Secret House Training

It was incomprehensible.

“What did you say?”

“The ar-armored monster has been neutralized.”

But I hadn’t misheard.

“It was neutralized?”

“No…… beyond that, its life has been ended.”

The face of the chief researcher, who knew better than anyone that telling a lie in front of me would lead to unfortunate consequences,

“L-Look at this.”

Was screaming innocence.

‘What on earth happened?’

When we experimented on Federation mage officers, didn’t we conclude that it would take at least ten people to subdue it? What nonsense is this guy spouting?

“Give that to me!”

Serti quickly snatched the document handed by the researcher and flipped through the cover vigorously to check its contents.

One page,

And another page.

Tick─ Tick─

In the silence where only the sound of clock hands struck his ears, he read the report with wide eyes.

“Huh.”

Soon he let out a laugh as if deflated.

[Report on Specimen No. 4

An investigation was conducted (in-depth analysis of signal strength and direct observation through dispatched researchers) regarding the disconnection of vital signs after 10:23 PM Federation time. For the process, refer to the text below…]

The last page starting with a long text,

[It is determined that no mechanical issues such as errors in monitoring equipment or transmission signals occurred. Finally, by analyzing the remaining mana in the corpse, we concluded that the monster was killed, led by cadet Yena Freud]

After seeing the bottom paragraph.

“…Is this real?”

“Yes, that’s right, Director Comrade!”

Serti looked at the chief researcher with his mouth wide open.

Then, after hearing his resounding voice, he looked at the specimen report document again with powerless eyes.

‘What is this, are all Imperial officers like this?’

No, that definitely can’t be the case. I’ve met many mage officers from Astrakhan in the past. But every time I encountered them, they weren’t much different from Federation soldiers.

Just look at the other Imperial cadets excluding Yena’s team. They don’t have any particularly noteworthy characteristics, do they?

Clumsy attitudes.

Expressions too dull to be called officers.

Still lacking skills.

Even if they were awakened from the Empire, there wasn’t much difference from first-year cadets of the Moscow Military Academy, who are Federation mage officers.

But there are always exceptions.

“Haha, well…”

Serti stared intently at the photos in the attached materials that were Yena’s team’s work, then chuckled again while scratching his cheek.

‘It’s not like it’s a freezer.’

Is it frozen like this?

Did they create this scene just with magic?

Would it turn out like this if dipped in liquid nitrogen and taken out?

It was an unbelievable scene.

The armored monster that had exuded a majestic atmosphere had lost its original dignity and transformed into a small, shabby specimen.

This precious specimen that took three years just to extract and analyze mana after the research was finished, and over ten years to manipulate its genes.

“Di-Director Comrade. Are you alright?”

The chief researcher asked with a worried look at Serti, who said nothing.

And that stiff expression of the researcher,

“Haha, I’m fine!”

“I-I see……”

Became even stiffer at Serti’s unexpected response.

It seemed he couldn’t help but think that Serti had gone mad at losing a precious experimental subject, that he was bursting into laughter filled with despair after hearing the unbelievable news and being shocked.

Who would laugh in this situation?

It’s a situation where we’ve lost one armored monster that should have been preserved, when even conducting various experiments while maintaining its lifeline wasn’t enough.

It’s fortunate if he’s not despairing.

An ordinary researcher would be irritated by such disappointing news and vent their anger on innocent cadets.

But look at Serti now.

“Are, are you really alright?”

“Yes! Who would get angry hearing such an interesting story? Rather, I’m bursting into laughter at your unexpected words, haha!”

Isn’t he rejoicing now as if he’s gotten a promotion, while stroking his shiny bald head?

It was a scene where anyone would feel something was off.

‘How interesting.’

The problem was that Serti himself didn’t feel that way.

This man loved research more than anyone, cherished the armored monsters, and dedicated himself to developing the Federation’s secret weapons more than anyone else.

“Not bad……”

But Serti didn’t despair.

Even though the armored monster had become a miserable corpse that couldn’t even be revived, and all he got was how terribly the monster’s life had ended,

Rattle, swish─

Rather, he took out a cigar from the cabinet, each of which was worth the price of a course meal at a high-end restaurant, that he cherished even more than vodka, which he would only bring out for toasts.

“Phew……”

Then he cut off the end, lit it with a match, smoked it, and enjoyed the aroma with his mouth full.

He savored the joy he felt at this moment.

‘The fact that the monster died.’

Doesn’t that mean the team that faced it is strong? Moreover, the one who contributed the most to neutralizing the monster was none other than Yena Freud?

Isn’t this an extremely interesting fact!

That Yena, who ranks lowest in the official rankings of the military academy, surpassed the Streman family’s child and Rina, who could be called the essence of elite education!

“I understand this was the specimen you cherished the most, Director. Are you alright? You seem to be having a hard time right now……”

“Hm? No, no, it’s not a big deal. My heart aches a little, but aren’t I receiving even more delightful news?”

Serti rather asked the researcher.

Why are you making such a sensitive expression?

‘I’m feeling greedy.’

His mind, which had been full of idle thoughts about the armored monster, was now filled with the desire to make Yena a talented resource.

He had no ill feelings towards her.

What does it matter if she killed the monster or not? I think the current situation completely covers that regret.

‘Rather, it’s like we sacrificed the monster and obtained valuable information. It seems only I know that Yena’s skill level is high.’

In the cadet analysis data handed over by the military academy, Yena’s name was written in the lower ranks, in the box indicating the lowest-ranking cadets.

But through the sacrifice of this experimental subject, I came to know.

That Yena, the girl who helped the research more than anyone else in this training, possesses an upright character and extraordinary capabilities.

‘If I build a good relationship now.’

It’s clear that the military academy doesn’t yet know Yena’s true value and doesn’t even pay attention to her. If I, as the director of the Sevirpol Research Institute, take the initiative to provide her with various forms of assistance,

Wouldn’t it be possible to leave a good impression on her until later? And couldn’t I use that intimacy for my research…?

Thud, thud─

Serti, who had unknowingly adopted a serious expression with furrowed brows and eyes forming a straight line, tapped off the ash hanging from the end of his cigar.

‘At most, she’s just a first-year.’

This is the time when most cadets still possess innocence.

That also meant there were many naive cadets who would likely agree to my requests willingly if I showed a little kindness and persuaded them well.

Yena was no exception.

No matter how experienced she might be, she was still just a first-year at the military academy. Though she might be physically exceptional, mentally she was clearly a fragile girl who wasn’t mature.

What if I focused on attacking that mental aspect? If I invested in Yena sufficiently faster than anyone else and implanted a benevolent image?

“…I could use her effectively for my research.”

“Pardon? Did you call me, Director Comrade?”

“No, I wasn’t talking about you. Just think of it as passing self-talk.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Serti waved off the researcher who had straightened his back and raised his head at a certain angle to answer, while savoring the aroma of the luxurious cigar and sinking into deep contemplation.

‘That child has sufficient investment value.’

Extraordinary intelligence and outstanding strength.

Doesn’t Yena possess both of these?

There are more than enough reasons to make her dedicate herself to armored monster research. It’s not like I can’t meet her just because she’s a cadet from Astrakhan Military Academy.

There would be no problem if Yena was okay with it.

I just needed to summon her.

Although I couldn’t call her every week due to the considerable distance from Astrakhan, I could request her dispatch about once a month.

Few opportunities to meet?

Have to endure many inconveniences?

I didn’t harbor such resolute thoughts; rather, I was satisfied if I could visit the training ground to that extent.

Isn’t she a human resource with outstanding talent?

The more such individuals engage in combat with armored monsters, the more data will accumulate, allowing for more perfect progress in research.

“Hehe……”

Serti drew a soft curve on his mouth while holding the cigar between his lips.

‘I’ve obtained unexpected information.’

In a way, isn’t this a realization gained through the noble sacrifice of the armored monster? That means the experimental subject contributed to the research until the very end.

It served the Federation until its last moment.

That was also the reason why I wasn’t disappointed, unlike usual.

“Chief Researcher.”

“Yes, Director Comrade!”

“You may go now.”

“Pardon?”

“You investigated the data so well that there’s not much for me to worry about, haha! Thank you for working late into the night.”

“Th-Thank you.”

I had grasped the truth about the armored monster’s death, and additionally learned hidden stories about Cadet Yena Freud. There was nothing more to look into now.

“Then, I’ll take my leave, Director Comrade!”

“Yes, you may go.”

Serti sent off the chief researcher, who was finally moving his feet, with a face that had become more relaxed and gestures that had regained their original dignity.

‘Whether I implement the plan or not, I should remember this first.’

Yena Freud.

Regardless of resolutions like improving relationships, he etched the surname and given name of that Imperial officer candidate into his brain.

---

“It’s been a while, everyone. Your faces look much thinner compared to then, haha. How was it, did you enjoy the survival training?”

“Ye-Yes…!”

“I enjoyed it. It was quite fun watching how you dropped out and survived. It’s also rewarding that this class gained the most points in survival training.”

On a sunny afternoon.

In the deep mountains reminiscent of the tedious survival training.

-Someone from our class ranked first?

-Wh-Who is it?

-Honestly, if we had to pick just one, wouldn’t it be them…?

I faced dozens of glares converging due to Gartel’s words addressed to the cadets who still had dark circles under their eyes.

“I’m sleepy.”

As if not caring what kind of looks they sent, I yawned.

“Yena.”

“Yeah.”

“Di-Did we really get first place?”

“Probably.”

“W-Wow……”

Of course, not everyone adapts to this situation, so I patted Erika’s shoulder to calm her down as she stamped her feet, not knowing what to do.

‘Actually, we’ll probably be at the forefront in all training.’

Inwardly, I smirked and scanned the surroundings again.

I can confidently say I’ve never missed first place so far. They probably disclosed the grades exceptionally this time since it was an activity all students participated in simultaneously, after proceeding individually until now.

That’s why this commotion is occurring.

“Yena.”

“Hm?”

“Can I touch now? A, a day has passed.”

“…Alright.”

“Wh-Whoa!”

Both cheeks feeling slightly painful.

“Ubu, ububu.”

I tried to ignore the sound coming from my moving lips due to Erika’s intense finger manipulations and sank into thought.

‘Tomorrow is the last day.’

After the basic adaptation education on day 1 ended, and the monster defense classes and survival training as part of team group training were finally completed, only one thing remained.

[Individual Battle]

The class with a name that seemed to be an individual competition was the final program to decorate the last chapter of this joint training.

Today is,

“Everyone stop chattering and focus now! I’m going to introduce the training we’ll be carrying out from this time.”

The prelude to that individual training,

“The individual battle, which will be the final training process at the Sevirpol training ground tomorrow, will be conducted in ruins to test how well you adapt to new environments. So today, I plan to give you special education.”

A different and unusual training,

“I hope you’ll make good use of the facility I’ve prepared for you, even getting permission from the principal and research director.”

Swish─

“This ‘Secret House’.”

It’s the day we’ll conduct a kind of mock battle practice in a dark abandoned building located in the forest.

-Wh-What is that?

-It looks like it’s been bombed or something……

-We have to go to such a creepy place?

Commotion heard from here and there.

I let the cadets’ chatter go in one ear and out the other, gazing at the building with interested eyes.

“Ububu?”

“Ye-Yena?”

Then I tilted my head with my cheeks pinched by Erika.

‘This is…’

Because it was one of the learning processes I had experienced in the past.