The Prelude to Large-Scale Training

“How is your dormitory life these days?”

“I’m satisfied.”

“Ho ho, that’s fortunate indeed. To think it would please someone who has only lived in the palace.”

In the office filled with the subtle scent of espresso and the sweet aroma of fresh cream, Helena and Lustet continued their conversation while occasionally putting desserts in their mouths.

Click, clack─

Scooping a handful of cream from the glass bowl and placing it on a baguette, Helena took a bite, enjoying the sweetness spreading in her mouth while looking at the man smiling in front of her.

‘This is the best method.’

While sitting modestly and wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, she scanned the man with her characteristically sharp gaze.

His identity was none other than Lustet, who held all authority in the military academy.

The reason why she came to the office like this and enjoyed socializing that she normally wouldn’t, while she would usually be engrossed in investigating Yena’s background, was simple.

‘This is the only way I can accompany the Princess.’

It was to go to the joint training site, where outsiders are not allowed according to school rules, to assist Rina.

Isn’t it dangerous to leave her alone?

Although she still calls her Princess out of respect for past courtesies, officially the imperial family has been deposed, and Rina is now just an ordinary noble, no longer royalty.

Up to this point, one might ask what’s there to fear, but the reason for the deposition was that the Emperor led the Great War to defeat, causing the family to be scattered.

‘There must be many who harbor resentment towards the imperial family.’

Since it’s the public perception that the cause of the people’s hardship lies with the Emperor for breaking the growing Empire, she needed to protect the Princess from any possible sparks.

And since Lustet was the very person who allowed her to come to this military academy right away, it was worth pinning hopes on him.

“So…… you’re asking for permission to accompany Rina in the upcoming joint training to assist her?”

“I think the Principal wouldn’t want to be embroiled in rumors about the Princess being caught up in a conspiracy during her time at the military academy.”

Helena nodded towards Lustet, who was sipping coffee with his legs crossed, making her brown bob hair sway.

She might be criticized for being overprotective, but surprise attacks usually happen when one is most at ease. Who knows what the future holds, it’s just a matter of being prepared.

‘Especially Yena Freud, I’m anxious about what that child might do. I absolutely cannot send Lady Rina to a foreign place alone.’

Grip─

Helena tightened her grip on the porcelain cup, recalling Yena’s back figure flickering in her mind.

It’s already been a week since she declared she would make up her mind firmly, but she hasn’t been able to investigate anything.

Yet Lady Rina, as if certain that she has some secret, consistently asked about the progress, and each time she expressed disappointment when looking at herself who couldn’t say anything.

‘I wish something would come up…’

Seeing that expression like a kangaroo who lost its mother, she couldn’t just stand by and watch.

‘I’d like to get help from the imperial family, but since it’s been specified as a personal request, I can’t do that. Is this ultimately an obstacle I have to overcome with my own strength?’

It’s now a problem that must be solved as the head lady-in-waiting, beyond just a matter of pride.

“Hmm. I understand. However, since it’s a training that needs to be strictly evaluated, please refrain from contacting the cadets. I’d like you to restrain from contacting Rina as well.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Think of it as repayment for the help His Majesty gave in the past. I also want Rina to stay out of trouble.”

Fortunately, the concerns she had didn’t materialize.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

With a much more relaxed feeling, Helena gave a right-angled bow to Lustet and left the office.

Click!

---

“Erika, faster.”

As the light illuminating the earth dimmed and the evening chill set in, it was extremely difficult weather for training, but the two girls continued their practice undeterred.

It would normally be curfew time, but today it was temporarily relaxed under the pretext of preparing for the school’s ‘special schedule’.

They didn’t miss this opportunity and plunged into practice.

Tap, tap tap, tap!

Even as the biting cold grazed their skin, they didn’t stop but rather moved their bodies more vigorously to generate heat in response.

It was truly admirable perseverance. However, if there was one peculiar point…

“Y-Yena! Too fast!”

“This is how you grow quickly.”

“Ugh.”

It didn’t look like ordinary training. One was attacking, while the other was frantically dodging and blocking.

“Then I’ll go again.”

And I was the one playing the former role.

Whoosh!

As I thrust my fist across the air, Erika twisted her body to barely dodge it.

She looked struggling, but I didn’t go easy on her. I launched attacks from all directions without giving her time to catch her breath.

“Eek!”

Thanks to this, Erika was drenched in sweat. Her neck and cheeks were soaked, with hair and dust sticking to them, and her clothes were wrinkled and messy all over.

“E-Enough. I can’t do anymore!”

How much time had passed like this? Erika, with her stamina depleted, finally collapsed after taking a punch to her side and didn’t get up again.

“You’ve improved a lot.”

I calmed the mana I had drawn to the tips of my fingers as I opened my fist, and loosened the net that had tied my hair.

Swish─

My black hair settled down in gentle curves.

It was quite a satisfying battle. Now Erika could endure about ten exchanges, dodging my attacks that used to knock her down with one hit. Her stamina had become a bit tougher.

She should be able to win against most cadets in a fight now. I could expect her to play a good role as a comrade in the joint training.

Of course, I hadn’t been idle either and had made considerable progress.

“Phew──.”

As I drew up the power latent deep within my body, a refreshing sensation enveloped my entire body, and the sweat that had unpleasantly soaked my whole body evaporated into steam and disappeared into the sky.

【 6th Grade 】

It was a secondary effect that appeared as mana boiled inside, corresponding to that level.

It wasn’t artificially amplified. It was my own power, the product of training and cultivation. Breaking away from the past where the number 7 was etched, I succeeded in obtaining purer mana.

I want to verify this power quickly.

“Heh……”

With unusual vivacity, I clenched and unclenched my fist where mana was concentrated.

My heart pounded at the thought that I could freely use my strengthened abilities in the upcoming joint training. I should be able to feel the same excitement as when I sparred with Wolf.

I didn’t worry about defeat. I wasn’t weak enough to lose to mere first-year level children.

Rather, with this 6th grade mana, how many cadets could I defeat, how high could I climb by trampling those who were complacent about their high ranks,

I painted the future with somewhat arrogant imagination.

“Attention all first-year cadets. Please assemble in the plaza immediately. We will be moving to the training site soon. Do not be late. I repeat……”

“Erika, grab on.”

“Okay, it’s starting now……”

Finally, Lustet’s cry awakening the silence of the military academy was heard.

“Will I do well?”

“Erika, you’ve trained your best. If you don’t lose your enthusiasm like now, you can surely show good results.”

“……Okay!”

As soon as the announcement ended, I grabbed Erika’s hand and pulled her up from where she was sprawled on the ground. Then, after roughly dusting off the dirt on her body, we headed towards the school plaza.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

To board the vehicle for moving to the joint training site.

---

Rumble─! Grumble─

“Are the preparations going well?”

“At least you won’t be disappointed.”

In the wasteland of the Astrakhan region with an endless dirt road, Lustet and Gartel were conversing inside a car bumping over stones.

The seats finished with luxurious cowhide made it seem like an expensive passenger car.

“This is a training conducted in cooperation with the Federation, so there should be no accidents. I hope you can protect the cadets as much as possible.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Gartel held thick documents with one hand while supporting a pipe spreading pure white smoke with the other.

If someone saw this scene, they would immediately understand what an impressive position Gartel held.

Not only was he having a private conversation with Lustet, the Imperial Eastern Commander and Principal, but he was also smoking a pipe in front of him. It was only possible because of the deep bond between the two.

‘……I hope it wraps up well.’

However, Gartel wasn’t particularly conscious of this situation that others would envy. He was just full of worries about the future.

What if something happens, what if the cadets get hurt.

【 Sevirpol Large-Scale Joint Training Plan 】

He scanned the pile of documents with the grand title written on them, his mustache twitching as if tense.

“The training site this time is a coastal city, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“After seeing only vast expanses of land every day, aren’t you a bit excited to face the sea? It will surely be a kind of break for the candidates too.”

“I suppose so……”

“I’m telling you not to worry too much. As always, nothing will happen this time either. Just enjoy it, ho ho.”

Only when Lustet burst into hearty laughter and patted his back did Gartel relax his expression and show a more comfortable look.

He was tense as it was the first training targeting new students, but as the principal said, he was a little excited. Not to mention being able to smell the fragrant sea breeze,

As an instructor, he was bubbling with curiosity about what abilities our children would show in this new environment.

‘Especially……’

Among the candidates he was in charge of this time,

“Phew, by the way, is your class doing alright these days?”

“Why do you ask?”

“According to rumors, there was a fight between the eldest son of the Streman family and a cadet, I was wondering if it might be too much for you.”

He was particularly looking forward to the progress of Yena Freud, the very cadet Lustet referred to, a girl tiny in stature but with potential greater than any cadet.

“Wasn’t she a cadet you were fond of?”

“There’s no need to worry. That child has the ability to overcome any trial sufficiently.”

“Since you say that much, I’d like to see her face at least once, yes ho ho!”

While looking at the principal who was laughing with a cigar in his mouth, Gartel smiled, imagining Yena who would probably be fast asleep in the truck by now.

Whether she receives criticism from nobles or becomes a target of jealousy and jeers, Yena Freud had enough strength to overcome it all.

‘If only I could forget that look in her eyes.’

When he wrote her a recommendation letter for the Magic Tactics Planning Department, he vividly remembered how she confidently expressed her opinions without faltering even in a personal interview situation with an instructor.

It means she has confidence in her actions. Although she rejected the suggestion to go to the administration department,

‘The more I see her, the more charming she is.’

He wasn’t disappointed. He didn’t harbor shallow anger about her daring to go against an instructor’s orders. Rather, his interest grew even more, drawn by Yena’s decisiveness.

What kind of aspects will Yena show in this training? And how will she grow through this period?

“Khuhu──.”

“You seem to be in a particularly good mood today.”

Among the many documents Gartel had in his possession,

【Diving Training Overview】

While checking the page detailing one of the new training courses, he chuckled inwardly, his shoulders shaking.

“Ah, the tobacco tastes especially good today.”