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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“That’s not it.”
Even I wouldn’t drop a Meteor. The conditions and personnel required to use it were extremely limited. When I clarified this, Second Lieutenant Debra responded in a tone of disbelief.
“Then why do you need five targets? If I cast a defensive spell on each one, the layers will overlap, making them harder to penetrate.”
“I want to determine the optimal output of each squad member.”
I recalled the titles listed on each squad member’s status window. Excluding Claude, Lumia, Belle, and even Roxana were classified as 1st-grade mages.
1st-grade mages.
While not Archmages, their raw firepower alone was equivalent to a platoon—or even a company, depending on their capabilities.
Considering that one magic company typically supported one infantry battalion, if we put aside all their flaws, our 5th Platoon could provide fire support for four infantry battalions, essentially an entire infantry regiment.
‘That’s insane.’
A platoon assembled from rejects, too talented to discharge, yet too difficult to manage if dispersed. Used effectively, we could cover not just our 2nd Company, but the entire 3rd Battalion.
“The magic we’ve used so far has mostly been for suppression or support. But in wartime, we’ll mainly be using offensive magic,” I said, turning away from Debra Bennett and addressing my squad.
“After Chief Debra Bennett inscribes the defensive barriers, you must use the most powerful magic you can. That way, I can accurately assess your capabilities.”
An evaluation depended on how well a commander or leader understood their personnel. But I knew next to nothing about my squad members.
Just bits and pieces about their personalities and pasts, and even that was incomplete.
I hadn’t specifically asked about Lumia Blyue’s past. Even with sufficient mutual trust, there was no need to pry into potentially sensitive areas out of mere curiosity.
I had a vague understanding of her general disposition, which was enough to manage the platoon and empathize with her. However, ability was a completely separate issue from understanding their pasts and personalities.
I needed to know:
How powerful was Lumia Blyue, a certified 1st-grade mage?
What were the limits of Belle Meyer, whose mana runaway could destroy the entire battalion?
What would happen if Claude, with a Combat Power stat of 90, went all out?
And even though Roxana was a risk… having accepted her as a squad member, I needed to determine the safe range for her Mana Heart Disease.
You never knew. Life, especially in Hearts of General, was unpredictable. While the war was set for five years later, sometimes it started earlier.
Or the timeline might be delayed, but we’d face a stronger enemy. There were countless scenarios: pushing through the enemy lines only to have a coup erupt in the rear, or securing the rear only to have the front lines collapse, leading to the capital’s fall.
That was the nature of war.
And the nature of life. As long as the future remained shrouded in fog, I had to witness the full extent of my squad members’ capabilities.
“Hold on, hold on. Why are you being so dramatic? I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”
“Didn’t you say you would?”
“That was just for you! I need mana to deploy defensive magic too!”
“Is that so…?”
I glanced at Belle Meyer. She nodded, confirming Debra’s words.
“That’s right, Platoon Leader. While Second Lieutenant Debra is proficient with 2nd-grade magic barriers, it will be difficult for her to cast five simultaneously.”
“Hmm…”
With Belle agreeing, I had nothing to say. Were defensive spells that difficult to handle?
“Then, how about just two for now…”
“Actually, Enoch, how about this?”
Second Lieutenant Debra Bennett snapped her fingers, as if struck by a brilliant idea.
“You cast the defensive spells.”
“Me? You mean me?”
“Yes. You’re doing this to assess your squad members’ abilities, right? You can’t rely on me forever.”
She had a point. Training had to be sustainable. It couldn’t be a one-time event. Especially to prepare for the upcoming war, I needed to create my own training curriculum.
The current Ukrainian army doctrines were outdated garbage.
“You’re right.”
“I’m more interested in this approach. I’m a Red Mage, but I’m much more confident in defensive magic,” Debra Bennett added with an intriguing smile.
“If you can successfully deploy a 3rd-grade magic barrier in one go, it would prove you’re a crazy genius.”
She was right. The concept of defensive magic was to effectively neutralize enemy Red Mage attacks.
A standard 3rd-grade magic barrier should easily withstand intermediate offensive magic and even advanced magic under certain conditions.
Let alone a 2nd-grade barrier. It wouldn’t break from just one or two advanced magic attacks.
“And if you’re right, there’s no need to use a 2nd-grade barrier. Even if they can only break a 3rd-grade barrier, it still means they possess considerable destructive power.”
“I believe all my squad members are proficient in advanced magic.”
“Of course they should be. But that doesn’t mean they can casually break a 3rd-grade barrier every time with advanced magic,” Debra Bennett asserted firmly.
Ultimately, defensive magic was a spell and tactic I, as a Magic Officer, needed to understand. Moreover, the wider and stronger the barrier I could create, the more valuable I became as a Military Mage.
“Can you really teach me?”
“Of course. Watch closely.”
Debra slowly approached the target and extended her hand. Mana flowed into the bark covering the wood, and a red magic circle unfolded on top. Mana emanating from her fingertips connected and layered densely upon the magic circle.
In the blink of an eye, a defensive barrier enveloped the scarecrow. It was a dense barrier, its form easily perceptible even to someone with no knowledge of magic.
Due to the high purity of mana, the burning mana of fire was palpable in the air.
“So, this is a 2nd-grade magic barrier…”
Now equipped with knowledge of magic, I understood the significance of this ability. In Hearts of General, magic barriers were a crucial spell.
Essential for protecting facilities and allies from enemy magic bombardment and infiltration. Even in the late game, where technological advancements outpaced magic firepower, diminishing the role of magic troops, defensive magic remained useful.
Currently, it couldn’t withstand bullets due to various limitations, but with steady research, defensive magic capable of blocking the physical force of bullets and shells would eventually appear.
“Do you understand the mana structure?”
Second Lieutenant Debra asked after she finished casting, seeing me staring blankly at the barrier.
“Yes, I understand.”
“You should be able to create a 4th or 3rd-grade barrier for a target like a scarecrow. Give it a try.”
I started manipulating mana as Debra Bennett had instructed. Red mana flowed from my mana core. I picked up one of the targets stacked nearby and set it up some distance away from Debra Bennett’s barrier to minimize any potential interference.
After creating enough distance, I closed my eyes and focused my senses. Since the Chernoe City incident, I had been practicing magic alone in this open space.
I inhaled the thin air filling the space and calmly controlled my mana. Thanks to Reserve Second Lieutenant Edward’s examination, medication, and Roxana Elim’s quick first aid, my mana core had stabilized quickly.
Perhaps I could create a 2nd-grade magic barrier.
‘Visualize a solid wall, a small magic circle. Maximize mana density.’
Magic was like programming. Quickly arranging mana and then running the calculations. With a reference point like this, the processing speed became much more efficient.
“Protection.”
As the incantation ended, the defensive barrier I created appeared over the scarecrow. Unlike Debra’s, which had enveloped the target like armor, my barrier was tilted at a 45-degree angle, forming a tray-like shape protecting the head and body.
Since it was my first time using this magic, the quality was noticeably lower.
“Well… not bad. 3rd or 4th-grade barriers usually take this form,” Second Lieutenant Debra said, shrugging.
“Still, a bit disappointing. Maybe because of the 45-degree angle, the mana density is uneven.”
“It can’t be helped. It’s my first time deploying a magic barrier.”
“I took that into account. Don’t worry. For a first attempt, it’s excessively good. Most people fail.”
Debra offered a belated compliment to encourage me, but it felt like a slap on the wrist followed by a pat on the back. I couldn’t help but feel a little bitter.
“Now, let me try breaking it. It looks like it can only block intermediate-level magic…”
Debra casually flicked her wrist, and a thick fire arrow materialized in the air, speeding towards the magic barrier.
Intermediate Red Magic, Blaze Ballista. A spell often used against magic barriers, maximizing penetration power instead of explosive force.
Since Debra Bennett was at least a 2nd-grade mage, she should have easily shattered my imperfect barrier.
-Crack, clang!
Instead of the sound of shattering glass, the sound of magic ricocheting off the barrier struck my ears.
“…Huh??”
The Blaze Ballista dispersed into the air without penetrating the barrier.
“Hmm… It’s unexpectedly sturdy, despite its appearance. Is it because of your talent?”
Debra seemed slightly surprised but quickly brushed it off and prepared her next spell.
“Let’s try something bigger this time!”
Unlike the Blaze Ballista, which she cast with a simple gesture, this time mana gathered around the second lieutenant.
‘Solar Prominence!’
I easily recognized the spell she was preparing. A spell that engulfed the area in a massive inferno upon impact, with a force comparable to a solar flare.
It was the same spell Belle Meyer had mistaken my flare for. Indeed, Solar Prominence’s visual effect resembled throwing a miniature sun.
Among advanced Red Magic, it was considered highly destructive. Even I didn’t think I could block this. The mana density of my barrier must have been disrupted after deflecting the Blaze Ballista.
“Haah!!”
With Debra Bennett’s shout, a highly compressed mass of flames hurtled towards the magic barrier.
-BOOM!!!!
The ground shook upon impact, and acrid dust billowed into the air. The power was tremendous. Through the thick dust, I saw flames raging like hell.
It was broken. It was to be expected, but I felt a pang of disappointment. Even with MAX stats, some things were impossible.
But then…
“Wh-What???”
Debra Bennett exclaimed in astonishment. Belle and Lumia, who had been observing, also wore expressions of shock.
Could it be?
I turned my head towards the target, and the sight that greeted me… was the scarecrow, standing firm amidst the earth-scorching flames.
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