Chapter 80
The National Army was established to prepare for wars and armed conflicts with other countries.
Soldiers who belong to the country's official organization and are granted ranks are a profession that can only be attained by those who have undergone military training at the military school located in the city where the most important fortress is situated.
Just as the children of nobles aspire to become knights, the children of commoners often dream of becoming soldiers.
That is why Celestia Rotisch, who bears the title of the Marshal's granddaughter, stands out remarkably at the military school, drawing admiration for her beauty and abilities, as well as malice such as envy and jealousy, with every move she makes being closely watched by everyone.
The person this famous figure has been relentlessly pursuing for the past six months is an ordinary boy whose parents are soldiers.
In the confined world of military school life, where entertainment is scarce, the most talked-about topic right now is the interaction between a quiet, unassuming boy and a beautiful noble daughter.
"They're at the chase game again. Finn Scott just doesn't know when to give up..."
Leaning over the staircase to peek downstairs, Silvio let out a dry laugh as he saw Finn, who let out a small scream and dashed down the stairs.
It's been quite a while since the day Finn was first spoken to by Celestia, yet he still refuses to engage in conversation and keeps running away. Just the other day, he was cornered against a wall, trembling like a little girl, until Harrison came to his rescue, but even in such a state, Finn struggled desperately to escape.
Though everyone thought it was only a matter of time before he was caught, the cat-and-mouse game has continued for months. Silvio, who initially enjoyed watching their interactions as a temporary amusement, has recently started grumbling, "He should just give up already."
While Celestia, who continues to dutifully interact with Finn just because she was asked to despite being so clearly rejected, deserves sincere praise, Silvio was growing increasingly frustrated that she wasn't spending that time on him instead.
"Once the buddy is decided, that whole charade will end."
"I wonder about that... since the one with the authority to decide the pairings is Instructor Harrison."
Muttering while keeping his gaze fixed on the commotion downstairs, Silvio received a shrug from Severi.
Silvio had no one he could call a friend due to the harsh environment he was placed in. That's why his obsession with Celestia is so intense.
"Finn Scott becoming Celes's buddy...?"
In terms of ability, the most likely candidates to be Celestia's buddy are Silvio or Severi.
However, considering that Finn is the son of someone close enough for Harrison to personally request, it feels like Finn might be the only choice. In fact, Severi realized that this possibility might be higher, but even so, they couldn't change the selection, so all he could do was pat Silvio on the shoulder to console him.
"That's favoritism, isn't it?"
Fortunately, the low, cold voice that slipped from Silvio's mouth didn't reach Finn downstairs, and only Severi and Billy, who had just come up the stairs, heard it.
"W-What are you doing there... eek!?"
Billy flinched and took a step back, letting out a small scream as he saw Silvio, whose face was partially hidden by hair falling over it due to gravity, looking somewhat eerie with his posture as he slowly straightened up and turned his disheveled head toward him, asking a question.
"What, you say? What about you? Did something happen?"
Every single day, without fail, Billy would glare at the two of them with resentment, but for some reason, today he passed by the pair arguing downstairs with a strangely cheerful expression on his face.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, usually... you'd be staring at Celes with a face like this."
As Silvio pointed to the corner of his eye and pulled it up, a vein bulged on Billy's forehead.
"I've never made a face like that!"
"Really? Then, maybe like this..."
"When has my nose ever looked that squashed!"
"Phew... Billy, you're always complaining, it's exhausting."
"Hey! Do something about this guy... don't just shake your head!"
Billy, who was clearly being used as a way for Silvio to vent his frustrations, was pitiful, but since Severi had nothing to gain by helping him and would likely be targeted for retaliation later, he hoped Billy would just accept it quietly.
"Seriously, you guys are always, always like this."
Muttering while pressing his forehead like a weary adult, this was a usual scene for Billy. If Celestia were here, he'd find some excuse to stay, but since she wasn't, he was supposed to leave while grumbling... or so it was expected.
"Well, fine. I'm feeling generous today."
With a faint smile and puffing out his chest, Billy uttered words that suited him the least.
"Generous? Who?"
"Which mouth is spouting such nonsense? Oh, that sloppily slack one?"
Normally, by this point, Billy's face would be bright red as he shouted, but for some reason, today he displayed an inexplicable air of confidence.
"Today is the buddy announcement."
The two, who had been suspicious that he might be plotting something, had their doubts easily cleared by the word "buddy" coming from Billy's mouth and the smug look on his face.
"That's right."
"A buddy isn't dissolved until graduation, and even after joining the military, that buddy often continues."
"Indeed."
"I'll firmly hold the reins of that wild horse, so starting tomorrow, Finn Scott won't need to run around anymore."
If the wild horse Billy is referring to is Celestia, then who does he think will hold those reins...?
"I can't believe it, but are you planning to be Celes's buddy?"
"Who else would it be besides me?"
Though they were dumbfounded by where this baseless confidence came from, they suddenly recalled an incident at the dormitory.
On the day the Second Prince entered the dormitory, Celestia's cousin had mentioned something about buddies.
However, that was just a casual remark, and no one took it seriously.
"I may still be far behind, but as long as I don't slack off in my efforts, I'll catch up eventually."
Here was someone who believed with certainty that he was Celestia's buddy.
He must have believed all this time since then that he was her buddy.
The words "Isn't it still undecided?" nearly slipped out, but seeing Billy fidgeting with anticipation, his eyes shining with excitement, even Silvio, who had a somewhat difficult personality, swallowed his words.
"Class is about to start soon."
While staring at Billy's back as he walked ahead with high spirits, Silvio and Severi exchanged glances, wondering what would happen to him if he wasn't chosen as Celestia's buddy, quietly pressing their chests in concern.
※※※※
Students who have advanced to a new class with unfamiliar faces are usually filled with enthusiasm and vitality, but the students of the special class, established last year, sat still in their seats, directing gazes toward the door as if heading to a battlefield. Harrison, who was in charge of this special class, opened the classroom door humming as usual, only to grimace at the bizarre atmosphere permeating the room.
"...Ahem, shall we begin?"
The incredibly intense gazes directed at his hands.
Testing it out, he moved his arm left and right, and the students' eyes followed with an eerie intensity.
Judging that conveying morning greetings or announcements would be pointless right now, Harrison decided to get it over with quickly and stood at the podium.
"As previously announced, today we will reveal the partners you'll be paired with as buddies until graduation. For the first year, I plan to observe, but unless there's a significant reason, the pairing won't be dissolved until graduation."
While speaking, Harrison heard a loud gulp... and turned his gaze in that direction. He paused for a moment before managing to recover and continue his words, mentally patting himself on the back for holding it together.
"...A buddy refers to your combat partner."
Billy, trembling slightly like a broken toy, stared at Harrison without even blinking... What is this, creepy!? Harrison quickly averted his gaze, pretending he hadn't noticed.
"During drills and expeditions, as well as when operating separately from the squad, you must always move in pairs with your buddy. If something happens to your partner, it's also the buddy's duty to bring back the dog tag attached to their neck."
Even though they are military school students, once they advance to the second year, drills begin in the summer, and they will go outside.
While instructors and active soldiers assist the students, the area is near the border with frequent contact with foreign militaries, so anything could happen.
Though nothing has happened so far, there's no guarantee it won't in the future, so the concept of buddies will be thoroughly drilled into them by summer.
"Punishments will also be given to both, not just one, so be careful. Help each other and keep an eye on one another. It may sound harsh, but they will become an important existence, different from family."
Speaking seriously instead of his usual playful tone, Harrison gently touched the dog tag around his neck with his finger before looking around the classroom.
"The buddy you have at military school usually remains the same even after joining the military, though there are exceptions."
"Um, what kind of exceptions...?"
Surprised internally by the question from the usually quiet Finn, Harrison grinned and nodded.
"The famous Marshal Fildé's buddy changed three times during military school and once after joining the military."
"Four times...?"
Perhaps because it involved family, Celestia, who had been waiting for the buddy announcement with a nonchalant expression, changed her demeanor, and Harrison inwardly burst into laughter.
"It's unprecedented, but it couldn't be helped. No one could keep up with that man."
Harrison began recounting the legendary exploits of the great Marshal, many of which dated back to his military school days, with an enraptured expression. Celestia, who truly understood Fildé Rotisch, held her head in her hands, while those who admired him mirrored Harrison's expression, waiting for the rest of the story, creating an even stranger atmosphere than at the start.
"Ultimately, the person who served as the Marshal's buddy until retirement was a woman. She retired at the same time as the Marshal and now works in the management of the military school, overseeing the senior students."
"The person who served as Grandfather's buddy?"
"If you're interested, you can meet her in the staff room. Just hearing her stories should be quite enlightening."
Watching the students, whose faces clearly showed their thoughts of wanting to see this woman or learn from her, Harrison smirked inwardly.
Ada, who supported the pinnacle of soldiers from the shadows, commanded multiple squads, and possessed overwhelming experience.
Though she had pushed him away, telling him not to rely on her since she had moved to a behind-the-scenes role, she wouldn't be able to outright refuse if the students approached her, and she'd likely help in various ways.
To begin with, it was absurd for Harrison to handle the troublesome bunch of the special class all by himself.
"Now, I'll announce the pairs I carefully selected over three days and nights. I won't accept any complaints or objections."
The classroom fell silent once again.
Standing at the podium, Harrison looked at the paper he brought and began reading the names, starting with "First pair."
The result.
"How... why... no way... ugh, it's a lie..."
"This is wrong... a mistake, right? No, but... three times... should I confirm again?"
Finn, slumped over his desk, muttering through half-tears, and Billy, muttering with vacant eyes, were born.
"Will those two recover from this?"
"I could predict the outcome from the moment Instructor Harrison looked at Celes with that strange smile."
"Even though we knew the result, I can't help but feel some sympathy..."
"Sympathy won't change the result. Celes's buddy until graduation is Finn Scott, isn't it?"
"Ugh......"
Stabbed by Severi's words, Billy let out a groan and collapsed onto the desk just like Finn.
"Whoa......"
Wondering what kind of thing to say, Silvio looked up at his partner, only to hear Billy's sobs in his ears......
Silvio, who had never comforted anyone before, sought help, but there, even Finn had been taken down and crushed by Celestia.
"No good, my chest hurts."
Later, Silvio told the group gathered at Gazebo that compared to his friend, he was still a decent human being.