I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 10: The Onset Of Crisis (1)

Whether one was poor, wealthy, good-looking, or not, all people, to varying degrees, lived with a sense of inferiority.

A good-looking person without a stable income might envy an average-looking, highly-educated corporate employee. Similarly, those who’ve found success through studying might be jealous of those who enjoyed their youth with romance and pleasure.

It was the inferiority one would feel towards someone who had something they desired but lacked.

Thus, those who have achieved great success tend to garner envy and jealousy from those who haven’t.

Since entering the academy, I have never once achieved a success significant enough to make others feel inferior.

During the last mock battle, my victory only proved my capabilities as a commander. Other than the severely defeated Johann, most just regarded it as an odd occurrence.

But it was different this time.

“How dare a commoner, who just lucked into the academy, surpass me, Gustaf Haublinger, and step forward…”

“That lowly vermin thinks he can just jump around without understanding his place. Doing so is like digging his own grave with his actions.”

“Francois Republic will soon become part of the Empire. Seeing a noble fit to be a battalion commander get killed by a mere commoner…”

The high-born student commanders, who were assigned to the frontlines like me, having barely adjusted to the frontlines, felt jealous and envious of my achievement in smashing an entire battalion.

Growing up as a humble commoner orphan, witnessing their genuine envy and their desire to belittle my accomplishments washed away the sense of inferiority I had toward the nobility.

Just as I was savoring my much-improved position, I heard a voice calling me from the platform.

“Student Commander Peter Yaeger! Ascend the platform.”

Although referred to as a platform, it was merely a battlefield podium with only ten steps. With each step I took, I could feel the envious and piercing gazes, especially from the student commanders, on the back of my head.

It felt as though all the humiliation I had endured since enrolling in the academy was being washed away.

Of course, I had no intention of being satisfied here.

On the platform were those of higher ranks–the Division Commander’s deputy, the Regimental Commander, the Deputy Division Commander, and the Chief of Staff. These were individuals that even some nobles found hard to approach.

Standing beside individuals with ranks ranging from lieutenant colonel to major general, as a mere student commander, I felt somewhat small and awkward.

However, not much later, with the accompaniment of a military band, the division commander ascended the platform, smiling as he patted my shoulder.

Normally, even if one achieved a significant feat, it would be rare for a noble officer, especially someone of a rank akin to a division commander, to acknowledge a mere student commander…

That gentleman, before being an aristocrat, was a soldier who staked his life on his rank.

Especially on this frontline, which was the stage prepared by the Crown Prince to establish his first military achievement in his life, the eyes of the core of the imperial army were focused on it.

Depending on their performance here, promotions to lieutenant colonel, colonel, and general were at stake.

Although he did nothing, the student commander of commoner origin, who was mostly treated as nothing more than baggage, annihilated an entire battalion and even took the battalion commander’s head…

So he would probably treat him warmly, thinking he could boast about his ability.

After organizing these thoughts, I immediately replied with my full title.

“Student Commander Peter Yaeger!”

“Seeing you, I understand why the late Emperor didn’t put restrictions on the academy’s admissions! Very well, let’s begin!”

Upon hearing that, I took a stiff salute posture, and the executive officer declared loudly.

“Student Commander Peter Yaeger, in response to the Empire’s call, enlisted as a commander from the academy, stood at the forefront of the company in his first deployment, reduced the company’s casualties by killing three wizards, made a significant contribution by annihilating a battalion of the Francois Republic, and personally suppressed the battalion commander, elevating the Empire’s prestige.”

Annihilating a battalion of the Francois Republic and killing the battalion commander was certainly a significant achievement for a mere student commander.

But to an Empire or other nation that had dozens of divisions, such damage was equivalent to a drop in the ocean.

Strictly speaking, it could be said that his name had only spread to the Rhine front. But good things were good.

“In recognition, Division Commander Stefan von Bolt, on behalf of the Emperor, commissions Peter Yaeger as a lieutenant and awards him the 2nd class Silver Cross Medal and its accompanying commendation.”

I had already expected to be promoted to lieutenant and to receive an appropriate medal.

Because a mere student lieutenant made a significant contribution by annihilating a battalion, it was only right for the division commander to commission it directly.

However, I never expected to receive the silver cross medal, even if it were 2nd class. The Silver Cross Medal was awarded only to veteran commanders above the rank of lieutenant colonel, or soldiers and commanders recognized as extreme aces for their repeated significant achievements.

At the same time, commanders who received this medal before becoming lieutenant colonel usually get promoted to at least lieutenant colonel before retiring, which meant I had a clear path up to becoming a general.

People say that success requires not only effort but also good luck, and I was truly grateful that the division commander was so keen on promotions, which was a great help.

“Lieutenant Peter Yaeger, thank you!”

At the same time, the division commander pinned a medal on the right side of my military uniform, attached a beautifully silver-decorated sword to my waist, and said,

“I hope you continue to contribute to the Empire, Lieutenant Yaeger.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Then the division commander looked at the officers below with a satisfied expression and said,

“All the other student commanders should also make contributions like Lieutenant Yaeger, elevating the honor of their families. Dismissed!”

On the night I was promoted to lieutenant under the attention of all the officers and soldiers in the division,

The division commander recognized the special merits of our 4th company, and thanks to the exemption from all guard duties and night duties for 3 days, officers and soldiers of our company started drinking.

“Once again, cheers to the youngest for being promoted from student commander to lieutenant!”

When the company commander’s toast was over, the other officers, excluding me, responded loudly.

“Congratulations on your promotion!”

“I thought you were a burden at first, but it turns out you’re a blessing!”

Even if I got promoted, the lieutenants in front of me were more experienced, but most of them only had the Iron Cross or Bronze Cross medals below the Silver Cross.

So they could be jealous, but instead, they were genuinely happy. The senior members of the company also got a bit less than me, but thanks to this victory, they received a lot of performance evaluations required for promotions.

In other words, with the new student lieutenant coming in, everyone had solidly earned their evaluations, making this situation possible.

“Isn’t all this possible because my senior lieutenants taught me well?”

“We had only been assigned here for 2 days and then went to war, so we didn’t have time to teach you anything. You’re good with words! I like you even more now. Anyway, now that you’re promoted, you’re buying our drinks!”

“Second Lieutenant, stop bullying our poor lieutenant!”

And then, I kept drinking the alcohol served by my senior lieutenants, who were at least 7-8 years older and even had non-commissioned officer experience.

Combining my previous and current lives, this was the first time I drank so much alcohol that my vision spun and my stomach churned.

Was it because I was recognized by the senior officers?

The headache from the alcohol felt surprisingly pleasant, and I began to look forward to what would come next.

After about an hour of drinking, I stepped outside to take a break and relieve myself.

The cool night air sobered up my heated face. Just then, I heard voices coming from the barracks next to ours.

“Martin! Our student platoon leader is screwed this time. He’s less capable than an average citizen. If he returns to school like this… He’s gonna graduate soon, right? Then his promotion to lieutenant colonel will be like water under the bridge!”

“As a member of the Howuria noble family, I should at least reach lieutenant colonel before I retire to avoid any disgrace to our name. Damn it, I thought the situation on the battlefield was better. What the hell?!”

“You’re in a better situation than me. Even thinking about it sucks. Both the company commander and the deputy commander told me that for the next month, I’m just going to become a puppet, following orders. And if that goes on my record…”

Hearing those words, a shiver went down my spine, and the alcohol’s effects quickly vanished.

The reason for my shock was not the jealousy or surprise from those academy nobles’ comments about me. Rather, I had a bad premonition of a greater disaster.

Considering their own circumstances, what might they do in their desperation when compared to someone like me, who was making exceptional strides?

In novels, the reason our side was pushed back on the Raintlant front was due to these student platoon leaders acting on their ambitions and the Francois Republic army seizing that opportunity to launch a full-scale attack.

Judging from their talk, it seemed clear that given the slightest provocation from the Francois side, these blinded-by-glory men would charge recklessly.

I remember mentioning a similar situation during my academy interview.

Damn it, because of these immature fools, things would go south.

Even if a student like me lacked experience, had they properly trained their platoons, they wouldn’t be in this situation. But they couldn’t, and yet all they did was complain without understanding their own capabilities.

For the next few days, there were no battles between the Francois army and the Reich Empire army, and I spent that time pondering how to overcome this crisis.

I must turn this crisis into an opportunity to move on to the next phase.