The busiest times for the Personnel Command of the Okhraine Army are February, June, and September.
February is when the first postings of academy graduates and other officers and non-commissioned officers occur. Personnel are adjusted according to corps and command needs, and troops are supplied based on branch requirements.
June is when existing non-commissioned officers and officers’ position transfers are decided. After conducting prior surveys on how long someone has served in a unit and what position they desire, units are reorganized fairly.
Finally, September is promotion month. Excluding special promotions, it’s when all ranks from privates to generals across the Okhraine Army are promoted en masse. Existing rosters must be heavily revised, and official notices must be sent to avoid any confusion between units.
With these big events happening every three months, the Okhraine Personnel Command essentially works itself to the bone until everything is completed in October.
And if you were to pick which event period is the most hellish and stressful…
Nine out of ten members of the Okhraine Personnel Command would say June.
“sh*t.”
Lieutenant Colonel Raviet, the First Deputy Director of the Personnel Operations Office, was no different. With the fresh spring breeze gone and early summer’s rising temperatures setting in…
This meant the lieutenant colonel’s workload would increase exponentially.
It had already been two sleepless nights, followed by a rare day off, and now another morning arrived. While the issues regarding non-commissioned officer position changes assigned to Division 1 had been resolved, this was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Non-commissioned officers usually stay in one unit for a long time, and there hadn’t been significant position changes, yet it still took two sleepless nights.
Now it was time to revise the officer roster, marking the true opening of ‘Hell Gate.’
“Director Raviet, here’s your coffee.”
“Ah, thank you.”
At least his subordinates were competent, which was fortunate. The lieutenant colonel smiled lightly while sipping the coffee handed to him by his subordinate.
“How many officers need urgent processing today?”
“32.”
“Not as many as I thought. Have all the application forms for desired units been collected?”
“Yes, that’s nothing to worry about… However, there’s an item that needs even faster handling.”
“Hmm.”
The first deputy director sighed deeply.
Something needing fast handling. That explained why his subordinate non-commissioned officers had looked so strained.
There was nothing Lieutenant Colonel Raviet hated more than unexpected requests. His previously calm face suddenly twisted.
“Where did it come from?”
Probably from a section chief within the same command or a request from a division or corps commander at the front lines.
d*mn field officers who’ve been out too long—have their heads become rigid too?
Ignoring such requests that bypass procedures is always the best option.
Especially during busy periods, doing so undermines the Personnel Command’s work entirely.
But the subordinates’ reactions were a bit strange.
They usually cursed and complained loudly but remained silent now like honey-eating bears.
“What exactly is it?”
Lieutenant Colonel Raviet snatched the documents his subordinate was holding. It was about eight pages, with the first five being personal information sheets.
“Five at once? What’s the thinking here?”
“…One of them, sir, you might know.”
As the colonel narrowed his eyes and slowly read through the document,
Position: Mage Corps. Affiliation: From the direct command 3rd Mage Battalion of the Northern Corps to the 8th Company of the Central Corps’ Special Response Brigade.
‘Special Response Brigade? Isn’t that the chaotic unit nowadays?’
Though established earlier this year, it had been plagued by chronic manpower shortages, so they were gathering quite a number of non-commissioned officers and officers again.
Could they be making unreasonable demands from an already headache-inducing unit?
“Aah, Enok Revendale? Isn’t he that famous lieutenant who got a rapid promotion just a month after commissioning…?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“That’s right; this guy couldn’t have stayed in his original unit anyway.”
Seniority culture runs deep in the Okhraine Army. A junior officer defying that tradition made living in the existing unit impossible.
“But… wait a moment.”
While flipping through the documents, the colonel noticed something odd.
“Aren’t all their affiliations the same?”
“That’s the problem. Apparently, the entire platoon’s affiliation is changing.”
“Insanity.”
Even with severe manpower shortages, this was excessive. Unable to bear it anymore, Raviet threw the paper away.
“Director!”
“I don’t handle things like this. Just find some excuse and dismiss it. Tell them to apply through proper channels.”
If the other side is unreasonable, then we must respond in kind.
“And the 8th Company of the Special Response Brigade? That doesn’t even exist. How can you assign personnel to a non-existent unit? Since the foundation isn’t ready, tell them to revise and submit it again.”
Though the rank of colonel isn’t particularly high, as the deputy director of the army’s personnel command, things are different.
At least in practical terms, unless it’s the director of personnel operations or the commander himself, even a corps commander wouldn’t override Lieutenant Colonel Raviet’s authority.
No matter how famous the grand mage Sony Chepelin might be, how many favors could she expect after overstepping boundaries?
“Director… This isn’t an issue that can be resolved that way. Could you look at the requester’s name?”
As the non-commissioned officer who brought the coffee hurriedly picked up the papers again and spoke,
“Requester?”
Upon confirming the part mentioned by his subordinate, the colonel’s eyes widened sharply.
‘This letter is a royal decree from King Orlando Rus. The recipients, the first deputy director of personnel operations and relevant department members, shall maintain confidentiality. Strict secrecy.’
The seal there was undoubtedly from the royal family.
*
The month of June, which seemed unlikely to arrive, finally came. Trees that had blossomed fully were now dressed in green for quite some time, and the formerly refreshing breeze was gradually mixing with sticky heat.
“Now, this wretched battalion will finally end.”
Enok thought as he gazed at the scenery beyond the window. Thanks to Debra Bennett’s extensive renovations, the initially terrible living conditions had significantly improved.
Having windows was especially great since before, the place felt like a solitary confinement cell because it was completely enclosed.
Now familiar with this place, though only a few days remained.
“Surprisingly nostalgic. Reminds me of the mood when I transferred to field duty before.”
Although he didn’t want to leave back then but had to go unwillingly, it seems his current sentimental feelings are unavoidable.
While reminiscing about the past, someone knocked on the door.
“Enok Platoon Leader, it’s Lumina.”
“Come in.”
Soon, a beautiful woman with silver hair tied down entered the room, carrying a brown envelope in her arms.
“Here are the documents for you to process today.”
This place served as both Enok’s private quarters and the platoon leader’s office, so all simple paperwork was handled here.
“Haha, this might be the last set of documents. Where are they from?”
“…Personnel Command.”
“Ah, really the last set then.”
Enok replied with a bittersweet joke. Finally, what was coming, has come. The heaviness in Lumina’s voice was likely due to this.
“Would asking you to stay here now be selfish?”
“I doubt Personnel Command would easily agree.”
“Still… We’ll meet again someday, won’t we?”
“Yes, if you wish to see me, Lumina Sergeant, you could apply to our unit during the next position change.”
“You might be my company commander by then.”
Meetings inevitably lead to partings.
Still, Enok Revendale thought he should focus on the fact that he fulfilled all the promises he made to the battalion and platoon leaders when he first took charge of this platoon.
In about four months since joining the unit, noticeable changes occurred in Enok’s 5th Platoon.
Lumina Blue partially overcame her trauma of using magic on people.
Bella Meyer saw a marked decrease in the frequency of depression and dissociative amnesia. She reached a point where she could manage well enough without Enok.
Roxanna Elrim also moved all her belongings from the medical station to the annex here.
Medical officer Edward himself confirmed Roxanna’s condition had stabilized, so there shouldn’t be much concern for a while.
Indeed, ever since the last platoon evaluation, Roxanna’s skills have steadily grown.
And lastly,
Claude Rain.
The frequency of clashes with the once-hostile Bella sergeant decreased significantly, and recently, complaints from other officers have diminished.
Recently, instead of staying up all night drinking, he focused on exercise. The intimidating war hero’s image from when they first met was gradually fading.
In conclusion, the 5th Platoon successfully integrated into the 3rd Battalion.
From now on, it’s not about relying on outsiders; it’s about the platoon members forging ahead themselves.
Enok calmly opened the envelope’s seal while speaking to Lumina.
“Thank you very much for guarding the platoon and assisting me. You’ve worked hard.”
That was all he could say. He couldn’t irresponsibly suggest staying together or remaining here.
“Lumina is strong. You’ll do fine without me.”
But Lumina didn’t answer. She was forcibly suppressing her emotions.
Creeak—Bang.
She quietly closed the door she entered through. Then, leaning against it, she stared at her platoon leader with trembling eyes.
Of course, Lumina had no intention of stepping back now.
Typically, after receiving transfer orders, moving occurs three days later.
Considering the scheduled meeting with the battalion commander and discussions with other officers before leaving the battalion, this was likely the last moment she’d privately meet Enok.
Then, it’s time to bring out the feelings she’s kept deep inside.
“Platoon… Leader! There’s something I need to say!”
Lumina tightly shut her eyes. If it’s done, let’s finish it!
“As you just said… I’ll work harder and definitely visit you again someday!”
Enok Revandel had already become too significant in Lumina Blue’s life.
Whatever happens, I will definitely stand by Platoon Leader’s side again. That was Lumina’s resolve.
There was no particular reason. She simply fell in love. When one person falls for another, do you need grand reasons?
For the first time in her life of misfortune, there was something she wanted to secure with her own hands.
Yes, Lumina was confessing right now.
“So… So… Until then, absolutely…!”
“Just a moment, Lumina.”
Her rapid-fire words were cut off by Enok’s voice. When Lumina opened her eyes, Enok’s expression was contorted as if baffled.
Thud. Her heart sank heavily at his lackluster reaction. In a trembling voice, she struggled to retract her statement.
“Ah… No… Not at all… Sorry…”
“Lumina!”
“Yes? Yes, sorry, I… went too far…”
“There’s no need. Look at this.”
A white sheet fluttered before her eyes. Though blurred by tears threatening to overflow, Lumina tried hard to read the text.
“Eh…?”
It didn’t take long for a bewildered sound to escape her lips.
[Urgent Personnel Transfer Order]
[Transfer Target: All members of the 5th Platoon]
“Please gather the platoon members immediately.”
This was a result neither Lumina nor Enok Revandel anticipated.
