Dawn broke.
Field training was finally beginning in earnest. The curriculum didn’t immediately jump into practical magic battles; instead, they were to start by learning how to navigate the vast forest stretching out before them.
"Alright! I’m gonna give it my all today, too!"
Early in the morning, Lydia performed a series of thorough flexibility exercises.
Afterward, she moved on to light push-ups and other calisthenics, tuning her body for the day’s exertion.
The members of the unit gathered one by one, but among them, Carol alone continued her preparations until the very last second before training was set to start.
"Hey, Carol. It’s almost time. Are you ready?"
Abby went over to call out to her. She found Carol peering intently into a handheld mirror, fastidiously applying her makeup.
It wasn't that she was putting on a heavy face to psych herself up; she simply loathed being seen without it more than anything else. Thus, she never skipped her makeup routine, even for field training.
"Okay! I’m all finished now~☆ I’ll be right there!"
With Carol finally joining them, the entire group was assembled.
"It looks like everyone is here."
When Henrick arrived, the air grew slightly heavy with tension. Although he usually possessed a mild temperament, he was a man who also carried a fierce intensity. He hadn't risen to the rank of field officer at such a young age for nothing.
"First, I’ll have Deruku lead you on a twenty-kilometer run through the forest. We sorcerers tend to rely too much on magic, but basic physical ability is essential in a pinch. Physical strength is the most basic of basics. Also, the proper response is 'Ranger.' This isn't exactly Ranger Training, but I think it adds to the atmosphere, don't you?"
"Ranger!!"
Everyone shouted in unison. Among them, Flor alone wore a slightly exasperated expression, but since his impulsive whims were nothing new, she didn't say anything.
While Lydia and the other two were the primary subjects of this training, Deruku and Flor were participating in an instructional capacity.
"Now then, I’ll be doing some paperwork inside the tent, so I’ll leave the rest to you two. Deruku, Flor."
With that, he disappeared into the tent. The two instructors stood before the trio of cadets.
"Sergeant. You take the lead, and I’ll bring up the rear. Watch the pace distribution."
"Understood, ma'am!"
Giving a sharp salute, Flor moved to the back of the line while Deruku took the lead, plunging into the forest.
This forest was located even deeper than the Kafka Forest. It was a frequent site for military drills, meaning most former officer cadets or trainees had spent time training here. Consequently, both Deruku and Flor already had the layout of the terrain etched into their minds.
For this exercise, they had been ordered not to use Physical Reinforcement.
Many nobles and other sorcerers who subscribed to bloodline elitism believed that as long as they possessed magic, they had no need to hone their physical bodies.
However, the army—especially of late—placed a heavy emphasis on physical training. Even in a magic battle, the ultimate deciding factor was often basic physical endurance.
Flashy magic wasn't the goal here. What they needed was the sheer power to survive.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
The group kept their breathing in sync as they dashed through the brush. Deruku showed absolutely no mercy, maintaining a punishing pace through the dense woods.
Lydia and Abby were able to keep up with ease, but Carol was gradually losing ground.
"Caroline. Are you alright?"
"Hah... hah... hah... I-I’m fine!!"
Flor called out from the rear. Carol immediately pushed herself to regain her pace, tucking in tightly behind Abby.
Carol certainly possessed high physical capabilities. She had achieved respectable results during her time at the Officers' Academy.
However, when compared to the rest of this specific unit, it was only natural that she would lag behind. She was not a sorcerer intended for the front lines. She specialized in backline support and strategic command, a path she intended to pursue further given her sharp intellect.
But this was still training. It was part of the essential curriculum required to graduate from the academy.
Her makeup began to smudge and her hair grew disheveled, but Carol desperately forced her legs to move.
Abby, running just ahead of her, glanced back and spoke.
"Carol. Should I have him lower the pace?"
"Hah... hah... I’m... okay! I’m staying with you to the end!"
"Understood."
Giving a curt reply, Abby immediately faced forward again. It wasn't that she was being cold to her friend.
It was a sign of trust. Carol had always followed through on everything she claimed she could do. In the past, when Carol looked like she was struggling, Abby or Lydia would worry and offer help, but Carol had always overcome those hurdles on her own.
She usually played the fool and acted like a jokester, but in reality, she was a person with a firm sense of self and a profound sense of responsibility.
After successfully completing the twenty-kilometer run, the group returned to the camp.
Except for Carol, no one looked particularly exhausted; they appeared to have plenty of stamina to spare.
"Caroline. You did well to keep up!"
Deruku was the one to hand her water. Since he had been tasked with leading the pace, he had been monitoring Carol’s condition from the front. She was the only one whose breathing had truly become labored.
Even so, he hadn't slowed down.
He had noticed that Lydia and Abby had stayed right with her without offering any misplaced pity. He knew they had been friends since their student days, and he realized that their bond was forged of more than just simple kindness.
"Haa... haa... haa... Th-thank you... so much!"
Heaving for air, she drained the water in one go. Carol made a heavy gulping sound as she emptied the container in seconds.
"Alright! That light run really loosened up my muscles."
"...I'm sure you're the only one who thinks that was a light run."
Just as Abby suggested, even if the others had stamina remaining, they were still reasonably fatigued. Lydia, on the other hand, spoke as if the grueling run had been nothing more than a warm-up.
Deruku and Flor could only offer wry smiles at her comment.
"Hahaha! As expected of Lydia Ainsworth!"
"Yes. She truly seems to be an exceptional existence..."
As they spoke, Henrick emerged from his tent.
"It seems you finished earlier than expected. Deruku, did you maintain the pace?"
"Yes, sir. I judged that everyone could keep up."
"I see. So all three can handle the basics."
He calmly assessed the situation.
The development of the three girls had been left entirely to Henrick—or rather, pushed onto him—and he had now grasped their basic physical limits.
"Good. Next, let’s try a magic battle. Deruku, I want you to go against Ainsworth immediately."
"Ranger!"
The moment she heard those words, Lydia broke into a wide, ecstatic grin.
"Ooh! The time has finally come...! Hehe... Deruku looks strong, so I’ve got high expectations for this!"
With that, the two prepared to face off.