Imperial Academy Girl Magic Officer

“Magic Officers are divided into three types: close-range type who actively work on the front lines, long-range type who conduct additional attacks from the rear, and support type for all others.”

Tap, tap tap─!

The sound of chalk hitting the blackboard reverberated throughout the classroom.

And the cadets began taking notes in their notebooks to that rhythm. It was a typical university classroom scene.

Except for one difference…

“You can consider those who fail the eligibility screening held six months from now as the support type. Those with insufficient mana talent who cast spells on artillery are a typical example.”

“The remaining types of Magic Officers are incorporated into each division’s support units and lead combat on the front lines. They can be said to be even more important to the ground forces than the air force.”

The content the instructor was teaching was unique material that couldn’t be found in any modern educational institution.

If I hadn’t played this game before, I wouldn’t have understood what he was talking about. No, in that case, I probably wouldn’t have come to this world in the first place.

Tap, thud─!

I skimmed through the textbook while twirling a pencil in one hand.

Starting with mana operation tactics, the origin of Awakened ones, the composition of mana stones, and so on. It was full of theories that should have been unfamiliar, but they were all explanations I had seen at least once before.

There was no content I didn’t know.

I wouldn’t have to worry about the written portion of the upcoming eligibility screening. I had suddenly become a candidate who could overwhelm even most officers in knowledge.

Not bad.

From now on, I can focus solely on training without having to spend time studying separately, right? The only things lacking are mana quantity and physical abilities?

Twitch─

My lips quivered. Since coming to this world, the satisfaction arising from plans progressing smoothly brought joy beyond imagination.

With that feeling, I focused again on Gartel’s instruction, feeling at ease.

“…So mana stones are important raw materials for processing weapons for Awakened ones. Even these mana bullets that you’ve probably heard of at least once can be considered processed weapons.”

Then, seeing a finger-joint sized metal object shining in Gartel’s hand, I opened my eyes wide.

“…Mana bullet.”

An object that can only be handled by Awakened ones, and whose true value can only be appreciated by Awakened ones – truly the flower of Awakened ones, or Magic Officers – sparkled in the instructor’s hand.

Simply put, it’s a bullet fused with mana stone.

Zing─!

The purple light flashing at the front of the bullet supported this claim.

Generally, Awakened ones find it difficult to create powerful magic with bare hands. In a battlefield environment where concentration is challenging, it’s even hard to condense mana at all.

Mana stones could be seen as an invention to solve this complex problem.

Using the principle of mana stones that amplify mana, they greatly lower the difficulty of manifesting magic and use the precision aiming function of guns to strike desired areas.

So it’s an essential item that Magic Officers must handle.

“We’re doing shooting practice tomorrow.”
“A-Amazing.”

The cadets seemed to know this fact too, as they stopped moving their pencils and appreciated the majesty of the mana bullet with pursed lips.

I too stopped my thoughts for a moment and focused on savoring the sight before me.

“…It’s beautiful.”

A sense of nostalgia enveloped my brain. Memories of shooting down tanks and fighter planes using mana bullets freshly came to mind.

To think I’d see this with my own eyes.
It felt novel.

During the war, mana bullets were like my life, so I handled them with great care. Meeting such an object in reality was meaningful. It was both welcoming and poignant.

“If you want to stay in this military academy, this is a weapon you must master, as it’s a basic skill for Magic Officers! Understood?”
“Yes!”

Gartel shouted loudly, captivating the dazed cadets.

“Now I’ll conduct a simple evaluation of mana operation. No matter how much I explain, it’s better to experience it directly with your body.”

Clunk─!

Soon after, he put down a large wooden box in front of the podium, which he had brought from somewhere unknown.

“That’s…”

“A crystal ball. It’s a sphere that only lights up if you properly and well infuse mana into it.”

Just as I was about to continue speaking, he immediately answered.

As Gartel said, the crystal ball was one of the training tools for Awakened ones who were still unfamiliar with handling mana. In a way, it was an appropriate item for the children here.

“Today’s lesson ends with forming a bright light in this round glass lump. You can leave immediately once you solve it. Don’t worry even if you have little mana, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Of course, it’s unlikely that you mere novices will complete the task in a short time and go home…”

“…But who knows, it might be possible.”

Perhaps conscious of me, Gartel added an unnecessary remark and then called the cadets one by one to distribute the crystal balls.

Thud─

“I hope for good results, Yena.”
“Thank you.”

As soon as the last student after me safely received the crystal ball,

“Then everyone, let’s begin!”

The first practical exercise began.

“Is, is this how you do it?”
“It’s not lighting up?”
“He said we could find out by looking at the textbook earlier! What page was it……”

Given the nature of the test requiring skill rather than strength, the cadets moved in unison. The previous silence was gone, replaced by bustling voices filling the classroom.

“Yena, you don’t need to do anything, right? Your ability score is trash, what’s the point of practicing? You’ll be leaving in 6 months anyway.”

Wolf was naturally included among them.

He didn’t miss that brief moment when Gartel left the classroom, coming to my seat to provoke me with sneering ridicule.

“……”

Whoosh─

But I didn’t respond to his actions. After just a few seconds of eye contact, I simply shook my head and turned my back.

It’s not even worth exchanging words.

To think he’s a fellow officer candidate, I wonder how he passed the personality test. He must have used his family’s backing. It was the epitome of pettiness, bordering on pathetic.

His attitude was even worse than on the day of the entrance ceremony.

After confirming my terrible talent in the ability test, Wolf seemed to have concluded that there was no need to hesitate anymore and became even bolder.

“How are you going to be an officer when you’re so weak? How on earth did you pass at the training center? You’re even short.”
“Hey hey, you’ll make her cry.”

Now he had reached the level of directly touching me, patting my head.

“Well, if you train hard, you might hit Grade 6. Try your best not to get kicked out. Though I’m not sure if it’s possible.”

He laughed at me, patting my shoulder one last time before returning to his position.

His intention was obvious. He wanted revenge. He absolutely couldn’t tolerate being insulted by a mere commoner.

Rustle, rustle─

I smirked as I tidied up the desk messed up by his rampage.

Does he want to regain his noble pride?

Although his behavior of trying to engage in clumsy politics while forgetting a cadet’s duty was extremely detestable, I didn’t feel any intense emotions like anger or resentment.

Rather, I was glad he acted this way. I no longer had to worry about whether I should show mercy.

What use is having immense power and decent potential? He’s displaying such a pitiful spectacle that the title of a noble’s child is embarrassing.

I don’t care what family he comes from. Now he’s just a figure hindering my future plans.

“This way is indeed better.”

I tightly gripped the crystal ball, putting strength into my fingers.

Crunch─!

Politicians who hindered game completion, generals who plotted against me out of inferiority complexes, even comrades who shared hardships on the front lines – I thoroughly eliminated anyone who became an obstacle, without discrimination.

That was the secret to my success in leading the Great War to victory, and a major factor in occupying high positions at the time.

And finally, today marked the day to draw out those memories.

I trashed the plan to form intimacy and draw him to my side. I properly intended to play along with his provocations.

I’ll tighten the noose gradually.

I could steal a bullet and blow his brains out for revenge, but I didn’t consider such a cliché and stupid strategy.

Isn’t that lacking in excitement?
It would also cause headaches in subsequent responses.

From a position where the power difference is clearly large, using every method to shatter the opponent’s solid authority and finally delivering a miserable end to him…

That was the most perfect plan for revenge.

Moreover, this time it wasn’t virtual but reality, and perhaps because it was the first crisis faced with actual risks, it was even exhilarating.

I wonder what he’ll do. I glanced at Wolf with a bright expression, my soft cheeks twitching.

“Well, I should get started.”

Then, positioning my palms facing each other inside the transparent crystal ball, I burst the dam of mana I had been holding back.

Whoosh─!

I gently closed my eyes at the warm glow emanating from my palms.