Chapter 14
"Practical training involves bare-handed striking techniques, switching between main and sub weapons, and training with dummy weapons... There's also camping training once a month, but I don't think they'd take Celes along for that, no matter what."
"Ah, but since Celes hasn't touched a weapon yet, wouldn't she start with striking techniques?"
"Training with dummy weapons should be fine, right?"
After finishing early morning training, I headed to the training ground with Tom, Sasha, and Dan, whom I've recently become close with, after having breakfast together.
These three are new recruits who joined this year. Perhaps because they are children of relatively high-ranking officers in this fortress, they knew about me and were friendly from the first meeting.
"...Celes, aren't you eating too much?"
While gathering information about practical training from the three who are already in it, I rubbed my stomach, thinking I might have overeaten. Tom, walking beside me, stared at my stomach with a dumbfounded expression.
"I think it's normal, though?"
"Yeah, yeah, eating a lot is part of training! You won't last if you don't eat..."
Sasha, walking on the opposite side of Tom, clung to my arm, rubbing her cheek against it with a distant look in her eyes.
Yeah, last year, I couldn't have imagined myself eating this much...
"It's not normal! You're eating as much as we are!"
"It's because I'm growing."
"You'll end up growing sideways at this rate!"
"In this damn hot weather during training, you'll probably throw up anyway, right?"
"A noble young lady shouldn't say things like 'damn' or 'throw up'!"
"Get used to it already."
The granddaughter of a famous marshal, a noble young lady.
Having heard this from their parents, the three apparently imagined me as some sheltered princess. When we first met, they visibly slumped their shoulders in disappointment.
Right in front of me...
That day, Grandfather brought over an additional training menu with a "Here, extra," and it was so brutal that I nearly lost consciousness for a moment. They keenly noticed this and doused me with water.
While soaking wet, I shouted at Grandfather, "You sadist!" and the three of them saw me in that state.
"Your language is rough too..."
"Complain to Colonel Nick about that."
At the mention of Colonel Nick's name, Dan clamped both hands over his mouth, vigorously shaking his head side to side and falling silent.
Colonel Nick is a military doctor who oversees the medical unit responsible for health-related duties.
In addition to providing emergency medical care for injuries in combat, they handle nursing, treatment, and hygiene management for the sick and wounded. You can't become one without obtaining a medical license at the military school.
However, obtaining the license is difficult, and many resign due to the mental strain, so their numbers are overwhelmingly low. Colonel Nick, who has served as one of the few military doctors for many years, is the third son of a baronial family.
Uncle Ruget, who was opposed to my enrollment in the military school, apparently set his sights on a military doctor role that doesn't require going to the front lines during practical training. As a result, I was to study under Colonel Nick two days a week.
Though he looks like a gentle man more suited to being a civil officer, inside, he's a true soldier through and through.
While Grandfather attacked with water, Colonel Nick's weapon was verbal abuse.
"Move your hands before you answer, you idiot!"
"Are you planning to waste supplies, you moron?!"
The medical unit must be used to it, as they respond briefly while performing precise treatments. I remember watching them in confusion back then... Now, I can retort while moving my hands.
"Aristocratic speech apparently stands out at the military school. If you don't want to live a miserable four years, change your language now, said Colonel Nick..."
"Well, if you were a guy, it might stand out."
There are already so few women entering the military school; it would be sad if I couldn't make any friends.
"But after graduation, that kind of speech will cause problems, won't it?"
"Oh, I'm just adapting my tone. If I spoke like this, I wouldn't even have time to respond."
I smiled and played the noble young lady Dan requested, only to get a "Ugh, that's creepy" in return... How rude.
I almost lashed out, but I can't waste my energy on something like this.
Ignoring Dan and stepping outside, as expected, the temperature had risen. I let out a dry laugh, wondering how long I could stand in this heat.
Practical training is conducted outside, not at the usual training ground.
Everyone was already gathered on the wide grassy field, with Rick standing at the center.
"Pair up with a buddy and start mock matches. Don't step out of the circle. Use only sub weapons, and they must be dummies. I'll call out after an hour, so don't forget to keep track of time yourselves."
Following Rick's instructions, the three of them moved into action, while I stayed behind, waiting for him.
Perhaps the pairs were decided in advance, as they formed duos without hesitation and faced each other in a circular, mowed area. Watching everyone hold small knives and take their stances, Rick pointed deeper into the grassy field and said, "Celes, over here."
I kept glancing back at the mock matches that had started with shouts, probably why Rick chuckled and explained, "That's basic training."
"Think of a buddy as a battlefield partner."
"A partner?"
"Yeah. On the battlefield, if you're separated from your squad, you act in pairs. It's partly to prevent desertion, but if you can predict each other's actions, your survival rate increases. That's why we pair you up regularly. They do the same at the military school, so remember that."
"What's a dummy?"
"It's a fake weapon. It has the same shape and weight, but it's made of rubber, so it won't cause injuries. I said only sub weapons today, right? If your main weapon is a sword, your sub is a knife or dagger. This is close combat training."
"I heard there's also bare-handed striking technique training."
"We'll do that later, but Celes, you have a different menu for now."
"What should I do?"
"You can't swing a sword right away. First, you need to learn how to handle it."
The place he brought me to was a wide, open, flat area. Perhaps because of the dense trees, the sunlight wasn't too harsh.
At my feet, on a stump, were two gray swords, towels, and drinks—two of each...
Why are there two of everything? I was about to ask when a high-pitched voice called from behind, "Rick?"
Surprised by a child's voice I hadn't heard since coming to this fortress, I turned around to see a kid about my age, dressed in a white-sleeved shirt and black pants, standing there with a suspicious expression.
"You're early. Have you already finished greetings?"
"Don't you need to watch the new recruits' training? I'm fine on my own, though..."
"It's not about Rudo. I'm in charge of Celes."
"...Celes?"
Smooth black hair and golden eyes. A face so strikingly handsome I was momentarily captivated. His translucent white skin seemed slightly reddened, perhaps from sunburn.
The boy called Rudo walked up to me, who was standing there dumbfounded, and extended his hand with a "Nice to meet you."
I shifted my gaze to his hand and cautiously shook it.
"We'll do it on the side, so Rudo, stick to your usual menu. Have you received the additional one?"
"No, I haven't gotten it yet... By the way, what should I do with this?"
"This? You mean Celes... Hey, what's wrong!?"
Rick shook my shoulder, and the force was so strong I nearly fell over, but that wasn't the issue.
'Even the royal family has taken notice, so Father will send my older sister to a convent.'
My mind was entirely filled with Mirabel's prophecy.
Because, why are you here?
"...Your Highness, the Crown Prince."