Chapter 123.1


    If there were a cold wind in this world, today would be the first.


    Under the autumn sky, where the cold winds rage, I stood in the grassland, observing the divided positions of east and west.


    Commanding the eastern forces is Kurtos Norbert Pesim.


    He is the heir to the Pesim barony and tends to be overconfident, but among the third year, he stands out as the best.


    And the commander of the west is Lambert Alois Ketten.


    He is the third son of a baronial family, excelling in individual skills, leadership, and judgment, ranking top among the third years.


    Excluding loyal subjects like Felix and oddballs like me, there’s no one among the upperclassmen who surpasses him.


    The joint exercise involving second years—who will emerge victorious in the first battle?


    Both camps, along with the senior students acting as judges, take their positions.


    As the battle drum sounds in the central tent, both sides spring into action.


    Following the standard strategy, the Kurtos squad sends out a mobile unit in advance.


    In contrast, the Lambert squad’s movements seemed somewhat sluggish.


    Moreover, they seem to be planning to confront the enemy without reorganizing their squad.


    As I watch, Kamar and Neji from the Kurtos squad rush past me.


    “Judges, thank you for your hard work!”


    “You guys do your best too!”


    I reply to the two with a relaxed response.


    Then, as I see the mobile unit led by Kurtos set off, a nearby upperclassman signals me with his eyes.


    Well then, time to get to work.


    I chase after the mobile unit and head toward Lambert’s position.


    Picking up speed, I overtake the mobile unit, and Kamar and the others ahead look back, confused.


    Since the Lambert squad abandoned the battlefield capture, they seem to have advanced more than anticipated.


    Having boldly penetrated deep into enemy territory, Kamar and Neji turn back and join the rear mobile unit.


    They’ve wasted their stamina.


    With that, the tide of battle shifted dramatically.


    Prioritizing coordination among squad members, the Lambert squad steadily defeats the Kurtos squad due to the difference in their capabilities.


    When the front lines collapse and they invade close to the main camp, Liz leads the mages, charging forward with the intent to die honorably.


    However, mages without offensive spells are merely children.


    Elliott assigns the task to the second year, ultimately breaching the Kurtos’ main camp through sheer numbers.


    The first battle ended in victory for the Lambert squad.


    The injured receive treatment, while the others return to the tents.


    I attend the judges’ debriefing, where the seniors communicate tomorrow’s points of caution.


    After the debriefing, as I try to return to my tent, Elphimia approaches me.


    “We won decisively, didn’t we?”


    “Given the disparity in strength. Lambert’s command ability is beyond that of a mere student, and there are also Felix and Elliott’s squad.”


    “Your followers were curled up in the waiting area, though? In the early stages.”


    “Don’t mention it. They’re usually reliable forces.”


    Everyone prepares dinner or rests in preparation for tomorrow.


    By now, I imagine Nils is being scolded by Elliott somewhere.


    Also, the other ‘Ranaine’, Jonas, was fighting with the Lambert squad.


    He couldn’t use any support magic, so he served as a messenger, but in the end, he mixed with the assault unit and scattered Liz’s attacking squad.


    Even among mages, the difference in determination and experience for close combat is night and day.


    If Liz’s assault unit were made up of people like Jonas, Kurtos might have lasted a bit longer.


    “I wonder what will happen tomorrow.”


    “It’s obvious. It’ll get chaotic, right?”


    Recalling last year, Elphimia smiled faintly.


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