Chapter 45: Practice Assignment

“…….”

Cadets hiding behind bushes held their breath, waiting for the enemy to come.

As if time had stopped and the world had frozen, in the stillness around them, incongruous figures took a step forward.

Swoosh—!

They moved like a single body and ambushed the uninvited guests.

The opponents were cadets from Bayern, like themselves.

To be more precise, they were the rival team from the same class attending the “Understanding Combat” lecture.

“Ambush!”

“Fall back for now!”

The “Understanding Combat” course aimed to give cadets as much real-world experience as possible.

That was why Instructor Prahan created varied environments and conditions for simulated battles among the cadets.

At first, the Blue Team won, then the Red Team won…

“Hmm.”

Standing alone on higher ground, Prahan surveyed the cadets going back and forth with satisfaction.

The sweat they shed now would save their lives in real combat.

Eventually, as the lecture time wound down, he gathered the cadets together for a final briefing.

“In this world, strong ones are everywhere. Many hide their strength in countless places. That is why the weak must learn how to face the strong. Conversely, when you become strong later, you must not fall prey to the weak’s tricks.”

The relationship between strong and weak was not a simple predator‑prey dynamic.

Depending on circumstances and conditions, the balance could reverse at any moment—an intense and delicate relationship.

Therefore, what Instructor Prahan wanted to instill in the cadets through this course was the knowledge to establish at least that minimal dynamic.

“Oh, and one more announcement. There will be an external field exercise during Week 5. It is scheduled to run three days, including the weekend starting Friday, so be aware.”

“…External field exercise?”

The cadets tilted their heads at the sudden announcement.

They looked at each other, apparently hearing the news for the first time.

“This decision was made today. It will be at least three days and may be extended depending on local conditions and schedule. Refer to the notice posted in the archive for details. That concludes today’s lecture.”

With a loud clap, Instructor Prahan ended the class.

“External exercise? Wasn’t that usually assigned as a midterm or final project?”

“I knew we’d go sometime mid‑term, but this is too soon.”

“Did the curriculum change?”

Most cadets had some understanding of Bayern’s training curriculum before the semester began.

If they were going out for field practice like this, they had to adjust schedules and prepare accordingly.

But hearing about an external exercise in Week 5 was completely new, so they were all puzzled.

“A subjugation mission.”

After moving to the cafeteria for lunch and quickly skimming the archive notice while eating, Maximilian spoke.

“Subjugation mission?”

“Yeah. There’s a region called Erendal near the eastern border where, when the weather warms up, beasts emerge—it’s infamous. It’s usually used as an Imperial Army training site, but looks like Bayern’s assigned one station this time.”

“So Bayern’s not the only one. Other academies are participating too.”

Carl checked the archive as Amy said.

As she mentioned, names of several academies appeared alongside Bayern’s.

“This wasn’t in NOX’s report.”

That meant higher‑ups made the decision and executed it quickly.

They said they’d increase practical training, and they seem to have acted decisively.

“The Empire is participating, and many knight orders too.”

“Hmm.”

At the mention of knight orders, Carl examined the roster more closely.

Of course, the “Raging Flame” Knight Order was listed too.

Would Carius, who was training there, come along?

“Oh, they’re assigning squads. Is that done by the instructors?”

“That part isn’t specified. It’d be fun if we end up in the same squad.”

“Only first‑years going?”

“That’s not clear yet.”

Nothing seemed finalized.

If senior cadets joined, maybe I’ll tell Luna to join our party.

‘Bringing others in could be good too.’

A large‑scale subjugation mission would attract many people from various places.

There would likely be additional hired personnel.

Silently infiltrating NOX agents among them wouldn’t be too difficult.

Swoosh.

A massive shadow fell behind Carl as he enjoyed tea time with friends after lunch.

Just as everyone lifted their heads in wonder, a thick hand suddenly reached out and roughly ruffled Carl’s hair.

“You were having tea time.”

“…Brother.”

Darius smiled broadly at his younger sibling and friends.

Maximilian and the other cadets, from high school to the university division, were about to stand up in deference.

Darius’s name was well‑known among them.

Seeing the juniors hesitate, Darius waved his hand with a hearty smile.

“It’s fine. Everyone, feel free to stay seated. Oh, and you can speak casually, right?”

“Yes, of course!”

Maximilian answered strongly.

Carl let out a faint chuckle, and then Darius put a hand on his shoulder and slightly bowed, speaking to the group.

“You’ve probably heard you’re going to the subjugation mission, right?”

“Yes. We just heard about it now.”

“A few senior cadets are joining as guides.”

“Oh, perhaps…”

As Carl widened his eyes slightly, Darius nodded, as if confirming.

“Yes, I’m going too. Carl, you’ll be your squad’s supervisor.”

The grip on Carl’s shoulder tightened.

As if pre‑declaring that escape was impossible.

Carl gave a wry smile and retorted.

“Aren’t you too busy with your final year?”

“No, I have plenty of time. I’m not planning to join a knight order like you. I’ve already finished all my graduation preparations.”

Darius pointed at himself with his thumb and wore a confident expression.

Had someone else said it, it’d sound arrogant—but coming from Darius, it became bold ambition.

“I thought it’d be best if familiar faces were together, so I plan to form the party like this. Everyone’s okay with that?”

“Is it okay to do as you please here?”

“The instructors made a special request. We were promised this much convenience, so don’t worry.”

“Then…”

Everyone looked pleased at the news they could be in the same party.

“Let’s see. It’s about ten people per party…”

Darius counted the numbers as he looked at the group.

Darius, Carl, Maximilian, Amy, Gale, Lien, and Pozers.

That made seven confirmed members.

“One more has to be selected from among the senior cadets, so we’ll leave that spot open. Any cadets you’d like to recommend for the remaining two?”

“Uh…”

Maximilian glanced around the group.

To be honest, he wanted it to be just the seven of them.

As everyone pondered who else to include, Carl looked up and spoke to his brother.

“What about Miss Laysis and Miss Yuria?”

“Ah, you said you’re close with both of them.”

Darius lifted the corners of his lips.

He hadn’t seen Yuria in person, but he had seen Princess Laysis before the entrance ceremony.

A princess of a nation would normally have too much pride to grow close easily.

As expected of his younger brother.

“Carl, ask those two and contact me through the archive. I need to organize the party by tomorrow, so I’m in a hurry.”

“Understood. By the way, is there anything else we should know?”

The senior cadets seemed to know more than the others.

So he casually asked, and Darius, thinking for a moment, made an “ah” expression.

“They say this practice carries a high grade weight. So don’t go into it thinking you can slack off. If you think you can’t keep up, say so in advance. You’ll be moved to another party.”

“…No, sir!”

Maximilian answered on everyone’s behalf.

Even if it got difficult, no one wanted to join a different party.

At that confident reply, Darius grinned and nodded.

“Good. I can’t say more about the confidential aspects yet, but it’s going to be pretty interesting. I’ve been on subjugation missions before, and this time seems to have a different atmosphere.”

Clap.

After finishing his words, Darius placed his hand on Carl’s shoulder and leaned in closer.

“And it sounds like Carius might come too.”

“As expected, is that so?”

“You were already expecting it. But even so, it’ll be hard to talk to him or face him directly. That side is also in knight order training, so the atmosphere will be quite solemn. He’ll have to be conscious of the Empire’s army and other observers. I know you’re perceptive, but I’m just making sure you know.”

He was warning him not to impulsively greet him out of joy.

Carl gave a faint smile and nodded.

“Don’t worry. Just seeing his face from a distance is enough.”

“Good. Anyway, the information will keep being updated in the archive announcements. The decision for the subjugation mission was made only recently, so even the higher-ups haven’t fully discussed all the details yet. So keep checking regularly.”

“Understood.”

“Seems like everyone will gather around Week 4 for a meet-and-greet. See you then. I won’t take up more of your time.”

Finally letting go of Carl’s shoulder, Darius waved lightly to the group and left.

“…….”

Carl rubbed his shoulder, still feeling the lingering heat.

Maybe because his brother was all muscle, his body temperature was quite high.

Could that hot-blooded personality stem from his body heat?

It felt like a storm had passed, so Carl sighed and looked up.

“…He’s so cool.”

“Huh?”

Carl looked confused at Maximilian’s sudden mutter.

Cool?

What part of that was cool?

“Right. Darius is your brother, isn’t he?”

“Yes. Didn’t you all already know?”

“I heard it at the start of the semester, but I forgot. He’s even more charismatic in person.”

Lien’s eyes sparkled as she looked toward where Darius had left.

Meanwhile, Amy, sipping her aide through a straw, rested her chin in her hand and smiled at Carl.

“You’re complete opposites. He’s like a raging volcano. It’s surprising how different siblings can be.”

“If I had to say, I take after our eldest brother, Carius.”

“Still, he’s cool. I’ve heard stories about him since we were in the high school division. They used to call him Bayern’s Red Beast.”

“…He’s an embarrassing brother.”

Red Beast?

Carl let out a wry sigh at the cringe-worthy nickname.

“After graduation, is he joining a different knight order?”

“I haven’t heard details, but he said he’ll probably travel for a while. He wants to see the world.”

“That sounds like him.”

Maximilian clenched his fist with determination.

Though the meeting was brief, he seemed already enamored with Darius.

‘Well, in a way, he’s like an upgraded version of Maximilian.’

Carl’s internal evaluation was blunt, but Darius’s strength was the real deal.

If Maximilian grew stronger and smarter, he might end up resembling Darius.

Carl imagined Maximilian charging ahead like Darius and gave a dry chuckle.

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