The National Assembly Building Fire Incident

The incident, which started with arson by a neighboring Hollander, had a profound impact on the Empire. It wasn’t just a simple crime.

Setting fire to the National Assembly building, a symbol of the Empire and a major state institution, was one thing, but the perpetrator wasn’t an ordinary person. He was a communist, and a zealous party member at that.

This triggered a bloodbath throughout the nation.

The leader of the Workers’ Party and his supporters used this incident as a stepping stone, utilizing their power and vigilante groups to exterminate the domestic communist faction that had been a thorn in their side.

And eventually, the Workers’ Party, without any checks from anyone, won an overwhelming victory in the upcoming general election, placing their leader in the key position of Prime Minister.

In a way, this incident was the beginning of the Empire falling into the evil abyss of the Great War.

“Phew……”

And for me, it’s an opportunity to achieve my first goal of joining the Workers’ Party. I gripped the fluttering hem of my coat, imagining the chaotic future ahead.

I had to make the most of this day, which would be tragic for the Empire.

Whatever happens, it was a huge event that might only occur once every few years.

Moreover, the Workers’ Party hasn’t completely taken over the Empire yet. If I catch the leader’s eye at this early stage, I can gain immense power.

Then it will be much easier to move things according to my will in the future. It’s a step towards achieving the goal of victory.

“It’s nothing, just the sky is beautiful.”

“Right?”

Until then, there’s nothing much to do, so should I try to develop Erika into a fairly well-rounded soldier?

“Let’s get up now.”

“Already? I want to stay a bit longer……”

“I’ll buy you waffles tomorrow.”

“Hmm, come to think of it, it’s time to go in.”

I smiled faintly as I watched her stretch and get up.

There was still a long time until the National Assembly Building fire would occur, and with the recent tailing by an unknown person, individual training would be burdensome, so now was the perfect time to help Erika.

Besides, it’s the application period for research departments.

Unless she received a recommendation letter, she would go through many evaluations to join a department, so if I familiarize her with a few things in advance, there’s no way she’ll fail.

Since she’s been training separately lately, I can use that time.

“Hold my hand here.”

“Okay! But you’re really buying me waffles tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

I took Erika’s hand as she sniffled, then moved from the grass onto the dirt path leading to the dormitory.

“Yena, then see you tomorrow!”

“Take care.”

Finally arriving in front of the dormitory, I saw off Erika who was smiling brightly.

“……”

Once her cheerful figure was no longer visible, I pressed down my cap and erased the smile that had lingered.

Thud, thud.

Walking again, making only the dry sound of military boots rubbing against the ground.

Joint training, huh.

“It’ll be fun.”

Along with a small murmur.

---

The day after the joint training notice was announced, at noon, no different from usual.

“Then I’ll end the class here.”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Ah, and everyone be careful until the joint schedule. Depending on the severity, there could be the disaster of not being able to participate in training.”

Gartel ended the class with his usual solemn tone.

“Yena!”

“Alright, let’s have lunch together.”

“Okay, hehe.”

Not long after, Erika followed as was now familiar, and as always, we moved to the cafeteria to eat.

“It’s pork.”

“Thank you for the meal!”

It was an ordinary and peaceful afternoon, watching Erika stuff food into her mouth until her cheeks puffed up like a squirrel’s.

Crunch─!

In that calm time, I quietly savored my meal.

It’s delicious indeed.

The crispy exterior and tender interior provided a sophisticated flavor. Perhaps because the Empire paid attention, the quality of the food was certainly good.

“Ahh, that was good.”

“Shall we go eat waffles now?”

“Oh, right, hehe. You promised to buy me some yesterday, didn’t you?”

When the long meal ended, I took her out and turned towards the store near the cafeteria.

“Can I eat this?”

“Yes. It’s not that expensive.”

Soon after arriving at the store, I chose one of the many waffles on the menu posted on the outer wall and handed it to Erika, who was probably drooling.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you!”

Up to this point, it was nothing special.

But the day is still long. I had no intention of ending today boringly. Now that we’ve eaten well, it’s time to prepare to move according to the plan I made yesterday.

I had resolved to teach Erika.

I need to make sure she can at least pass the department she wants to join, that’s how she’ll grow into a useful soldier.

“Erika.”

“Mmph?”

“You said you were going to the training ground after class, right?”

Nod nod─

“Want to go together?”

“Mmph?”

“Swallow what’s in your mouth before speaking.”

“Gulp. A-Are you really serious?”

The moment I finished my thoughts, there was no hesitation. I immediately expressed my intention to train together at the training ground to her, who had her mouth full of waffle.

“Yes.”

“I welcome it!”

Fortunately, there was no mishap of being rejected.

“Then let’s go.”

“Okay!”

After getting her agreement, everything went smoothly.

Erika walked down the path leading to the training ground, humming and with gestures that showed her smiling even at a glance.

She looks happy.

Is training together that joyful?

I’m not sure of the exact reason, but she probably doesn’t think we’ll be training seriously. She’s imagining that we’ll spend time chatting occasionally like common cadets.

However, unfortunately, her expectations were about to be betrayed. I had long since decided it would be okay even if she collapsed from exhaustion.

“Yena, we’re here.”

The destination we finally reached was one of the many training grounds in the military academy. Unlike the shabby place where I used to train, perhaps because it was located in the center of the academy, the site was large and relatively well-maintained.

Thanks to that, it’ll be nice to move around.

“Erika.”

“Yes?”

Now that we’ve arrived at the spacious open ground, only one thing remained.

“We have joint training coming up soon, right?”

“Yes.”

“And we need to take the department entrance exam too.”

“Y-Yes, and?”

“Then we need to quickly improve our skills, right?”

Thud─ Thud─

Without wasting time, I immediately took rough steps towards Erika. I didn’t stop even though she seemed flustered by my suddenly serious tone.

“Y-Yena?”

Whether her eyes trembled like a frightened rabbit or not, I just grabbed her wrist tightly and narrowed the distance until our noses almost touched.

And then,

“Let’s spar.”

“Huh?”

I finally opened my mouth.

“If you win, I’ll let you touch my cheek.”

---

Boom─!

In the training ground not far from the dormitory, a huge roar burst out. Followed by a flash of pure white light.

“Haa, haa.”

It was all the aftermath of Rina’s unique holy magic.

‘I wonder if this is good enough.’

She glanced at the steel frame rolling on the ground while wiping away the sweat flowing like rain on her forehead. There weren’t many cadets who could show this level of power.

At most, maybe only Wolf could.

“Ah.”

No. Yena Freud, that child with an innocent appearance, this level of power would be a piece of cake for her.

Crunch!

Rina gripped the towel she was about to wipe her face with tightly.

Although she’s recorded as the lowest grade of 7, her actions so far have made it hard to believe. She must be hiding her true abilities.

It’s a rare cunning.

Still, I’ll uncover the secret someday. Rina believed Helena would show good results. No matter how good Yena is, she couldn’t handle the head maid who had protected the imperial family’s nest.

“Finished training?”

“Yes.”

Wolf, who was in the neighboring training ground, must have finished his training as well, as he came over and spoke while offering water.

“As expected, the princess is different.”

“……”

Rina accepted the bottle he offered, but stubbornly ignored his words, letting them go in one ear and out the other.

‘He should have just left.’

Although Wolf was someone who paid careful attention like this every day, she didn’t particularly want it and just found it annoying, so she didn’t like his behavior.

It’s more like an obsession. Why does he follow me to the training ground when we’re not even training together?

“So why did you come.”

Of course, she only muttered this inwardly, not saying it out loud.

“What do you think about that Yena girl?”

“……Why?”

“Just wondering if you’re close with her.”

“We’re nothing to each other.”

“That’s good then.”

Rina turned her head to look at Wolf. She frowned at Wolf, who was smiling while swaying his body left and right, and cautioned:

“Don’t forget we’re cadets.”

“When did I ever forget that?”

“It’s over if you get kicked out of the military academy.”

There was a reason for giving this warning.

I’m uneasy.

Although I dislike it, having spent over several years together, I understand his characteristics well. So I know what the meaning behind his last question was.

“She’s not someone you should take lightly.”

Every time he was about to remove or deal with someone who bothered him, he would utter similar words.

‘But unless he’s stupid……’

He probably won’t do anything reckless.

This is the territory of the distant country called the Federation, and even the Streman family can’t escape the school rules in this strict space, so even this guy could be punished.

Even if he has less moral sense than his age would suggest, he should have at least that much common sense ingrained.

……Probably.

Of course, it would be fine if he moved secretly and within limits like Helena, but I didn’t think that free-spirited man could abide by this.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow!”

Anyway, having finished all the training planned for today, she left the open space while loosening her hair that had been tightly tied with a hairnet.

Rustle─

Then her white hair fell down her back, forming a large circle.

‘It’s not my concern anyway.’

In fact, she didn’t care whether Wolf was expelled or not, or whether he was punished or not. It wouldn’t affect her if he left this school.

Rather, I should be happy that I won’t have to hear that annoying voice again.

‘I’m already overwhelmed just doing what I need to do now.’

In fact, she wasn’t in a position to worry about others.

With the department application deadline approaching, she needed to decide her direction as soon as possible. Then she needed to focus on growth until the joint training.

‘First, let’s pass the department.’

Taking it one step at a time.

Rustle─

Rina took out the document she had folded in her coat pocket earlier, holding it preciously to her chest as she walked.

[Magic Tactics Planning Department Member Application Form]

Meanwhile, the surface of the envelope sealed with ink sparkled in the sunlight.