– The Slinia Valley Operation is the battle with the demons which has resulted in the greatest number of human casualties in history. Analyze the reason for the failure of the Slinia Valley Operation at that time and suggest the most appropriate alternative tactic and operation to capture the valley. (10 points)
Tick tock tick tock
In the quiet classroom, the ticking of the second hand of the clock urges the students amidst the rustling sound of pens.
This is the last written test of the midterm exams. It is the last problem of the “Fundamentals of Strategy” subject. Instead of the usual habit of twirling a knife, I twirl a pen and desperately rack my brains.
It is quite significant in terms of score weight, and because it is the last question on the test, it seems to be quite challenging. In fact, the Slinia Valley Operation is one of the most famous case studies of failure, and there are already many papers analyzed by experts far more competent than the current Academy students. However, what the professor is looking for is not such common answers. In fact, the truly important part of the question lies in the latter portion, my own opinion.
To be honest, I specialize in one-on-one combat and surprise attacks, not so much in group battles or tactics. I have learned a bit about these during the two months at the Academy, but compared to the other students, I inevitably fall short. I then jot down on the answer sheet at least a strategy that will capture the professor’s attention.
My answer is “deploy the hero.” What’s so special about it? In front of a hero, everyone gets one hit—you, me, everyone is equal. The Slinia Valley requires the attacker to inevitably pass through a narrow area, making it most suitable for the deployment of a small elite force. But if rather than a simple small elite team, a single hero is deployed, the problem is solved. Of course, due to the hero’s position at the time, political checks, or several reasons, it was difficult to deploy the hero in that situation, but that is not my concern. I somehow fill up the answer sheet with nonsense that even I can’t decipher in the end portion.
Anyway, since the practical test matters more than the written test, I can cover this shortage with the practical test score.
One of the reasons I can write this calmly is because I gave up the position of top student. If there is a monster like Selian, who excels both in written exams and practical tests, achieving the top position is a stretch anyway. Of course, there is a simple way to receive a full scholarship even without being the top student.
Just get the title of “Sword Master” or “Archmage,” and that’s all. Quite simple, right? Though it’s simple, it’s deathly difficult.
So I aim for partial scholarships. Exemptions like dorm fees or tuition fees… Part of my ability to feel this relaxed is due to the grace of the boss. I bow my head again toward Room 707 of the Magic Building where the boss is, though only in my heart. If I did this during an exam, it would be counted as cheating and I’d get zero points.
“Ah~ I think I failed the exam~”
After the last written test was over, Anne, who was the first to submit her answer sheet, approached Selian and me, lamenting.
If other students had said that, I might have thought they were trying to act cute, but with Anne, there’s no need to think too much. Anne indeed failed the test as she said. This is absolutely not insulting Anne. It’s a clear fact that everyone, including me, Selian, Yuli, and the students in our class, knows. A fact!
“Ahahaha… But still, it’s lucky that the content I said would definitely be on the test came up.”
Yuli, knowing this too, comforts Anne by patting her slumped back. While Selian gave me private lessons, Anne was receiving them from Yuli.
So, miss Anne got a free problem.
“What!? There was such a thing!?”
Ah, I overestimated Anne.
“Anyway, thanks to Selian, I think I did pretty well. I’ll ask again next time!”
“Yes, feel free to ask anytime.”
As always, she is kind. By the way, every time we were studying, Selian stuck close to me and helped with my studies, but when did she study her own? Looking at her self-scored marks, she’s got perfect scores in all subjects, which is mysterious indeed. Is this the level one must reach to be a hero?
“So, the only thing left is the mock battle, right? Alright~ I’ll definitely make up for it here!”
A deflated Anne has revived. It’s definitely true, Anne may have a… not-so-great head… but in the practical section, she ranks at the top.
She is exactly the opposite of Yuli. Yuli excels in written exams but lacks in practical exams, while Anne excels in practical exams but lacks in written exams.
“Alright! Let’s go!”
Following Anne, who ran off earlier at a distance, the three of us headed to the next test location.
“The test is taken individually. There are a total of 10 stages, starting from Stage 1 and advancing one stage at a time after passing each one. Since the monsters each person will face are all different, it doesn’t matter if someone goes later. Please come forward when you’re ready.”
“I’ll start first!”
As soon as Professor Den finished speaking, Anne enthusiastically raised her hand to volunteer.
“That’s good, student Anne Clein. Please step forward.”
Since this is a battle with monsters created by illusion magic, today there is no need to use wooden swords. Hence, Anne brought her own weapon.
Gagagag
The sound of Anne’s weapon scraping against the stone floor reverberates. Of course, it’s not that Anne is dragging it out of disrespect.
What Anne is holding in her hands is an absurdly large broadsword. Even the wooden sword used during practice, which was far taller than Anne, pales in comparison to the broadsword she is carrying now. It’s so massive that it would be more appropriate to call it a giant club rather than a sword. It lacks the characteristic sheen of a sword that would reflect sunlight. The blade edge appears to barely hold its presence. Despite its weight, which must be tremendous, Anne carries it effortlessly.
In the center, Anne looks excited to finally be wielding her real weapon.
“Let’s start by giving applause to the two assistant professors from the Department of Magic who worked hard for this. Their illusion magic skills are impeccable, so there’s no need to worry about getting injured. However, if you overestimate your abilities and push yourself too hard, it may result in demerits, so bear that in mind.”
Clap clap clap clap
To the applause, the two assistants bowed once to the professor and once to us. However, their appearances are pitiful. Their dark circles are so heavy that they can be seen from afar, and their movements lack energy.
“Alright, student Anne Clein. Let’s begin.”
At Professor Den’s gesture, the two assistants cast magic into the prepared magic circle on the arena. Then, three goblins appeared. Without knowing the overall difficulty, it’s uncertain whether stage 1 is too easy or too hard.
Even though they are illusions, the three goblins are approaching Anne while making loud threatening noises, and the quality is so high that it’s unimaginable they are illusions.
Sssk!
However, the goblins’ threats were utterly useless. With one slash of Anne’s massive sword, approaching with impossible speed, all three goblins were neatly cut in half. Whether they are illusions or monsters, it’s somewhat pitiable to see them meet such a swift end.
“Next!”
Anne shouted, clearly unsatisfied. But Anne, while it’s understandable she got so excited due to a real fight after so long, even addressing the assistant professors from another department disrespectfully… she seems lost in the moment.
However, the assistants didn’t mind and immediately summoned the next monster.
“Next, please!”
After catching my breath and getting ready, I called out to the assistants. The last monster I just defeated was a salamander. The stage was stage 8. This brought me up to the same level as Anne had cleared earlier. Of course, Selian scored a perfect by clearing stage 10.
Even if I stopped here, I’m guaranteed at least second place in the class. However, I still have more room to go.
Since I’m the last one from my class, even the exhausted assistants regained some vitality and summoned the monster’s illusion.
A massive Steel Bear appeared. Its characteristic, naturally, is its rock-solid defense and incredible strength.
Kang!
Despite its size, the Steel Bear rushed in a flash and struck with such force that a sound like steel colliding echoed as I blocked its arm.
No matter what, standing still and taking such attacks is impossible, so I deflected the impact by stepping back.
However, the Steel Bear closed the distance again swiftly and swung its massive arm once more with overwhelming strength.
Whoosh!
I bent my waist as a fierce wind sliced through the air just above my bowed head. Even though it’s only an illusion spell, the sensations feel incredibly real.
I swung my sword imbued with aura towards the Steel Bear’s empty abdomen.
Kang!
Even the aura that could easily cut through rock wasn’t sufficient to pierce the Steel Bear’s tough belly skin. However, upon closer inspection, a tiny crack appeared on its abdomen.
Enraged by this micro-fracture, the Steel Bear went wild.
Pang!
This time, I couldn’t dodge in time and was struck on the side. Even the illusion spell rendered the pain so realistically that I momentarily lost my senses due to the Steel Bear’s insane strength.
Since it’s just a mock battle, I thought the pain could’ve been handled more loosely.
Regaining my lost concentration and grip on my sword, I prepared for the next attack.
I had already learned about the Steel Bear’s weaknesses from Selian. The simplest method is to use fire magic.
Steel Bears, while armored in steel, are weak against fire. If exposed to fire, their bodies cook despite their armor appearing intact, causing them to disintegrate. In fact, older Steel Bears sometimes collapse due to the heat when the weather gets too warm. They truly are monsters with clear weaknesses.
If I were taking this exam in the Department of Magic, the difficulty might have been reduced by 1-2 stages, regardless of how strong the monsters are.
However, I can’t use fire as I’m wielding a sword and I don’t know magic.
So, I opted for the alternative strategy.
I dodged the Steel Bear’s frenzied attacks and persistently targeted its exposed abdomen. Every time my sword infused with aura clashed, the crack on the Steel Bear’s belly widened gradually.
And finally,
Crack!
With a final thrust, the solid armor of the Steel Bear broke, and I precisely pierced its heart.
Even if it is a monster, with the heart pierced, death is inevitable. The Steel Bear crumbled into powder and scattered into the air. Judging by the damage dealt just now, it was declared dead.
While it might look to onlookers like I defeated it smoothly by allowing only one hit, I almost got disqualified by that one blow. If I had been slower in regaining my senses, I would have been hit by the next attack for sure.
Dangerous or precarious, I’ve reached stage 9. With this, securing second place after Selian is confirmed.
Incidentally, Selian cleared up to stage 10, Anne challenged stage 9 but failed because of a disadvantageous counterpart, and Yuli cleared stage 3 and withdrew.
There’s just stage 10 left for me. If my turn had come before Selian’s, I would have challenged stage 10.
“I give up.”
But I retreat without further greed. It’s not that I lack competitiveness. With the score I’ve achieved, even if I fail after challenging and receive demerits, I’m still guaranteed second place. There’s a reason I don’t challenge.
“That was a good decision. In fact, when I prepared this exam, I didn’t expect any student to clear stage 10. Truly worthy of the Deretia family.”
It was due to Selian’s performance earlier. Selian had effortlessly cleared up to stage 9. Naturally, she challenged stage 10. There, the demon appeared.
As the demon was an illusion, the summoned demon probably didn’t even have a rank, let alone a name. Still, it’s not something a first-year could easily clear. It is a demon, after all.
Despite this, Selian easily defeated it. Although her aura and physical stats were only slightly better than mine even when estimated generously, her sword moved as efficiently as a machine, and she ruthlessly devastated the summoned demon without losing an inch.
“Everyone has worked hard on the midterms. Let’s take a good rest over the weekend and meet again for the next class!”
The students cheered at Professor Den’s words. Some students headed to the dormitory to catch up on the sleep they lost while studying, while others went out in groups to relieve the stress from the midterms.
Naturally, I’m with Selian, Anne, and Yuli.
“Yaaaarggh! Alright! Let’s go celebrate after the tests?”
With an odd roar and stretching her arms widely, Anne spoke first.
“Is there anywhere El wants to go?”
Yuli asked me after Anne’s words.
“Hmm? I’m kind of tired, but heading back to the dormitory feels a bit too early. How about that café I went to with Selian last time? Should we all go there?”
“Still, is the spot you hit earlier okay, El?”
“Hm? Oh, it’s fine. Since the pain was magic-generated, it completely disappeared once the exam ended.”
“But it must’ve hurt when you were hit, right? Are you really okay?”
As always, Selian is too kind. Though when she wields her sword, Selian is anything but kind.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. How about you, Selian? Any place you’d like to go?”
“I don’t mind going anywhere as long as it’s where El wants to go.”
Since no one is voicing an opinion, I was about to settle on the most neutral destination of a café when Anne struck first.
“Let’s go somewhere since we all worked up a sweat. How does there sound?”
I have no idea where “there” is, but since no one else has any other thoughts, we’ll just follow Anne.
And the place Anne led us to was
“Wait! This is a bathhouse!”
