I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 5: Raintlant Cadet Squad Leader Selection Test (1)

On the day when the cadet squad leaders and squad members heading to the Raintlant frontlines were being selected, 20 academy students, including myself, who had applied for the Raintlant frontlines, stood at the center of the sports field in full armor.

Surrounded by several officers, academy professors, and students from the first to fourth year, I thought to myself that it almost felt as if we had become representatives for a sports festival.

However, those who came to watch here probably just wanted to enjoy the spectacle of lower-achieving students who had trained novice soldiers for a month having mock battles on a mundane weekday.

But once they see the exploits of the Yaeger squad, their perception wouldn’t just be simple amusement; they’ll be awestruck.

Thinking I’d get a chance to prove my worth to those who discriminated based on status, I felt electrified.

“On May 15th, year 220 of the Empire, at 12 o’clock, the selection test for the cadet squad leaders who applied to the Raintlant frontlines will begin! Listen carefully to the examination methods!”

Upon those words, the previously scattered students and staff ceased their chatter and focused on the professor announcing the test method.

“Firstly, out of the 20 cadets participating in this mock battle, only 10 can go to the Raintlant frontlines. Thus, two students, each leading their trained squad members, will have a mock battle, and the winner will earn the right to apply for the Raintlant frontlines.”

The professor mentioned earning the right to apply, but among the students here, not a single one would refuse to go to the frontlines.

Because including myself, all 20 of us had ambiguous grades, and everyone wanted to quickly build their careers on the frontline.

If one hadn’t applied at all, it would be different. But if you apply, get selected, and then don’t head to the frontlines, you’d be branded a coward, which would screw up your future military life.

Who would risk that after coming this far?

“Now, I will explain the elements evaluated in the mock battle, the rules, and the testing methods. Primarily, this mock battle will only evaluate each cadet’s capability as a squad leader. We have determined that the best way to evaluate this is through a mock battle, so the outcome and the entire process of the battle will be evaluated by Lieutenant Colonel Weber and four other officers. The rules are the same as a regular mock battle, where a melee will be fought at the central sports field.”

It might seem like a very simple game and evaluation method, but it was hard to find a better way to evaluate leadership capabilities.

This was because, in this era, with medieval to early modern military knowledge, weapons, and tactics, the battles that could be unfolded at the squad level were mostly close combats.

With a discerning commander evaluating, just watching the two forces clash in melee combat would be enough to check the training status of each unit, the trust in their commander, and the commander’s squad operation capability.

Additionally, by conducting melee combat as a competition, the battle would end quickly. Thus, it allowed us to finish all 15 group matches within a day.

But before the start of the mock battle, the professor proclaimed,

“Finally, before we begin the mock battle, do you swear to conduct a fair game in the eyes of the Empire and His Imperial Majesty?”

All 20 students, including myself, recited the pledge we had been taught in unison.

“From the moment I entered the Academy, I swore to live honorably and nobly for the Emperor and the country! May Deus’s judgment fall on those who break this vow!”

“Very well.”

The professor continued.

“All students should now proceed to the spots prepared for the mock battle. Your opponent’s name and order will be listed there. You may rest or bond with your adversary until your match begins. That’s all!”

Upon the professor’s command, we took our seats near the arena. According to the match schedule on the desk in front of me, I was last to compete, and my opponent was…

As I was about to check the opponent’s name, a familiar voice rang behind me.

“What a twist of fate to face off against you, Senior. Who would’ve thought we’d end up against each other like this?”

Then I turned my head to see that guy. A month ago, he had sarcastically asked if commoners like me ate bread made of wheat, barley, and sawdust.

In his eyes, there was the same old disdain for me, a commoner, mixed with some relief and mockery. He probably thought that, as a noble, there was no way he could lose to a mere commoner in a mock battle. Yet such biases would end today.

“Likewise, I never expected to face off against a junior like you. It might be Deus’s way of playing games. How’s your troop training coming along?”

In response to my casual inquiry, he snapped without reason.

“I’ve trained my troop to be incomparably stronger than yours over the past month. Once the mock battle starts, we’ll have you defeated in less than 10 minutes. Instead of worrying about Johann von Hausenburk, the second son of the House of Hausenburk, you should be more concerned about how to avoid a humiliating defeat.”

For a moment, I thought, ‘Is this guy nuts?’. But then, considering he insulted me with the sawdust bread comment, even being a fourth-year noble, I concluded he wasn’t sane.

Still, wasn’t it better to have a fool who kept charging forward rather than a clever adversary overflowing with intelligence in a mock battle? However, even when faced with a foolish enemy, a good general never lets his guard down.

“Can you tell me how you trained your troops? If I’m to believe what the juniors say, I’m probably going to lose in the next game anyway. So, just let me know how the team that defeated Peter Yaeger trained.”

Upon hearing this, Johann couldn’t help but laugh.

“Haha, fine. The game starts in just an hour, and I’m not telling you our offensive strategy.”

“Thank you.”

He might have been insincere other times, but he meant it now.

That was because, even with a vague idea of how Johann trained, he would have a clear strategy against Johann’s troops.

Johann proudly said, “For the first 10 days, we trained the soldiers on basic techniques like holding a spear, swinging it, and stabbing. For the next 10 days, we practiced moving in formation and group attacks. The last 10 days were spent on mock battles after splitting the platoon in half and reviewing everything they’ve learned so far.”

It seemed he had applied training methods from the Empire’s military textbook quite well.

From what he said, Johann’s soldiers probably mastered marching in formation and moving as a 30-man unit.

They would be fully functional as a platoon.

It was impressive that he, just a student at the academy, achieved such a result.

But against Yaeger’s platoon, which became a single unit through formal and physical training from the start, Johann’s troops were just a lump of clay that had learned to move together.

That was why he was 99% sure of winning, but he would have to wait a bit to repay the insult Johann gave him.

“You trained very traditionally and faithfully. In the army, sticking to the textbook is often the best approach.”

Then Johann responded sarcastically.

“Is that so? Why don’t you forfeit now, then, Senior? You’ll bear the shame of forfeiting, but at least you won’t have a record of being defeated by Johann von Hausenburk without putting up a fight.”

As he was about to reply, a student from the academy student council approached them and said,

“Peter Yaeger, Johann von Hausenburk, prepare for combat! Both of your platoons are waiting on the east and west sides of the sports field. The mock battle starts in 15 minutes.”

Both he and Johann quickly ran to their respective platoons.

As he approached the eastern side of the sports field where his soldiers were waiting, he saw a look of tension on their faces.

Seeing them, he confidently said,

“As long as we follow our training, we will definitely win. In fact, the enemy wouldn’t even be able to touch us. So, listen and follow my commands.”

Johann von Hausenburk insulted a commoner like me who had been eating bread mixed with sawdust. He wouldn’t be able to show his face at any social gatherings for at least two years.