Derian’s Task Announcement

“That, that kid got a recommendation letter?”

“I heard she’s a psycho who likes beating people……”

In the momentary silence created as they moved, voices I hadn’t been aware of until now gradually pierced my ears.

It wasn’t just the first-years speaking. The whispers of seniors who had entered a year earlier also echoed around.

“Is it nepotism?”

“With Instructor Gartel, would it be nepotism?”

“Even so, she’s a commoner……”

“Hey, you know Berto hates that kind of talk.”

“Ah. Right……”

I’ve really been branded. I’m not sure if I should be happy, but unintentionally, I’ve become the most famous first-year in the military academy.

Thud─ Thud─

He’s big.

When the research department head and the man in the position below him, that is, the deputy head, passed by me on their way to the center of the classroom, I clearly felt the size of this bear-like senior.

Even his footsteps were heavy, and even considering my past male body, he was the size of adding another lower body.

“W-Wow.”

“Gulp……”

Seeing the children already intimidated by his imposing physique, his authority was apparent.

“Most of you probably know, but I’m Ithrite, Ithrite von Menheim, and I’m the research department head. This man next to me is Senior Berto, the deputy research head.”

Ithrite introduced the man as Berto.

Deputy research head, huh.

The kind of man who would have carried a shield if born in medieval times was now sitting at a desk writing strategies and tactics. He was truly an exemplar of a person versed in both literary and military arts.

“I’m Berto.”

Berto approached me directly, ignoring the other cadets, and extended his hand.

“……I’m Yena Freud.”

I was bewildered by the sudden greeting but returned the introduction.

“You should be proud. Getting a recommendation letter from Instructor Gartel is an achievement most cadets can’t even dream of.”

Berto, who had only shown a solemn and stern demeanor until now, spoke with a round smile on his lips for the first time.

“If anyone tries to hinder you because of your status, tell me immediately, regardless of whether they’re seniors or classmates. I won’t treat you specially, but I promise you won’t be harmed.”

Creak─

The words spoken by this man, showing off muscles that seemed about to burst through his uniform, were unexpected.

He’ll protect me.

It was an unexpected kindness. Moreover, the fact that he made such a declaration in this place where all the cadets were gathered was like sending an indirect warning not to mess with me.

Do I owe him something? No, I shouldn’t have been involved with this man called Berto.

“Thank you.”

Although I was puzzled about his intentions, I bowed to him in response for now. When a person who looks reliable from the outside shows goodwill, there’s no need to refuse, right?

“Now our job is done, we just need the officer in charge to arrive……”

After the brief self-introduction time ended and she had confirmed that all the accepted candidates had arrived without missing anyone, Ithrite tapped the back of her opposite hand with her fingers and looked at the classroom door.

Creak─!

After about a minute had passed like that, the door opened wide in response to her wish.

“Hmm, it’s packed. Is everyone here?”

“Yes! The list is here.”

As if the protagonist appears last, Derian appeared with a donut in his mouth and a half-burnt cigar in his right hand.

“Then let’s proceed quickly.”

Knowing that he had arrived late himself, he didn’t delay.

Thud─

After making his stylish entrance, he immediately received the list from Ithrite and went to where the department head and deputy head were standing,

“The explanation of the task we’ll carry out for the next 3 months, that is.”

He began the announcement.

Berto and Ithrite, I’m sure I’ve heard these names somewhere before?

“The appointment ceremony isn’t much. You just state your family name and first name, and express your future aspirations. That’s all. Then let’s start from the back row in order……”

While the appointment ceremony progressed with Derian’s appearance and other cadets, including Erika, engaged in conversation, I maintained silence with my mind elsewhere.

The names Berto and Ithrite were so familiar. As if I had seen them in the past, when I enjoyed this world…

“Ah.”

Wait.

Could it be?

In a moment of blankness, a fragment of memory grazed my mind, and a scene from the forgotten past vividly came to mind.

I saw them.

I definitely saw them.

And not on some unnamed imperial street or battlefield, but in a newspaper, and the title of the article containing these seniors’ names wasn’t an ordinary current affairs story.

And, the shocking word “deceased” written next to their names, among other unusual things, made it impossible not to recognize.

“The Night of the Long Swords”

These two were none other than victims of this incident.

Victims of a kind of power struggle, you could say. The Night of the Long Swords was a factional war within the Workers’ Party, which had established its leader as Prime Minister.

The anti-Prime Minister faction and the Prime Minister faction.

The conflict between these two, who had been in an ambiguous relationship for a long time, accumulated and finally erupted, bringing a bloodbath to the Empire.

In retrospect, when the Prime Minister’s faction won, it was such a significant event that influential politicians and several generals associated with the opposing faction paid the price in blood.

“Hmm.”

This is quite awkward.

That’s why I was considerably embarrassed. In a way, I was close to being the main culprit who killed them in the past.

At that time, I was a kind of activist who brutally dealt with troublesome figures on the Prime Minister’s side. The fact that they died in the midst of this means they were among the many people I eliminated.

I was planning to side with the Prime Minister again if given the chance this time…

I was intending to follow the leadership I had supported and solidify my position if the day of purge came again.

Because that was much easier. Even if it’s a conflict between factions, there’s usually a balance of power, isn’t there? I didn’t want to stand on the disadvantageous anti-Prime Minister side unnecessarily.

But I don’t want to say goodbye to those two, the research department head and deputy head.

“Hmm……”

“Yena, are you sick?”

“No, just nervous. Erika, prepare for your self-introduction.”

“O-Okay!”

I needlessly propped my chin with one hand and tapped my foot, then seeing Erika poke her head out from the side, I adjusted my posture.

It was a difficult dilemma to decide what decision would be rational.

It wasn’t because I was reluctant to kill. Haven’t I long since sworn that I wouldn’t mind doing dirty work for the sake of my comfortable future?

It was because the thought of whether it would be better to draw them to my side was circling in my head.

Let’s assume Ithrite and Berto graduate while forming a close relationship with me.

Having worked in the Magic Tactics Planning Department, a group of honor students, the two of them would likely work in core institutions like the Imperial Administration at the very least,

And if that happens, it means I gain two strong connections as magic officers.

But if they die, it becomes a useless imagination, so should I somehow keep them alive differently from past history, or conversely, should I defect…

“Next, Erika von Rosehilt?”

“Yes!”

I must have been worried for quite a long time, as it was already Erika’s turn. Only then did I come to my senses and looked around the department room where much time had passed.

Except for Ithrite and Berto, there aren’t any special kids.

More accurately, aside from Rina whom I already knew, I couldn’t see anyone I had encountered in the past.

Like how that guy Wolf appeared, there might be a chance of talented children I didn’t know about, but for now, it was impossible to tell.

“Y-Yena, I’m nervous.”

“You can do it.”

“If Yena says so…!”

Then it should be enough to just look after this child.

“I’m Erika von Rosehilt! Nice to meet you, seniors!”

“Ah, aren’t you the funny kid from the interview? Nice to meet you, Erika. Berto gave you a good evaluation, so don’t be discouraged.”

“R-Really?”

No, has she already reached a level where she can manage well enough on her own?

I was secretly proud seeing Erika, who used to be too shy to open her mouth freely in front, now presenting herself confidently with her chest out. It was a huge improvement from before.

I hope she continues to show good aspects. Not just in these external aspects, but in terms of ability too.

“Yes, so let’s do our best! Next is Yena Freud?”

Creak─

With that hope for the future, I stood up at the appropriate time and briefly finished my self-introduction along with my name.

“Yena, we have high expectations for you. You’re the only first-year to receive a recommendation letter, so we hope you’ll show us good things.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Perhaps because we had already conversed once before Derian arrived, there were no particular questions. Just a few formal words of encouragement and support were all the welcome greetings.

“Hmm, is it finally over? I wanted to skip it, but the higher-ups said we must do it.”

As I was the last in order, when no more voices were heard, Derian yawned hugely and straightened his back.

“Now I’ll start announcing the task, so pay attention. It’s your responsibility if you forget and suffer disadvantages, okay?”