Chapter 12: The Truth of the North
The morning sunlight of a winter dawn cast its glow across the rugged outdoor training grounds.
Having been practically dragged to the training field by Sharon, I took my place at the back of the gathered trainees for the morning roll call.
Soon, Sharon, with the ferocity of a beast, appeared on the platform, and the morning roll call began.
“In the year 3024 of the Holy Calendar, January 32, the morning roll call will be conducted by Sergeant Sharon of the 4th Infantry Division Reconnaissance Battalion, your training instructor!”
Her commanding voice echoed as the roll call proceeded swiftly.
The trainees’ booming voices recited the oath of service and prayers, followed by calisthenics in formation.
I clumsily followed the trainee in front of me, trying to keep up.
With no knowledge of what was happening, I had to at least pretend to follow along diligently.
“There’s one final announcement!”
As the roll call concluded,
all the trainees turned their attention to her words.
“Recently, we’ve received reports of unidentified beasts appearing in the Noska Mountains, connected to the Ulian Forest!”
Sharon, hands on her hips, scanned the surroundings as she continued.
“Starting at 1 p.m. today, we will conduct training on how to properly handle ferocious monsters and beasts in the mountains! That’s all!”
With Sharon’s final words, the trainees began moving orderly toward their barracks.
I naturally joined the procession, following behind them.
And then,
two trainees in front of me muttered quietly.
“Something feels off.”
“What?”
“I heard the training for handling mountain beasts was supposed to happen after we’re assigned to our units.”
“It does seem like something’s been added... Didn’t your uncle who works in another unit tell you anything? If you know something, don’t keep it to yourself.”
“Depends on how you behave.”
“...”
I fell into deep thought.
Normally, this training wouldn’t happen yet.
The reason for its sudden inclusion was obvious.
‘Unidentified beasts have appeared from the direction of the Ulian Forest.’
It was likely due to Magridon’s power extending beyond the barrier or some of his minions breaking through Elinore and the divine beasts to reach this place.
I worried about what had become of Elinore and the divine beasts, but with no way to predict the situation, I felt only frustration.
“Trainee Claude.”
Sharon’s voice came from behind.
Turning my head, I saw her standing at a distance in a corner of the building.
“Follow me.”
I didn’t know why she was calling me, but following a superior’s orders was only natural.
I separated from the other trainees and quietly followed her, soon arriving back at the barracks.
Creak—
We entered Sharon’s office once more.
“Sit.”
At her command, I obediently took a seat.
I was curious why she had called me here alone.
“Do you remember when we first met?”
She sat across from me, asking the question discreetly.
“Yes, I do.”
“You were hiding inside the carcass of an elk, weren’t you?”
“That’s correct.”
“Did you escape from the Ulian Forest?”
“...”
“I’ll be direct. I’m asking if you’re connected to the anomalies occurring in the Ulian Forest.”
“...Yes, I am.”
“...Is that so?”
Her response made me slightly puzzled.
‘Isn’t she in close communication with Shukain?’
I had assumed she would have already been informed, but Sharon seemed unaware of the details.
“What exactly happened there?”
“Um—”
Should I tell Sharon about this?
Was there a reason Shukain hadn’t shared this information yet?
A flurry of thoughts raced through my mind.
“Shukain suddenly issued orders, and as the guard, we have no choice but to verify. Can’t you tell me?”
“Well, if that’s the case...”
Trusting her, I detailed everything that had happened.
The existence of the demon Magridon, the emergence of his beast and monster hordes, my father’s former comrade Elinore and the divine beasts who helped me, and everything up to my arrival here.
I told her everything, except for my mother’s death.
“Hmm...”
Sharon listened quietly, her brow furrowed.
Her expression shifted, as if something displeased her,
before returning to a neutral one.
“Understood. Thank you for telling me.”
“No problem.”
“Trainee Claude.”
Sharon took a moment to collect herself before continuing.
“You’re to head to the Magic Corps immediately.”
I blinked in surprise.
“The Magic Corps? But... you said before that only those who show talent after completing training are selected.”
“Yes, normally that’s the case. But you’re going as a special recruit. You’ll undergo specialized training there.”
“Specialized training?”
“It’ll be an environment where you can learn magic faster, as you wanted. It’ll be high-intensity training, and you might be deployed to dangerous sites right away... but you’ll likely grow stronger quickly, as you wished.”
Harder, more dangerous, but an environment to grow stronger quickly—how could I refuse?
“Yes, understood.”
“Good.”
Satisfied with my resolute answer, Sharon stood up.
“Follow me.”
I followed her out.
***
Creak—
“...”
After stepping off the carriage with Sharon, I saw something massive before me.
Two hours from the barracks stood a towering black spire, piercing the sky as if it would bore a hole through it.
“What is this place...?”
“This is the northernmost point of Horast. It’s the Magic Tower, built by Shukain and her eleven fellow mages during the Great War. It’s cloaked with perception-inhibiting magic, making it invisible from afar. It’s a military secret, so it’s hidden from enemy eyes.”
Sharon placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Go to the first-floor lobby and find Instructor Frig. He’ll explain the tower’s structure and introduce you to the trainees you’ll be with.”
“Understood. May I ask a few questions?”
“What are they?”
“Will you be overseeing training here, Instructor Sharon?”
“Of course, we conduct basic physical training here too. But since this place focuses heavily on magic training, we probably won’t see each other often.”
“Understood.”
“Shukain and the instructors here have already been informed, so don’t worry too much.”
“Before, Shukain only told me to enlist, without mentioning this situation. Why was my training assignment suddenly changed?”
“Consider it a miscommunication of her orders. She sometimes gives instructions too briefly. Any other questions?”
Her firm tone left no room for hesitation, and I could only respond.
“...No, none.”
“Good, then.”
Sharon gave a faint smile before climbing back onto the carriage.
Clop, clop.
As the carriage moved away, I was left alone in front of the Magic Tower.
I stepped into the building.
Creak—
The massive door opened, revealing an interior as grand as the exterior suggested.
“Oh! Trainee Claude?”
From a corner, a middle-aged man with brown hair and a refined charm approached with steady steps.
“Nice to meet you, trainee. You may have heard, but I’m Sergeant Frig. I serve as both a magic instructor and part of the Magic Corps’ special operations unit. From now on, call me Instructor. I know this is sudden, but I’ll answer your questions as I show you around the tower.”
In the solemn atmosphere, I grabbed my few belongings and followed Instructor Frig.
“You must be confused with so much unknown, but you’ll adapt soon. You’re not the only outsider in the Northern Army.”
Despite his serious appearance, he was surprisingly kind and talkative.
Thanks to him, I learned some details about the North and its general situation.
“Do a lot of people from outside the North enlist?”
“Yes, anyone with the will can join the Northern Army. Those with talent can even learn magic. Of course... special recruits like you are a bit more unique. Haha, you’re the first trainee I know of that the lord personally assigned to this unit.”
According to Instructor Frig, there were six fortresses in the North.
Tens of thousands of soldiers were stationed at each, and when combined with forces from other northern territories, hundreds of thousands were stationed in the region.
‘And...’
Horast, this place, was prone to frequent battles due to monsters crossing from the nearby mountains.
It was also home to the training grounds for the Magic Corps’ special operations unit, which carried out missions separate from the main force.
“It seems Shukain has high expectations for you. She sent you straight here instead of starting you at the bottom.”
“...I don’t really know why I was assigned here.”
I had agreed to come for tougher training and dangerous missions, but
from what I’d heard, this wasn’t even a regular Magic Corps unit.
‘And Shukain personally placed me here.’
I still lacked the information to fully grasp the situation.
As the atmosphere grew awkward, Frig clapped his hands together.
“It’s a bit rough, but it’s not an unlivable place, so don’t worry. ...Now, let’s introduce you to the comrades you’ll be working with.”
Swish—
“Take my hand.”
“Your hand? Yes.”
Flash—
“What?”
I grabbed Frig’s hand, closed my eyes for a moment, and when I opened them,
the first-floor lobby was gone, replaced by a room marked with the number 501.
Frig, ignoring my bewildered look, flung the door open.
“Alright, everyone. This is the new trainee.”
As the door opened, I saw four distinct individuals sitting at desks or on beds.
Frig briefly explained the situation, and I stood straight beside him, observing the people before me.
A freckled boy with curly blonde hair, droopy eyes, and a gentle demeanor.
A long-haired boy so beautiful that, if not for the male dormitory, I’d have struggled to tell his gender.
A buzz-cut boy so disciplined he didn’t dare glance my way.
And a dark-haired boy with dark circles, looking somewhat sinister.
“The curly blonde is Jeffrey, the long-haired one is Sheldain, the buzz-cut is Rumen, and that gloomy one is Radagon. They’re all your age.”
Frig casually pointed at each person, rattling off their names as if it wasn’t a big deal.
Jeffrey.
Sheldain.
Rumen.
Radagon.
I committed the faces of my future comrades to memory.
“This trainee is Claude. Get along well.”
Frig clapped his hands again.
“Sort out the rest of the introductions among yourselves. Claude, head to that empty spot over there.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Ten minutes until the third training session, right, Jeffrey?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take care of Trainee Claude.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. I’ll see you at the fourth training session. That’s all.”
Bang—
With a lightning-fast introduction, Frig vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
“...”
An awkward silence followed.
I quietly sat at the desk in my assigned spot, surveying my new surroundings.
“Hey.”
Jeffrey cautiously approached, extending his hand.
“I’m Trainee Claude, newly enlisted.”
“Nice to meet you, Claude. Oh, you can speak casually here. We’re all outsiders and fellow trainees.”
His gentle tone eased my tension.
I felt I could get along with this guy.
“Oh, alright... Nice to meet you. Let’s get along.”
After shaking hands with Jeffrey, I quickly continued to break the ice.
“You mentioned a third training session. What’s that about?”
“Oh, that’s mana circulation and emission training. By the way...”
Jeffrey glanced at the others before whispering to me.
“Are you free at lunch?”
“Uh? Sure, I’m free.”
I felt a strange gaze.
The other three trainees were now glancing at me sidelong, except for Jeffrey.
“It’s about something important for our survival.”
“Survival...?”
My heart grew heavy.
What kind of conversation was he planning from our first meeting?
Noticing my unease, Jeffrey dropped a cryptic remark.
“We’re going to be the Northern Army’s meat shields. We need to find ways to survive in advance.”