Coralina took Derek to her office after the duels, where the rest of her squad was already gathered.
A large map of the divided states hung on one wall, with military strategy markings sketched in red chalk.
"Welcome, kid," said Jackal, patting him on the shoulder. "You're officially our master's apprentice now. Congrats."
"Does that mean you're her apprentices too?" Derek asked.
"No, not exactly. More like her family. We see her as our older sister."
Tlaloc, more serious, leaned in toward Derek. "And as family, we've got each other's backs. She'll be tough on you, but only because she wants you to survive. You'd better listen."
Derek nodded timidly, feeling a bit more comfortable in his new position. But the calm didn't last long.
"What happened with the Porter brothers?" Tlaloc asked, glancing at Coralina. "I heard there was some drama."
"Those two are spoiled brats. Thomas especially needs to learn he can't always get his way. If he doesn't figure that out now, he'll learn it the hard way on the battlefield—and that will probably kill him."
Thomas Porter stormed in, his face red with anger. "I demand an explanation," he said directly to Coralina, ignoring everyone else in the room. "Why did you take Derek Stone as your assistant?"
Annoyed by the interruption, she gestured toward a nearby chair. "Sit down, Porter. Let's talk like adults."
"I won't sit until you give me a credible explanation."
"Fine, Porter. If you need something convincing, take it like this: Derek will be my errand boy."
"Errand boy? That's your explanation? Is that why you wasted the chance to choose someone stronger or more capable?"
Coralina straightened up. "Yes, errand boy. Because when we're on the front lines, and I need someone to deliver a message or gather intel, someone will have to cross half a battlefield, dodge bullets, and make it back alive. And who better to prove their worth than the underestimated Derek?"
"I could do that without a problem! I'm stronger, faster, and smarter than he is!"
Coralina simply smiled, a smile devoid of kindness. "Perfect. Then you'll have your chance, too. I'd be delighted to test you. But if you're going to stand here yelling at me, I suggest you improve your tone."
"I will. But don't think this is over." With that, he left the office, slamming the door behind him.
"What a temper. That boy wouldn't last a day on the front lines if he keeps this up," said Coralina.
Jackal chuckled. "With any luck, the battlefield will knock him down a peg."
Coralina shrugged. "Or tear him to pieces."
The tension of the previous days faded as five Union regiments departed the academy the next day. Coralina and her squad led one of the contingents, mounted on horseback and fully armed. Derek, still new to this world, followed Coralina's orders closely.
Their destination was the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where Union forces were preparing to face the Confederate Army at the Battle of Port Republic. News of earlier skirmishes had already reached the regiment.
In the distance, smoke from fires rose like black towers into the sky, and the faint sound of cannons and battle cries echoed toward them.
But what truly caught the recruits' attention were the magical diagrams glowing in the sky—fallen stars. Six of them, aligned in constellations, floated above Confederate positions.
On the Union side, there were only two diagrams. Though well-drawn, they paled in comparison to the complexity and power emanating from the Confederates.
"Six against two," Tlaloc murmured, riding beside her. "Doesn't seem fair."
"War never is, Tlaloc. But that doesn't change our job."
The regiments continued their advance, and tension settled among the recruits.
The twilight cast long shadows over the terrain, and the flames on the horizon illuminated their tense faces.
Coralina halted her horse and turned toward her regiment.
"Listen carefully!"
"I know you're scared. That's natural. But let me make one thing clear: anyone who disobeys my orders will be shot. Not for cowardice, but because they'll endanger everyone else."
"I don't care what you face out there. No matter how afraid you feel, you must not hesitate to follow my commands. If you do exactly as I say, I promise I'll bring you back alive. Though I won't guarantee I'll bring you back in one piece."
Some soldiers laughed nervously, though most nodded solemnly.
"Now, keep moving," she ordered. "This is just the beginning."
An hour from the front, a figure appeared on the horizon, riding swiftly toward them. It was a messenger, a young Union soldier wearing a magical insignia on her right arm.
The messenger halted next to Coralina, raising a hand that glowed with a simple diagram. With a single motion, the diagram expanded into the air, projecting a series of symbols with clear instructions: Change of Direction.
Coralina gave the order, and her division turned eastward, following the messenger along a narrow path that led them to the Union's main camp.
Above the camp, about 20 meters in the air, hovered a massive magical diagram spinning slowly. Unlike those at the front, this one emitted a golden-white glow.
"A defensive diagram," murmured Coralina, impressed by its precision. "Not bad."
At the center of the camp, Coralina was greeted by Brigadier General Erastus B. Tyler.
"Miss Álvarez," he said, nodding slightly. "Thank you for arriving so promptly. The situation is critical, as you've likely noticed."
"I'm ready for orders. What's our mission?"
Tyler gestured toward his campaign tent, a large structure where a map of the valley lay spread across a table. Coralina signaled Thomas and Derek to follow her inside.
"You two," Coralina instructed the brothers, "memorize this. You've got five minutes."
"The enemy is led by Brigadier General Richard Taylor," Tyler explained, pointing to a position on the map. "His division has been wreaking havoc on our lines. His magic is a key factor in their advances. I need your company to focus on neutralizing that magic."
"What type of magic does he use?"
"He's from the Snow lineage," Tyler replied, his tone slightly grave. "An ice magic specialist. His ability to manipulate terrain and halt our troop advances has been devastating. We believe he's also using the diagrams you saw in the sky to amplify his range."
"Understood. We'll handle his magic. But I'll need support in case this becomes more complicated."
"You'll have it," Tyler assured. "I trust your expertise will make the difference."
Coralina nodded. "Ready?"
Thomas and Derek nodded quickly, leaving the tent with the map etched in their minds.
Coralina's regiment dismounted.
They formed two orderly lines while the conventional troops and artillery divisions accompanying them took positions behind. The soldiers adjusted their coats, some rubbing their hands to ward off the cold.
"From here, we'll proceed on foot," Coralina announced. "Keep the pace and don't break formation. No one strays, no one improvises. If you see something you can't explain, report it. Understood?"
A chorus of "Yes, Miss Álvarez!" echoed among the soldiers.
Thomas Porter, walking in the second row, held his wand ready in his right hand.
"Your brother stayed back at the academy?" he asked in a tone meant to sound casual.
"No. He's babysitting useless people."
Coralina clenched her jaw, though her expression remained calm. Internally, irritation coursed through her like an electric spark.
"On top of everything, now I have to worry about that kid not ending up frozen or crushed," she thought.
The first thing they noticed was the cold: an unnatural frost that intensified with each step. As they advanced, the snow on the ground grew thicker, mixed with ice crystals faintly reflecting the moonlight. Small flurries floated in the air.
Coralina halted their advance at the crest of a small hill. From there, she could see the front line: a vast white expanse where Union soldiers struggled to hold their ground against adverse conditions. But something caught her attention—there was no visible magical circle in the Snow position.
"No diagram?"
The effects of the enemy's magic, however, were unmistakable.
The magical bullets fired by Confederate artillery had devastating precision. Union soldiers were being pushed back, unable to withstand the assault.
"I guess it's my turn."
Coralina traced invisible symbols in the air. Her fingers glowed with a faint black light as lines formed and rose into the sky.
"In tenebris, vinculum. In tenebris, protego. In tenebris, impero."
A perfect triangle began to take shape in the air above her position. A sharp line marked the snow, dividing Coralina's position from the surrounding areas.
The snow stopped falling, and the intense cold that had frozen her troops dissipated.
The magical bullets fired by the Confederates lost their effectiveness when crossing the triangle's boundary. Though they still struck, their impact was significantly reduced, leaving bruises instead of serious injuries.
"The triangle is in place," she announced. "From now on, this position is under my control. But remember: deploying a magical diagram isn't enough to win. This is a game of leadership. The one who makes the fewest mistakes will survive."
Magic on the battlefield was governed by a set of principles all combatants understood but few mastered. Coralina seized the moment to remind her regiment.
"First," she began, pacing in front of her troops, "a magical diagram doesn't make you invincible. Every time you keep one active, you're draining your energy. The longer you use it, the more vulnerable you become. Use your time wisely."
"A magical diagram creates an area of effect that alters combat conditions in favor of the mage deploying it. In this case, the Triangle of Darkness reduces the impact of the cold, neutralizes part of the enemy's damage, and boosts our troops' morale. However, all this comes at a price."
"Every time you deploy a magical diagram, you immediately lose 25% of your magical reserves."
"Second, diagrams have limitations. I can modify the triangle's lines to restrict enemies entering it. For example, I can limit their ability to cast spells or allow myself to move faster within my area. However, this also consumes energy. Every modification drains me, so I must decide carefully how to use my resources."
"Diagrams are not invulnerable. If an enemy manages to infiltrate and alter the diagram's lines on the ground or in the sky, they can corrupt it. This means they could turn my own diagram into a weapon against us. That's why you must always protect the perimeter of your magical area. Never allow the enemy to get too close."
"Additionally, sky diagrams like mine are visible to everyone. This makes them targets for anti-air magic or enemy aerial units, such as broom-mounted mages. If the diagram is destroyed, we automatically lose all its benefits."
"Lastly," Coralina said, locking eyes with her regiment, "you must understand that magical diagrams are not ordinary tools. Only elite mages, those with years of experience and absolute control over their magic, can deploy them. If an inexperienced mage tries to summon a diagram, they will likely lose control and could end up killing themselves and everyone nearby."
"Also, know that sky diagrams are used only in large-scale battles like this one. Never in individual duels. Why? Because deploying one requires not only energy but also focus and time—two luxuries you can't afford in a direct confrontation."
"The Brigadier General Richard Taylor requests your presence at the front," came a voice from one of the sky circles.
"They're wasting magic."
"Messengers, with me. Now."
Coralina advanced slowly toward the edge of her magical diagram. As they approached, the cold and snow of the Triangle of Darkness faded behind them, leaving a sharp line marking the division between her territory and the Confederates'.
In the distance, another figure emerged from the snow. It was Brigadier General Richard Taylor, confidently approaching, accompanied by two figures who immediately stood out due to their attire. One was a young woman with Asian features, her hair tied in a tight bun, and the other a tall man with dark skin and a turban that spoke of his roots in the British Raj.
British mages.
"Miss Álvarez," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "What a pleasure to finally meet the daughter of the user of darkness."
"Stone, inform General Tyler about the presence of these British mages on the battlefield," Coralina ordered.
"Already planning how to excuse yourself if you lose?" Taylor taunted, gesturing casually toward the two mages beside him. "Because I assure you, Miss Álvarez, they won't just be witnesses. They're here to ensure this confrontation ends in a Confederate victory. And if I'm lucky, I might earn another title for my record."
"And what title would that be?"
"The man who ended the life of the daughter of darkness."
"By the way, allow me to introduce my allies. They are special talents sent by my friends."
"My name is Ashok Rathore," the man said, bowing slightly. "I was trained in Calcutta at the Imperial Magic Academy, where I earned the title of Master in Elemental Manipulation. I helped suppress insurgents who tried to overthrow the East India Company."
The second to speak was the young Asian woman.
"My name is Mei Ling," she said with a slight smile. "I was recruited in Canton after the First Opium War."
"As you can see, Miss Álvarez, I have the best mages on my side. And you? Do you have anyone in your regiment as skilled as them?"
"I have Colonel Samuel S. Carroll," she said, her tone almost casual. "He's an elite mage who's already deployed two magical diagrams on the front."
"Two diagrams, huh? Then he's already down to less than half his magical energy. Hardly a threat."
"Maybe," Coralina replied with a hint of sarcasm. "But as you know, the volume of magical reserves on each side also matters."
"Magical statistics, of course. But if we add up all the Confederate Army's magical reserves, we far exceed yours. In any case, I don't expect you to last long."
"This is—"
"Silence, Porter," Coralina interrupted, raising a hand without looking at him. "Speaking without thinking is the first step toward failure. Watch and learn."
"That boy," Taylor said, pointing at Thomas, "looks more like a liability than an asset. I should send my mages to teach him a lesson in discipline."
Ashok and Mei Ling exchanged glances as if assessing the young man. Thomas swallowed hard, intimidated by the presence of the foreign mages.
"Go ahead if you want, Taylor. But remember: everything you send my way eventually comes back to you."
"We'll see, Miss Álvarez. We'll see."
Walking behind Coralina, Thomas couldn't help but ask quietly, "Why didn't you do anything when Taylor talked about sending them after me?"
"Because it's unnecessary. The fear you feel now is enough to discipline you. Learn to use it or remain a child."