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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“Arriving at the 3rd Battalion shortly.”
“Understood.”
Colonel Viktor Zelensky, the Northern Corps Magic Staff Officer, replied in a serious tone. The 3rd Battalion. A unit he’d been hearing about frequently in recent reports.
“They were instrumental in repelling the bandits who attacked Belgorod Fortress during the 8th Division’s recapture operation, and this time, they responded to the National Military Police’s request for cooperation and successfully identified a traitor within a day…”
“It seems they also single-handedly resolved the Chernoe City issue, which had been a major headache for the Corps Inspectorate.”
“That was the Military Police’s achievement, not the second lieutenant’s.” Viktor drew a clear line. His adjutant quickly corrected him.
“Still, we can’t deny that he provided crucial evidence and assistance.”
Viktor finally nodded. The name had reached even him, someone who usually didn’t care about external affairs. While he didn’t dismiss the possibility of genuine talent, he suspected there was a significant amount of hype.
‘First Lieutenant Enoch Levandal, was it?’
The magic officer who was currently the hottest topic in the Corps Magic Staff Office. Even Viktor Zelensky couldn’t help but be intrigued by the fact that a mere rookie, only one month after commissioning, received a direct promotion from King Orlando Luce himself.
‘This evaluation is essentially to assess that lieutenant’s abilities.’
Company evaluations were typically just formalities, tedious affairs. Observing such irregularities was a form of entertainment for Viktor Zelensky, the Corps Magic Staff Officer.
They would either surprise him or become the subject of his ridicule. Viktor Zelensky smiled faintly, looking at the approaching battalion.
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“Is the 5th Platoon ready?”
Company Commander Captain Arendt Schultz asked. I glanced at my squad members and confidently replied, “Yes, sir.”
“While this is a company evaluation, it seems Colonel Viktor, the evaluator, is more interested in your platoon, Lieutenant Enoch. Just perform as you always do.”
“Understood, Company Commander.”
“As reliable as ever. I’m counting on you.”
He gave a satisfied smile and walked away. Captain Arendt’s relaxed demeanor, despite it being a company evaluation, was likely due to Colonel Viktor’s focus on my platoon. The plan was to showcase the 1st Platoon, the company’s elite, first, drawing attention with flashy offensive magic.
Then, our platoon would be given our scenario last. Colonel Viktor Zelensky likely wouldn’t pay much attention to the other platoons or evaluation items. Even with his meticulous nature, he tended to overlook minor issues. It was the same in the Korean military.
“Sergeant Roxana, how are you feeling today?”
“I slept well last night.”
“Good.”
Claude and Lumia would demonstrate the offensive magic. The idea was to showcase different defensive methods against different magical attributes, now that we had a successful technique.
Claude would demonstrate lightning magic, maximizing penetration and speed, followed by Lumia with fire magic, maximizing explosive power and range. This would also demonstrate some resistance to lightning magic, as Claude had pointed out earlier, which would impress Colonel Viktor Zelensky, the evaluator.
The evaluator appeared among the neatly lined-up soldiers. Colonel Viktor Zelensky, approaching while conversing amicably with Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart Cromwell.
A middle-aged man with a clean-shaven head that suited him well. His typical Slavic features gave him a rather imposing presence. He certainly looked the part of a Corps Magic Staff Officer.
“Glory to the Motherland!”
“Glory.”
Viktor returned the salute of Company Commander Arendt, who was waiting in the center, and shook his hand.
“Well, let’s not waste time. Proceed with the evaluation.”
“Understood. Each platoon, to your positions!”
“To your positions!”
The company members moved swiftly at Captain Arendt’s command. The first up was, as expected, the 1st Platoon.
“Platoon, deploy!”
Eight mages quickly dispersed at First Lieutenant Crenfuss Adel’s booming command.
“Enemy: one mixed infantry regiment. The 2nd Company’s 1st Platoon has been deployed to secure a retreat route for a surrounded friendly division” the colonel said, expertly outlining the scenario without even looking at a script, as if he knew it by heart.
“No enemy magic or artillery support. They’re maintaining a siege with a double-layered defense line.” It was clearly a main attack and breakthrough scenario.
“The Company Commander may issue orders to the subordinate platoons.”
I watched First Lieutenant Crenfuss Adel’s response carefully, jotting down notes in my notebook. I was a Hearts of General player and a former army officer, but that was it. My understanding of strategy in this era, especially regarding magic troops, was lacking compared to other aspects.
Knowledge is power. I was a first lieutenant by promotion, but my actual abilities were no different from a newly commissioned second lieutenant. I had to absorb as much information and know-how as possible.
“The 1st Platoon will deploy in a 4th formation and penetrate the enemy’s depth. Focus fire with Red Magic on the right and left flanks, break the enemy’s momentum, and then breach the defensive line!”
As soon as Company Commander Arendt relayed the order to the 1st Platoon,
“Deploy 4th formation!”
“4th formation!”
The various colors of mana emanating from the 1st Platoon leader and his squad members filled the air. There was a reason the 1st Platoon, the most elite, was given the ‘main attack and breakthrough’ scenario.
This scenario encompassed close-range and long-range bombardment, as well as defense against enemy infantry. With engagements mostly taking place within 100-200 meters, magic troops naturally played a role similar to modern tanks.
They would unleash suppressive fire with less than ten personnel, breach the enemy’s first line of defense, then provide close-range fire support to allow friendly infantry to secure the breakthrough. That was the current role of magic troops.
BOOM!!
Flames, like tank fire, erupted at the front. Magic bombarded the area relentlessly, shaking the ground.
“Charge!”
“Waaaaah!!”
The platoon leader, judging the suppression sufficient, drew his pistol and charged. The magic troops followed, drawing their own weapons. A textbook breakthrough strategy. First Lieutenant Crenfuss, reaching the designated position in an instant, raised both arms with a satisfied expression.
It was a clean, flawless strategy, even in my eyes. It might be suicidal by modern military standards, but in this era, without machine guns, trenches, or barbed wire, it was effective. However, Viktor Zelensky’s expression was grim.
“Is that all?”
“Yes, sir. Considering the terrain and the given scenario, we estimate two lightly wounded friendly casualties.”
“Incorrect. There are three seriously wounded, including yourself, and one dead.”
“I beg your pardon…!?”
First Lieutenant Crenfuss asked urgently, but Viktor only scribbled on the evaluation sheet.
“Six out of ten. Let’s move on to the next scenario.”
Captain Arendt Schultz looked bewildered by the merciless sinking of the company’s elite platoon. Neither the commander nor the other platoon leaders seemed to understand why the 1st Platoon leader received such a harsh evaluation.
The subsequent scenarios didn’t go smoothly either. The results were far from satisfactory, and Battalion Commander Lockhart’s expression soured.
“This company’s current average score is 5.7. Quite decent.”
A 5.7 was considered “decent”? Just how harsh was he? I understood why Second Lieutenant Debra Bennett both loathed and feared Colonel Viktor Zelensky.
“Now, the last platoon… This is a scenario involving defense against enemy magic troops.” Viktor Zelensky’s gaze flicked over to me.
“The platoon leader is First Lieutenant Enoch Levandal. Begin the command, Company Commander.”
“Ah, yes…”
Captain Arendt, who had been confident before the evaluation, now looked completely deflated. So, the last hope was me and the 5th Platoon.
“Sigh.”
I took a deep breath and exchanged glances with my squad members.
“Let’s just do what we always do.”
“Don’t worry!”
Lumia declared, pumping her fist. I mirrored their trust in me with my own confidence in them.
“The 2nd Company’s 5th Platoon’s position has been identified by enemy scouts. Incoming long-range bombardment with intermediate Red Magic is expected. No friendly troops nearby. Survive the enemy attack using only the platoon’s capabilities.”
“Could you hold on a moment?”
I stepped forward, addressing Viktor Zelensky.
“We’ll conduct this with live fire.”
“Live fire?”
“Yes. Two of my squad members will directly attack the magic barrier with intermediate Red Magic.”
I looked at Lumia and Claude. The evaluator’s eyes lit up with interest.
“Alright. Proceed.”
I had already discussed this with the Company Commander. Ignoring the surprised looks of the other platoon leaders, I walked towards the open space.
‘Everything’s going according to plan.’
Roxana had practiced diligently and could now cast the magic barrier without piggybacking on me. We were fully prepared.
“Then, let’s begin!”
As soon as I declared confidently, Roxana’s magic barrier deployed. Simultaneously, Lumia and Claude’s spells struck.
Whirr—! KABOOM!!!
In an instant, firepower far exceeding anything demonstrated by the other platoons engulfed the open space.
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Ah, the smell of potential upgrades…