One month had passed since then.
It was a month spent doing absolutely nothing.
Wifey was still swamped with rituals leading up to her imperial inauguration.
She’d just finished spending three days performing a Prayer for the Peace and Prosperity of the Empire.
Next was apparently a Ritual for the Happiness of the People.
Notably, most Imperial citizens had no idea what these rituals actually were.
Neither did I.
Even Wifey’s understanding was probably surface-level at best.
But I didn’t have the heart to act high and mighty and demand their abolition.
Apparently, getting rid of even a single garment or accessory would leave a massive number of people unemployed...
Some things in this world simply shouldn't be touched.
For now, the most I could do was put on my formal wear when summoned and stand by her side with a smile.
Consequently, our time together was sparse. Me sad.
Anyway, I was currently eating in the dormitory cafeteria.
Pork ginger, Napolitan pasta, a mountain of vegetables, and gyoza. Plus rice and miso soup.
The food made by the catering staff—an old man who was a Sergeant with Special Job Status—was incredibly good.
Calories, protein, sheer volume. It hit every mark. The high carb count was probably a nod to Japanese culture.
Since the catering staff arrived, the Boys' Cookie Underground Economy had collapsed, the girls had stopped being feral, and peace had returned to the dorms.
On top of that, the Imperial Army had finally begun to rally.
They’d secured victories on several fronts and successfully liberated local planets.
Turns out they could do it if they tried.
The students who had been worried about their home planets were finally relaxing.
Given the circumstances, it was only natural for their tension to snap.
A group of guys was chatting nearby.
"Hahaha, Captain!"
"No, no, after you, Captain!"
Since the announcement that everyone was being promoted to Second Lieutenant, a game of calling each other "Captain" regardless of gender had become all the rage at the academy.
Ignorance of reality really was bliss.
One of the guys walked over.
"Hey, Leo. What’s this 'Officer Training Camp' on the schedule?"
"Ah, you finally noticed. See the patch on my tracksuit? The diamond one?"
"Didn't you just sew that on yourself?"
"No. Look, remember back in the Junior Academy when I pulled that desertion stunt?"
"Oh yeah. You got chewed out big time for that."
"I was gone during the long break the following year, right?"
"Ah... yeah, now that you mention it... you're usually always in the dorms since you don't go home, but you were gone then. Wait, I'm getting a bad feeling about this..."
"I was being forced to attend as punishment. The Advanced Course Member Training Camp."
"What?"
"I think the instructors wanted to break me and show me how big the world was. But I got stubborn and stuck it out until graduation. In hindsight, I should've just deserted again."
"Wait, hold on. Isn't that for the Special Forces...?"
"It just gives you the qualification to apply for the Special Forces Training Course. Apparently, everyone has to go through it when they become Second Lieutenants."
"...You’re kidding. Wait, wait, wait! Everyone?!"
"Yep, everyone. Have a nice trip~"
"H-hey, tell the girls! We're deserting!!"
The guys were only ever this united at times like this.
"If you desert now, the Special Forces will be the ones hunting you down. Just give up."
"Leo! How did you get through it?! Tell us!"
"Endure."
"Huh?"
"Just endure until it's over without thinking. You'll lose the ability to think anyway after half a day."
"Nooo! I don't want to go to that kind of camp! NOOOOOOOO!"
"Hahaha! Cry more, you idiots! My status as a top-tier student isn't just for show!"
"It was a punishment for you!"
"Gwahahaha!"
Gloating, I put my dishes in the automatic washer and headed back to my room.
Absolute victory.
I would never have to step foot in that hell again!
...Of course, getting cocky was my undoing.
"Captain. You're going to the camp too."
I had been summoned to the reception room by the Principal, a Brigadier General, and the Vice Principal, a Colonel.
Apparently, high-ranking officers often became school administrators before they retired.
Hard to believe, right? They had such gentle faces, yet the veteran vibes coming off them were intense.
I stood there like an idiot in front of the big shots.
"Pardon?"
"The Special Forces training camp is being held at the same time. We’d like you to go and participate in that one."
"Wait, why Special Forces...?"
"Well, you fight so recklessly, after all. We thought this would be a good chance to beat proper skills into you and improve your survival rate."
"Uh..."
"This time, the Special Forces unit is the Esper Combat Unit. It’s perfect, isn’t it? It doesn’t seem like you’ve had any formal training for ESP combat."
"Er... is there any chance I could... say no?"
"I'm afraid not. I suppose there's the 'secret move' of resigning from the military, but if you left, the organization would collapse. We'd have to kill you before we let you walk away."
The Principal’s eyes weren't smiling.
The Vice Principal’s gaze was just as sharp.
They were both dead serious.
"U-understood."
"Hahaha! Glad you agree. Oh, I'll send some treats to the dorm later. Well then, that's settled. Give me a second to make a call."
A call?
"Ah, yes, Leo-kun agreed. Have the Capture Unit and the prison van stand down. Right, thanks."
They’d already deployed a squad!
I could hear footsteps in the hallway outside.
There were probably dozens of them.
Is that really an appropriate amount of force for one person?
"...Were you actually serious?"
"Dead serious. You're the future of this country. That said, we can't exactly keep you out of the fight against the Zork. The only reason the army is currently holding its own is because we’ve analyzed your combat data. That's how vital you are to our forces. So, what do we do? We protect you the only way we know how."
It was 100% genuine, unadulterated goodwill.
They were going to turn us into super-soldiers.
Normally, people would fail the selection... or rather, only the absolute cream of the crop could get into the Special Forces.
Physical strength aside, I didn't have the knowledge or technique to match them.
They intended to take us—who weren't anywhere near that level despite our combat experience—and force us up there, cost be damned.
Something was wrong... My life... how did it end up like this?
"Welcome to the World of the Strongest."
I really hate this.
When I returned to the dorm with a heavy heart, I found piles of snacks and fruit waiting for us.
The hungry lot had already started eating.
They’d had it ready from the start!
Fine, whatever! I’ll just be an idiot too!
Bananas are delicious.