#like percy himself is on the power level of a minor god who is uncontrollable and resents authority and tradition for traditions sake

[riomarks]

I understand why riordan made new rome have a child army because percy needed to integrate among peers for the sake of Plot and Character but it would have been more impactful to go from a camp where the average age was 14 (similar age to achilles at the start of the trojan war, supposedly) and the culture surrounding aging is the same as mayflies and the persuit of individual glory

To new rome where the average recruit is between 18-22 years old (like actual ancient roman legionnaires), expected to serve for 10 years before retirement where 'real life' begins and any glory earned is for the collective glory of rome.

Imagine veteran war leader, saviour of olympus percy jackson turning up to camp jupiter and everyone just sees a traumatised child. Maybe percy does still join the legion at 17, a year early because of his experience or maybe he's in a foster home in the city for a year before being a recuit and comes to learn the roman way of life, the community outside of its military, maybe it would actually trigger a loyalty in him that strengthens the ties between camps or creates a meaningful internal and philosophical conflict thats not based on percy, the bitter and jaded child soldier, supporting a literal child army bc yay university!