Chapter 8
Honestly, it makes sense to cancel it.
I did not say it out loud because I did not want to be disappointed, but the rain was unreal.
If we run in weather like this, someone will slip, fall, and break their teeth.
The purpose of running is training, not combat.
While I was sitting on a chair, resisting the urge to lie down on my bed, the instructor’s voice rang out.
All candidates, this is an announcement.
Due to worsening weather conditions, today’s scheduled running training has been canceled.
Instead, we will proceed with Magic Engineering Bomb theory and practical training. Candidates are to put on their raincoats and assemble at the small training ground.
End of announcement.
“Nice!”
The moment the announcement ended, I jumped up and clenched my fist.
This is who I am. This is my weather.
I kept my expectations low, but it actually got canceled.
Sure, we had a Magic Bomb class instead, but from any angle, that had to be easier than running.
Is it okay to feel this happy?
For a moment, I wondered that. But honestly, I deserve a little happiness.
“I figured they wouldn’t make us run in this weather. Thank goodness.”
Ion also looked relieved as he let out a deep breath.
“Hyungs, when they say raincoat… they mean those, right?”
Derek pointed to a pile of rag-like fabric stacked in one corner of the barracks.
It does look like that. But seriously, we have to wear those?
How should I describe it? It looks like if you shake it, bugs will crawl out.
“I do not want to wear that. What if we just get wet instead…”
“Did you not hear the order to wear raincoats! Push-up position!”
A sharp scream came from outside.
No choice.
“This is really not it.”
Ion lifted one of the raincoats with two fingers like it was something disgusting.
At least there were no bugs.
That itself was a miracle.
“The sizes all look the same. Let’s just grab one each.”
“Yeah.”
“Ugh. I would rather get soaked in the rain. But before that, do these even block water?”
That was actually a very important question.
Since it is a raincoat, it should be waterproof. But with this thing, who knows.
“It probably does?”
“I hope so.”
“Let’s go. If we are late, they will yell again.”
I closed my eyes tightly and put it on first.
This is awful.
It felt damp. The moment it touched my body, goosebumps spread all over me.
“Ugh!”
“I give up!”
Everyone screamed at least once while putting theirs on, then we left the room.
“Running in the rain is true training. Are you not disappointed, candidates?”
The instructor on the platform spoke nonsense like he had taken something strange.
“W… We are disappointed!!”
Our words and our faces did not match at all.
Thankfully, he did not comment on our expressions.
“Unfortunately, in the previous class, a fracture occurred during rain training. Therefore, we had no choice but to cancel it.”
He looked genuinely disappointed.
Of course accidents happen when people like him run the training.
This military only feels satisfied when someone gets hurt.
It is similar in society too. But the military does not really change. It just pretends to.
No running in the rain? I wonder how long that rule will last. Six months?
There is a high chance the next class will be told to run like nothing ever happened.
“No one will protect your body for you. You must manage it properly yourselves. Understood!”
“Understood!!”
Hearing that from him was absurd.
“Before the weather worsens further, we will move to the training site.”
After confirming the rain was getting heavier, the instructor stepped down and led the way.
Of course, he was wearing a clean, new raincoat that looked completely different from ours.
“It is really far.”
“Yeah.”
It had already been 15 minutes since we started walking.
It was not physically exhausting, but as time passed, I could feel the rain seeping through my raincoat.
I knew it probably was not waterproof, but I did not expect it to be this bad.
“Maintain formation and enter. Take your seats.”
After climbing another hill, the training site finally appeared.
It was open on all sides but had a roof above, blocking the rain.
“Once seated, remove your raincoats. Execute.”
“Execute!!”
Everyone repeated the order and quickly took off their raincoats and threw them to the side.
“Who throws their clothes like that! Is this your personal space?!”
The instructor suddenly exploded.
One candidate had taken his raincoat off like shedding skin and tossed it to the right.
“S… Sorry!”
“Behavior misconduct. One point deduction.”
The moment he mentioned deduction, everyone started moving quickly.
Point deductions are truly scary.
Here, they hold almost imperial power.
“The instructor will arrive shortly. If anyone is caught dozing off or failing to focus during class, that candidate will return to the barracks in duck-walk. Understood!”
“U… Understood!!”
Our voices trembled from engraved fear.
I absolutely cannot fall asleep.
Honestly, we just ate, and with this gloomy rain, I feel sleepy.
This might be the hardest challenge of my life.
At this point, maybe running would have been better.
“Everyone, stand. Execute.”
While I was staring blankly at the rain outside, a new instructor stepped onto the platform and gave the order in a rough voice that smelled strongly of cigarettes.
“Execute!!”
As we responded, I examined his face.
The mask covered everything. I could not see much.
Just from his voice, he did not seem pleasant.
“I am Captain Edental, responsible for this training. Before we begin, understand that this is among the most dangerous trainings you will undergo before graduation.”
Well, obviously.
We are dealing with real weapons.
“In society, I am often called an angel. However, during this training, I will maintain strict discipline to prevent accidents.”
He called himself an angel.
Wearing that red cap, it is hard to believe.
“First, we will repeat the three key points of this training. First, swift action.”
“Swift action!!!”
The candidates answered loudly.
The instructor frowned immediately.
“Push-up position.”
This should be loud enough!
I silently protested as I placed my hands on the ground.
“You must engrave it into your heads with powerful voices to prevent accidents. But your voices were as quiet as ants crawling.”
His hearing must be broken.
“I currently have a cold, so I do not wish to shout. Understood?”
“Understood!!!”
“Since this is your first time, I will consider it a mistake and let it pass. Everyone, stand.”
Contrary to expectations, we stood up without further punishment.
Is he actually decent?
For a moment, my opinion of him improved. But a red cap is red for a reason.
“We will repeat. Swift action.”
“Swift action!!!”
“Confirm target.”
“Confirm target!!”
“Push-up position.”
Insane.
“The Magic Engineering Bomb you will use today is the MB400. It is the older version of the MB550 currently used on the battlefield. The only difference is power. Appearance and weight are the same.”
As he explained, he took one out of a wooden box.
It looks very different from what I imagined.
I expected something like a modern grenade. But the Magic Bomb was a perfect sphere.
“If this seal on the outside is damaged, the bomb will immediately detonate to maintain security. Do not tamper with it out of curiosity.”
Judging by his tone, accidents have definitely happened before.
“The activation method is simple. Pull out the red safety pin that runs across the center, and it will explode exactly seven seconds later.”
He pulled the pin smoothly and threw it far across the training ground.
A few seconds later.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted, dirt flying into the air.
It may look different, but it functions just like a grenade.
The range and destructive power were impressive.
Magic engineering is terrifying.
This is not a world you can underestimate just because it lacks advanced technology.
In a place like this, I should have been a great mage.
Unfortunately, mages no longer exist in this world.
Or rather, they existed long ago. But over generations, magical sensitivity decreased and eventually disappeared.
“One mistake can lead directly to death. Maintain proper tension when handling the Magic Bomb. Understood?”
“Understood!!!”
After seeing the explosion with their own eyes, the candidates’ expressions changed.
“In wartime, we cannot waste over a thousand bombs on training. Therefore, not everyone will have a chance.”
Everyone nodded. It made sense.
Since it involves magic engineering, the production cost must be high.
Magic engineering is great, but it can only be handcrafted. Even a small amount raises the cost significantly.
“Therefore, only ten volunteers will be given the opportunity. There will be no extra points. Raise your hand only if you truly wish to participate.”
Hands shot up.
As expected of noble sons.
Maybe they do not know much else, but this certainly looks exciting to them.
Honestly, it is scary.
Noble boys always exceed expectations. Thinking about them holding weapons makes my stomach tighten.
“Your enthusiasm is commendable. You there.”
After seeing nearly ninety percent of hands raised, the instructor selected ten at random.
“Candidate Ion Belburn!”
“You on the right.”
“C… Candidate Kal Beiton! Thank you!”
…
The chosen candidates stood up, reporting properly.
Unfortunately, I was not among them.
Tch. I wanted to try throwing one too.
Since we are heading to the battlefield after graduation, handling a weapon even once has high value.
I guess I will have to memorize it with my eyes.
I watched Ion walk forward with envy.
“As stated in theory, throw immediately after removing the safety pin. Understood?”
“Understood!!”
The selected candidates lined up in front of the table where the bombs were placed.
“Prepare to throw.”
“Prepare to throw!!”
They picked up the bombs while repeating the command.
They all look tense.
Which is normal. One small mistake could cause an accident.
“Target front, maximum range. Remove pin and throw.”
“Remove pin and throw!!!”
Click.
With loud voices, the candidates pulled the safety pins.
Then came smooth throwing motions.
Whoosh!
Nine bombs traced arcs through the air toward the front.
“Huh?”
Wait…?
If I remember correctly, ten candidates were selected.
Then there should be ten bombs flying.
The moment I sensed something was wrong and moved my eyes.
I found the remaining one.
“Gaaah! Move!!!”
“Save me!!!”
A Magic Bomb drawing an arc not toward the practice field, but toward the candidates.
And do you know what is worse?
The end of that arc is right in front of me.
Whooooosh… thud.
The bomb landed within arm’s reach.
Damn it.
