Varchaswa took the stage and started, "My dear freshmen and sophomores. I have a few announcements for you. First, about your first month's training and training schedule.
Compared to the Final and Pre-Final Year students, you are more flexible but lack experience and wisdom at the same time. None of you have gone through a mock battle let alone a real battle whether individually or as a military unit. The Mock Battles you had in your family or clan cannot be compared to the level of Academy or Military. Hence, you will be undergoing some strict training. The schedule has already been provided to you.
As I mentioned earlier, since you are different from Final and Pre-Final Year Students, your training will also be different. While they are being developed into all-rounders with one specialization, you need to become a specialist first.
So, all of you, need to focus on your strength and only your strength. Do not worry about your weakness at all. I repeat, you will only focus on your strengths and will not at all care about your weaknesses.
Mages will focus solely on Magic. 80 percent focus should be on attack magic and 20 percent on defence magic. Warriors need to concentrate on combat only. Martial Arts will focus on aggressive arts. Those with skills in defence and healing will focus on their own skills.
From 8 AM to 11 AM and then from 1 PM to 4 PM, whether you are mage, martial artists or military strategist, only focus on your specific roles.
Second about vacations, you may have heard by now, you will get a 10-day vacation after the Mock Battle with Ayodhyaa Kingdom, given that we win that match.
Also, you will get a full 7-day vacation for this year's New Year Celebrations.
Third, performances will be rewarded - both during the Mock Battle and the training period.
Fourth, you have to choose a specialization. For Mages it will be the like of Magic. For Martial Artists it will their Arts and for Warriors it will be their weapons. Based on that, you will get assigned to your group led by an instructor specializing in that field. You are free to learn from each other as well.
Fifth, you may do extra training apart from the regular schedule, but the extra training cannot exceed 2 hours. Also remember every 7th day will be a half day, to rest your body.
I hope you can understand it all. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Khyaati. I would like to take the questions myself, however, I have to meet the Generals and Instructors to plan the strategy for the Mock Battle." Varchaswa left after saying that. He did not wait even for a moment.
-------
He entered the Royal Military Conference Room where General Nakula, General Drona and a few official Military Commanders were waiting for him.
"Nice speech. You have grown my dear nephew." General Nakula said.
"Uncle Nakula, thank you for your praises." replied Varchaswa.
"You have indeed surpassed our expectations. I never would have thought you would win against retired General Bheeshma. Now even I don't have the confidence to win against you." General Drona said.
"Grandpa Drona, please do not tease me. All of us know that I won only because Grandpa Bheeshma did not use Magical or Divine Weapons. If that were not the case, I would surely lose.", Varchaswa replied as a matter of fact.
"That is true. But you did not use Magical or Divine weapons either. And though it might be unknown to others, we all know that although you have not wielded a divine weapon, you can wield a high great magic weapon at the age of 16. This has not happened in over 200 years in the sub-continent.
Also, not to mention the fact that retired General Bheeshma is a veteran of many battles and the last war. Comparing anyone to him is already an honor." Nakula pointed out.
Varchaswa smiled inwardly. They do not know everything about him. He could not only wield high grade magical weapon but also highest-grade magical weapon. As for low grade divine weapon he will have to try when he got his hands on one. But, he was sure that he would be able to wield any low or medium grade divine weapons as well. The Divine Wisdom blessing from Lord Ganesha was a great thing!
"Enough about that. What I want to discuss the strategy to break the Military Arrangement of the Ayodhyaa Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, we will refer to arrangement as 'Formations' and will have names for them. For the Arrangement of Ayodhyaa Kingdom, I have come up with the name, 'Layered Phalanx Formation'." Varchaswa stated his opinion.
"I do not think it changes anything, but we will go as per your wishes." General Drona accepted easily.
"Well, there is a reason. Although different kingdoms use different numbers, those numbers and strategies are related. They can be deduced easily. Anyway, you will see the results on the day of the Mock Battle. Also, Ayodhyaa ranked in the top 15 in the championship rankings, so most people think we are destined to lose the Mock Battle.
The public opinion is biased and the students are affected by it too. Their sole focus needs to be on the match. These new things will keep their minds occupied and diverted. These are some additional benefits.
Anyway, coming to the main point, as you see their formation has a weakness. If we can attack the flanks or the rear, we can beat them easily.", Varchaswa explained.
He then drew a few rough diagrams and demonstrated how the variants of the 'Layered Phalanx Formation' can be easily defeated by attacking the flanks and the rear.
"I have to admit, this is a good analysis.", General Nakula said.
"As expected of the student of Prime Minster Vidura.", General Drona said.
"So, what's the plan to break this 'Layered Phalanx Formation?", asked General Nakula.
Varchaswa smiled and replied, "We will break it by using the 'Trident Variant Formation'."
------------------
Chapter End.