The reason no issues had arisen with the soldiers’ training so far was because it focused on basic drills for discipline.

But once intensive training began, the limitations of the soldiers became glaringly apparent.

The problem lay in the condition of their bodies, shaped by years of surviving in the barren North.

"It’s obvious—how could they have strength when they’ve barely had anything to eat? Just look at them, all scrawny and frail."

People in the North had grown up malnourished and were generally undersized.

Recently, they had started eating better in Fenris, but that was mostly limited to wheat …