Illusion Sword Master

＜ Western Front Situation Critical (1) ﹥

The third year of the Magic Department at the War University was starting with a much heavier atmosphere than before.

The darkness that had been lurking beneath the surface of the empire was beginning to emerge.

Due to the Emperor’s illness, the absolute charisma was absent, and the princes were vying for power, while the nobles were divided and dark magic users were appearing…

Despite all this, the great empire still maintained its appearance of grandeur on the surface.

The imperial newspaper reported the birth of new heroes and the victories of the imperial army, and the princes held lavish processions to win the people’s favor.

However, this was merely propaganda to alleviate the confusion.

“I heard that ten people from the previous graduating class have already died.”

“My father told me that the estimated number of dark magic users has already reached several hundred.”

“The neighboring province was attacked by the Dark Magic Guild. Originally, not even a single boar would venture out, but… it’s clear that dark magic users are behind it.”

Among the noble families who received information about the central government’s hidden facts through their connections, anxiety was spreading.

I too had heard rumors through my connections.

“The situation is getting worse. Especially, the mortality rate of newly graduated novice wizards is alarmingly high. This incident will likely affect your academic course. I hope you’ll focus on your training and overcome this challenge safely.”

It was thanks to Roland’s letter that I received a rough outline of the situation.

As soon as the second semester ended, I arrived at my dormitory and received this ominous letter, which meant I had to dedicate my entire summer break to training.

If Roland, who was usually optimistic, was worried to the point of sending a warning, it meant the Empire’s situation was far more dire than it seemed.

“It’s not good. When students should focus and respond calmly, that’s when they should do so. Right, Ethan?”

Roem, standing to my left, was as composed as ever, even in this unsettling atmosphere.

“That’s right. I wish I could be as steadfast as you.”

“Hmm, what’s the point of this?”

I glanced at the uniform buttons, which were fastened in a row, and made a comment, but didn’t correct him, knowing he was trying to praise me.

“They’re all useless.”

A voice laced with disdain came from the right.

“What?”

When did she arrive? Menka was standing there, having naturally paired up with Roem and me. She didn’t mingle with the other students, who were too weak.

“Those kinds of people are no help. They’ll only flee when needed. Having them by your side in a real battle would be a waste.”

Her gaze, which seemed to scrutinize the anxious students, was as cold as ice. Her harsh words were undoubtedly sincere.

“Roem, just for a moment.”

“Yeah? Uh, yeah.”

I subtly switched places with Roem.

“Why are you all worried already? The wizard corps of our esteemed Zephyr Duchy, with the highest skills, hasn’t even been deployed yet.”

Someone’s voice cut through the murmurs of the students, and their gazes focused on Sera.

“Oh, I was just talking to myself, but it seems I’ve drawn attention.”

Sera feigned a sheepish expression.

‘What a joke. You said it loud enough for everyone to hear.’

Well, you had to be shameless to play politics.

“This is still a secret… but our father, Duke Zephyr, has personally formed a wizard corps with the best talents to protect the Crown Prince.”

Sera seemed to be taking advantage of this opportunity to showcase her family’s influence and power.

“Personally formed by Duke Zephyr, you say…?”

“Then the situation will surely improve. We should try to establish connections with the Crown Prince’s side as well… it might even help with our territory’s defense…”

Some students looked at Sera with complex expressions, unable to tear their eyes away, and it seemed this childish drama was having an effect.

Sera, ignoring the students who wanted to talk to her, approached us. She subtly inserted herself between the three of us.

“Menka, won’t you join our family after graduation? I’ll offer you a satisfying condition, guaranteed by our family’s name.”

“Not interested.”

While it was true that she had developed feelings during the research club activities, it was more because she wanted to win Menka over.

Despite Menka never having responded positively to Sera’s words over the past year, Sera continued to try, which showed that forming alliances wasn’t easy.

“Don’t say that, Menka. Or do you have any other desires? We recently discovered an ancient ruin in our territory…”

“Stop it, Sera. In a situation like this, where everyone needs to come together, you’re trying to drive a wedge?”

“Button up your shirt properly.”

“Ah! Anyway, stop bothering Menka.”

Roem and Sera still bickered whenever they had the chance. Even I, who had been watching from the side, found it difficult to determine whether their relationship was good or bad.

“If you’re not going to practice with me, then both of you be quiet. I’ll handle my own affairs.”

“….”

“Hmph.”

The two of them shut their mouths, remembering the ‘eal combat training’ that Menca had mentioned, which had nearly gotten them killed in a traumatic experience.

Thanks to my advice, Menca Mk-II, the improved version of the original, had become a formidable human weapon, capable of intimidating even other geniuses of the same level.

“I should talk to Sera soon.”

Unlike Troyka, who seemed carefree, I was getting caught up in the oppressive atmosphere.

If I graduated like this, it was certain that the Third Prince and Roland would drag me into a terrible battlefield.

[Abandon hope, commoner who has seen the authority of the Golden Lion!]

[Kekeke, Ethan, let’s sacrifice ourselves for the peace of the empire together!]

The image of the responsible monarch and just knight was warped in my mind like this.

To avoid that future, I needed to use Sera to establish connections with the Zephyr Duke and the First Prince.

“Hey, Sera.”

“What is it?”

By now, she should know that I didn’t have any ill intentions, but she still kept her guard up against me.

“That’s… I have something important to ask you…”

“Ask? You, who always act like you’re perfect and above others, can do that too?”

“Aigh, I’m not that kind of person. I just got lucky and seemed that way. This might be a big favor to ask, but…”

Just as I was about to continue, someone climbed up onto the podium. The opening ceremony had begun.

“What is it? Hurry up and say it.”

“No, I’ll talk to you separately later.”

“Ha. You’re making people curious and then what?”

The timing was off, so I decided to put it off for later and returned to my seat.

The empire’s situation had changed rapidly, and the opening ceremony was also proceeding in a different atmosphere than usual.

“You all must know the difficulties the empire is facing.”

The principal, who usually gave dull and tedious speeches, began his address with these words.

From now on, things would be different.

The principal’s attitude, which seemed to acknowledge this fact, created a tense atmosphere in the auditorium.

“The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly. The evil and vicious dark mages, who serve the devil, are gaining power, and the empire’s enemies are becoming stronger.”

The principal continued with a solemn expression.

“As the principal of the War Academy, it’s truly shameful, but I have come to the conclusion that our current curriculum cannot keep up with the changes on the battlefield. Many of your senior knights have died in battle because they couldn’t adapt.”

Originally, the third-year curriculum would include individual magic training, as well as mock battle training and other additional courses.

If the process changed here, it would probably mean increasing the intensity of the mock battles or incorporating survival training.

“Don’t think we’ll be sent straight to the battlefield.”

I regretted thinking that carelessly.

“Therefore, starting from this year, we will take special measures. If our curriculum can’t keep up with the real world, then we have no choice but to learn from the real world.”

What the…?

“That’s right. You will spend your last year in the academy on the battlefield. Don’t worry. We won’t throw you into the fire without preparation. Think of it as practical training or on-site learning.”

The principal had caught everyone off guard.

“Any questions?”

“Wow. The pride of the Magic Department, Ethan, huh? Yeah. What’s on your mind?”

“What’s going on… Not that. Where are we going for our training?”

“That’s a good question. You’ll be heading to the 6th Legion on the Western Front.”

Western Front. 6th Legion.

The familiar combination of words filled me with despair.

The 6th Legion on the Western Front was where I started my life in this world and spent 10 years stuck in the Orc World.

Damn Western Front.

That despicable 6th Legion.

I’ve been racking my brain, trying not to get sent back there again.

“That’s right! You’re burning with passion. Let the others learn from Ethan’s example.”

I have no idea how I look to others right now.

“Whoa, you’re shaking. Is going to war really that exciting? The 6th Legion is a famous battlefield, after all.”

“You must be thrilled to show off your martial arts skills. You were initially dismissed as a knight wannabe.”

“You want to wash away your shame on the battlefield? If you get close to that guy, you’ll get swept away by the whirlwind.”

It’s clear that these people are misunderstanding me again, without knowing what’s going on in my head.

#

“Whoo-hoo! Private Ethan! You didn’t sleep!”

“Eh, Ethan? Are you okay? Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

I woke up to Roem’s worried face staring at me.

“No, it’s fine. I had a terrible dream.”

I patted Roem’s shoulder. If he hadn’t woken me up, I would have been trapped in the nightmare of my youth.

“Damn. Of all the dreams to have, it had to be about going back to the army.”

A few days after the school opening ceremony, we boarded a transportation carriage heading to the Western Front.

“Still, Ethan, are you really okay? You don’t look so good.”

Roem asked again, still worried.

“I’m fine. I just get motion sickness from riding the carriage.”

“Yeah. You’re probably more excited to go to the battlefield than anyone else. It’s like going on a picnic, right?”

“That’s absolutely not true.”

I didn’t need to burden him with my anxiety, so I made a suitable excuse, but the truth is, I haven’t been sleeping well lately due to nightmares.

The incident where I fell asleep during sentry duty and got caught.

The time I desperately ran away from dozens of orcs chasing me.

The time I was isolated in a small village and had to eat mud due to food shortages.

The past events that filled my 10 years were horrific nightmares that still lingered vividly.

“Phew.”

I placed the familiar sword on my knee.

It was the sword given to me by the Third Prince, with the cool name “Black Thunder.”

“I’m a magician now. A pretty strong one, at that.”

Thinking that, I felt a bit more at ease.

It wasn’t a pleasant reality to have to go back to that horrific battlefield, but at least it was better than before.

“Whoo-hoo! Look, the castle walls are in sight!”

As one student’s shout came from inside the carriage, everyone looked out the window. I also stuck my head out.

Just by looking, my mood became gloomy. Beyond the desolate plain, the stronghold city of Umbraria, the base camp of the 6th Legion, came into view.

＜Western Front Abnormalities (1)﹥ End