---

The Demia Empire Academy has two breaks a year, each lasting about a month. At first glance, these breaks seem like a chance to rest and recharge amidst the intense academy schedule, but the reality is a bit different.

Sure, the idea of rest and recovery is implied. Human bodies inevitably break down without proper rest, so soothing the mind and body exhausted from competition and evaluation is crucial.

However, if one focuses solely on resting during this sweet break, narrowing the gap you’ve worked hard to create—or closing an already existing gap—becomes even more challenging. Even with the same amount of time, how you use it varies greatly depending on your capabilities.

In fact, it’s common for the skill gap between cadets to either shrink or widen after the break. A cadet who was significantly ahead might be caught up by a trailing one, or a small gap might become insurmountable.

This was the Demia Academy’s ploy. It was a message to never let go of the tension and to keep training relentlessly, even during the break. Only those who quickly grasped this hidden meaning could maintain top-tier grades at the academy.

“So, you can’t slack off on training.”

“Angelina, do you know how many times you’ve said that now?”

Hans sighed deeply as he looked at Angelina, who was speaking with fire in her eyes. Despite his own image being less serious and more carefree, hearing the same thing repeated made him question everything.

Compared to Angelina’s strict personality, he admitted his flaws a hundred times over, but that didn’t mean he planned to waste the break doing nothing. As a commoner who made it to the Demia Academy, he had to work relentlessly to not shame his family. Thinking of his parents and siblings back home who were proud of him, even bone-grinding effort felt insufficient.

Moreover, hadn’t he just met Gilbert, a figure who could become a guiding star in his life? Knowing that Gilbert, who already held a knight title, pushed himself to the limit every day, Hans was training with the determination to at least follow in his footsteps.

Even if it was a break, Hans had no intention of stopping his training.

“I repeated it because it’s important.”

“Even I know that much. It’s just that the person I need to catch up to is so far ahead that I have to sprint.”

“…That’s true.”

Angelina nodded as she watched Gilbert, the class representative, giving a speech at the break announcement event. The same Gilbert who had been labeled a troublemaker upon admission was now standing as the class representative, giving a break speech. It felt surreal, but Gilbert had shattered his reputation and become the academy’s next-generation hero.

Of course, his past antics hadn’t vanished. There were still people suffering from his crazy actions, and that would remain a difficult task for Gilbert to resolve.

But seeing him like this, it felt like he would solve it eventually. Gilbert was always like that.

Angelina smiled faintly as she watched the commander she had chosen.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, who had the fervent support of Angelina and Hans, was glaring at the notification of the Main Scenario: “The Descendants of Sigurd Begin.”

***

Traveling from the Demia Academy in the heart of the Empire to the Lithuania Territory in the west by land would take over a month, even by carriage. Especially since the Lion Heart Count Family’s Bismarck was located near the border of the Lithuania Territory, it could take two more months by carriage.

If Gilbert had to travel to Bismarck by carriage to resolve the Main Scenario, the break would end before he even arrived, and the Main Scenario would have already concluded in failure.

Fortunately, this world had technology that drastically reduced long-distance travel: warp magic circles.

In a world where magic engineering had advanced significantly due to the creation of colossal mechs, warp magic circles existed. Initially, like the creation of colossal mechs, they were researched for war. Reducing distance meant cutting down on the supplies needed for army movement, which translated to military savings.

As wars dragged on, the funds required grew exponentially. If the duration could be shortened, it would minimize losses and maximize gains.

Moreover, quickly moving armies to desired locations could change the course of war. Ambushes would lose meaning, and tracking troop movements would become difficult, making it even harder to predict enemy intentions.

If warp magic circles were developed as intended, it would be nothing short of a military revolution.

In conclusion, warp magic circles didn’t revolutionize warfare. The cost of creating and maintaining them was dozens of times higher than producing and maintaining colossal mechs.

Especially since warp magic, which used spatial coordinates, had stability issues, making it useless for surprise attacks. If the enemy noticed and disrupted the coordinates, the entire force could be wiped out mid-transport.

While it seemed useless, installing them in key territories allowed for flexible defensive operations, such as reinforcing troops in battlefields or preparing for potential wars.

Of course, since wars didn’t happen often, warp magic circles were used for long-distance travel during peacetime, with expensive fees covering maintenance costs.

Gilbert also planned to use a warp magic circle to reach the distant Bismarck. However, due to various circumstances, the Demia Academy didn’t have one, so he had to go to the nearest territory with a warp magic circle.

And the closest warp magic circle to the Demia Academy was…

“Gilbert! Can I go to Bismarck this time too?”

“No.”

“Why not? I’m cute and adorable, so you should say yes right away!”

…located in the territory of the Tristitia Count Family, Camilla Alaker Tristitia’s family.

While trying to catch a carriage to the Tristitia Count Family, Gilbert was caught by Camilla, who was returning to her family, and was dragged onto the carriage heading to the Tristitia territory.

Swept up by Camilla’s pace, Gilbert found himself on the same carriage without a chance to refuse.

While her antics had been comforting during the academy attack, riding a carriage with her non-stop chatter was quite exhausting.

Unlike the dignified daughter of a prestigious count family, Camilla was a tomboy who couldn’t sit still for a moment. In modern times, she might have been diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder.

“Putting aside the cute and adorable part, why do you want to go to Bismarck?”

“Putting aside the cute and adorable part? You can’t say no to a pretty girl like me!”

Gilbert felt the urge to smack Camilla’s head as she acted cute. At this point, he seriously wondered if they were just incompatible.

“Violence is wrong! Don’t clench your fist!”

“Sigh… Talking to you gives me a headache.”

“Thanks for the compliment~”

“It’s not a compliment.”

Gilbert sighed deeply and looked out the window. He needed a temporary escape before his headache worsened.

“Feeling better now?”

“…What?”

After staring out the window for a while, Gilbert turned at Camilla’s sudden question. Her large, clear eyes held an unusual calmness.

“You seemed worried before getting on the carriage. Is something bad happening in your territory?”

“Not really.”

Gilbert was inwardly surprised but maintained his composure. Could she have seen through his troubled thoughts about the Main Scenario?

This sharp observation was unlike Camilla’s usual self-centered, interest-driven perspective.

Or perhaps it was Gilbert’s narrow view of her, judging her without truly knowing the real Camilla.

“You’re still worried about something, huh? That won’t do. I’m coming to Bismarck too.”

“I already said no.”

“I’m going to see the sights of Bismarck.”

“Camilla.”

“Ah! Gilbert, we’re here!”

Cutting him off, Camilla made Gilbert sigh again. He knew all too well from experience that arguing with her was pointless.

Realizing Gilbert had given up, Camilla spread her arms wide. With her unofficial permission granted, all that was left was to welcome her friend to the territory.

“Welcome to the Rigidus Territory!”

The Rigidus Territory of the Tristitia Count Family, one of the three great count families supporting the Empire.

This was the moment Gilbert first set foot there.

 

---