A New Supervisor Has Arrived

The rough surface of the paper.

The pitch-black ink marks that remain unchanged no matter how many times you rub them.

“……”

I stared at the paper without saying a word.

More precisely, at Manfred von Eckhart’s──

The personal information of the man serving as a maintenance officer at the military academy and various explanations added below it.

When I finally finished checking the main text,

Crunch─!

I crumpled the paper, exerting all my strength with my fingers.

The corners of my eyes curved downward, forming an arc.

But the smiling lips soon returned to a flat line and became expressionless, or rather, exuded an atmosphere that could be called chilling.

“So this is the data you investigated.”

“Manfred von Eckhart. Although we had difficulty identifying his features due to the black and white photo, we were able to finish.”

“…I suppose so. It must have been easier to find him since he’s a high-ranking man with the position of Equipment General Manager.”

Only Helena’s and my voices filled the corridor.

Under the flickering fluorescent lights, only she and I were present.

There was no one else.

Perhaps because of that.

For some reason, the surrounding air seemed to freeze cold, as we exchanged conversations in a tone that was beyond stiff, almost chilling.

“Haha.”

In such an environment, I slowly lowered my head and let out a single laugh.

Rustle─

The black hair that had been swaying at my back followed the movement over my shoulders, and soon covered my face.

After some time passed like that, a dark shadow fell over my face, the pitch-black shade seeming to represent my current cold emotions.

How could I not feel upset?

I was confident that anyone would lose their composure if they received such news while imagining a bright future and having happy thoughts.

…Even if I had expected it.

The person in charge of the equipment for my class met with Wolf?

Moreover, an officer personally visiting a cadet’s dormitory to have a conversation, in the middle of the night when the sky was pitch black?

Unless one’s stupidity and foolishness exceeded normalcy, it was impossible not to notice.

That Wolf was the mastermind.

I could sense within seconds of scanning the document that the manager had collaborated with Wolf to damage my diving equipment.

Wasn’t there clear evidence?

The numerous ink marks on the paper were the basis for judgment and the medium that turned suspicion into certainty.

I had roughly predicted it.

That Wolf was behind the equipment damage incident.

How annoying.

That’s why it was even more displeasing.

How could such news come so soon after I had praised him?

If it was someone else, I might not have minded.

If the culprit had been someone I never expected, I might have even been pleased, as the incident would enter a new phase.

But the culprit was Wolf, as expected.

Setting aside the banality, the fact that he had consistently tried to harm me since the entrance ceremony with the same attitude was beyond measure and arrogant.

That,

Made me uncomfortable.

“Don’t tell anyone about that data.”

“Didn’t you request this in advance knowing such a secret? If we reveal it to the instructor, you’ll get what you want and the deal will end…”

“No.”

I sighed briefly and then spoke softly to Helena.

When she looked at the document in my hand and asked back, I immediately cut her off and stated firmly.

“I just want you to complete the follow-up investigation on Manfred von Eckhart. There’s no need to tell Instructor Gartel or the principal. What you want is Rina’s treatment, I’ll guarantee it, so please don’t say anything.”

I insisted strongly, even changing my tone.

“…What I want is not just punishment carried out at the military academy.”

Now I knew the whole story.

Then shouldn’t I see it through to the end?

My past resolve to thoroughly trample all living beings who harmed me to a level where they could never sprout new buds again remained unchanged.

There was no reason to hesitate.

If they had secret meetings even after the diving training ended, there must surely be remaining plans.

Rustle─!

I tightly gripped the document, thinking I would use him.

“…Understood.”

“Please just investigate which training Maintenance Officer Manfred von Eckhart will be involved in from now on, and what overall duties he will be in charge of. That will end this matter.”

The remaining schedule consisted only of survival training, group sparring, and finally individual sparring.

Knowing for certain which of these three the equipment officer would be involved in would make it much easier to respond.

That’s why I requested the follow-up investigation.

“…Yes.”

Helena nodded after a moment of silence.

Perhaps because I spoke with a malicious attitude unlike usual.

Fortunately, there was no mishap such as her rebelling and refusing the current proposal.

“Thank you, Helena.”

So I regained my previous vitality and answered with a bright smile.

“Then shall I go now?”

Then I turned towards the end of the corridor.

There was no reason to stop anymore.

I waved to Helena, who remained silent in her place, and moved my steps while flipping my hair back once.

Click─ Click─

There would never be such humiliation as in the diving training again.

Using the memory of almost dying as fertilizer, I would take double revenge on Wolf, and his accomplice Manfred.

To the point where they couldn’t even squirm.

──I would trample them.

My face had become fierce again before I knew it.

I licked my dry lips with my tongue and stepped forward.

---

“I’m really bored…”

It felt empty.

There were no people.

The number of absent students was noticeable as all the first years had gone for joint training.

“But I still have to write every day, ugh.”

However, the day went on unchanged.

Whether students were present or not, there was always a mountain of tasks piled up, so I couldn’t stop my fingers from hitting the typewriter.

As a result, it was very dull.

Normally, I would have spent time chatting with some first-years, but now there were no juniors in the research department…

No,

That would have been fine.

Still, with students of the same year, it wouldn’t be boring.

But now, the problem was that even that was missing.

Only two people.

With only herself and Berto guarding the department room, it was so boring that one could fall asleep without concern.

“Berto, what are you doing?”

“Can’t you see? I’m writing documents for submitting assignments.”

“Aren’t you… feeling a bit stuffy? I think we’ve been sitting here for over half a day.”

“No, I’m enjoying it. Doing assignments is always fun.”

Even the man next to me was not talkative and had an unusually strong interest in writing documents, how could I not feel depressed?

“I-I see.”

Itrith replied to Berto, who continued speaking with a calm face, and then sighed while braiding her pink hair into two pigtails.

Click─

Soon after, she put her glasses down on the desk and rubbed her face with her hands.

To wake herself up.

She felt like she would fall asleep if she stayed like this.

‘I wish the supervisor would come quickly.’

If it weren’t for graduation, she would never have been here. If she wasn’t the head of the research department, she would have been resting in that sunny field, tearing into bread and wine with friends.

Of course, it was just an optimistic imagination.

If she looked in the mirror, she would find herself blinking sleepy eyes with slumped shoulders.

If it weren’t for Supervisor Derian’s words, she would have been taking a nap on a fluffy pillow by now…

“Sigh.”

Itrith let out a sigh mixed with lamentation and slumped her body, lying face down on the desk.

She looked like spilled water on a dining table.

‘Someone was supposed to come today.’

She had no choice but to guard the department room.

Today was a special day unlike usual.

The dispatched instructor──

Today was the day when the officer who would replace Supervisor Lutz, who had gone to the capital for a while, was coming, which was why they were working even on this weekend.

Me, as the department head,

And Berto, as the deputy head.

“Berto.”

“What is it?”

“What was the name of the supervisor who was supposed to come this time? It was Er… something, but I can’t remember well.”

Itrith asked while tapping Berto’s shoulder, who was sitting right next to her.

‘I’m sure they said it was a famous person…’

A person whose name most instructors would immediately recognize, a soldier who received a great medal during the Great War.

Only those descriptions came to mind.

Berto would probably know.

“Do you happen to know?”

Itrith asked again with puppy-like, round eyes.

Although he was one step below the position of department head, she firmly believed that he was much smarter than her.

It was also Berto who had informed her that the new supervisor coming this time had such an impressive background.

Was he a member of the Labor Party…?

Although she didn’t know much, wouldn’t someone who was a member of a political party have broad knowledge?

Itrith, with her body slumped on the desk, poked her head out slightly and waited for him to open his mouth.

“Yes.”

“What was the name again?”

It seems her intuition was correct.

Itrith raised her eyebrows and opened her eyes wide as she asked again.

And finally,

“Erwin…”

Just as Berto was about to continue speaking,

Clank!

“Everyone, straighten your clothes, the supervisor will be coming in soon. He’s a very picky person, so be careful not to give him any reason to criticize you.”

Derian, who suddenly burst in opening the door forcefully, cut off his words.

“Erwin Rommel, that’s the name of the supervisor who will be appointed for a month this time, so everyone remember it. He’s a capable person who played an active role during the Great War and even received a medal from the Emperor, so learn everything you can from him.”

Grin─

“Oh, and… he’s several ranks higher than me, so know that I won’t be able to stop him if he scolds you. He seems to be quite stern.”

He said, slightly curling up his mustached philtrum.