Imperial Academy Girl Magic Officer

The top armored warfare commanders.
To think I could go to the department with these two people – Derian, who could be called the main figure in forcing the surrender of the Gallia Republic, and Lutz, who practically invented his tactics.

“The function of the research department is……”
“I’ll do it.”

I accepted the proposal before his explanation even finished.

Not only did I already know about the department, but I was also aware of its detailed characteristics and even understood what tasks each department performed, so I didn’t need to listen.

It would be stupid to refuse.

The research department was part of the curriculum, an institution that all candidates had to join one of, but the places one could enter varied greatly depending on grades.

Accordingly, there were considerable differences in academic level and support for each.

While the top-tier departments were managed by the military academy itself, on the opposite end, there were numerous places where cadets had to cultivate themselves without even an officer in charge.

In that respect, Gartel’s recommendation letter held tremendous advantage.

Regardless of low grades, entry was possible on the strength of the instructor’s name alone. In university terms, it was like a special admission.

And if it’s the Magic Tactics Planning Department…

It was undoubtedly the top department of not just Astrakhan Military Academy, but the Empire. From commanders to cadets, it was a gathering of all sorts of elites, so the possibility of networking with capable individuals increased.

Moreover, if I use this department well, I can make the Empire learn operational concepts that would only appear 10 years later.

A future that’s happy just imagining it,

Twitch─

I tried hard to suppress my smile by tensing my cheeks. I quietly sent a message of gratitude towards Wolf, who would be unconscious on the infirmary bed.

Thank you.

With one punch to his face, the problem that seemed insurmountable was solved, wasn’t it? He was not just praiseworthy but lovable. From this moment on, I forgave all his wrongdoings.

He was a very useful friend.

What’s a friend anyway, if they benefit me, that’s a friend.

“Ahem, ahem. That’s right. Then I’ll prepare the recommendation letter and call you to my office, so let’s meet then. You did well today.”
“Thank you, Instructor.”

When Gartel patted my shoulder, I bowed at a right angle. With my face facing the dirt floor, I secretly smiled.

“We’ll end today’s training here! The atmosphere is unsettled, so let’s finish early. Everyone did well.”

He seemed to think the situation had come where the class couldn’t continue with Wolf unconscious, so he ended the class early.

“Th-Thank you for your hard work─!”

The cadets answered with stuttering voices to his greeting. They still seemed unsettled.

Clap clap─!

“Then enjoy your lunch.”

Even after the instructor left, they couldn’t easily take a step. The scene just before must have been quite shocking. If I were in their position, I would have been the same.

“Is it over?”
“L-Let’s go fill our stomachs!”
“…Okay.”

Only when one cadet suddenly moved did the candidates awkwardly start moving. Anyway, after class ended, it was the school schedule to go to the cafeteria for lunch.

“But……”

Unexpected.

I looked around, the cadets were scattered around. Rina was the same. I expected her to come looking for me when class ended, but not even her shadow was visible.

She seemed to have left already.

She should be the person to react most strongly. It was contrary to expectations.

Growl─

Well, she’ll come tomorrow.

Right now, filling my hunger was the priority. Maybe because I moved my body more vigorously than usual, the alarm in my stomach rang loudly.

“Ye-Yena, want to eat together?”

I held the hand of Erika, who was the only one waiting by my side, and headed to the cafeteria.

“By the way, Yena. Can I touch your cheek just once?”
“No.”
“Aww, okay……”

While having a silly conversation with her.

“Haa, haa.”

Bang─!

Rina, who ran to the dormitory as soon as class ended, nervously closed the door and collapsed on the bed.

Perhaps because she hadn’t even eaten lunch, she felt even more drained.

‘…Wolf lost.’

Though she had mentally prepared, facing it directly was a shocking result.

She thought it would be at least an even match. No matter how much she disliked Wolf, she couldn’t deny his skills. After all, he was the eldest son of a great family.

But Yena played with Wolf. A commoner overwhelmed a child who had been professionally educated since childhood.

“Ha, haha……”

Rina got up weakly from the bed and slowly moved towards the table.

Click, creak!

Then she opened the packaging of croissants and fresh cream on it.

“Mmm. Yum.”

And started putting them in her mouth.

As if there’s a saying that sweets help the brain work better, these desserts were a kind of mental stabilizer unique to Rina.

She scooped some cream with a fork and put it on the bread. Though not as good as the imperial chef’s, the harmony of the savory almond scent stimulating the nose and the sweet taste of fresh cream was achieved.

Savoring it elegantly somewhat cleared her complicated mind.

“Phew.”

Rina chewed her lips while tapping the table with her fingers.

‘She’s definitely not a commoner.’

Rather, it’s good. This incident became an opportunity to be certain.

Unless blessed by God, an ordinary imperial citizen couldn’t have such power. Then what secret is hidden in that girl, Yena Freud?

“Slurp,”

Rina closed her eyelids while drinking coffee that had been brewed at some unknown time. The bitter scent of coffee beans triggered coolness of thought.

With such a calm mind, Rina finished her thoughts and,

“Helena.”

She murmured while looking at the rippling surface of the coffee.

Tap─!

Then a woman who sprang out from somewhere knelt on one knee in front of Rina and answered.

“Yes, Princess.”

Maybe in her mid-twenties, Helena looked young but had cold eyes that didn’t match her age.

In a way, that appearance suited her.

Helena was the head maid entrusted with the important duty of assisting Rina.

“Can you do me a favor?”
“Yes, please speak.”
“Could you find out deeply about a cadet named Yena? Of course, not as a request to the family, but personally.”

Crunch─!

Rina chewed the croissant roughly.

Whether Yena was from her father’s side or elsewhere, in any case, it was certain that she was no ordinary person, so there was a need to dig into her secrets.

For my own safety too.

“Is it possible?”

And Helena was perfect for this job.

‘Because she’s the most trustworthy person.’

Having grown up together since childhood, there was trust and bond. She firmly believed Helena would keep the secret.

It might be easier to solve if I contacted the family, but there’s a possibility it’s related to father too.

“I accept your command.”

Helena bowed her head from her kneeling position. Despite the difficult request, she didn’t refuse as always.

That’s why she liked her very much. In a family that ignored and oppressed her, making her lose heart, Helena seemed to be the only one who respected her.

Rina grabbed her shoulders with both hands and greeted her with dimples.

“Thank you, Helena.”

Though her eyes were fiercely set.

Not even a squirrel…

“That was delicious, huh.”
“Mmhmm.”

Erika’s cheeks were puffed up like a chipmunk with acorns. I stared at her rubbing her lower belly with a grinning face, inwardly marveling at her amazing appetite.

She must have been really hungry.

Erika devoured all kinds of food, including crispy roasted pork leg and soup, which could be called the Empire’s traditional cuisine, without leaving anything.

“How was the taste?”
“Mmph, mmushush!”
“Swallow first.”
“Gulp… It was very delicious!”

Those bulging cheeks proved it.

“Yena, there’s seasoning on your mouth.”
“Ah, thanks.”

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the food either. If before it was just a game interaction of stuffing digital pieces into my mouth, now I’m eating real ‘food’, right?

It was much richer.

I felt umami that wasn’t there before, and the faint sweetness and bitterness became clear. The act of eating itself became enjoyable.

“Is it all wiped off now?”
“Yes!”

I put the handkerchief in my sleeve and left the cafeteria.

The cool afternoon breeze, the fresh scent wafting from the bright green grass, the sunlight warming my body.

It’s nice.

The park set up in front of the cafeteria at the military academy was perfect for walking to aid digestion.

Thud, thud.

“Mmm, Yena, aren’t you going to the dormitory?”
“No, I have something else to do.”

As I was about to go in a direction other than the dormitory at the crossroads, Erika tilted her head with a question mark.

She looked somewhat disappointed, but I couldn’t go together.

I can’t waste even a day.

Lying on a soft mattress, tasting the cool air and taking a nap would be comfortable for the body, but I didn’t have that luxury. Even though classes were over, training wasn’t finished.

“I was going to show you around my room… Okay.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Okay!”

I waved to Erika, who was pouting her lips, and turned my steps.

Rustle─

I stepped onto the dirt road stretching out ahead.

It should be this way.

The training ground.

Right now, my overall ability is in the lower ranks at Grade 7, I need to raise it by about two levels somehow before the eligibility screening. I don’t want to keep living with this rotten body in the first place.

Rustle, rustle─!

I headed to the training ground, my hair flowing softly down to my lower back.