NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 3
The office of the battalion commander was tidy.
Inside the room, the flag of the Okhraine Duchy hung, proving once again that I had entered the world within Haozhe. On the desk lay the continent map I had seen throughout the game.
West of Okhraine Duchy was the Free Union Army camp, and east was the Empire Alliance Army camp.
‘It really feels real to see it drawn on leather instead of digitally.’
I looked at the tactical map with renewed admiration.
“Yes, first sit down. Your name is…”
“Enok Revendale, sir.”
“Oh, right. Enok Revendale. No, you should be called squad leader now.”
The battalion commander was a middle-aged man with an impressive upturned mustache like Pringles. A badge engraved with “Rockhart Cromwell” caught my eye.
Of course, I didn’t just recognize his name.
Since I had observed the Okhraine military rank structure in the game, I could immediately confirm that he was a colonel.
Well, it’s only natural for a battalion commander to be a colonel.
“So, have you taken a look around the unit?”
“Yes… Yes, sir.”
I had only seen the scenery outside, but I decided to bluff.
“The architectural style is harmonious. The main building is quite impressive.”
“Indeed, indeed. Our 3rd Battalion is one of the two most beautiful units in the Northern Corps. It’s impossible not to like it!”
Colonel Rockhart Cromwell burst out laughing. Luckily, I seemed to have answered correctly.
‘Well, beautiful scenery is useless in war.’
I thought to myself as I clicked my tongue.
Even the battalion commander looks like this, so it’s no wonder the country is in such a mess.
Soldiers should focus on training! What the heck?!
Such work should be done by the soldiers themselves; it’s a waste of combat power.
Of course, given my status, voicing such thoughts would be tantamount to immediate demotion, so I kept quiet.
Why would I walk straight into a bad ending?
“Hmm, hmm. So… You have good eyesight?”
“Flattery, sir. Anyone would think so.”
“Hahaha! Is that so? Well, it makes sense since you managed to secure second place among countless units.”
I decided to just go along with him. I could see Rockhart’s approval rating rising in real time.
It seemed he was very proud of his unit’s landscaping.
This happens in reality too.
Some commanders get too obsessed with their units, tending to them like they were their own homes or companies, and boasting about them to others.
‘This guy is easy to read.’
But for me, someone who is transparent like this was easier to deal with.
It’s better than dealing with someone whose thoughts you can’t fathom.
Surprisingly, my words flowed smoothly despite my initial worries.
Is this the power of MAX political skill?
It felt strange to act like I wasn’t myself.
“Great! We’ve got a very capable and smart squad leader! I really like you, Enok!”
“Thank you for your kind words, sir.”
As I bowed again, Rockhart waved his hand and said,
“Don’t overdo it. I won’t mind, but you might make your seniors dislike you.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
From his words, it seemed there was a hierarchy even here. Something akin to a junior officer grooming process.
‘Seriously, even in a game, it’s too much like reality.’
Thinking about having to endure another ridiculous situation, stress rose, but…
I clenched my fist under the desk and repeatedly reminded myself to endure. After all, every problem has a solution.
While you can’t avoid getting hit first, you can win the favor of senior officers by accommodating their preferences and showing results.
To avoid being an easy target, you also need to be good at shaking off burdens.
“But, Enok Squad Leader.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Did you check the personnel information of your squad? You arrived late yesterday, so I might not have seen it.”
“No, sir. I have checked everything.”
“Oh, quick work?”
Colonel Rockhart’s eyes narrowed. His intentions were as easy to read as his straightforward personality.
Without hesitation, I gave the best response for the situation.
“I have no complaints about the appointments.”
Don’t forget.
My top priority is to earn the battalion commander’s trust.
If I complain about being reassigned, I might get moved, but in the long run, it would be a significant loss.
Such losses are hard to recover from with just moderate effort.
For the sake of getting a recommendation to move to a higher position, I’m willing to drink this bitter cup.
“Hmm?”
“Being assigned to a squad is an order. With the spirit of obeying superiors, I will devote myself to the task entrusted to me.”
I spoke firmly without a single tremor.
Rockhart Cromwell tilted his head slightly, seemingly doubting what he heard.
“So, you’re saying this squad is good?”
“Yes, sir. Regardless of how inadequate the squad members may be, it’s the duty of an officer to properly educate and train them to become excellent soldiers.”
“Enok Revendale, you…”
The battalion commander’s eyes flashed. Oh, did I overdo it? I hope I didn’t say something unnecessary.
But no need to worry.
“You’re a rare new officer. In the past few years, I haven’t seen anyone with your mental state.”
Colonel Rockhart Cromwell straightened his uniform and stood up. His expression was markedly different from when he had burst into laughter moments ago.
“I saw your spirit and courage. I felt your sincerity, and it was great.”
I stood up and shook hands with the colonel.
“Nice to meet you, Enok Squad Leader.”
“Likewise, sir.”
The meeting with the battalion commander.
Overall, it went better than expected.
—
The meeting with the battalion commander concluded. Colonel Rockhart Cromwell slumped into the chair in his office.
He had thought it was just another routine meeting, but the moment he heard Enok Revendale’s lieutenant’s cold gaze and words, he couldn’t help but feel it.
This kid is something.
‘This is completely different from the Human Resources Command evaluation. What’s going on?’
Colonel Rockhart searched through the paperwork he had placed somewhere in his desk.
[Record of New Officer]
[Subject: Enok Revendale]
[Evaluator: Cadet Training Unit]
Interestingly, Lieutenant Enok Revendale was evaluated as unsuitable for service in the Cadet Training Unit.
“High magic power and outstanding understanding of tactics and strategy, but uncooperative with organizational activities and claims to be unfit for the military due to poor physical condition.”
This was the worst possible evaluation for a new officer. That’s why Colonel Rockhart had approached the meeting casually.
Actually, he was more interested in seeing how things would play out.
Assigning the troublesome 5th Squad to Lieutenant Enok Revendale as the sole issue in the 3rd Battalion could be seen as a form of punishment.
A low-ranking squad and a low-ranking squad leader.
If they don’t leave voluntarily, they can be forced out. For Colonel Rockhart, it was a risk-free business.
The squad members under such a leader would likely be forced out eventually.
The logic of grouping troublesome personnel together for easier management.
But upon meeting him, Rockhart realized this person was vastly different from the assessment by the training unit.
It wasn’t just his good looks. In fact, his appearance was somewhat off-putting, almost unlikable.
What should I call it?
He was difficult to approach and distant, making it hard to want to befriend him.
What impressed Rockhart was not his external appearance, but his sincere actions and determined gaze.
One cannot blindly believe everything the Human Resources Command says.
Rockhart, who himself had been a new lieutenant before, knew well about the publicized ‘hanging incident’ that occurred in the training unit.
If an evaluator found a minor fault, a perfectly normal person could become disabled in an instant.
‘But we can’t exclude him outright. Who knows what wind blew him this way.’
Even the fiercest flames will naturally die down in strong winds.
He’ll be a person worth watching.
After all, he made it to the rank of colonel in the army, where all sorts of schemes abound.
Whether he truly intends to take the squad forward or if it was just a fleeting impulse, time will tell.
“…Then, I might as well give him some small tasks.”
Colonel Rockhart muttered to himself while stroking his mustache.
Whether he would be an obstacle or a stepping stone to greater heights remained to be seen.
At least, that’s what Rockhart thought.
—
At that moment.
“Did it happen? Did it??”
Having completed the initial meeting satisfactorily, I hurried back to my quarters to check Lumina’s stats, which I hadn’t had a chance to verify yet.
In Haozhe, stats were divided into four stages:
0 to 30: Unstable
40 to 60: Adequate
70 to 80: Excellent
90 to 100: Overwhelming
These levels indicated the progression.
As the level increased, it became harder to advance to the next stage.
It was easier to go from unstable to adequate, but transitioning from adequate to excellent was difficult.
Reaching the overwhelming stage, one step above excellent, would take several years of grinding.
Therefore, having four or five adequate stats and one excellent stat would be the most ideal.
Talent, determined by birth, is a cruel reality.
I am not someone who enjoys choosing the difficult path and suffering in real-time.
“It opened!!”
—
[Name: Lumina Blue]
Okhraine Duchy Army Mage Sergeant
Affiliation: 3rd Mage Battalion, 2nd Company, 5th Squad
Position: Squad Member
Title: None
—
[Stats]
Political Skill: 40 Adequate
Combat Skill: 80 Excellent
Command Skill: 30 Unstable
Insight: 60 Adequate
Endurance: 40 Adequate
Information Gathering: 50 Adequate
—
Adequate stats in four areas and one excellent stat. This was far from being a mere mediocre individual.
“Wow!! It surpasses average by a lot! This is even close to a critical hit!!”
—
Additional Penalties
[Magic Rejection]
When using offensive magic, a strong aversion is felt, greatly reducing accuracy. Magic efficiency decreases, and there is a high probability of falling into a panic state.
[Battle Avoidance]
There is a high probability of fleeing when signs of battle appear.
—
The circuit of happiness, pushed to its limits, quickly shattered. The moment any remaining hope crumbled into pieces.
No, it can’t be. It’s just a failure.
“F*ck.”
I fell into despair.