I Became the Academy’s War Hero Chapter 41
After that mysterious figure sent the envelope, I couldn’t help but pay attention to the Hockma incident as well.
Still, the on-site training conducted together with the Special Task Force was an indispensable core task for me.
The biggest variable in Apocalypse Mode was, after all, the beasts.
Even in the base mode, the puzzles were difficult to solve—and with the calamity of the beasts added on top of that, the difficulty level rose sharply.
So before the afternoon classes began, I first headed to the Academic Affairs Department.
In my hand was a document detailing the specifics of the upcoming field training plan.
As soon as I arrived, I went straight inside and handed the document to the Dean.
“Hmm.”
The training content could be roughly summarized as follows.
Classes in weeks 2, 7, and 12 would be replaced with Saturday field training.
There would be a total of 134 participants: 79 cadets, 47 Special Task Force members, 4 officers from the Task Force, and 4 officers from Karbenna.
The purpose of the training was to gain practical experience related to beast extermination.
All transportation for the cadets would be provided by Karbenna, and meals would be provided by the Task Force.
The basis of the training content was the Task Force’s first-quarter Great Beast Drill, with the schedule structured accordingly.
The total training period would be 20 hours—from Saturday at 12 p.m. to Sunday at 8 a.m.—including 6 hours of watch duty.
To prepare for any potential crisis, a Task Force member must always accompany the cadets during watch duty.
“……”
Frederick Lake, the Dean of the Academic Affairs Department, reviewed the material with an unusually serious look, then spoke.
“Perfect.”
“Is that so?”
“Not just the content—the report is written from a completely neutral standpoint without bias toward either side. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one like this.”
He dropped the file onto the table with a fed-up expression.
“This place is surrounded by factions and private organizations. Whether it’s a plan or a report, I always have to doubt the writer’s motives first. It’s infuriating.”
“…I can imagine.”
Frederick was the kind of man who couldn’t resist authority, but since his ultimate pursuit was the discipline of the collective, it was only natural for him to be sensitive to any movement that might damage organizational integrity.
“Anyway, good job. Proceed as planned.”
“Thank you.”
“Right. If you’ve got nothing else, you may go.”
“Yes, sir.”
Just as I finished my salute and was about to step out, his voice stopped me again.
“Ah, wait a moment, Carter.”
“Yes?”
“Make some time next Wednesday.”
“What for…?”
“Ah, nothing serious. I just need to discuss something regarding the Imperial Summit.”
“Then let’s just talk now.”
When I brushed it off casually, Frederick’s expression slowly cooled.
“…Fine. It’s already been decided anyway, so just be aware.”
Crossing his arms, he looked down at me with a smug expression.
“During the Imperial Summit, there will be a special sparring session arranged for skill exchange.”
“……”
Oh?
That was news to me.
Still, I didn’t even blink and asked back,
“So?”
Frederick was silent for a moment, then sighed.
“…You’ve been recommended as the sparring representative for Karbenna.”
“Me?”
“That’s right. So prepare yourself well. The honor of both Karbenna and the Special Task Force is at stake.”
Once he was done speaking, he waved his hand dismissively, signaling for me to leave.
Before exiting, I asked one last question.
“Was it you who recommended me, sir?”
“Does that matter?”
“To me, it does.”
Frederick shook his head slightly before replying in a short tone.
“It was the Chairwoman’s recommendation, Carter.”
Because of the weekend activity, classes were canceled, and the cadets chatted endlessly throughout lunch.
The main topic was, of course, the beast extermination training starting that Saturday.
“I saw a notice on the bulletin board saying to pick up the training materials.”
“Oh, really? From where?”
“The TA’s office. I’m stopping by before heading back to the dorms.”
“Ugh—such a hassle. Can’t someone pick it up for me?”
“Nope. They said they’ll use that for attendance instead.”
“……”
Eric, who had been quietly listening to his classmates’ chatter, finished his meal and headed alone to the TA’s office.
The assistant handed him a two-page document and marked the attendance sheet.
“Here you go… You’re Cadet Eric Halenber, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Instructor Eugene Carter asked that you come to his office by 1:30.”
“Me?”
The assistant nodded silently, eyes clear and firm.
Eric accepted the papers and left the office.
‘Did he call me because he found out I smuggled out Hockma?’
No, that was impossible.
He hadn’t revealed that he was acting as a broker, nor that he possessed the “Platinum Code,” the symbol of the secret society “Platinum Dawn.”
Not to mention, he had never disclosed his indirect involvement in the creation of Hockma.
Even just deciding to cooperate with him had been a huge decision for Eric.
‘Still, it’s not like I have to share every bit of information I’ve got, right?’
That was his honest thought.
Maybe it was just intuition—or maybe Carter simply thought of him and called him by coincidence.
Either way, it was fine. In fact, the timing couldn’t have been better.
With that optimistic conclusion, Eric quickened his pace.
It didn’t take long for him to arrive at Eugene Carter’s private office. He knocked lightly a couple of times.
Knock knock—
“This is Eric. I’m coming in.”
With a much less formal tone than before, Eric stepped inside—then froze on the spot.
Inside the office, aside from Eugene and himself, there were two other people.
“…Eric?”
One of them was someone he knew all too well—Francia Brida.
“What the hell are you doing here?!”
I hadn’t expected the meeting to turn into a three-way confrontation like this.
Watching the three of them look lost and unsure, I let out a quiet chuckle.
I had called Eric and Francia together to share information—but then Lea had shown up unexpectedly.
Since Lea didn’t yet know that Eric had agreed to form a temporary alliance, it was only natural that she’d react with hostility.
And as for Francia, who knew absolutely nothing about the current situation, she was left frozen, not knowing what to say or do.
If this were in-game, it would’ve been quite the entertaining scene.
But right now, I was the one who had to manage the chaos.
I first turned toward Lea, who was fuming, and spoke to calm her down.
“Enough. You shouldn’t be fighting among teammates.”
“T-Teammates?”
Ignoring her bewildered question, I continued.
“From tomorrow until Sunday, we’ll be busy with field training. Next week will be hectic with preparations for the Imperial Summit. I figured today would be the best time to discuss things, so I called everyone together.”
“I only came because I had something to deliver…”
“That can wait. Let’s first go over the current situation. Eric, give your report.”
“……”
Right now? Without even an introduction?
That unspoken complaint was written all over his face, but I said nothing.
With a resigned look, Eric began his report.
“…I succeeded in smuggling out a small quantity of Hockma.”
Francia and Lea both flinched in shock at the same time.
One was likely startled by the mere mention of Hockma, while the other was surprised that actual proof had been secured.
I paid no particular attention to their reactions and asked evenly,
“What’s the likelihood that your theft will be discovered?”
“It’s not impossible.”
“Not impossible, huh…”
“But it doesn’t really matter, does it? What’s important is that Hockma was discovered inside Karbenna.”
“Hmm.”
Apparently, Eric’s own safety wasn’t included in that assessment.
But since he seemed completely unconcerned, I saw no reason to mention it.
“If we could secure witnesses or evidence proving that it’s actually being traded, that would be even better. Nothing would deliver a deadlier blow than that.”
“I was planning to gather witnesses anyway.”
As expected—his head worked just fine.
Seeing that, I nodded with satisfaction, and Eric cautiously added,
“I was originally planning to recruit them over the weekend, if not for the field training.”
“……”
At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind.
A key strategy—one that could pierce through the other party’s intentions.
After organizing my thoughts, I gestured for Eric to step closer.
“……”
“…You understand what I mean, right?”
Eric nodded slightly and glanced at me.
“I’d be more than happy to do that, but… is it fine to change the roster at this point?”
“You were hospitalized last week, weren’t you? It’s only been a few days, so we can use that record as an excuse.”
Eric gave a small nod, looking impressed.
“…Didn’t think getting beaten half to death by her would actually come in handy like this.”
That muttered comment, directed at Francia, was a little bonus.
Francia merely shot him a sharp look and kept her mouth shut.
Judging that the basic discussion was mostly settled, I began a full briefing on the overall situation.
Their reactions afterward were surprisingly calm.
Lea dropped her hostility the moment she learned Eric came from a fallen noble family.
Eric seemed reluctant about Francia’s involvement in this matter, but he didn’t voice any objections.
Francia, meanwhile, remained silent the entire time, occasionally sneaking glances at Eric.
It looked like she wanted to say something but found it difficult to bring up in front of everyone.
Just as the atmosphere in the office began to settle down,
my eyes landed on the paper parcel Lea was holding.
“…Come to think of it, didn’t you say you had something to deliver?”
“You sure noticed quickly, Instructor.”
Did she think I came here because I had nothing better to do…
Muttering under her breath, she tossed the parcel toward me.
I set it aside for now and decided to wrap up the meeting.
“If no one has anything else to add, we’ll end it here. Eric, stay behind.”
“Yes, sir.”
After finishing an additional conversation with Eugene Carter, Eric quietly stepped outside.
“…Staying on his good side definitely increases the odds of surviving.”
It wasn’t a bad call, all things considered. Still, this time, Eric genuinely hoped Eugene’s prediction would turn out to be wrong.
It wasn’t a rational calculation—more like a personal wish.
Even so, he had always tried to be loyal to the Halenber family. Though he hadn’t completed every mission perfectly, at least he had shown the will to carry them out.
Even if I’m an adopted son, I’m still a member of the Halenber family. There’s no way they’d stab me in the back like that… right?
As he walked down the corridor, lost in thought, a familiar voice called out to him.
“What were you talking about for so long?”
It was Francia Brida.
“……”
When Eric stood frozen, unable to respond, Francia grabbed his arm.
“W-What are you doing?!”
“Let’s talk. Just the two of us.”
Beneath her neatly cropped hair, her signature crimson eyes were burning fiercely.