know what they would do to you!" The older man sighed expressively and playfully nudged the young man. The young man chuckled and agreed, since not much was announced about the enemy. Slightly strange, considering this ongoing war lasted 10 years. The only thing they know is that they are being invaded and soldiers and needed to suppress the enemy forces.


With their goodbyes, the young man headed to the recruitment centre carefully, guarding his valuable gift in his bag.