In the Kingdom Army, it was a matter of course that those recruited as soldiers had undergone rigorous training at training schools or the Officers' Academy. However, Lydia had always felt that their current training was far too soft.
This was likely due to the Kingdom's status as a sorcery-advanced nation.
Even when they did train, the emphasis was placed heavily on physical reinforcement through sorcery. Their entire foundation began and ended with sorcery. Given their education, this was a natural progression in a sense.
Furthermore, with the current rise of bloodline elitism among the nobility, the military’s tendency to depend on sorcery was becoming even more pronounced.
Amidst this climate, Lydia had proposed an unthinkable form of training.
It was a true bolt from the blue. Or rather, it was a logical step when one considered the facts, but Lydia—who never hesitated to shatter entrenched ideologies—had been negotiating with Military High Command.
She had proposed a training regimen of her own design, known as the Ainsworth-style Boot Camp.
"Master, where are we going today?"
"Heh heh heh. To be honest, I'm planning to have that training I’ve been testing on you officially adopted by the military."
"Which means, it’s finally happening..."
"Yeah. That’s right."
Lydia and Ray were walking side by side. Their destination was the Kingdom Army base—specifically, Henrick's office.
This was not Ray's first time visiting the base. Those around them generally perceived him as a young relative of Lydia’s. Normally, it wasn't the kind of place a child should be frequenting, but given Lydia’s eccentric personality, no one dared to say anything.
"Excuse us."
After a knock, they entered the room. Inside, Henrick was busy looking over documents.
"Lieutenant Colonel. I've come regarding that matter."
"Ainsworth. Ah, that matter. Give me a moment."
With that, he began searching through a stack of papers for the document in question. Henrick had also earned a promotion over these past three years. He was currently a Lieutenant Colonel, standing at a position where the rank of Colonel was nearly within reach.
This was largely due to his track record of leading the Special Selection Unit Astral. He had gathered three geniuses like Lydia into one place and made them function as an organized unit. It was through these achievements that he had steadily risen through the ranks.
"Here it is. Permission from High Command has already been granted."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Lydia bowed on the spot.
While she had naturally been promoted herself, she had also acquired a modicum of proper etiquette. Of course, she still treated those she disliked with bluntness, but this attitude was a reflection of her seeing Henrick as a superior worthy of respect.
"Ray's samples were also extremely useful. All that’s left is to execute the plan."
"Yes. We've finally made it this far."
"There are no missions scheduled for the Special Selection Unit Astral for a while. I want you to proceed with that plan during the interim, Ainsworth. I've already gathered personnel from the training school."
"Hahaha! Is that so?! My, my... how wonderful... kukuku."
Her expression was unmistakably that of a villain. Ray caught a glimpse of Lydia's face and couldn't help but voice a complaint.
"Master. You have a truly wicked look on your face."
"Kukuku... No, I just can't help it when I think about what’s to come."
"I think you’re suited for many things, Master. You're perfect for the role of instructor."
"Oh! So you do understand, Ray?"
Lydia vigorously ruffled Ray's hair, but he had intended his words as pure sarcasm. However, she failed to notice the jab.
"Normally, someone of your rank wouldn't need to act as an instructor, but this is a special case. I want you to guide the students from the training school. I believe you can do it, Ainsworth."
"Hahaha! Of course! After all, I am a genius!!"
Lydia said this with a laugh, but it was an assessment everyone agreed with. She was a genius who had already become one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers at the youngest age in history. It was said that no sorcerer in history could stand as her equal.
"Well then, I'll go prepare to start next week. Please excuse us."
"Yes. Do your best."
"Naturally."
With a smirk, Lydia and Ray left the office.
"Alright! Let's eat out today! We'll call it a celebration!"
"Is the money going to be okay? We've been eating out a bit much lately, so I'm worried..."
"Hey, now. Are you my mother? Don't worry about that. A kid should just focus on eating delicious food!"
"Sigh... I suppose so."
Lydia’s spending wasn't exactly reckless, but Ray worried nonetheless. Occasionally, she would spend astronomical amounts of money on antiques, artwork, or rare foods.
While she likely wasn't in danger of going bankrupt, Ray still had his concerns. Because Lydia was so free-spirited, Ray, who grew up watching her, had become more mature than his years—perhaps as a cautionary example.
Abby had been concerned about this, but she had already given up, concluding that it was simply how things were. Besides, she felt that as long as Ray was around, things would be fine.
"Alright. Today is meat! It's decided, we're having steak!"
"Understood."
And so, it was decided they would eat at a high-end restaurant. As a regular and a well-known member of the Seven Grand Sorcerers, Lydia received service that could only be described as VIP treatment.
She was already on familiar terms with the staff.
Once they had ordered top-grade steaks, the two began to eat, handling their knives and forks with practiced ease.
"Master. About that training—you proposed it rather suddenly, didn't you? Is there a reason for it?"
"Hmm? Ah... yeah. I suppose I should tell you, Ray."
Pausing, she wiped her mouth clean with a napkin.
Lydia’s eyes turned serious, a sharp contrast to her earlier demeanor, as she gave voice to her thoughts.
"You know there have been a lot of conflicts lately, right?"
"Yes. They say a large-scale war involving sorcery might break out in the near future."
"Exactly. Because the Kingdom is a sorcery-advanced nation, it has many talented people. But it's still not enough. We understand this precisely because we've gained actual combat experience on the front lines, and I felt we needed to fundamentally change our education. To survive on the battlefield, sorcery alone isn't enough."
"I see..."
It wasn't that she had proposed the Ainsworth-style Boot Camp on a mere whim.
There was a solid reason behind it, and she had been moving the plan forward for that purpose.
"Ray. I'll tell you one thing as well."
"What is it?"
Lydia took a breath, then spoke coldly, cloaked in a serene atmosphere.
"—Great talent carries with it a corresponding weight of responsibility."
Hearing those words, Ray didn't quite feel the weight of them yet.
"Responsibility, you say?"
"Yes. Talent is not something to be wielded recklessly or wasted. It is precisely because one has talent that they must put in dedicated effort and strive to make the most of it. I live my life according to that principle as well."
"...You really are a wonderful person, Master."
"No, it's nothing like that. I'm just—no, I shouldn't say the rest to you just yet."
She let out a soft sigh.
Ray felt a certain sense of precariousness in the atmosphere Lydia projected when she occasionally spoke seriously. It was a sensation as if they weren't standing in the same world. One could call it being otherworldly, but he sensed something deeper within her.
"Regardless, you are also one of those with talent. It's only natural since you're my disciple, but you will surely acquire the ability to become one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers in the future. That is why you must never forget that responsibility. Our power carries that much weight."
"Yes. I will keep that in my heart."
"Good. Now, let's eat. It'll get cold if we don't hurry."
"Yes."
With that, the two enjoyed the rest of their meal while engaging in idle conversation.