Demotion

“The oath. As a subject of the Bern Empire, I will fulfill my sacred duty to the motherland.”

“As a citizen of the Bern Empire, I will fulfill my sacred duty to the motherland.”

“Upon joining the Magic Battalion, I will devotedly and faithfully protect the republican system established by the glory of the motherland, the people, and our ancestors.

I swear to always be prepared to take up arms against all enemies, sparing neither my strength nor my life, and to defend the democratic freedom and independence of the motherland, even at the cost of my life.”

“…I swear to be prepared.”

“I swear to become an honest, brave, and disciplined soldier who strictly keeps state and military secrets, absolutely carries out all military regulations and orders from commanders and superiors, diligently studies military science, and protects and cherishes the revival of the Bern Empire in every way.”

“…I swear to protect and cherish.”

“If I deliberately violate this solemn oath, I will receive the hatred and curses of the citizens, and the strict and merciless punishment of the military court.”

“I will receive merciless punishment.”

“I solemnly swear this.”

“I solemnly swear this. Imperial Year 133, June 1st. Oath-taker Yena Freud.”

The commissioning ceremony got off to a smooth start.

“I solemnly swear this!”

As I recited the oath, the students gathered from the VIP room, including Erika and Lina, followed along, and then the seven hundred or so students lined up below the podium in the square recited the same oath.

The sight of students crowded together, raising their right hands and reciting the oath was quite a spectacle.

Flash, bang!

Journalists who seemed to be dispatched from the staff department were busy setting off flashes.

This scene will likely be remembered for generations to come.

Although these photos won’t be published in newspapers as they’re from a classified event, they’ll be stored deep in the command’s archives and preserved for a long time.

“I wish for your boundless development.”

Following the oath ceremony was the epaulette attachment ceremony.

“Erika von Rosehild.”

“Yes!”

“The achievements you’ve made will remain as an exemplary case for cadets. Well done.”

Click─

“Kurt Carius.”

“Yes!”

“Keep using those muscles for the country, hoho.”

“Yes, I will certainly keep that in mind!”

Click─

“Yena Freud.”

“Yes.”

As announced, Rustet lined up the students who had come up to the podium and attached epaulettes to their shoulders.

“You, well, there’s no need to say anything. You were amazing.”

“It would have been impossible without your guidance, Principal.”

“Hah, I appreciate the flattery.”

While as candidates they wore only a green background on their shoulders, upon officially being commissioned, the borders were decorated with silver.

“Congratulations on your appointment as Second Lieutenant.”

“Thank you.”

I finally rose to the rank of junior officer.

I’ve finally escaped from the position of candidate, which was no different from a civilian.

An officer already in the first year.

I obtained a rank that would normally be acquired after graduating from an ordinary military school, in less than 6 months after enrollment.

This is indeed the rarity of magic officers. Due to their power comparable to strategic weapons, magic officers received treatment incomparable to other military positions.

Becoming a First Lieutenant in the second year.

Becoming a Captain in the third year.

By the time of graduation, the three most outstanding talents from the third-year class selected to become ‘Magic Battalion Commanders’ would be Majors.

Even second and third-year students often hold important staff positions beyond their simple rank, to the extent that rumors circulated within the military that entering the military academy allowed for the fastest promotion possible.

Well, it’s not just a rumor.

Who else can reach the core of the military in one breath like magic officers?

“Now, we will have the commissioning ceremony speech by Principal ‘Gerd von Rustet’.”

But no one complained about this treatment.

They also know.

How harshly magic officers are treated on the battlefield.

If captured, they suffer terrible torture compared to ordinary soldiers, and when it’s judged that there’s no more information to extract, they’re killed on the spot.

As mentioned earlier, being treated as strategic weapons, they had no human rights. Only two fates awaited them: summary execution or death by torture.

“Ah, dear newly commissioned officers. And distinguished guests who are gracing this occasion with your presence, I am Principal Gerd von Rustet.”

“First, before proceeding with the commissioning ceremony speech, I would like to express my gratitude to the instructors and staff of Astrakhan Military Academy who have devoted their efforts to cultivating elite officers.

And I extend my thanks to the federal officials, including Director Serti Gottraf of the Sevirpol Institute, who have given unwavering support for the candidates to grow into talents versed in both literary and martial arts.”

Rustet, having me wait in a corner, opened the speech.

“About seven thousand casualties. One thousand missing. Two thousand wounded. Until now, the Bern Empire has been able to firmly protect the country under the sacrifice of about ten thousand senior magic officers.

However, the malicious foreign powers, in an attempt to break down Bern’s high pride, have forced unequal treaties and led to the dissolution of magic organizations.”

Perhaps because it was an official event, he continued speaking in standard language rather than dialect.

“But we did not give up. We did not despair! Mere scraps of paper could not suppress Bern’s resurgence!”

Is this what experience is?

“Today, 716 warriors have been born again to continue the dedication of their seniors. You, the 7th intake of Astrakhan.

Over the past 6 months of the candidate course, you have cultivated the qualities of a soldier through magic education. You have acquired both literary and martial arts through the teachings of instructors, and developed leadership through Bern’s advanced military culture.”

He captivated the audience with his excellent eloquence.

Everyone focused on Rustet’s voice resonating through the microphone.

“New officers!

As we have seen in the recent Eastern Civil War, the world is once again being drawn into the battlefield. Please be the umbrella that shields us from the storm.

Have confidence.

Take pride as officers.”

Thud!

“Feel a strong sense of responsibility, always maintain a humble attitude of self-reflection, and show dignity befitting the honor of being a magic officer.

Strive to become honorable soldiers willing to sacrifice their lives to protect family and loved ones. After all, it is you, not old men like me, who will lead the future of the Bern Empire.”

Rustet did not lose his sharp gaze until the very end of his speech.

Right.

That’s the kind of man he originally was.

Seeing that face that becomes infinitely serious when advising cadets as a ‘senior’, I remembered.

He was a man who held the values that most soldiers of this era would have – living for the country and dying for the people.

He valued honor above all else.

To the extent that he would willingly give his life for it.

That’s why there were many conflicts.

As I listened quietly to his speech, I was reminded of the numerous debates we had in the past.

The topics were mainly about the Workers’ Party and the military.

As he valued honor more than anyone, Rustet also strived to protect the military discipline that had been strictly maintained for the past few centuries.

But what was the reality?

Everything changed as the Workers’ Party began to gain power.

The political neutrality of officers, which had been implicitly maintained, was effectively abolished after the Workers’ Party declared rearmament, and despite the rule prohibiting faction formation, the military was torn into various political factions and experienced conflicts.

“Commander, what’s wrong with soldiers having political views? They are people and citizens too. They have the freedom to do so.”

“No! You know too, politics is a drug! The moment soldiers indulge in it, they start working for ‘parties’ instead of the ‘state’!”

“Bern has already entered a one-party system anyway. The Workers’ Party is the state, and the state is the Workers’ Party. Can’t we think of it positively?”

“I, I… Even if I die, I cannot accept the sight of the Bern military, which should protect the people, degrading into mere praetorians! Get out now.”

Later, we reunited as soldiers when the Second Great War broke out, but until then, we ended up severing our relationship due to arguments.

What a stubborn old man.

If we can win the Great War, what does it matter what happens to the military organization?

The honor of soldiers is something that can be sacrificed when thinking about the gold and silver to be gained from victory. My mind could not understand Rustet at all.

I wonder if it will be the same in this life.

I was a bit worried.

I hope he would think more flexibly.

“Waaah──!”

“Long live Commander Rustet!”

Anyway, Rustet’s speech ended, touching the hearts of the cadets. The children responded to the principal’s sincere advice with thunderous applause.

“Next, we will proceed with the award ceremony for ‘Yena Freud’, who took the representative oath. We ask the distinguished guests to please be seated.”

Now for the final schedule.

“Instructor Gartel?”

“Somehow I ended up being in charge of guiding you. Follow me.”

I followed Gartel, who had suddenly appeared, and moved towards where the principal was.

After about ten steps.

Gartel stopped before reaching Rustet’s position and spoke quietly.

“Yena Freud.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

“Sigh─, listen carefully, Yena. What the principal is giving you is absolutely not an award. Commendation… haha, yes. Nominally, it’s a commendation. But I guarantee it’s very different from what you’re expecting.”

“Pardon?”

I frowned for a moment at his sudden words.

An award ceremony where no award is given?

“I’m sorry. I tried to stop it somehow, but it was beyond an instructor’s power.”

“What on earth…”

I couldn’t even begin to grasp what Gartel was trying to say.

Judging by his trembling shoulders, it didn’t seem like he was joking. He wouldn’t joke about something related to the principal in the first place.

“Yena Freud, remember this one thing lastly. No matter what choice you make from now on, I will express unconditional support. So don’t be discouraged, and please… please stay strong.”

Then what was the true meaning he wanted to convey?

As if it would be a big problem if the principal overheard, Gartel conveyed this cryptic news in a voice so low that only I could hear.

Click!

He even said I might be discouraged.

“…I greet you, Principal.”

“Mm. You’ve waited long. Stand over here.”

I wanted to hear more details about what he was saying, but we didn’t have time for that. I stood in front of Rustet, pushing aside my uneasy feelings.

“Commendation. You have been an exemplar to students with your usual diligent educational performance and excellent evaluation grades, and especially in the qualification review, you’ve recorded the great achievement of perfect scores in written and practical exams, as well as additional awakening.

Furthermore, you’ve achieved an unprecedented perfect score in the ‘Semester Comprehensive Ability Evaluation’ excluding basic physical ability, so you are hereby commended.”

Clap clap clap!

“It would be a shame to let someone like you pass by without any recognition of your merits.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed deeply as I received the certificate while people were applauding.

It was a commendation following the typical format.

Up to this point, it was just ordinary.

“So, Yena Freud, as the person becoming the principal, I felt the need to provide a broader environment for someone with your outstanding talent.”

“Pardon?”

Right.

Up to this point.

Rustle!

Rustet pulled out a document he had kept tightly hidden at his waist.

“Ahem. Attention everyone! Along with the presentation of the commendation, I will deliver one more announcement.”

I opened my eyes wide in bewilderment, but it was no use.

Rustet simply recited the contents of the document.

“Astrakhan Military Academy first-year cadet ‘Yena Freud’ has been evaluated by the military academy as having the most outstanding potential since its founding.

As such, after going through the ‘Instructor Council’, it was concluded that there is a need to create an environment for this student to further excel as a magic officer.”

So this was the main point.

This seemed to be what Gartel was concerned about.

“Therefore, an ‘administrative disposition’ is ordered.”

An administrative disposition.

Then they must have prepared a 《Order of Affiliation Disposition》.

“Hm?”

Wait a moment.

An Order of Affiliation Disposition in June?

For a moment, my muscles tensed and my breath caught.

“Principal, surely not…”

At this time, there was only one order that could be given through an 《Order of Affiliation Disposition》 to a student who had just been officially commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

“I’m sorry, Yena. It’s all for your sake.”

Rustet covered the microphone with his hand and whispered with a wistful look.

“Yena Freud, you are hereby appointed as the leader of the first-year military advisory group for the ‘Eastern Civil War’. The deployment date is June 10, 133, next week. The duration of stay is decided to be a total of 7 months until January 9, 134.”

Ah.

“It’s a position specially selected for you. As it’s the first first-year military advisory group, strive to set an example for other cadets.”

Why is it that ominous premonitions are never wrong?