“We will arrive at the 3rd Platoon soon.”
“Understood.”
Colonel Viktor Zelensky, the magical advisor of the Northern Corps, replied in a solemn voice. The 3rd Platoon was a unit he had heard about countless times in recent reports.
“During the 8th Division’s operation to retake the Belgorod Fortress, they played a significant role in repelling the bandits who attacked the fortress. And this time, they successfully identified traitors within a day, responding to the national gendarmerie’s request for cooperation…”
“It seems they also resolved the ongoing issues in Chernov City that even the corps inspection office had struggled with.”
“That wasn’t because of that lieutenant but rather the achievement of the gendarmerie.”
Viktor drew a clear line. The staff officer accompanying him quickly corrected the facts.
“Still, it cannot be denied that they provided decisive evidence and assistance.”
Only then did Viktor nod slightly.
It was a name that had reached even his ears, someone who normally didn’t care about external matters. Though he didn’t dismiss the potential entirely, there was still a high probability that their reputation was exaggerated.
‘Lieutenant Enok Revendale,’ Viktor thought.
Currently, the most talked-about magical officer in the corps magical advisory bureau. The fact that this rookie, just one month into his commission, received a special promotion directly from King Orlando Rus was something even Viktor Zelensky found intriguing.
‘This will essentially be an evaluation of that lieutenant’s abilities.’
Though evaluations were usually formal and tedious, irregular situations like these were a kind of enjoyment and amusement for Colonel Viktor Zelensky of the Corps Magical Advisory Bureau.
Either someone would surprise him…
Or end up being mocked by him.
Viktor Zelensky smiled faintly as he looked at the approaching troops.
*
“Is the First Platoon ready?”
Captain Arrendt Schultz asked. I glanced around at the platoon members and confidently replied that we were ready.
“This is just a battalion evaluation, but it seems the evaluating colonel has more interest in Lieutenant Enok’s platoon. Just do what you’ve been doing so far.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Captain.”
“Reliable as always. Count on you.”
He turned away with a satisfied smile. The reason Arrendt could remain so calm during the battalion evaluation was undoubtedly due to Colonel Viktor’s focus on our platoon.
The schedule itself was planned to show the elite First Platoon first, drawing attention with dazzling offensive magic before handing over the final scenario to us.
The other platoons or evaluation items were surely not something Colonel Viktor Zelensky would pay much attention to. Even if he was meticulous, he’d likely overlook things unless they were glaringly problematic.
As it often happened in the South Korean army too.
“Corporal Roxanna, how’s your condition today?”
“I slept well last night.”
“Good.”
The demonstration of offensive magic was assigned to Claude and Lumina. This role stemmed from the idea of showcasing defensive methods against different types of elemental attributes since we had succeeded previously.
Claude would demonstrate a lightning attribute magic maximized for penetration and speed, followed by Lumina unleashing a fire attribute magic maximized for explosive power and range.
This way, we could also prove some resistance to the ‘lightning attribute’ pointed out by Claude earlier, which should sufficiently appeal to Colonel Viktor Zelensky.
Soon, the evaluator’s figure appeared among the neatly aligned soldiers.
Colonel Viktor Zelensky approached while having a friendly conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Rockhart Cromwell, the battalion commander.
With his neatly waxed bald-like hairstyle, the middle-aged man exuded an impressive presence typical of Slavic men, carrying considerable authority.
He certainly embodied the image of a corps magical advisor.
“Honor to the motherland!!”
“Honor.”
Viktor stood in the center, crisply returning the salute of Captain Arrendt waiting there and shaking hands briefly.
“What more is there to say? Let’s proceed with the evaluation immediately.”
“Understood. All platoons, take your positions!”
“Take your positions!!”
At Captain Arrendt’s command, the company members moved swiftly. As expected, the First Platoon went first.
“Platoon deployment!”
At Lieutenant Crenfus Adel’s loud command, eight magicians scattered quickly.
“Enemy force: one mixed infantry regiment. The Second Battalion’s First Platoon has been deployed to secure the retreat route for the surrounded allied division.”
As if reciting a script, the colonel effortlessly assigned the situation without needing any notes.
“The enemy has no mage units or artillery support and maintains its encirclement with two defensive lines.”
Judging by the scenario, it was clearly a main-force attack and breakthrough situation.
“The battalion commander may issue instructions to subordinate platoons.”
I carefully observed how Lieutenant Crenfus Adel would respond, jotting down notes in my notebook. Though I was a user of Hearts of General and a former army officer, that was all I was.
After all, the overall understanding of strategy, especially regarding magical troops, in this era couldn’t help but fall behind in other aspects.
Learning is power.
Though promoted to lieutenant through special advancement, my actual skills were barely better than a newly commissioned second lieutenant. Therefore, I needed to gather as much information and expertise as possible.
“The First Platoon shall deploy in formation four to penetrate the enemy’s depth. Concentrate red magic-based bombardment on the right and left flanks, suppress the enemy’s morale, and break through the defensive lines!”
As soon as Battalion Commander Arrendt’s orders were relayed to the First Platoon,
“Deploy in formation four!”
“Formation four!”
The mana emitted by the First Platoon leader and his subordinates engulfed the air in various colors.
There was no particular reason why the elite First Platoon was given such a “main-force attack and breakthrough” situation among the five scenarios.
Because this situation comprehensively included close-range and long-range bombardments as well as defense against enemy infantry.
Given that most combat engagements occurred within 100 to 200 meters, it was only natural that magical troops performed roles similar to modern tanks.
Suppressive bombardments launched by fewer than ten personnel, followed by close-range attacks after breaking through the enemy’s defensive lines to secure a breach for allied infantry.
That was the significance of current magical troops.
KABOOM!!
Flames erupted like tank shells in front. The ground trembled violently as the magic rained down mercilessly.
“Charge!”
“Yaaaaah!!”
Once the platoon leader judged that sufficient suppression had been achieved, he drew his pistol and charged forward, followed by the magical troopers wielding their respective weapons.
It was a textbook breakthrough strategy.
Even though it would amount to suicidal behavior according to modern military doctrine, it was undoubtedly effective in this era without machine guns, trenches, or barbed wire.
However, Viktor Zelensky’s expression was far from pleased.
“Is this all?”
“Yes, sir. Based on terrain and the given situation, I estimate our side suffered minor injuries to two allies.”
“You’re wrong. Including you, three allies sustained severe injuries, and one died.”
“I beg your pardon…?!”
When Lieutenant Crenfus urgently questioned, Viktor merely scribbled on the evaluation sheet instead of answering.
“Six points out of ten. Proceed to the next scenario.”
Seeing the supposedly elite platoon of the battalion sink so mercilessly, Captain Arrendt Schultz looked visibly confused.
Neither the commanding officers nor the other platoon leaders seemed to understand why the First Platoon leader received such harsh criticism.
Thus, the subsequent situational responses couldn’t go smoothly either. Even Battalion Commander Rockhart started looking increasingly displeased with results that couldn’t be praised, even as lip service.
“So far, this battalion’s evaluation score is 5.7 points. Not bad.”
Being scored 5.7 points in the evaluation and calling it decent…
How harsh must the grading have been for that to be considered a decent score? I began to understand why Lieutenant Debra Bennett shuddered in fear of Colonel Viktor Zelensky.
“Finally, the last platoon… This scenario assumes a counter-magic battle against enemy magical troops.”
Viktor Zelensky’s gaze lightly swept over me.
“Platoon leader is Lieutenant Enok Revendale, correct? Begin your command, battalion leader.”
“A-alright…”
Though Lieutenant Arrendt had been confident until receiving the evaluation, he now showed clear signs of shrinking back.
So ultimately, the hope rested on me and the Fifth Platoon.
“Hmm.”
Taking a deep breath, I silently exchanged glances with my platoon members.
“Just do what we’ve been practicing.”
“Don’t worry!”
Lumina struck her fist with determination, and I reciprocated their trust in me with equal assurance.
“Our position has been identified by enemy reconnaissance forces. Long-range bombardment using mid-level red magic has been detected. There are no allied forces nearby; survive the enemy’s attack using only the platoon’s own capabilities.”
“Could you give us a moment, please?”
Approaching Colonel Viktor Zelensky, who was assigning the situation, I spoke.
“We will proceed with live firing.”
“Live firing?”
“Yes, two members of our platoon will directly strike the magical barrier with mid-level red magic.”
As I turned my gaze toward Lumina and Claude, the evaluator responded with great interest.
“Alright. Proceed as planned.”
Since I had already discussed this part with the battalion commander beforehand, I moved forward to the open space ahead while the other platoon leaders watched in surprise.
‘This is exactly the scenario we anticipated.’
Thanks to repeated practice, Roxanna could now conceptualize the magical barrier without needing to ride on my back. We were fully prepared.
“Then, let’s begin!”
As I declared confidently, Roxanna deployed the magical barrier. Simultaneously, Lumina and Claude unleashed their spells.
Keeeiiing—!! BOOOOM!!!
In an instant, the firepower surpassing what other platoons had shown covered the open space.
