“It’s not like that.”
No matter who I am, I won’t drop a meteor. The conditions and people capable of using it are extremely limited from the start.
I clarified it firmly, and Deputy Commander Debra Bennett replied as if she didn’t understand.
“But why do we need five targets? If we put defensive magic on each target, the overlapping layers would make it much harder to break through.”
“I want to know each squad member’s appropriate output.”
I recalled the titles listed in the status window for each squad member. Excluding Claude, Lumina, Bella, and even Roxanna were classified as Grade 1 Mages.
Grade 1 Mages.
Even if they aren’t Archmages, purely in terms of firepower, they can pour out the force of at least a squad, if not more depending on their capabilities, equivalent to at least a platoon.
Considering that typically one mage battalion assists one infantry battalion, this meant that our fifth squad alone could provide the firepower support equivalent to four infantry battalions, or an entire infantry regiment.
“Crazy.”
A squad composed of underperformers who are too talented to discharge but too difficult to manage if dispersed.
If utilized properly, this squad could cover not just our second company but potentially the entire third battalion.
“The magic we’ve used so far has mostly been for subduing or supporting. However, during wartime, offensive magic will be primarily used.”
After turning my back on Deputy Commander Debra Bennett, I spoke to the squad members.
“If Chief Facility Manager Debra Bennett inscribes the defensive barrier, you should use your maximum magical ability. Only then can I accurately assess your strength.”
Assessment depends on how well a commander understands the members of their organization.
But right now, I knew nothing about the squad members.
All I knew were vague details about their personalities and pasts, which I wasn’t even sure I had fully grasped.
I never specifically asked or brought up Lumina Bluie’s past.
Even if mutual trust was sufficiently established, there was no need to pry into parts that made others uncomfortable out of mere curiosity.
I only vaguely understood the general feel of things.
That was enough for running the squad and empathizing with Lumina.
However, assessing abilities is a completely separate issue from understanding the squad members’ pasts and personalities.
How far could Lumina Bluie, who proudly bears the title of Grade 1 Mage, go?
What extent could Bella Meyer reach, who could annihilate an entire battalion if her mana surged out of control?
What would happen if Claude, with a combat stat of 90, went all out?
…Roxanna was dangerous, though.
Now that I had firmly accepted her as a squad member, it was necessary to verify where her safe zone, free from mental illness, lies.
Who knows?
Life is unpredictable, especially in Hearts of General.
Though war is set to break out in five years, sometimes it starts earlier depending on circumstances.
Sometimes, instead of delaying the deadline, stronger forces are faced.
Sometimes, advancing the front line results in a coup from behind, or stabilizing the rear leads to the front being thoroughly plundered, resulting in the capital being seized.
War is inherently unpredictable.
Life itself is inherently unpredictable.
Amidst the fog that obscures every inch ahead, I must see the maximum power of the squad members with my own eyes.
“Hold on, hold on. Why are you speaking so solemnly? I haven’t agreed yet.”
“You said you would help earlier.”
“That was only for you! I also lack mana to deploy defensive magic!”
“…Is that so?”
I glanced at Bella Meyer. She nodded in agreement with Debra’s statement.
“Yes, Squad Leader. Although Deputy Commander Debra handles second-grade mage barriers well, deploying five simultaneously would be quite challenging.”
“Hmm…”
With Bella’s stance, there was nothing else to say. Was defensive magic really that difficult to handle?
“Then let’s try at least two…”
“No, wait. How about this, Squad Leader Enok? What do you think?”
Deputy Commander Debra Bennett seemed to have a sudden idea, snapping her fingers as she spoke.
“You’ll deploy the defensive magic.”
“What? Me?”
“Yes. It’s for assessing your squad members’ abilities, after all. You can’t always rely on me.”
Hearing that, it did sound reasonable.
Training must be sustainable. It shouldn’t end with ‘And that’s it.’
Especially when preparing for future wars, I needed to create my own training curriculum.
The current Okhraine Army’s military doctrine is outdated trash.
“I agree with that.”
“I’m also more interested in this side. I’m a mage of red, but I’m much more confident in defensive magic.”
Debra Bennett smiled with interest, adding,
“At least if you can successfully deploy a third-grade mage barrier once, it means you’re a mad genius.”
Indeed, the concept of defensive magic itself is to effectively neutralize enemy mage attacks.
Even a standard third-grade mage barrier needs to block at least intermediate-level offensive magic, and under certain conditions, high-level magic as well.
For a second-grade barrier, even high-level magic couldn’t penetrate it.
“And if what you said is true, there’s no need to use a second-grade barrier. If you can break a third-grade barrier, it’s enough to boast tremendous killing power.”
“I assume all squad members can handle high-level magic to some extent.”
“Of course they can. But it doesn’t mean they can arbitrarily destroy third-grade barriers every time they use high-level magic.”
Debra Bennett strongly argued.
Defensive magic was a tactic and spell that I, as a mage instructor, absolutely needed to know.
Moreover, the wider and sturdier the barrier, the more valuable a military mage became.
“Can you really teach me?”
“Of course. Watch closely first.”
Debra slowly approached the target and stretched out her hand. Mana seeped into the bark covering the wood, and a red magic circle spread over it.
Mana radiating from her fingertips intertwined and piled densely on the deployed magic circle.
In the blink of an eye, a dense defensive barrier enveloped the dummy.
It was a barrier dense enough for even someone without magical knowledge to feel its form.
Due to the high purity of the mana, the fire-like mana undulated, giving off a sense of heat.
“This is a second-grade mage barrier…”
Now equipped with basic mage knowledge, I clearly understood how impressive this ability was.
In Hearts of General, mage barriers are among the important spells.
They are essential for protecting facilities and allies from precise artillery strikes or infiltration operations by enemy mages.
Even in the game’s later stages, where the might of mage units has diminished due to advancements in technology, defensive magic remains useful.
Although currently unable to resist bullets, with diligent research, defensive magic capable of blocking physical forces like bullets and shells will eventually emerge.
“Do you understand the mana structure?”
As I stared blankly at the barrier, Deputy Commander Debra asked.
“Yes, I got it.”
“A dummy target like this can create fourth or third-grade barriers. Give it a try.”
Following Debra Bennett’s instructions from before, I began adjusting the mana.
Red mana emanating from the core.
I picked up one of the targets I had prepared and placed it at a distance from Debra Bennett’s barrier to minimize any interference.
After setting a suitable distance,
I closed my eyes and focused my senses. Since the Cherno incident, I often practiced magic here alone.
Breathing in the shallow air covering the space, I calmly controlled the mana.
Thanks to the pre-medical checkup and prescription from former Lieutenant Edward and the quick emergency treatment from Roxanna Elrim, the core’s condition stabilized rapidly.
This should be enough to construct a second-grade mage barrier.
“Associating it with a sturdy wall, small-sized magic circle, and meticulous mana density.”
Magic is akin to programming. Quickly forming mana arrangements and executing calculations.
With a reference material available, the processing speed becomes significantly faster.
“Protection.”
Upon completing the incantation, my protective barrier was created on the dummy.
Unlike Debra’s armor-like barrier, mine was twisted at a 45-degree angle, forming a dish-like shape to defend the head and torso.
Given it was my first time using the spell, the completion was noticeably lacking.
“It’s okay… This isn’t bad. Usually, third or fourth-grade barriers are formed like this.”
Debra Bennett shrugged her shoulders and said.
“But it’s slightly disappointing. Regardless of whether it’s because of the 45-degree twist or uneven mana density.”
“There’s no other way. This is my first time creating a mage barrier.”
“I factored that in. Don’t worry. Considering it’s your first attempt, you did surprisingly well. Most people fail on their first try.”
Debra praised me late, trying to encourage me, but it felt like the usual ‘treatment after illness’.
I could only taste bitterness.
“Now, let me break it? From the looks of it, it seems like it can only withstand intermediate magic…”
As Debra waved her hand casually, a thick flame arrow rose from the air and quickly flew towards the mage barrier.
Intermediate red magic, Blaze Ballista.
Instead of exploding, it maximizes penetration power, making it commonly used against mage barriers.
Given that Debra Bennett was at least a second-grade mage, it should have easily shattered my incomplete mage barrier.
Clang, Ting!
Instead of the sound of shattering glass, the shock of the spell bouncing off the barrier hit my ears.
“…What?”
Blaze Ballista failed to penetrate the barrier and dissipated in mid-air.
“Huh… Even though it looks weak, it turns out to be unexpectedly sturdy? Could it be due to her talent?”
Although surprised, Debra shrugged it off and prepared the next spell.
“Let’s try something bigger this time!”
Unlike Blaze Ballista, which could be cast with a simple gesture, this time, the scattered mana converged around Debra.
‘Solar Prominence!’
I easily recognized the magic she was preparing.
A spell with the power of a solar explosion, engulfing everything in a massive inferno upon impact.
The same magic that Bella Meyer once mistook my Flare for.
Solar Prominence is a high-level red magic known for its destructive power.
Even I thought it would be impossible to block.
Given how much the mana density had dispersed after deflecting Blaze Ballista once.
“Gwah!”
With Debra Bennett’s battle cry, a highly compressed mass of flames shot toward the mage barrier.
Wham!!!
The ground shook upon impact, and a violent cloud of dust rose into the sky. The power was immense.
Through the thick cloud of dust, I saw a blazing hellfire.
It finally broke.
It was expected, yet somehow disappointing. No matter how much stats max out, some things just can’t be done.
But then.
“What… What is this?”
Debra Bennett exclaimed in surprise. Bella and Lumina, watching the process, looked equally shocked.
Could it be?
Turning my head to look at the target, the scene revealed…
A dummy standing steadfast amidst the engulfing flames.
