Oh, Such an Advanced System?

Thud─ Thud─

From one end of the hall to the other, the clear sound of footsteps filled the vast space, creating an echo.

“The speech was excellent.”

“Haha, was it?”

“Yes. The cadets were staring intently, focusing. Isn’t that a testament to the principal’s overwhelming presence?”

“Thank you for the kind words, even if they’re just flattery.”

The owners of those footsteps were none other than the Imperial officer corps including Rustet and Gartel, and researchers of various races who would be in charge of running this training…

“Then, everyone, please come this way.”

And Serty, who was leading the personnel while being tasked with the overall management and supervision of the survival training.

“It’s very spacious.”

“A lot of money was invested.”

“Oh, it seems so.”

The commanders, or rather the two most authoritative among them, Rustet and Gartel, exclaimed in admiration as they appreciated the surrounding scenery.

“I never thought there would be such facilities here…”

“That’s why we can boast that this is the world’s best training center. The research team has worked hard to create the most scientifically advanced training system possible.”

It was just as Gartel said as he looked around, stroking his mustache.

Although it was clearly an environment closer to the wild, several miles away from the Sevirpol training ground, a majestic building stood firmly in place.

No, it was even larger than the research institute at the training ground.

It wasn’t just impressive in appearance.

Even the interior was a feast of sights that left one’s mouth agape.

“Cadet coordinates all received!”

“Monster condition check completed normally!”

“No problems with the terrain…”

Numerous researchers moving busily──

The sight of elves, dwarves, and humans mingling together without distinction of race, hurrying to prepare for the current training, was truly spectacular.

“It’s really… amazing.”

“I agree with Gartel’s words.”

These sentiments were shared by these two men as well.

How continuously impressive was it?

After announcing the start of survival training to the cadets and arriving at this vast forest where monsters were released, they encountered one grand scene after another without interruption.

‘It’s the first time I’ve felt envious.’

Rustet tightly clenched his hands behind his back, wondering what it would feel like to work in such a place for years.

Of course, it was a training ground he visited every year.

After all, this place was created as a joint project between the Empire and the Federation.

But with each visit, the sight of its development stirred a sense of possessiveness.

If I were the principal of this place…

If I could use all these facilities freely every day…

I could work the naive first-year cadets to death, making them more capable than any officer in the Empire.

“Tsk.”

It’s regrettable, truly regrettable.

Rustet clicked his tongue and followed Serty.

“Everyone, please sit here.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s very soft.”

“It’s a sofa made from processed red-furred wolf, a monster species known as the best leather. You’ll be comfortable.”

Finally arriving at their destination.

Serty stopped all the commanders and seated them around a very large table with a huge map on it.

As he boasted, the commanders’ legs sank in, creating a sensation that couldn’t be expected from ordinary chairs.

“Oh, ohh…”

“It seems better than my office.”

Even the other commanders who had been silent until now spoke with lively, sparkling eyes.

“Now, you’ll be able to check the movements of the Astrahan Military Academy students here.”

“Oh? How?”

“I was about to explain… Ah, here it comes. Let’s take a look at our cutting-edge system-.”

After confirming that everyone was seated, Serty immediately tapped the table lightly to focus attention and continued speaking step by step.

And sometime after the explanation ended,

Clap clap─!

He immediately clapped his hands a couple of times, giving a signal.

“Then we’ll begin!”

“We’ll start receiving signals!”

At that, the researchers who had been stationed here originally and many who came with the commanders simultaneously stood up and moved to their respective positions.

Tap, tap tap─!

The two elf researchers in charge of the map on the table began placing cubic stones with tense expressions.

More precisely,

Stones with different numbers written on them.

“Hmm?”

The commanders tilted their heads at first, but soon understood the current action and didn’t ask for additional explanations.

Anyone could see what those were.

Of course, Gartel, who boasted the best intuition among the commanders, had already figured out their identity and watched with a satisfied smile.

‘Yena’s team is there.’

More specifically, the movement of a particular stone.

It didn’t take long to realize that those numerous stones represented the cadets.

Words like ’10-1′ or ‘8-5’, representing class and order, were more strange not to know, as the instructors had already memorized them to the point of boredom.

Everyone could tell.

Where the students of the class they were in charge of were.

‘It’s amazing.’

That’s why a chuckle escaped.

Isn’t this truly an incredible system?

“Move that to the left!”

“Understood!”

“Those in charge of the corners, go the opposite…”

“That’s crooked…”

Researchers receiving and interpreting Morse code in real-time about the cadets’ positions and the monsters’ life and death through communication devices, and some applying it to the map…

Over a hundred personnel──

It could truly be called an advanced training system created by grinding the Federation’s manpower and the Empire’s scientific technology.

‘To be able to know the progress of the training while comfortably drinking coffee.’

How much more convenient has the world become?

Gartel crossed his legs and rested his chin on one hand propped on the armrest, watching the map where stones were moving in real-time.

Clank─!

Soon, while looking at the map, he stood up, breaking the silence that had fallen among the commanders.

How could an instructor overlook this!

When being introduced to such an amazing new technology!

“It’s impressive, Research Director Serty. I understand you haven’t been appointed for long, but to have already established such a system, I think it’s something for us instructors to learn from.”

Clap, clap, clap.

Gartel clapped his hands with an intermittent rhythm.

“Y-Yes. It’s amazing!”

“I feel renewed awe for our President who signed the military treaty with the Federation, haha.”

Perhaps due to his authority.

Clap clap clap─!

The commanders, as if trying to catch Gartel’s eye, hurried to agree with his opinion and clapped, the sound that had been lightly echoing in the hall suddenly grew into a thunderous effect.

“Alright, that’s enough, everyone sit down.”

Of course, even that,

Stopped abruptly like a taut string being cut with just one word from Rustet.

“Yes, yes. Understood.”

“Watching the training should be our priority, haha…”

The commanders reacted as if embarrassed.

And Gartel, smiling faintly, sat back down.

“Research Director, could we have a few cups of coffee? I’d like to start appreciating the children’s movements.”

As soon as the commotion died down, Rustet asked,

Hiss, whoosh─!

Taking out a match and lighting his pipe.

“Certainly, please watch first. Ah, and if you want to hear detailed information about specific cadets, you can put on the headset located in front of you.”

“Thank you.”

Then he put on the headset as Serty instructed and focused on the front.

Click, click─

It’s natural for instructors to follow when the principal moves-

The men with shining medals on their chests all put on headsets at once and sharpened their gaze, following Rustet.

“The training begins!”

“Now we’re getting into the real work!”

Rattle, rattle─

Towards the hundreds of stones moving by pushing rods.

‘I hope they catch a lot of monsters.’

And Gartel, who stood out among them with his distinctive presence, watched the team Yena belonged to with raised eyebrows.

---

“It’s hot.”

And humid.

On the other hand, it’s stuffy.

“I’m scared…”

A vast forest reminiscent of the Amazon from the old world.

The lush trees that had grown to the point where monsters could jump out from anywhere evoked a fear of the unknown.

“Ye-Yena. Let’s go together.”

“Alright.”

No wonder Erika was so scared?

According to Principal Rustet’s explanation this morning, nearly three hundred monsters had been released in this forest alone, so it wasn’t strange to feel such fear.

‘I wish I could see them soon.’

Of course, this didn’t apply to me.

Rather, I was salivating.

Wouldn’t I engage in more intense battles when meeting stronger creatures than the weakened monsters with their teeth and claws all pulled out on hard cement blocks? Couldn’t I also aim for unexpected mana growth as a result?

‘There’s no risk of getting hurt either.’

I tapped the protective gear attached to various parts of my body.

Bang bang─!

The sound effect of magic stone alloy plates was heard.

It was reassuring.

Starting with this amazing armor protecting the body, a detection device that would bring instructors running in life-threatening situations, and finally a machine transmitting location – what was there to worry about?

‘I want to meet them soon.’

Even monsters with hideous appearances were just lovely bags of fortune to me now.

My heart was pounding and my blood was boiling.

I hoped to start the anticipated battle as soon as possible.

With whom?

“Don’t cause trouble, Wolf.”

“Haha, alright. I’ll listen to everything you say, okay?”

With these team members walking together here.

‘At least that’s fortunate.’

I glanced at those two continuing their meaningless conversation.

Rina was acting as a kind of neutralizer.

It was admirable how she was trying to make the atmosphere even slightly more amicable.

‘She seems like a child with a not-bad personality.’

Although she had attempted to investigate me, there wasn’t any particular damage, so I didn’t have any special feelings.

I would get angry if there was harm, but how could I feel resentment when I rather gained many benefits by holding onto Helena? Given the substantial information I obtained from her, rather, goodwill was blooming in my heart.

But Wolf was different.

As it was so clear that I had suffered damage due to his plot, it was simply impossible to let it pass.

Moreover, not knowing when he might attack again.

Right now, we don’t know if a crisis might strike in this situation.

I couldn’t forgive him.

I wouldn’t be satisfied until I saw the end of him.

Even if it wasn’t my will, it seemed the situation had already flowed to an irreversible phase, and to realize my grand plan, I had to win this dirty fight.

I had no intention of retracting my resolve.

I wouldn’t even show mercy like in Rina’s case.

“Yena, don’t act alone on your side either.”

“I understand.”

I nodded at Rina’s insistent voice.

I didn’t show it on the outside.

For now, it was best to appear as an innocent cadet who knew nothing to Wolf.

Although I was very carefully sharpening my knife in my heart.

That must be the same for him too.

“Ye-Yena.”

“What?”

“Ta-da! How is it?”

“What is this?”

“A worm.”

“……”

For that reason, even in the moment when Erika was weaving grass bundles to create strange objects, I never let go of the thread of tension.

‘Still, can I be a little relieved this time?’

If there was any consolation, the possibility of Wolf attacking me in this training was small.

Manfred, who had a secret meeting with him, wasn’t in charge, and unless he had a brain as dull as a goldfish, he wouldn’t attack me.

This was team training now.

My injury would also affect his score.

It was a principle that if even one team member was seriously injured, everyone would lose points for failing to demonstrate teamwork.

In the end, if we fight now, the chances of failing the qualification screening would increase…

Wouldn’t even Wolf refrain from picking a fight?

He’s the scion of the Streman family after all.

He should have at least the ability to read the situation, so he must be scheming some vicious plan against me.

‘Should I focus on monster hunting first?’

In any case, obtaining a high score in the current survival training was the top priority,

Rustle, rustle─!

I decided to forget about the past for a moment and focus only on the scene before me, roughly pushing through the grass.

“Groooo──!”

The moment I finally heard the monster’s cry,

“I think it would be better to go that way first.”

“…Alright.”

“Tsk. Who are you to give orders?”

“Okay!”

I took a step forward, leading my team members.