Here is the translated text:
“Here… this is the battalion headquarters…?!”
“What a mess.”
Lumina’s eyes widened. Claude couldn’t help but chuckle, looking incredulous.
Even though the previous battalion commander had been very good at managing the unit, the building was worse than the abandoned old barracks.
Back then, there was only one building, but now all five buildings on the site felt like they were about to collapse.
“Aaah…”
“I like this kind of thing. Must not be fit for a sergeant?”
“Of course not!! Sir knows me too!”
While not quite as obsessive as Major Loughthwaite, Lumina Blue also placed great importance on aesthetics.
The state of the newly arrived battalion headquarters was practically in ruins.
“We can’t let this stand. We’d need months to overhaul the entire building…”
“Calm down, Lumina. It’s just a temporary barracks anyway.”
Behind Lumina, whose hands were trembling, came a familiar voice. Instinctively turning her head, she saw a noticeable blonde hair.
“Captain!”
“Haha… how did things get so messed up.”
For the whole platoon to be transferred at once—Lumina, who had served over three years in the military, had never heard of such a situation before.
But it was a blessing to be able to serve with Enok. At least they wouldn’t be separated.
“But what is this place? It doesn’t seem like a regular battalion.”
“For now, it’s a training battalion. After completing the training process, we’ll be moved to the permanent barracks and become part of the official unit.”
Enok answered Enok’s question succinctly. A training battalion? It felt like a training camp where soldiers or non-commissioned officers would be trained.
Lumina recalled her memories from when she first joined the military. Rolling around in a muddy field, enduring countless punishments, barely graduating in the past.
At that time, she briefly considered becoming a drill instructor or assistant. It stemmed from a mentality of not wanting to be the only one suffering.
Of course, reality turned her into a non-commissioned officer moving between field units, but could she finally get such an opportunity?
However, Lumina’s expression quickly turned pale with disappointment.
“So, are we going to be instructors and assistants?”
“No, we’re trainees.”
“Waaah—, what? Really…?!”
“You haven’t heard about the battalion formation yet. I’ll explain everything once all squad members arrive.”
“Oh…”
“Our First Platoon barracks are in the building on the right. Since you two are the first ones here, pick your rooms and settle in.”
Following Enok’s words, Claude strode confidently into the barracks, carrying his luggage. Lumina was about to do the same when a sudden question popped into her mind.
“Hold on… So Captain is still Captain?”
Even if he had been promoted, the typical term of a captain was still six months away, so would he continue to perform the role of captain in the new unit?
“No.”
“What does that mean?”
“From now on, call me First Company Commander.”
This was surprising news. First Company Commander! Of course, it was correct in terms of rank.
But there’s a difference in connotation between a captain and a company commander. The title itself implies moving from a mere conductor to a proper ‘commander.’
“Then, what about me…?”
“Please take care of me, Battalion Adjutant.”
Enok replied with a smile.
*
Starting with Lumina and Claude, Bella Meyer and Roxanna soon arrived. Other troops from various regions gradually made their way in.
The total number of soldiers under my command in the First Company was 50. Considering that a typical infantry battalion has at least a hundred soldiers, this was clearly insufficient. However, given the special nature of this newly established elite unit, it seemed unavoidable.
In fact, it was more akin to a magic battalion than an infantry battalion.
The structure of the newly formed battalion consisted of the battalion headquarters including Lumina and Roxanna, four platoon commanders, and their respective soldiers.
A peculiar aspect was that the platoon commanders were assigned to non-commissioned officers rather than officers.
– This was unusual. How could a platoon commander, who needs to be close to the soldiers and directly lead them on the battlefield, be someone who only understands theory?
According to Chief of Staff Joseph and Battalion Commander Sony Chepelin, both agreed on this point.
It’s common during wartime for non-commissioned officers to become platoon commanders, and in countries like Britain or Germany, non-commissioned officers often hold such positions without major issues.
Personally, I preferred this arrangement. Commissioned officers as platoon commanders often face many challenges.
Even though Sony Chepelin handpicked the officers, new commissioned officers fresh out of the military academy have clear limitations.
Moreover, those officers are already deployed in the field. Finding new commissioned officers would require waiting until next year.
As a result:
“…First Platoon Commander, Sergeant Claude Rain; Second Platoon Commander, Sergeant Bella Meyer!”
Claude Rain and Bella Meyer took over the roles of First and Second Platoon Commanders.
“Tsk, troublesome.”
“Me, me, me? Platoon Commander??”
“At worst, it’s just a training assignment. If you do well, you might get another position.”
“Oh my.”
Claude seemed indifferent… no, rather annoyed, while Bella was sweating profusely in panic.
“Next, Sergeant Erwin Ruth is Third Platoon Commander, and Sergeant Hilton Callia is Fourth Platoon Commander.”
New faces.
Thanks to Sony Chepelin’s arrangement, the previous platoon members were retained. But with only four people, operating a battalion was impossible.
Thus, the first impressions of these two newcomers were:
“Honor to our homeland!!”
“Honor to our homeland.”
“Nice to meet you, Lieutenant Enok Revendale! We’ve heard a lot about you!!”
“Pleased to meet you, sir!!”
They weren’t bad. Their military spirit was high, and their eyes shone with intelligence. Non-commissioned officers usually understand how the unit operates, so some might try to cut corners.
But these two didn’t seem like they would.
“Where were you originally stationed?”
“Sergeant, Erwin Ruth! Western Corps, Second Magic Battalion.”
Erwin, with his neatly cut black hair, raised his hand confidently. Though it seemed somewhat tired, it was easier for a battalion commander to manage.
“Since you’re from the Western Corps, you probably haven’t trained in mountainous areas. Have you experienced any other training?”
“Ah… actually, we didn’t conduct much field training.”
“??”
Seeing my puzzled expression, Erwin began explaining.
“In our unit, apart from evaluations, we didn’t do any training ourselves. When we complained to the higher-ups, they treated us like outsiders. Luckily, I left a good impression on Colonel Sony Chepelin, but if I had stayed in that unit, I might have been labeled incompetent.”
“Is that so…”
I shifted my gaze to Sergeant Hilton Callia, the Fourth Platoon Commander. She had striking blue eyes that shimmered like the sea.
“Hilton Callia?”
“Ah… I… I…”
She hesitated for a moment, then firmly met my eyes and said,
“I want to fight in a war.”
“Excuse me?”
“I want to fight in a war.”
My mind went blank, but then Claude, who had been watching the newcomers, spoke up.
“You want to fight in a war? Why?”
“…I want revenge. I came here to learn combat skills. Under Colonel Sony Chepelin, I want to learn stronger and more terrifying magic to sweep away those ‘Azoffs’…”
She clenched her fists tightly. Clearly, she seemed normal, but why was she acting like this suddenly.
Upon closer inspection, there was madness lurking beneath the intelligence in their eyes.
Sony Chepelin…
Why on earth did he bring such people together?
The chief of staff was practically bleeding internally.
A war hero rising through the ranks,
An aristocrat with periodic memory loss,
A ridiculously FM non-commissioned officer,
And finally, a war enthusiast.
Not a single one was lacking in the lineup of platoon commanders. It’s like an all-star team!
Sony Chepelin’s face appeared before me, laughing wildly.
Oh, how amazing!! Brigadier General!!
