Chapter 5: Raintlant Cadet Squad Leader Selection Test (1)

Chapter 5: Raintlant Cadet Squad Leader Selection Test (1)

On the day when the cadet squad leaders and squad members heading to the Raintlant frontlines were being selected, 20 academy students, including myself, who had applied for the Raintlant frontlines, stood at the center of the sports field in full armor.

Surrounded by several officers, academy professors, and students from the first to fourth year, I thought to myself that it almost felt as if we had become representatives for a sports festival.

However, those who came to watch here probably just wanted to enjoy the spectacle of lower-achieving students who had trained novice soldiers for a month having mock battles on a mundane weekday.

But once they see the exploits of the Yaeger squad, their perception wouldn’t just be simple amusement; they’ll be awestruck.

Thinking I’d get a chance to prove my worth to those who discriminated based on status, I felt electrified.

“On May 15th, year 220 of the Empire, at 12 o’clock, the selection test for the cadet squad leaders who applied to the Raintlant frontlines will begin! Listen carefully to the examination methods!”

Upon those words, the previously scattered students and staff ceased their chatter and focused on the professor announcing the test method.

“Firstly, out of the 20 cadets participating in this mock battle, only 10 can go to the Raintlant frontlines. Thus, two students, each leading their trained squad members, will have a mock battle, and the winner will earn the right to apply for the Raintlant frontlines.”

The professor mentioned earning the right to apply, but among the students here, not a single one would refuse to go to the frontlines.

Because including myself, all 20 of us had ambiguous grades, and everyone wanted to quickly build their careers on the frontline.

If one hadn’t applied at all, it would be different. But if you apply, get selected, and then don’t head to the frontlines, you’d be branded a coward, which would screw up your future military life.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

Who would risk that after coming this far?

“Now, I will explain the elements evaluated in the mock battle, the rules, and the testing methods. Primarily, this mock battle will only evaluate each cadet’s capability as a squad leader. We have determined that the best way to evaluate this is through a mock battle, so the outcome and the entire process of the battle will be evaluated by Lieutenant Colonel Weber and four other officers. The rules are the same as a regular mock battle, where a melee will be fought at the central sports field.”

It might seem like a very simple game and evaluation method, but it was hard to find a better way to evaluate leadership capabilities.

This was because, in this era, with medieval to early modern military knowledge, weapons, and tactics, the battles that could be unfolded at the squad level were mostly close combats.

With a discerning commander evaluating, just watching the two forces clash in melee combat would be enough to check the training status of each unit, the trust in their commander, and the commander’s squad operation capability.

Additionally, by conducting melee combat as a competition, the battle would end quickly. Thus, it allowed us to finish all 15 group matches within a day.

But before the start of the mock battle, the professor proclaimed,

“Finally, before we begin the mock battle, do you swear to conduct a fair game in the eyes of the Empire and His Imperial Majesty?”

He might have been insincere other times, but he meant it now.

That was because, even with a vague idea of how Johann trained, he would have a clear strategy against Johann’s troops.

Johann proudly said, “For the first 10 days, we trained the soldiers on basic techniques like holding a spear, swinging it, and stabbing. For the next 10 days, we practiced moving in formation and group attacks. The last 10 days were spent on mock battles after splitting the platoon in half and reviewing everything they’ve learned so far.”

It seemed he had applied training methods from the Empire’s military textbook quite well.

From what he said, Johann’s soldiers probably mastered marching in formation and moving as a 30-man unit.

They would be fully functional as a platoon.

It was impressive that he, just a student at the academy, achieved such a result.

But against Yaeger’s platoon, which became a single unit through formal and physical training from the start, Johann’s troops were just a lump of clay that had learned to move together.

That was why he was 99% sure of winning, but he would have to wait a bit to repay the insult Johann gave him.

“You trained very traditionally and faithfully. In the army, sticking to the textbook is often the best approach.”

Then Johann responded sarcastically.

“Is that so? Why don’t you forfeit now, then, Senior? You’ll bear the shame of forfeiting, but at least you won’t have a record of being defeated by Johann von Hausenburk without putting up a fight.”

As he was about to reply, a student from the academy student council approached them and said,

“Peter Yaeger, Johann von Hausenburk, prepare for combat! Both of your platoons are waiting on the east and west sides of the sports field. The mock battle starts in 15 minutes.”

Both he and Johann quickly ran to their respective platoons.

As he approached the eastern side of the sports field where his soldiers were waiting, he saw a look of tension on their faces.

Seeing them, he confidently said,

“As long as we follow our training, we will definitely win. In fact, the enemy wouldn’t even be able to touch us. So, listen and follow my commands.”

Johann von Hausenburk insulted a commoner like me who had been eating bread mixed with sawdust. He wouldn’t be able to show his face at any social gatherings for at least two years.