〈 Chapter 1096 〉 Dark Moon
Rising at 6 AM for morning roll call.
Running drills in sync with the instructor’s commands, followed by washing up and breakfast. The slave meal was surprisingly plentiful – likely because they were both slaves and soldiers.
After breakfast came ideological education – praising the greatness of the FreeCell army, benefits of serving, and planting the hope of rising to high-ranking officer status someday.
“Simply a clever manipulation to more easily control our successfully created Battle Mages.”
Next came magic training, where we learned basics from active-duty Battle Mages.
Unit 211 hated this period.
Though forcibly initiated into magic through mana serum injections, he lacked any natural talent.
Despite learning a few basic spells, none had been successfully cast.
“Today we will conduct an exam. Those who fail to manifest magic will face consequences. You all know you’ve started learning magic far too late. So give it everything you’ve got.”
Most mages begin training around age 10 at the latest. Talented children are identified between ages 5-7, as younger minds accept mana more readily and form astral connections easier.
“Unit 31. You’re first. Step forward and demonstrate your magic.”
“Yes, Instructor Venus.”
A purple-haired woman stepped forth. Her pale skin and crimson eyes marked her as anything but ordinary. Her beauty was breathtaking, and her gait carried an aristocratic grace.
Instructor Venus watched Unit 31 with complex anticipation.
Her mana felt refined and orderly – normal so far, since I, a Class 1 Mage, could naturally sense another Class 1 Mage’s energy.
“…It’s not just the mana. Parts of the magical formula within it are visible… no, tangible.”
An indescribable sensation. Invisible yet seen, intangible yet felt.
I focused on Unit 31’s formula. Basic spell patterns arose in my mind. Over thirty percent of what she manifested was unfamiliar, yet deducing it proved simple.
“This magic is… Gust.”
She spoke. The formula completed, she unleashed its final incantation.
“Gust.”
A powerful wind surged forth.
Several children, myself included, staggered under its force. Barely managing to keep my balance, I watched as about ten kids near Unit 31 fell to the ground.
“Excellent, Unit 31. You may pursue your desired training.”
As usual, Unit 31 received special treatment.
“Thank you, Instructor.”
She calmly accepted the privilege and began reading a spellbook in the corner.
“Next, Unit 36.”
Instructor Venus called out the next subject.
A freckled boy nervously approached, immediately attempting to construct his formula upon the instructor’s nod.
“Failure. Compared to Unit 31, his mana control is wildly unstable.”
The formula itself was erratic; successful manifestation was impossible.
“Fire, FIRE!”
Pfft.
A small flame flickered briefly before dying out with a deflating sound. Unit 36’s face paled.
“Pathetic. Outside…
Follow the orders given to the soldiers in
Instructor Venus’s face was expressionless.
“…Yes, Instructor.”
Unit 36 walked out lifelessly.
The procedure Instructor Venus refers to is mana serum injection.
‘The name “mana serum” sounds fancy, but it’s really just a liquid mix of concentrated mana and drugs.’
Mana serum boosts mana affinity. At first glance, it seems beneficial, but it has side effects. It accelerates internal organ aging and shortens lifespan. Plus, when the serum is injected, an immense pain overwhelms the body. If you can’t endure the pain, your astral collapses, leading to death or becoming a vegetable.
Including me, the slaves here receive regular mana serum injections.
Though mana affinity increases immediately, it’s not good in the long term. Receiving serum too often like failed Unit 36 only brings you closer to your limit.
“Next, Unit 37.”
Instructor Venus continued the test.
“Unit 211, come forward.”
My turn arrived after 20 minutes. I swallowed hard as I stepped forward. So far, I had never successfully manifested magic.
“Don’t dawdle. Let’s get started.”
Instructor Venus spoke with a tone of irritation. Her gaze on me was completely emotionless, without even 1% expectation.
I focused my concentration. My astral responded to my will, and mana raced through the five mana rods. The mana rods constructed magical formulas with the mana. The formulas merged into one. I double-checked that the formula built through my astral was perfect.
All that remained was manifesting the magic.
I recited the incantation with tension.
“Light.”
A pure white sphere of light appeared. The light spread, illuminating the surroundings.
Instructor Venus’s eyes widened slightly before returning to normal.
“…A clean magic manifestation. Your skills have improved drastically compared to last time. Did you experience any revelations after yesterday’s mana reflux?”
“I’m not sure, but it feels easier for some reason.”
I gave a vague answer. Honestly, I didn’t expect to succeed so easily.
“Perhaps you unconsciously gained some insight. Sometimes that happens. Can you use other magics, Unit 211?”
Suddenly, I recalled the gust magic used by Unit 31. Though I just saw its formula for the first time, since it’s also a level 1 magic, it didn’t feel difficult. I probably could do it if I tried.
‘…No need to draw unnecessary attention here. If I fail, there won’t be much scolding either.’
Unit 31 receives special treatment. Causing friction with her would be unwise.
“…I might be able to use Fire magic.”
“Do it.”
Light and Fire are considered basic among level 1 magics. Their formulas are about 80% similar. As long as I don’t make major mistakes, manifestation shouldn’t be difficult.
“Fire.”
I formed the formula and chanted the incantation.
Whoosh.
In place of the sphere of light, an orange flame ignited.
The flame burning mid-air without fuel was truly magical.
“That’s enough. Extinguish it.”
At Instructor Venus’s command,
the flame disappeared at my will.
The instructor smiled in satisfaction.
“Perfect control as well. Unit 211, learn other magics. Personally, I recommend Ice. Have you learned Ice yet?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Learn Ice and compare it with Fire. Once you figure out which feels more natural, you’ll know your attribute. You seem capable of reaching level 2 smoothly… Starting now, preparing for specialization wouldn’t hurt.”
“Thank you.”
I saluted the instructor.
I felt somewhat dazed. Instructor Venus was known for being stingy with praise. So far, only Units 31 and I had received compliments from her.
“Next, Unit 212!”
Unit 212 succeeded in magic manifestation but only received encouragement to improve from Instructor Venus.
•••
After lunch, we undergo military training: drill, martial arts, marksmanship, strategy, etc.
The Battle Mage Project is, after all, a project to create combat mages for military use. Learning military drills and combat techniques is natural.
Today was marksmanship training.
Unit 211 was confident in drill and strategy, but weak in martial arts and…
Our marksmanship instructor was Lexi. She was a pink-haired woman with a short cut.
Instructors, regardless of gender, wore officer uniforms. The design, accented with black, was quite stylish.
Lexi greeted us with a hearty laugh, and for some reason—whether intentional or not—she had the top buttons of her uniform undone, revealing her ample bosom. I struggled to keep my eyes from wandering into the valley of her snowy cleavage.
“Alright, kiddos! Time for some fun shooting practice. You all know how important guns are, right? When your mana’s depleted, the only thing you can trust is a gun. No gun? Then all you can do is pray to Heaven.”
Lexi chuckled as she spoke what she thought were jokes, but none of us understood them.
She shook her head and said,
“Numbers 31 through 40, take your positions on the firing line. The rest of you, practice disassembling and reassembling your weapons!”
A cloth was spread out on the floor, and atop it lay a rifle. It was an FS66 model assault rifle, supposedly used by the elite soldiers of the Freesell Kingdom. Whether its performance was good or bad, I didn’t know.
Recalling the memories of Unit 211, I began disassembling the rifle. I knew the method, but due to lack of finesse, I got stuck a few times.
‘It’s not about brute force; it’s about pulling with precision.’
After repeating the process of disassembly and reassembly around ten times, I started getting the hang of it. Initially taking me about 50 seconds to disassemble, it now took only 30. Reassembly took about 10 seconds longer.
“Next. Numbers 211 through 220, take your positions on the firing line.”
I stepped onto the first firing position, aligning myself with the target. The target was 50 meters away. Upon being hit, it would be pushed backward. Number 31 held the current record, having once struck a target at an incredible 720 meters without a scope.
The highest record for Unit 211 was 310 meters.
“Begin firing!”
Bang bang bang.
Gunshots rang out from other firing lines.
‘Something feels off here… Can I adjust my stance?’
I glanced at Instructor Lexi. She was serious about marksmanship. Changing my stance arbitrarily might anger her.
‘Let’s change it. If she says anything, I’ll pretend it was a mistake. Surely she won’t waste magical essence just because I made one mistake, right?’
I relaxed my shoulders and waist slightly, tilting my body a bit to the left. This felt like the firing line was slightly tilted, so this adjustment helped.
‘Feels better.’
I pulled the trigger.
Twang!
The bullet pierced the exact center of the target.
The target moved back 50 meters.
I adjusted the muzzle slightly and fired again, hitting the center once more. I was slightly surprised.
‘Unit 211 never shot this well… Is this Sung Yoojin’s skill instead? Could I really have such talent for shooting?’
Still unsure, I pulled the trigger again. Even at 200 meters, I hit the bullseye. Another perfect shot.
‘Hmm. I’m starting to get the feel for it… The wind is picking up a bit.’
Calculating the wind felt harder than constructing a magical formula. I wasn’t confident in the accuracy of my calculations.
‘Let’s rely on instinct for the rest.’
Twang.
The bullet pierced the center of the target.
By the time I hit the 500-meter target, both Lexi’s gaze and the kids’ were fixed on me. I hesitated briefly but refocused on the target.
Hit.
Hit.
Another hit.
Before I knew it, I was aiming at the 720-meter target, previously the highest record set by Number 31.
‘I can barely make out the target…’
Even I began to lose confidence. With the target barely visible, calculating became difficult. So I relied half on instinct and pulled the trigger.
Twang.
The target moved further back, indicating a hit. My heart started pounding. I desperately tried to calm my excitement. Now wasn’t the time for that—I was still in the middle of shooting. Excitement wouldn’t help.
My highest record stopped at 850 meters.
I couldn’t hit beyond that since the target was no longer visible. If I could’ve seen it, I would’ve hit it. That’s how it felt.
With my heart threatening to burst, I lowered my weapon and turned around. Lexi was staring at me with a strange expression.
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