The monster subjugation mission ended safely without any casualties. Although Gilbert, known for his outstanding skills among the punitive force members, did not participate, Briana, who joined in his place, and Ian, who overcame the pressure of his first real battle, played crucial roles.

Briana, known as the strongest in the Empire, maintained her previous level of skill even after a long absence from the battlefield. She beheaded every visible monster with a single swing of her sword, moving like a machine without a hint of error.

Ian closely followed Briana, cutting down monsters as well. His piloting skills showed rapid improvement, likely spurred by his first real battle. The once unstable movements of the Colossal Mech stabilized, and he began handling monsters like a seasoned hunter rather than someone struggling to keep up.

With Briana and Ian excelling in the subjugation, the rest of the punitive force also shook off their initial pressure and began to showcase their true abilities. It was a display worthy of the talented cadets of the Academy, with any shortcomings filled in by the professors who joined the mission.

After two full days, they finally managed to exterminate all the monsters emerging from the Njor Forest.

“Scared it might come out in my dreams…”

“Even with their guts spilling out, they kept coming…”

Though the pressure of real combat was gone, the subjugation left a deep impression of the monsters. The creatures, corrupted by dark energy, displayed a vitality far beyond ordinary life forms. Losing limbs didn’t stop them, and their wounds slowly healed as the dark energy seeped in.

Even higher-level monsters continued to move unaffected after being torn open, their innards and blood trailing behind them. This gruesome sight was etched deep into the memories of the punitive force members, making them realize that the warnings about the dangers of monsters were not exaggerated.

With the subjugation complete, the Empire quickly dispatched Ranger units to search and eliminate any remaining monsters and an investigation team to uncover the cause of the monster outbreak. The appearance of monsters in the Njor Mountains, outside the usual contaminated zones, was deemed highly dangerous by the Empire.

The punitive force’s mission naturally extended to sealing off the Njor Mountains until the Ranger units and investigation team arrived, a precautionary measure to prevent any unforeseen incidents. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Empire acted swiftly.

The punitive force returned to the Academy exactly one week after departing for the monster subjugation. The cadets, who had been grinding their teeth for good grades before leaving, felt a deep sense of relief upon seeing the familiar Academy grounds, realizing they had survived.

For them, this subjugation was both a growing pain they hoped never to experience again and a meaningful lesson about the harshness of the world they lived in.

***

With the subjugation mission over, the Academy’s remaining academic schedule was filled with assessments. The cadets, having completed the major academic event of the monster subjugation, felt grateful for the return to daily life but couldn’t help but grimace at the upcoming assessments.

The comprehensive assessment at the Academy, while not strictly defined, included two annual events: the Competition Tournament before the break and the Final Assessment after the break, following the monster subjugation.

The Competition Tournament was entirely practical, with rankings affecting grades, while the Final Assessment was more theory-based, covering history, military science, etiquette, and other subjects learned at the Academy. Although theory-focused, the Final Assessment also included practical elements, focusing on overcoming set obstacles rather than duels.

The Academy’s obstacles varied each year, sometimes requiring course navigation and other times clearing artificial dungeons. Cadets needed to utilize all their theoretical knowledge, survival skills, Colossal Mech piloting, and swordsmanship to score well.

As a result, cadets were busy reviewing everything they had learned, spending time in the library and training facilities. This was now a common daily sight at the Demia Empire Academy.

Ian, too, was studying for the Academy’s Final Assessment with Fressia’s help. Even as the protagonist of this world, he couldn’t neglect his studies. A natural genius, his efforts only accelerated his growth.

With Gilbert as his rival, Ian couldn’t afford to slack off, especially since Gilbert himself never stopped training.

While studying, Ian hit a snag and turned to Fressia, his constant companion and best teacher.

“Fressia, how do I solve this?”

[…]

“Fressia?”

[Ah, sorry. What did you say?]

Ian raised an eyebrow at Fressia’s uncharacteristic behavior. Lately, she had been spacing out more often, especially since returning from the subjugation mission. Initially, he thought nothing of it, but as it happened more frequently, he grew concerned.

Fressia was his greatest fortune and essential companion on his path to becoming the best. Her unusual behavior worried him.

“Fressia, is something wrong? You’ve been spacing out a lot lately.”

[It’s nothing. I just… needed some time to think.]

Ian sensed a change in her, realizing she was hiding something. But he chose not to pry. Bound by a contract, Fressia couldn’t harm him, and as a gentleman, he respected her privacy.

“Alright. If you say so. But if something’s up, let me know. I’m your contractor, after all.”

[Right. I’ve just been overthinking lately.]

Fressia’s tone brightened, and Ian smiled, relieved to see her back to normal.

[So, what were you saying?]

“I was asking about this problem.”

[Oh, that? Let me explain.]

Fressia, back to her usual self, broke down the problem for Ian, who focused on solving it with her help.

After hours of theory study, Ian stretched and got up. With today’s study done, it was time for physical training. While theory was important for the Final Assessment, practical skills were equally crucial.

The training facility was crowded with cadets cramming for the assessment. Ian, a regular at the facility, greeted familiar faces and found a spot. Recently, Fressia had emphasized the importance of physical training, pushing Ian to prioritize it.

She explained that the core of Colossal Mech piloting was conveying clear images to the artificial spirit, best achieved through physical and swordsmanship training. This revelation surprised Ian, who had previously neglected physical training.

Reflecting on it, Gilbert had once spoken to him about the importance of physical training before their rivalry began. Gilbert’s near-miraculous piloting skills were rooted in this foundation, something Ian now fully understood.

“By the way, what’s that sword?”

Ian noticed a sword at Gilbert’s waist, something he hadn’t seen before. Wondering if it was a gift from Briana, his mentor, Ian quickly dismissed the thought.

After all, Ian had his family’s legendary sword, unmatched by any other.

Putting Gilbert out of his mind, Ian began his grueling training schedule set by Fressia. The thought of the intense and exhausting regimen made him catch his breath.