Lydia and her companions had successfully completed their curriculum at the Officers' Academy. As of today, their field training was set to begin. Currently, many conflicts were breaking out in the East. Furthermore, these were clashes that involved the use of magic.
Large-scale wars utilizing magic had yet to occur. However, with the birth of Code Theory, magic had been systematized; anyone with a modicum of talent could exercise it to a certain degree simply by receiving a magical education.
While this brought further progress to the field, every advancement came with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Indeed, magic was also proving to be an exceptionally useful means of killing.
Humans using magic for murder—that was something that was already happening in reality.
"The Kingdom's eastern camp, huh? I haven't come out this way very often."
With a backpack slung over her shoulders, Lydia led the way. Word was that skirmishes were currently breaking out along the Kingdom's border.
The remaining six months of their field training would focus primarily on defensive operations along that very border.
"You surprisingly don't go out much, Lydia. You occasionally head to the forest for a run, but you're usually reading books or conducting magic experiments."
Abby put those thoughts into words.
Just as she said, although Lydia was active, she didn't necessarily enjoy being outside all the time.
She spent a significant amount of time absorbing knowledge through reading and conducting experiments to create new magic; she engaged in indoor activities far more often than one might expect.
"I suppose so... Now that you mention it, you might be right. Still, I have to wonder—what is up with this one?"
Behind Lydia and Abby, Carol was skipping along. She was even humming a tune as she went. As usual, her pink hair was tied up in high twin-tails.
She didn't seem exhausted in the least, despite the considerable distance they had walked.
"Eh? Are you talking about Caro-caro, by any chance?"
Carol wore a blank, oblivious expression. Lydia spoke her mind exactly as it was.
"Yeah. To be honest, I thought you would have dropped out back at the Officers' Academy."
"Ehh! Lydia-chan, that’s so meeeaan! Even Caro-caro can do it if she tries! ☆"
She puffed out her chest with a proud "Ahem" to show off. It was true that Carol was highly intelligent, and her physical abilities weren't half-bad either.
However, Lydia had assumed she would surely fall behind at the academy while mixed in with adults, and that only Abby would be able to keep up. Yet, Carol had successfully made it all the way to this field training.
Lydia couldn't hide her surprise.
"Carol. You're basically an Idiot Pink, but are you actually someone who can get things done?"
"Muuu! We've been together for four years now! Lydia-chan, you really don't understand Caro-caro at all! You Muscle-brained Gorilla!!"
"...Huh?"
Lydia thudded her backpack onto the ground and began to inch toward Carol. Sensing that things were about to get ugly, Abby restrained Lydia in a half-nelson to stop her.
"Hey! Let go! She's the one who picked a fight!!"
"It was just a retort to your insult. Calm down, Lydia," Abby said, trying her best to soothe her.
Despite this, Carol continued to provoke her.
"Hehehe! Lydia-chan, you were famous even back at the Officers' Academy for being a gorilla~"
"...I'm going to kill you."
Afterward, Abby somehow managed to calm Lydia down, who had been on the verge of truly snapping, and then proceeded to give Carol a very harsh lecture.
They say that being close enough to fight is a good sign, but the mental exhaustion for Abby, who had to mediate, was becoming quite significant...
"Alright, we're here."
The three of them, having finally settled down, continued their trek and reached the simplified camp that had been established. Multiple tents had been set up, and there were already signs of activity within.
"Oh, looks like all three of you have arrived."
Sensing their arrival, Henrick emerged from a tent.
"Major Fahrenheit. It has been a long time."
The one who saluted and spoke was, of course, Abby.
"It’s been half a year, you three. I’m relieved to see you’ve made it here safely."
"Hmph. The training at the Officers' Academy was child's play for me."
Lydia flashed her usual smirk. In response, Abby let out a heavy sigh.
Abby kept intending to make her friend fix her way of addressing superior officers, but there was no sign of the habit ever improving.
"Yay! It's the Major! Wait, did you get even bigger than before?"
Smiling brightly, Carol approached and began to touch his muscles without permission. In response, he flexed his upper arms with a grunt of effort.
"Hahaha! Caroline, it seems you have a discerning eye. My muscles are still growing!"
"Ooh! They're so big!!"
Henrick didn't scold her; instead, he spoke to Carol as if he were interacting with a child. Indeed, to him, they probably felt no different from children.
Though in her case, the behavior wasn't a calculated move; she was simply naturally like that...
Haaa...
Their sighs overlapped.
When Abby turned to the side, she saw the secretary who was always by Henrick's side. Since she was wearing a military uniform, she was also a soldier.
"I apologize for the delay. I am Abby Garnet."
Abby saluted and introduced herself. Although they had met before, they hadn't yet had a formal greeting.
"You seem to be a truly sensible person. That's a huge help."
"I am honored."
"I am Flor Corrain. My rank is Lieutenant."
"Understood. I look forward to working with you, Lieutenant Corrain."
After exchanging salutes, they turned their gaze toward the other three. There, Lydia, Carol, and Henrick were enjoying their conversation.
To an outsider, it was a heartwarming scene, but the two women harbored a premonition that chaos would inevitably follow.
"...We're both going to have a hard time, aren't we?"
"No. I wouldn't say that..."
"I know. Ainsworth and Caroline. They're quite the handful, aren't they?"
"...Urgh. Yes, that's true. In reality, I'm truly struggling... They almost got into a fight on the way here, so mediating was a lot of work."
Then, Flor placed both hands on Abby's shoulders.
"It's okay. Let's do our best together from now on."
"...Lieutenant Corrain!!"
Abby cried out, overcome with emotion. It was the joy of finding a kindred spirit for the first time. She had been all alone between Lydia and Carol this whole time, but now there was a superior officer who understood her plight.
Just that alone almost made Abby tear up.
However, Flor already had a grasp on the members of this unit. Abby, on the other hand, did not. Abby would eventually come to realize the true meaning of Flor's words until she was sick of it, but that was a realization for another day...
"Oh? New recruits?"
Emerging from the tent was a man who was a size larger than even Henrick. He possessed overwhelming muscle mass, and his massive frame was incredibly intimidating.
"Mm... He's huge."
Lydia immediately analyzed the quality of his muscles. Apparently, he was in a different league compared to the cadets at the Officers' Academy.
"Are you Ainsworth? I've heard the rumors."
Flashing a grin with his white teeth shining, he offered a handshake. She accepted.
"I'm Lydia = Ainsworth. Nice to meet you."
"Hahaha! I'm Deruku Armstrong. My rank is Sergeant. Good to have you."
Their gazes locked.
Lydia shook his hand, but she squeezed that large hand with every ounce of her strength. It was a grip that would make an ordinary person writhe in agony, but Deruku didn't flinch at all.
"Ooh! You've got some pretty good strength there, don't you?"
Seeing his composed smile, Lydia thought:
This is going to be an interesting place.