She checked herself in the mirror.
She was wearing the Prussian blue and white uniform of the academy and a white sword was dangling at her waist.
"All right!"
This was her first day at the academy.
She didn't know what school was like. She hadn't made many friends as well because she was always training to become the strongest.
So, being in a school, was something new for her. She was excited and felt her heart beating faster.
She wanted to make friends and enjoy this school while still carrying out her 'mission'. But she knew that it wasn't going to be simple. She had seen that other students weren't going to approach her that easily because of her status as the top-ranked student and because of what she had done during the entrance ceremony.
Inhaling a deep breath, she calmed her heart a bit and left the dorms.
The sun was shining brightly in the azure sky and few birds could be seen chirping in the nearby tree.
She entered the passage and craned her neck to see the top of the tower which was situated in the middle of the four big buildings.
She checked the bulletin-board to check which class she was assigned to.
"Class 1-A, huh?"
She was assigned to Class 1-A, which was located on the third building of the first floor.
There were a large number of students, crowding the first-floor area. The girls were wearing the same dress as her while the boys were wearing steel-colored panzer with the trouser and shirt of the same color.
And as expected, they were avoiding her. When she stepped into the hall, the other students were clearing the way for her.
She had expected that response but it still felt a bit down.
Thinking it couldn't have been helped she internally heaved a sigh.
She entered the classroom and sat at the seat farthest from the podium which was placed at the front.
The classroom was quite big and there were well-furnished wooden benches. There was also a podium and a chair and table, probably for the instructor to sit. There was a long green board fixed on the wall and a small box of chalks was also attached.
She looked around the classroom. Different groups of people were there chatting happily with their friends. They were laughing and sometimes teasing each other and it looked quite fun.
On the other hand, she was there sitting at the back of the classroom all alone.
"I see, I have thoroughly failed at making friends."
She muttered that to herself and heaved another sigh.
"Excuse me, is the seat next to you available?"
She was shocked when someone called to her out of nowhere.
"Y-yes. It is."
Saying that she shifted a little so as to provide space for her to sit.
"Thank you."
She flashed a smile and sat down beside her.
The girl who had just spoken to her had short blue hair. At first glance, one might mistake her for a beautiful young man. However, her plump chest made a clear outline below her outfit. Her eyes held the composure of a gorgeous young woman.
"Oh. My name is Olivia Siegnal. Nice to make your acquaintance."
"I am Seaxburh Essex. Nice to meet you as well."
"I have heard quite a lot about you Ms. Seaxburh."
"Ha, ha, ha. Is that so?"
She managed a light laugh and was slightly embarrassed.
"Really, I have heard quite a lot about how powerful you were. I wish I could have fought you."
The girl said, looking a bit disappointed.
"Huh? You didn't take the entrance examination?"
"No. But I would have taken it if I had known that someone like you would be coming as well."
She wasn't lying. That much was clear from the look in her eyes. Then, the question was....
"How did you manage to get into this academy then?"
"I was recommended by the Supreme Commander."
The Supreme Commander?!
She exclaimed internally.
If she was someone, who was recommended by the Supreme Commander herself, then she without a doubt powerful individual.
Could she be.....?
There was no way for her to confirm but from how she was able to get into this academy and not to mention under the recommendation of the Supreme Commander herself, then she would be one of her prime suspects for who she was looking for.
"Everyone. Get into your seats."
A young lady, somewhat around 25 or above made her way inside the classroom. Her silky platinum locks swayed behind her as she walked into the class. After surveying that everyone had settled in their seats, she spoke, with her voice, cool like a wind.
"I am Emilia Grignard. I will be in charge of your class for the course of your three years here. I will be in charge of teaching you Military Tactics and Military Morals."
She introduced herself. She was beautiful with her white pale skin and beautifully aligned body. Some boys were drooling over her.
"Now, let me explain to you the structure of this academy and breakdown the curriculum for you guys."
She pinched a piece of chalk between her slim fingers and began writing all across the board with an elegant flick of her wrist.
"There are four different things that you will be learning here."
Saying that she listed them on the board in elegant writing.
i. Military Tactics
ii. Magic Theory
iii. Magic utilization
iv. Sword Arts
"I will be teaching Military Tactics. Captain Richt will be teaching you Magic Theory. Magic utilization will be taught by different Captains depending upon which magic you are adept at. For example, those who use water element will be taught by Princess Evana, earth elementers will be taught by Captain Tessy, lightning elementers by Captain Ferdinand, wind elementers by Captain Kiya and Captain Raidan will be teaching the fire elementers."
"And as for Sword Arts, Captain Aescwine will be in charge."
"Huh? That Aescwine? Will he be able to teach someone like us who are far better than him?!"
"What about I defeat him and take over his position as a teacher?!"
Other students in the classroom laughed.
"Everyone maintain silence!"
Cried the instructor and everyone went silent.
"Huh?"
She looked to her side and found that the blue-haired girl was glaring at the students who were making fun of Captain Aescwine. And her glare was sharp and deadly.
"What's wrong, Olivia?"
"O-Oh. Nothing."
When she called out to her, she went back to normal.
But no way will she ever forget that look and the aura that she had just emanated.
But why had she been angry? Did she had some sort of connection with Captain Aescwine?
She wanted to ask her but didn't ask thinking that it wasn' the right time now.
The instructor continued speaking.
"Since, today's your first class I won't dive right into teaching you. So, I will just give you basic outlines."
"As you all are aware, our country has been engaging in war with the Kingdom of Auruncia for a long time. We lack enough manpowers to overpower them. And on the other hand, Auruncia has a large number of combatants and they are talented as well. So, for us to win we have to use different tactics and strategies. Military strategy and tactics are essential to the conduct of warfare. Broadly stated, strategy is the planning, coordination, and general direction of military operations to meet overall political and military objectives. Tactics implement strategy by short-term decisions on the movement of troops and employment of magic on the field of battle."
She continued, "Military forces, whether large-scale or small-scale, must have a clear objective that is followed despite possible distractions. Only offensive operations — seizing and exploiting the initiative — however, will allow the choice of objectives; the offense also greatly increases the possibility of surprise and security. Unity of command, or cooperation, is essential to the pursuit of objectives, the ability to use all forces effectively, and the concentration of superior force at a critical point. Maneuver consists of the various ways in which troops can be deployed and moved to obtain offensive, mass, and surprise."
She gave the basic explanation on what military strategies and tactics were. They got the gist of it but still weren't able to understand ll of it. Probably because it was something completely new to them.
"I know that many of you don't understand it right now. But as I will teach you about them, you will gradually come to understand it."
"This wraps up today's explanation. We will get into our main curriculum starting tomorrow."
"And as for the rest of your classes for today. You won't be having classes for Magic Theory and Magic Utilization since the Captains are busy exploring the dungeons. So, instead you will have Sword Art class now. Please head to the training area with your swords. But remember from tomorrow you will have all your classes."
Saying that she left the room.
All the students were making fun of Captain Aescwine and presented their discontent on the fact that they had to take classes from someone like 'him'. But they were heading out from the classroom with their swords nonetheless.
"Let's go! Let's go!"
Olivia was tugging at her sleeves and urging her to go fast, her eyes sparkling like a child's.
"O-Okay."
Seaxburh followed behind while Olivia was rushing ahead.
Seaxburh thought that this girl really had some sort of connection with Captain Aescwine.