Episode 43: Ambush and Terrain

Having enrolled in the officer academy, I was placed in a second-year class as a transfer student. A few days have passed since then.

Perhaps following Randolph’s instructions, none of the noble-born students have approached me to talk, and so far, no noteworthy incidents have occurred.

For Randolph, it seems he’s still in a wait-and-see phase.

The curriculum at the officer academy covers a wide range of subjects.

There’s “Basic Tactical Theory,” where we learn the fundamentals of strategy, and “Close-Combat Training,” where we practice with swords. We also have “Military Document Training,” which teaches us how to draft reports and orders.

Furthermore, to ensure we acquire the refinement expected of officers in the Kirchien Kingdom, the “General Education” course covers the kingdom’s history, laws, and more.

Honestly, the quality of the instructors isn’t bad. They’ve likely gathered exceptional talent befitting the “Royal” title.

Every lesson feels carefully prepared, delivered clearly and thoroughly.

The real issue, however, lies with the students.

It happened during a “Basic Tactical Theory” class.

 

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Bright light streamed through the windows into the classroom.

The students sat at heavy, ornate desks reminiscent of a noble’s study, while the instructor taught from a podium at the front.

“—Now, if an ambush succeeds, it’s possible to deal a significant blow to the enemy army, even if your forces are outnumbered. Furthermore, discerning the advantages of terrain is a critical aspect of tactical…”

“Ugh… so boring…”

The one who muttered those words was a student named Prosper. He was slightly heavyset but muscular, with multiple piercings in his ears and a disheveled uniform. If I recall correctly, he’s the second son of a marquis family.

“This class is pointless, isn’t it? In war, you just need strong knights or mages to win, right?”

Despite it being the middle of class, Prosper voiced his complaints loudly.

“Hey, teach, am I wrong? What’s your take?”

Prosper’s words left the instructor with a troubled expression.

The instructor’s name was Yugue, a mild-mannered man in his fifties from a commoner background.

“W-Well… it’s true that exceptional knights or mages can greatly influence the outcome of a battle. However, there are also examples of overcoming disadvantages through tactics—”

“Oh, really? So, Yugue-sensei, you’re saying you could use tactics to beat the Knight Commander Zefard or the Court Mage Ignas? That’s impressive!”

“N-No, that’s not what I…”

“What? You can’t beat them? Then what’s the point?!”

It was a complete derailment of the argument.

Comparing an ordinary instructor to the kingdom’s strongest warriors was absurdly extreme. Yet, not a single person challenged Prosper’s words.

On the contrary, the noble students let out mocking laughter as they watched Yugue struggle to respond.

Yes… this is the reality of the officer academy.

The noble-born students completely disrespect the commoner instructors. No matter how skilled the teachers are, it’s meaningless in this environment.

Established thirty years ago as part of military reforms, the Royal Officer Academy… is clearly failing as an educational institution.

“Well… thanks to that, I get to meet villains like him.”

As Prosper continued to harass Yugue with snide remarks, I calmly stood up from my seat. Without a word, I walked toward Prosper.

“…Huh?”

Noticing my approach, Prosper raised his head with a suspicious look.

“Hey, you… what’re you doing? It’s class time, y’know.”

“It seems you’re the one disrupting the class first.”

“…What? You got a problem with me?”

Prosper glared at me intimidatingly.

“A newbie like you thinks he can mouth off to me? Huh? Listen up. My family is a prestigious martial house that produced a Knight Commander three generations ago. Even Randolph, the student representative, respects me. You really wanna pick a fight with me?”

“No, not at all.”

I gave him a gentle smile.

“I just thought, since we’re classmates now, I’d teach you the importance of tactics myself.”

With that, I delivered a roundhouse kick to the back of Prosper’s head.

“Gah!”

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Prosper’s face slammed into his desk.

“Y-You… what the hell are you doing?!”

“That was an ambush, Prosper. And now, I’ll show you a tactic that leverages terrain advantage.”

I swung my fist down at Prosper, who was looking up at me.

“Agh!”

Struck in the face, Prosper curled up on his desk like a turtle. I continued to rain punches down on him.

“While you’re seated, you can’t effectively counterattack someone standing above you, can you? This, too, is a tactic that exploits terrain advantage.”

“S-Stop! D-Do you know what’ll happen if you do this to me… ugh…! J-Just stop, please!”

Though I was holding back enough not to break any bones, the attack was still too much for him. He quickly gave in.

I paused my assault.

“Guh…! Damn it…!”

Tearfully glaring up at me, Prosper clutched his throat as I delivered a piercing strike.

“Gahh!”

His airway crushed, Prosper writhed in agony.

“Guh! Gah… hrrgh…!”

Clutching his throat, Prosper struggled desperately to breathe.

“That was another ambush. When I stopped hitting you, you let your guard down, thinking I wouldn’t attack again, didn’t you? If you’d listened to Yugue-sensei’s lesson properly… maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Guh… gah…!”

Unable to breathe, Prosper finally foamed at the mouth and collapsed from his chair.

“P-Prosper-san…!”

The noble students, who had been watching in stunned silence without the courage to intervene, hurriedly stood and rushed to Prosper’s side.

“H-He’s having trouble breathing…!”

“You, give him CPR!”

“W-What? No way, why me?!”

“I’m not doing it either!”

Ignoring their frantic exchange, I walked back to my seat. Then, I turned to face the instructor.

“I apologize for the disturbance, Yugue-sensei. I’m sorry for disrupting your class.”

“N-No, it’s…”

Yugue looked utterly dumbfounded.

“If I may offer one explanation: I enrolled in this academy under direct orders from His Majesty the King. In other words, under His Majesty’s name… I am obligated to devote myself fully to my studies.”

Scanning the classroom, I spoke calmly.

“If anyone dares to disrupt the class in my presence—regardless of who they are—they will meet the same fate as him.”

My gaze lingered on Prosper, still writhing in pain.

“Let me repeat: I don’t enjoy doing this. I’m merely doing what must be done for His Majesty’s sake. I hope you’ll understand.”

My words plunged the classroom into silence. Amidst it, I caught a faint murmur from Leon Vague reaching my ears.

“…That guy’s something else.”