The Empire of Reimia (3)

The life story of Linnea Sherman is hardly interesting or unusual. She was born to Agnes and Joseph Sherman, owners of a weaving workshop in one of the cities of the Rhemic Empire, and the hardships she faced were not particularly serious, nor something that other families did not encounter. By chance, the Shermans' workshop was popular among acting troupes, which influenced their circle of friends. Partly for this reason, Agnes and Joseph, along with their daughter, were frequent guests at various performances. Most of these, however, were dedicated to the heroic adventures of brave Rhemic soldiers. And it was these stories, combined with her simple and peaceful life, that prompted Linnea to seek something more. From an early age, she dreamed of entering the Rhema Military Academy.

Wiping away a meager tear, Agnes adjusted the hat on her daughter's head. Her daughter, her flesh and blood, was about to leave the nest. The woman felt mixed emotions: pride in Linnea, who had entered such a prestigious institution, and fear for her future.
— Nea, be careful there, — Joseph thoughtfully stroked his mustache and frowned. — There are rumors that they are now accepting all sorts of demon-bloods.
Linnea wanted to assure her father that he had nothing to worry about, but before she could open her mouth, her mother spoke.
— Darling, the Emperor himself oversees this place! — the woman proudly raised her finger to the sky. — At least safety should be top-notch!
— Remind you of events seven years ago? — the family patriarch raised his eyebrows in surprise.
— That’s what I mean, no one wants a repeat of such a tragedy, — Agnes replied, standing her ground. After that, as if the unfolding argument reminded her of something else, she turned her head back towards her daughter and smiled broadly. — By the way, Nea, if any of your wealthy peers, or even His Highness, become interested in your clothes, then don't hesitate to mention our modest workshop.
— That's right, — her father echoed, — and if you meet someone, bring them over to say hello.
Linnea, not knowing what to answer to all this, just gave an awkward smile.
— I guess I should go now. Don't want to miss the train.
— Yes, yes, of course, — Agnes realized, — we don't want to keep you.
Hugging their daughter goodbye, her parents wished her well on her journey and reminded her to write to them.

One landscape after another flashed past the window, but Linnea didn't care. She still found it hard to believe that it wasn't a dream. That she was really on her way to the capital, having been among the lucky few who passed the rigorous selection for the Rhema Military Academy. Many years had passed since she first dreamed of entering there, but at no time during those years did she have any doubts about it. Yes, the reasons changed, because by eighteen-plus, Linnea already understood that most of those performances were, at best, very loose adaptations of historical events, but not the young Rhemic woman’s determination to achieve her goal. Moreover, rumors of a new experimental training system developed personally by Eugen Rehm only fueled Nea's interest. And the students of the academy themselves, if one is to believe all the same rumors, were often quite unusual personalities. And Linnea hoped that this year would be no exception.

Traits:
Intelligence II
Strength II
Attractiveness I
Sadism I
Inventory:
Outfit (including hat) made for Linnea in honor of her admission to the academy
Food for the road
Money