novelraw Chapter 3 : Chapter 3
Chapter 3 : Chapter 3
Chapter 3: It's in the Past
Ered could not hide his emotions.
Tension and excitement were mixed together, writhing within him.
“This way.”
The preliminary cadets followed behind Verdo.
Soon, they arrived at a laboratory.
Clatter.
As the door opened, the sharp smell of chemicals stung their noses.
The interior of the laboratory was filled with mechanical devices integrated with complex mana circuits.
All sorts of spells required to operate the devices would be embedded within those circuits.
Pipes connected machine to machine.
Mana lines were tangled intricately like internal organs.
Magic stones, the power sources of the machines, were placed everywhere, emitting multi-colored lights.
Ered stood dazed, looking at the laboratory.
For a moment, he was overwhelmed.
It felt like looking at a single, massive living organism made of machinery.
The members of the laboratory nodded upon seeing Verdo.
It likely meant that all preparations were finished.
Ered and his peers finished changing clothes according to instructions and headed toward the operating tables.
Clank!
As he laid his body on the table, restraints were fastened to his limbs.
All he could see was the desolate ceiling.
Ered took a deep breath.
“I assume you're prepared?”
In the meantime, Verdo was checking the condition of the preliminary cadets.
He appeared meticulous, unlike his usual rough temperament.
It made sense.
It would be troublesome if the disciples he painstakingly raised died of shock.
Eventually, Verdo arrived in front of Ered.
“I'm not particularly worried about you. You'll endure well on your own.”
He wore a meaningful smile.
“Of course.”
Ered's expression became resolute.
The full-scale body modification began.
A sharp tool was held in a researcher's hand.
It looked similar to a soldering iron.
A dense flow of mana could be felt from the mana line connected to the tip of the tool.
In fact, its purpose is not much different from the principle of a soldering iron.
The difference is that it requires a level of proficiency that cannot be compared to ordinary soldering.
Mana Circuit Engraving.
The usual targets for mana circuit engraving are mechanical devices.
If it fails, the machine simply breaks.
However, the story changes when the target is a human.
If the circuits get crossed, they die nine times out of ten.
‘The body would rupture, and I’d end up in a wretched state.’
Even if one survives, it isn't exactly lucky.
They would have to live with a terrible permanent disability.
Therefore, mana circuit engraving on the human body demands precise skill.
Mistakes are not tolerated.
Sizzle!
Ered's brow furrowed for a moment.
The smell of burning flesh permeated the air.
A hot iron skewer poked through skin and muscle, gouging into his very bones.
He colors his teeth.
It was fortunate that he had a mouthguard in his mouth.
If he hadn't, his teeth would have all been ground down.
Pain equivalent to being hit by a bullet.
If a gunshot wound felt like a shark taking a large bite, this felt like being nibbled away by piranhas.
The types of pain were different, but there was no disagreement on the fact that it was vicious.
His consciousness grows distant.
He has to endure this process for several hours.
Because this damn soldering—no, circuit engraving—is scheduled to be etched across his entire body.
Mana circuits interact closely with the nervous system.
If anesthesia is administered to reduce pain, the responsiveness of the nerves decreases, which carries the risk of distorting the flow of mana during the engraving.
In other words, it means he has to endure this horrific pain while fully conscious.
‘Maybe the virtual combat training was conducted for this very moment?’
Even such a thought occurred to him.
Come to think of it, the screams of his peers could no longer be heard from a certain point.
Only the sound of searing flesh broke the silence.
Did they all faint?
“Hehe.”
The corners of his mouth curled up voluntarily.
Laughter leaked out despite the agony.
Because becoming a Prominence is no different from officially entering the track of success.
“Hahahaha.”
I can endure this kind of pain as much as needed.
As long as I can escape the gutter!
An uncontrollable rush of euphoria.
Even the pain seemed to grow dull.
“…Hah.”
The researcher let out a hollow laugh.
In all his years, he had never seen a guy like this.
To giggle while receiving a mana circuit engraving.
He's a madman through and through.
“He's originally that kind of fellow, so just take it as it is.”
Verdo’s low laughter could be heard nearby.
***
Ered checked his body.
The procedure performed on him was not just the mana circuit engraving.
A reactor is situated at the center of his chest.
A fist-sized magic stone inserted into the center of the reactor.
Mana circuits operate through three main elements.
Magic stones, mana lines, and spells.
The magic stone is the power source.
The mana line is the means of delivering the mana dwelling in the magic stone to the circuits.
The principle is to activate spells using the mana supplied in that way.
The most important thing here is the magic stone.
The appearance of a general magic stone is clear with a distinct crystalline form.
Like a crystal.
The mana extracted from it was also colorless.
An ignorant person would mistake it for a heat haze.
On the other hand, the magic stone given to Ered was as deep and red as his hair.
The red mana contained in the stone was projected outward.
It was also the reason why it was called the second heart.
Red Magic Stone.
The greatest magic resource in existence.
Enough to overwhelm ordinary magic stones in every aspect.
Above all, the greatest advantage of the Red Magic Stone is that its body synchronization rate is exceptionally high.
It is no exaggeration to say that it was thanks to the Red Magic Stone that mana circuit engraving on the human body became possible.
‘Though it’s not without side effects.’
That must be why the circuit engraving is only performed on the most elite soldiers whose minds and bodies are extremely disciplined.
Red Magic Stones are rare.
A precious resource seldom seen even within the empire, the only place where Red Magic Stones are mined.
Even the mining sites have not been disclosed.
Only the high-ranking individuals of the Imperial family would know that secret.
‘They can't even be found on the market.’
Only the Prominence of the empire can enjoy the benefits of the Red Magic Stone.
He became a second-year.
It meant he was no longer a preliminary cadet, but a Prominence of Redstone Academy and a formal cadet.
The intensity of training became looser.
It was only looser compared to the first year, strictly speaking.
Because he had spent such a harsh first year, it was considered relatively manageable.
However, the things he had to learn increased far more than before.
Formal drill, military science, history, land navigation, marksmanship, Imperial swordsmanship….
The list is endless if mentioned one by one.
A Prominence is a being for whom perfection is an obligation.
They must be proficient in all types of weapons as well as military theory.
‘In the first year, I only received basic training.’
The first year was a process of weeding out the defects and solidifying the carefully selected vessels.
From now on, it's the stage of filling the completed vessels with content.
Ered devoted himself to indulging in the knowledge and know-how provided by the academy.
Until then, he hadn't even been given an opportunity to learn.
He had lived a neglected life.
For someone like him, the days at the academy could only be enjoyable.
***
Time flows as fast as a meteor.
Third-year cadet.
For an ordinary academy student, this is the time to start preparing for employment.
A stage of preparing to step out into society, escaping the shackles of school.
In the case of Redstone Academy, the story is different.
The survival test has not yet ended.
‘I will continue to be tested.’
From the third year, they are deployed to actual combat in earnest.
What is actual combat to soldiers?
It is war.
The Great Empire, Granat, is at war.
The empire's enemy is the Republic of Aznard.
The war between the empire and the republic has been ongoing for over a hundred years.
They didn't fight tooth and nail for the entire hundred years.
If they had, neither country would have remained intact.
They would have oxidized together, unable to withstand the financial strain.
Therefore, for the most part, it was a matter of local skirmishes breaking out.
After catching their breath like that, there were times when they collided with all their might.
That cycle was roughly once every ten years.
Great battles that could truly be called war used to occur fiercely.
Until now, the two countries have never declared an armistice in history.
Thus, the war continues without being able to signal an end.
‘It’s been a while.’
Ered took a deep breath.
He had just stepped out of the academy.
The outside air smelled different from the start.
Three years already.
During that time, he had never used a vacation even once.
Today is, remarkably, his first outing.
More accurately, it was a dispatch, not an outing.
‘…This is not the time to be excited.’
He cools his heart down.
He scanned the dispatch certificate.
He had already checked the contents several times, but he etched it into his eyes once more.
The dispatch location he was assigned to is the ‘Senev’ area of the Eastern Outskirts Front.
‘I heard the Republic bastards call Senev by a different name.’
At any rate, it is said that in the Republic, they refer to Senev as ‘Montia’.
Due to the nature of the front line where occupation and retreat were repeated, local names naturally varied.
In fact, almost all front lines would be that way.
‘The Eastern Outskirts Front, huh.’
It is literally the outskirts.
It is the front line, but not the center of the war.
It's bound to be a poor environment.
Therefore, if a Prominence were coming, they would be in a position where they had no choice but to welcome them with open arms.
Even if it were just a cadet.
‘I must definitely play an active part.’
Because if the results are unsatisfactory, the Red Magic Stone he obtained with difficulty will be extracted again.
‘They say "once a marine, always a marine".’
That is a saying that does not apply to a Prominence.
If their skill is insufficient, their qualifications can be revoked at any time.
‘We are beings who have received the overwhelming grace of the empire.’
To be treated well, one must constantly prove themselves.
‘Shall I start heading out?’
He hurried his steps.
Befitting the capital of the empire, ‘Neustadt’ was a vibrant city.
Architecture that is linear and rigid, characteristic of the Imperial style.
The sharp spires piercing the sky seemed to show the status of the empire.
He blended into the busy streets.
Clatter.
Clatter.
Following the trajectory of the mana lines, trams crossed the main street.
On the sidewalk, marionettes were prowling the streets, making creaking metallic sounds.
-Destroy the brows of the wicked reactionaries! Magistel's rifles take responsibility for your safety!
-Do you want to forget everything? Mind Wiper tidies up your terrible past cleanly. The best choice for a new start!
Cheerful music flowed from the speakers attached to the marionettes.
Both arms, back, chest, and so on.
Their entire bodies were almost plastered with colorful advertisements.
In the distant past, marionettes were said to be crude dolls controlled by hanging strings.
As of now, it is something unimaginable.
Before leaving, he took in the scenery of Neustadt.
‘I won't be able to return for a while.’
The time has come to repay the grace received from the motherland.
Long live the empire.
***
-Ladies and gentlemen. Have you had a comfortable flight? Our airship has arrived at Eder Airport. For safety, after the airship has come to a complete stop….
The captain's voice wedged into his hazy consciousness.
The clouds that had been surging beyond the window were no longer visible.
The rigid airship was already in the stage of preparing for landing.
Ered chased away his sleepiness by turning his neck joints left and right.
‘I didn't intend to fall asleep.’
The assigned seat was so comfortable that he ended up surrendering to the sense of coziness.
‘Living long enough to even fly in the sky.’
It was his first experience.
Air tickets are terribly expensive.
Enough to make one's jaw drop upon hearing the price.
The right to fly in the sky is not given to just anyone.
Even the air ticket provided to Ered was the most expensive first class.
He enjoyed the best benefits.
He heard that first class provides meals and alcohol no less than any high-end restaurant.
Although he didn't enjoy any of it because he was sleeping.
In first class only, if one pays an additional fee, they could also spend a passionate night with a desired flight attendant.
Regardless of gender, the appearance of the empire's flight attendants is top-tier.
I see.
Seeing them in person, I can tell well that it wasn't a false rumor.
‘Pleasure enjoyed in the sky, huh.’
From what I hear, it seems there is quite a demand.
Well.
Sexual fantasies vary immensely from person to person.
It was a topic of little interest to Ered.
He doesn't have the luxury to indulge in such extravagance.
The same goes for alcohol.
Alcohol during a mission.
‘It’s a crazy act.’
Regardless of the presence of a mission, there will be no drinking.
Since there is no reason to ruin the mind and body he trained to the limit while grinding his bones.
‘It’s a bit regrettable that I couldn't enjoy the high-end cuisine.’
The airship, which had been bickering with the ground while clattering continuously, soon came to a complete stop.
Ered shouldered the duffel bag he had placed on the shelf.
The way is still long.
Eder Airport is the safe zone closest to Senev.
To reach Senev, he must take a vehicle for more than 3 hours.
Exiting the airport, he saw Imperial soldiers peering around.
They looked like they were searching for something.
He could soon know what they were looking for.
“He has arrived!”
One soldier shouted abruptly upon seeing Ered.
In an instant, soldiers flocked together.
They lined up neatly in front of Ered.
It was obvious their discipline was sharp.
Among them, a man who looked the oldest stepped forward.
At least early 30s.
In terms of age alone, he was about the age of Ered's uncle.
Ered's gaze reached the man's rank insignia.
Two bent bars.
He is a Sergeant First Class.
“I am Sergeant First Class Vardi Finley of the Agard Division, assigned to the escort mission for Lord Ered.”
Vardi saluted stiffly.
Agard Division.
The unit Ered will belong to during the dispatch mission.
Ered had not yet revealed his identity.
Nevertheless, Vardi reacted as if he already knew everything about him.
‘It’s probably because of my eyes.’
If one failed to recognize a Prominence even after seeing the red pupils, it would be safe to say they were not qualified as an Imperial soldier.
Cadets do not have an official rank.
Because they have not yet been officially commissioned.
Despite that, Vardi's attitude was polite.
It made sense.
Cadets receive the treatment of a warrant officer.
It means he is a superior even to Vardi, let alone a private.
Moreover, Ered is a Prominence.
An elite who cannot be treated carelessly.
Ered scanned the soldiers with his eyes.
5 people including Vardi.
‘Who’s supposed to be escorting whom.’
It was a reluctant feeling.
An unnecessary but by no means ignorable procedure.
People call that formality.
“If you give me the bag, I will put it in the luggage compartment.”
Vardi guided him to the vehicle.
He decided to follow along obediently for now.
There is no reason to refuse when they say they will treat him well on their own.
“Then we will depart. Private First Class Sid, start the engine.”
“Yes!”
Apart from the noisy engine sound, the interior of the vehicle was quiet.
The driver was driving, and the combat soldiers were keeping watch out the windows.
It seemed they were each focusing on their assigned missions, but….
‘It’s not necessarily so.’
Ered felt it.
That everyone's interest was tilted toward him.
In particular, the emotion dwelling in the eyes of the driver he met through the rearview mirror was curiosity.
“If you have something to say, just say it. It’s hard to keep pretending I don't know.”
Eventually, Ered spoke first.
“N-No, sir!”
The driver, Sid, flinched and trembled.
“It's okay. The way is long anyway.”
He reassured Sid.
He didn't intend to idly chat with the soldiers.
They resolve their curiosity about a Prominence, and this side obtains information regarding Senev and the Agard Division.
Give and take.
There is room for it to be a meaningful time.
“Thank you for your understanding. It’s my first time meeting a Prominence.”
Vardi asked for understanding on Sid's behalf while touching the edge of his military cap's brim.
“Um, if it’s alright, may I ask a question?”
Sid asked cautiously.
A strangely flushed face.
Looking closely, his appearance had not completely shed its boyishness.
It just wasn't easily seen, being cast in the shadow of the rigid profession of a soldier.
‘I’m not in a position to talk about age, but.’
Ered faced the young face reflected in the car window.
“Go ahead.”
“How old are you, by any chance?”
“Seventeen.”
“Is that true? You are three years younger than me.”
“Do you want to be called big brother?”
“T-That’s not what I meant! I just thought the fact that you’re active as a Prominence despite being around my age is incredible...!”
Sid made an excuse hurriedly.
Certainly, the emotion contained in his expression was admiration.
Becoming the object of someone's admiration.
It’s a feeling that isn't too bad.
Bang—!
…It was because of that half-baked intoxication.
The reason the reaction was late.
Sid still had a look full of admiration.
However, a soul no longer dwelt in his eyes.
A bullet that intruded through the window.
That etched death into Sid's temple.
Normally, I would have detected the anomaly early on.
I could have saved Sid's life too.
I thought the start of the dispatch mission was only after arriving in Senev.
That complacent thought invited disaster.
‘It’s already in the past.’
Ered erased Sid's name from his head.
There is no way to revive the dead.
“Vardi. Take the wheel.”
Ered threw the dead driver out of the car.
The mission has already begun.