Published: September 10, 2025
※This story takes place one year before Satou’s visit, around the time when Zena had just become an adult and enlisted in the army.
“Today, I have completed the training course and am commissioned as a magic soldier. I am Zena Marienthal. Please take care of me!”
In the barracks filled with rough soldiers, an elegant young lady appeared, clearly out of place.
“Hey, Lirio. What’s that supposed to be?”
“Who knows? Maybe she went to the wrong place?”
Gayana, my comrade chewing on some hard rye bread beside me, called out with a puzzled look.
Seriously, don’t talk while eating or you’ll send bread crumbs flying.
“Ms. Zena, this isn’t the right place. The barracks where the captain is are next door.”
A snobbish noblewoman came up from behind the young lady.
She wasn’t exactly mean, but I just didn’t like her. She was beautiful, had a great figure, and wasn’t arrogant about it—in fact, she was a genuinely good person, so I guess it was just my jealousy.
“Everyone, I apologize.”
The young lady bowed repeatedly with a flustered expression and left.
She had a somewhat endearing vibe. Since she’s a magic soldier, she must be an elite, so we low-ranking soldiers probably won’t cross paths much.
◇
“Lirio, my condolences.”
“What? Out of the blue?”
The next morning, on my way to the dining hall, Gayana grinned and said,
“The next squad assignments have been announced. You’re in Baxter’s squad.”
“Ugh, seriously?”
That old man is useless but acts all high and mighty.
“Please tell me knight Pinkerlo’s not with you too?”
“Looks like no knights are accompanying this time.”
Good, it’s a relief not to have that useless knight tagging along.
Besides, no knight means we’re probably not headed to the mountain areas where wyverns appear, so our chances of dying are slim.
I ate the barracks’ generous breakfast, then headed to the meeting point.
There were three groups gathered—around 50 people total.
“Baxter squad, assemble here!”
Baxter, the veteran soldier, shouted orders at the gathering.
Well, he’s loud enough to be a squad leader, even if he’s incompetent.
“Listen up, everyone! We’re going to patrol the hilly villages over the next three days.”
Next to the pompous Baxter stood the magic soldier young lady and the noblewoman I’d seen earlier.
Ah, so this patrol doubles as a training run for the young lady.
Apparently, this squad has fifteen people.
Zena, that young lady, can use wind magic.
The other squads’ magic soldiers seem to use fire or earth magic, so our scouting tasks should be easier.
“Lirio, I’m heading out.”
Gayana, assigned to another squad, said this as she climbed onto a wagon.
Since she’s an engineer, she’s going to the mining city with the earth magic soldiers.
“Don’t fall behind the other squads! Let’s move out!”
Baxter hurried us onto the wagon.
We set off, and although there were no knights, three light cavalry rode alongside us.
That noblewoman Iona is also a light cavalryman.
Even though she’s a woman, she wears plate armor, which is typical for nobles, but carrying a greatsword on her back is unusual.
A weapon that heavy must mean that behind her pretty exterior, she’s got the build of a bear. I’d bet today’s dried meat lunch on that.
“Lirio, you have good eyesight, so take point.”
“Got it.”
The other scout, an old soldier, told me to take the driver’s seat.
Yeah, I like the coachman’s platform—it offers a good view.
“Zena, magic soldier! Use enemy detection magic to watch the surroundings!”
“Yes, squad leader!”
Baxter ordered the magic soldier to use detection magic right after we set off.
—Isn’t that too soon?
Sure enough, before we reached the first village, the magic soldier complained about running low on magic power.
“Squad leader, my remaining magic power is below half. May I suspend detection magic per protocol?”
“What? You’re low on magic already? You need more training, Zena!”
“Sorry, squad leader.”
He complained to the magic soldier as if it wasn’t his own poor judgment.