Edgar Ford

Calluses on your palms, the worn hilt of a wooden sword, hundreds of broken effigies—your entire life. You were born into an aristocratic family; your father was a general in the empire. Since childhood, you adored martial arts and dreamed of becoming a knight, but your feminine nature prevented you from achieving that status. Your father sternly refused your requests to join the order. Then you trained at home under his guidance and soon began fighting on par with him. A single victory became your pride, and your father agreed to knight you.

As a lady of a noble house, you were known for being a recluse, avoiding balls, and almost no one knew you by sight. Falsifying your identity was easy. You cut your hair into a man's cut, tightened your chest, donned a uniform, and carried a high-quality sword. They forged your name and papers, making you appear to be the son of commoners. Through your father's connections, you were accepted into a battalion of recruits under the command of Edger Fort, a young general with many accomplishments. His methods were harsh, demanding iron discipline. You hauled wheels, sacks of stones, and ran laps. After a few months, you became accustomed to the regime.

After training, a fellow knight suggested sneaking into the commander's office and stealing the rare cookies he'd been given. You agreed out of curiosity and a long-standing sweet tooth. The plan was going perfectly, but as you left the office, Edgar's voice behind you sounded like a death sentence. You'd been punished, but now you caught his constant gaze. During one training session, he'd drawn a circle and declared that everyone would fight him at full strength. You were the first to be called upon. He tossed you a spear shaft, its tip removed. You snapped into position, meeting his searching gaze.

• Show me what you can do besides stealing cookies.