A Sense of Unease Creeps In

Caw! Caw!

Before I knew it, dusk had fallen and the early evening had turned chilly.

“Oh, you were already waiting?”

“Yes! Lina said she’d be here soon too.”

Returning to the square after finishing the qualification review, I found Erika already waiting, having finished her exam earlier.

“Did the examination go well?”

“Yes! Fortunately, there weren’t any questions I didn’t know in the written part, so I think I did fine… Oh! When the instructor found out I had undergone additional awakening, he was so surprised!”

Erika reenacted the mana examiner’s reaction with exaggerated gestures.

She always had a gloomy expression when expecting poor results. But today, she wore a fresh smile beneath those soft cheeks.

Well, I believed she would succeed since she had also achieved additional awakening.

There weren’t many people in this military academy who strived for success like Erika.

“Did you get your results?”

“Yes, here! I moved up 400 ranks? Hehe.”

[Erika von Rosehild Qualification Review Result Notification]

[Comprehensive Ability: Grade 3. Rank 2/1032]

The report card in Erika’s hand showed the magnitude of her achievements.

She ranked 2nd among all candidates. As she said she moved up 400 ranks, it means she elevated her position from mid-tier to the very top in just one semester.

Some might question how she could be ranked in the top three overall when her comprehensive ability is grade 3.

“It’s all thanks to you, Yena. Thank you!”

“No, it was possible because you followed along well.”

However, this was due to Astrakhan Military Academy’s unique scoring system that doesn’t simply rank based on ability scores.

“Mm-mm! No? Without additional awakening, I would have dropped at least 100 ranks.”

Erika shook her head.

“The mana grade score is calculated based on ‘increase rate’.”

She was right.

The military academy, at least for the qualification review, didn’t assign scores based on grades.

They primarily looked at how much growth had been achieved compared to the beginning of the semester.

It’s essentially a defunct policy, but things change once you undergo additional awakening.

Mana is an unchanging figure.

This was the social norm.

Even with additional awakening, it was common for it to occur during the 2nd or 3rd year when receiving more specialized education.

Naturally, in the qualification review targeting candidates, there had never been a case of assigning scores considering mana ‘increase rate’ since the school’s founding.

If all candidates’ mana ‘increase rates’ were tied, the next ranking method would apply, with scores based on ‘grade’.

But what if, miraculously, there was a student who achieved additional awakening as a candidate?

A major event occurs where all cadets’ mana scores become ‘0’, and points are only awarded to those who raised their grade by one level through additional awakening.

Erika unexpectedly reaped significant benefits from the military academy’s policy.

“So, how about you, Yena? How did you do?”

“Me? Well…”

And there was one more beneficiary of this policy.

“I think I did satisfactorily.”

“Wh-What rank?”

Erika clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes twinkling. Her gaze was fixed on my pocket where the report card was presumed to be.

“Probably…”

[Comprehensive Ability: Grade 5. Rank 1/1032]

I was first, right?

In terms of comprehensive ability, my mana grade of ‘6’ was miserable, barely raised one level to ‘5’ due to excellent evaluation in the ‘basic physical ability test’.

My physique is quite delicate, after all.

What can I do when my wrists have become twice as thin?

While it’s an improvement from before, I’m still far from regaining my former capabilities.

Even the ‘excellent evaluation’ is relative. I succeeded in raising it three levels from before, but that’s still only grade 4.

But as mentioned, ranking wasn’t determined by this alone.

“Here’s my report card.”

“Hmm… Eh? Perfect scores in written and practical?! And a perfect score in the mana section too, wow…”

Perfect score in the written exam without a single mistake.

Perfect score in the practical exam without any procedural errors.

Excellent grade in the mana section based on additional awakening.

Not only did I take an overwhelming lead in the qualification review with three achievements that no one else could approach, but I also achieved a flawless result that might never be seen again.

I was certain that anyone who received my paper would be left speechless like Erika.

“Next, Yena Freud, take your results.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Here you g… Huh? Huuuh?”

“Officer Derian, are you alright?”

“J-Just wait a moment. Did I write this wrong? No…”

I still can’t forget how Derian lost his composure when checking my grades.

I rose by about 800 ranks.

It was twice the growth of Erika.

It feels like just yesterday when cadets were pointing fingers and laughing at me as a failing student, but at some point, I became someone all the children looked up to.

How could I not be deeply moved?

“You all finished early?”

“Yes, ah! Lina, do you want to see Yena’s grades too? It’s perfect!”

“Really? Wow…”

It was even more meaningful because it wasn’t just me who developed, but I climbed the stairs of growth together with my friends, Erika and Lina.

“How about you, do you think you did well?”

“Yes. Not as good as you… but not bad.”

[Comprehensive: Grade 2. Rank 9/1032]

“Did you improve compared to last time?”

“Yes, in the entrance day test, I think it was… ability grade 2, and rank in the teens or so.”

“You’ve grown too, then.”

She’s a monster, alright.

It was a grade unbelievable for a candidate.

“It’s all thanks to Yena. The questions you said might be on the test all came out without fail?”

“That’s right! Yena’s lectures too!”

What they’re referring to is the so-called ‘pinpoint tutoring’ that I consistently conducted from a month before the review.

Based on my memories, I taught concepts likely to appear on the test, and it seems it was quite helpful.

“Erika, Lina. Good job, everyone. You’ve worked hard.”

Anyway, all three of us have stepped on our past and are looking at a higher present. The time has finally come to harvest the fruits of growth, using sweat as rain.

“Announcement from the military academy. Candidates who have received a ‘Fail’ disposition should follow the instructors’ directions and board the trucks parked at the school gate in an orderly manner.

Separately, we inform candidates who have ‘Passed’ the qualification review. The official cadet commissioning ceremony and awards ceremony will be held soon. Students whose names are called should immediately gather in the VIP room located on the second floor of the annex building.”

We’ve waited long for this.

“Yena Freud, Hans Erich Gunther, Ern von Darien, Loroth Bühnen, Erika von Rosehild, Lina Victoria Wilhelm Hohenzollern, Rich…”

Now, let’s put on proper epaulettes.

“They’re calling us now, right?”

“It-It’s the first time… my name being broadcast like this…”

“Haha, let’s go quickly. The principal must be calling for us.”

“Hans Erich Gunther.”

“Yes!”

“I’ve heard about your successful ultra-long-range sniping during the Sevirpol training. I’m extremely proud. I hope you continue to hone your shooting skills and grow into a soldier who instills fear in the enemy.”

“Yes, I, Hans Erich Gunther! I will do my best to live up to your expectations, Principal!”

Thud.

“Kurt Carius?”

“Yes!”

“I heard you proudly took first place in this ‘Basic Physical Ability Test’?”

“Yes, that’s correct!”

“Hoho, it’s the first time I’ve seen someone as sturdy as you… no, the second after Berto. You’re truly worthy of being called a ‘warrior’. Congratulations on passing the qualification review, and I hope you soon become a fine officer.”

“Without fail! I will become a steel shield protecting Bern!”

“Oh? So you have the steel attribute?”

“Yes! I inherited it from my father!”

“My, even the same element as Berto, well well! Anyway, I’ll be rooting for you.”

Thud.

“Erika von Rosehild?”

“Ye-Yes!”

“I heard you achieved additional awakening? It’s an amazing accomplishment…”

Rustet shook hands with the cadets lined up one by one, praising their achievements.

The children gathered in the VIP room were all protagonists who had performed brilliantly at the military academy. They were the promising talents that the academy had produced from this batch.

It’s a shame that all the faces are unfamiliar.

This must be another result of the world line changing partially, like in Wolf’s case.

By now, I was used to this situation, so it didn’t take long to adapt to reality.

Thud, thud, thud!

“…Yena Freud.”

Rustet finally reached me after passing through Lina, Erika, and the rest of the cadets.

“I greet you, Principal.”

It was a fleeting moment.

Rustet frowned for a brief instant that no one else could perceive.

However, no one noticed.

Not even Yena Freud, the very person who caused Rustet’s discomfort.

“You achieved additional awakening too, didn’t you? Hahaha! To think there would be two awakeners in the military academy! As the principal, I have no regrets!”

“It’s all thanks to your excellent education, Principal.”

“You never disappoint me. Looking at your record this time, you got perfect scores in both written and practical exams. If you’re willing, I’d love to recruit you to the staff department right away. But that would be too much to ask, wouldn’t it?”

Rustle─

“…After all, you have a stronger desire than anyone to become a magic officer.”

Rustet received a document from the secretary and held it out to me.

“This is your appointment letter and oath. Yena Freud, you will represent over seven hundred cadets in the officer commissioning ceremony.”

“Is it alright to entrust such an important task to me?”

“Haha!”

Thud!

“Who else could do this job if not you?”

He personally took my hand and gave me the appointment letter and oath.

“Listen well, all of you. You will have the important responsibility of reciting the oath along with Yena Freud, representing a total of 716 cadets. You may take pride. You are the true treasures of the Empire.”

In the end, Rustet’s reason for gathering the cadets was nothing else.

Representatives of the students.

He needed tools to enhance the atmosphere of the commissioning ceremony.

“Yes, understood!”

There was no particular reason to refuse.

I joined the cadets shouting in unison and raised my voice together.

After all, Rustet is essentially declaring that I am the most outstanding among the cadets. It will surely be useful for establishing my position within the military academy, so I readily accepted the principal’s proposal.

“Ah, we plan to present epaulettes at the commissioning ceremony, so make sure to tidy up your collars in advance. Well, the secretary here will help you properly, of course.”

The business is finished.

“Everyone, follow me.”

“Yes, yes! Then we’ll be going, Principal!”

“Mm─.”

The students moved out into the corridor, following the gesturing secretary.

“Ah, Yena Freud.”

More precisely, everyone except me.

“The candidates will come down from the podium right after the oath ceremony, but you should stay without wavering until further instructions.”

“May I ask the reason?”

“Hmm, the reason…”

Eyes with unfathomable intentions.

Rustet stared at my face with colorless eyes that revealed no emotion.

“Right, a commendation. I intend to present you with an award.”

He then hit his palm with his fist and gave his answer.

Suddenly, why a commendation?

As someone who knows the original history, I was confused. I’ve taken the qualification review hundreds of times, but there has never been a single instance of receiving some kind of award at the commissioning ceremony.

Moreover, if they’re going to present an award, shouldn’t it normally include the children who have already left? Why limit it to just me?

It’s suspicious.

“…I will keep it in mind.”

However, there was no time to delve into his intentions.

Rustet is a far superior officer.

I had no choice but to bow my head and follow his orders.

But why?

I had a bad feeling.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Mm, alright.”

I forced strength into my feet that didn’t want to move and left the VIP room.