The Difference Is Like Between a Dog and a Cow

45 – Preparing for Assessment (2)

“Nothing like that.”

No matter how much I do, I will not drop Meteor. In the first place, the conditions and people who can use it are extremely limited.

As I explained clearly, Lieutenant Debra replied with a tone that she did not understand.

“But why do you need five targets? If you put defense magic on each target, the layers will overlap and make it harder to penetrate?”

“I want to find out the proper output of each platoon member.”

I recalled the title of each platoon member written on the status window. Excluding Claude, Rumia, Bell, and even Roxanna are classified as first-class mages.

A first-class mage.

Even if not to the level of a great mage, in terms of pure firepower, they are people who can pour firepower at the level of a platoon or at least a company level depending on their capabilities.

Considering that in general, one magic company supports one infantry battalion.

Aside from all the flaws, it was said that our 5th platoon could support the firepower of 4 infantry battalions, that is, 1 infantry regiment.

‘That’s crazy.’

A platoon of delinquents whose talents are too wasteful to be discharged, but difficult to manage to disperse.

If used well, it was at a level that could cover not only the 2nd Company to which we belong, but also the entire 3rd Battalion.

“Most of the magic I’ve used so far has been used for suppression or support. However, it is offensive magic that will be mainly used in wartime.”

I turned my back on Debra Bennett and spoke to the platoon.

“When Facility Manager Debra Bennet imprints a defensive barrier, he must use the maximum amount of magic he can. That way, I will be able to know your strengths with certainty.”

Evaluation is divided according to how well the commander or the members of the organization he is in charge of understands.

But now I really didn’t know anything about the platoon members.

At least it’s just the little details about his personality or his past. I was not even aware of that.

About Rumia Bluet’s past, I never bothered to ask questions or discuss it.

No matter how much mutual trust is built up, there is no need to bring out the parts that the other person is uncomfortable with with my curiosity.

I was simply vaguely aware of what it felt like.

That was enough to run the platoon and sympathize with Lumia.

However, prowess is a completely different matter from understanding the past and personality of platoon members.

How much can Lumia Bluet, who is proudly labeled as a first-class mage, do?

How far can Bell Mayer go, who is said to annihilate an entire battalion if he causes a runaway magical power?

What happens if Claude, whose combat power stat is 90, puts his heart into it?

…… Although Roxanna is dangerous.

Since she was accepted as a member of the platoon, it was necessary to check where and how far she was in the safe zone so that her drinking disease would not occur.

You don’t know.

I couldn’t figure out how to live a life, especially in Hearts of General.

The war breaks out five years later, but sometimes it breaks out a little earlier.

In exchange for a delayed deadline, you may face a more powerful army.

There are numerous cases where a coup d’état breaks out from the rear after pushing the defense line at best, and there are numerous cases where the front is blown away and the capital is taken as it is after stabilizing the rear.

War is like that in the first place.

Life is like that in the first place.

As long as it is covered by fog and I cannot easily predict even an inch ahead, I must see with my own two eyes the maximum strength of the platoon members.

“Wait, wait. What are you talking about so pathetically? Haven’t I done it yet?”

“Didn’t you say you would do it earlier?”

“That was only for you! I also don’t have enough mana to deploy defensive magic!”

“Is that so…… ?”

I glanced at Bell Meyer. But she too nodded her head and agreed with Debra’s words.

“That’s right, platoon commander. Lieutenant Debra handles the level 2 magic barriers well, but it will be difficult to cast all five at once.”

“Ummm… ….”

If Bell came out like that, I had nothing to say. Was defensive magic that difficult to handle?

“Then, at least two… ….”

“No, yes, Platoon Captain Enoch, how about trying something like this?”

Lieutenant Debra Bennett snapped her fingers as if she had a flash of an idea.

“You are using defensive magic.”

“Yes? I mean?”

“Yes. After all, isn’t it because you know the skills of your platoon members? You can’t always depend on me.”

As I listened to it, it seemed like the right words for some reason.

Training must be sustainable. After you’ve done it once, you shouldn’t conclude with “Wow, it’s all over”.

I had to be able to create my own training curriculum myself, especially in order to prepare for the upcoming war.

The military doctrine held by the Ukrnian Army today is outdated and trashy.

“I think you are right.”

“I am also more interested in this one. I’m a red mage, but I’m much more confident in my defense magic.”

Debra Bennett added with an intriguing grin.

“If you succeed in deploying at least a level 3 magic barrier in one go, that means that you are a crazy genius.”

From noble mtl dot com

It was true. In the first place, the concept of defensive magic itself is to effectively neutralize the magic attacks of enemy mages.

Even in the case of the 3rd grade, which can be called a normal level of magic barrier, at least intermediate level attack magic must be easily blocked.

Depending on the conditions, it had to be able to block even advanced magic.

However, it is the 2nd grade. It wouldn’t even be pierced by one or two shots of advanced magic.

“And according to what you said, there is no need to use a level 2 barrier. Even if it can only break a level 3 barrier, it’s enough to boast tremendous killing power.”

“Everyone in the platoon knows how to deal with advanced magic.”

“Of course I have to deal with it. However, high-level magic doesn’t mean you can break the 3rd grade barrier every time, right?”

Debra Bennett insisted strongly.

In the end, defense magic is also magic and tactics that I must know because I chose a magic officer.

In addition, the more wide and solid barriers were built, the higher their value as a military mage was bound to rise.

“Can you really teach me?”

“Of course not. Just look at what I’m doing.”

Debra slowly approached the target and reached out her hand. Mana dwells in the bark that covers the tree, and a red magic circle spreads over it.

The mana that spread from her fingertips continued, and piled up densely on the unfolded magic circle.

A defensive barrier wrapped around a scarecrow in the blink of an eye.

It was a barrier so dense that even a person not versed in magic could easily feel its shape.

Because the purity of mana is also high, you can feel the fiery mana flying through the air.

“This is a level 2 magical barrier… ….”

Now that I had at least the knowledge of magic, I was clearly aware of how great this ability was.

Right now, even in Hearts of General, magic barriers are one of the most important magics.

Magic essential for safe protection of facilities or allies from enemy sorcerers’ precision bombardment or infiltration operations.

The development of technology is faster than the magician’s firepower, so even in the latter half of the game, when the majesty of the magician’s class itself declines, defensive magic is useful.

Now, due to various limitations, it is impossible to resist bullets, but if you steadily raise the research tree, a defense magic that can block the physical force of bullets or shells will appear.

“Did you understand the magic structure?”

As I stared blankly at the barrier, Lieutenant Debra asked after completing deployment.

“Yes, that’s all right.”

“If it’s something like a scarecrow, you can create a 4th or 3rd grade barrier. Try it somewhere.”

I started adjusting my mana as Debra Bennet told me earlier.

Red mana that spreads out from the magic core.

I picked up one of the targets I had piled up next to me and set it a short distance away from Debra Bennett’s barrier.

It was to minimize any interference that could be felt.

After keeping the distance like that.

I closed my eyes and focused on the sensations. Ever since the riots in Cherno City, I used to practice my magic in this clearing by myself.

Inhaling the shallow air that covered the entire space, and calmly controlling mana.

Thanks to Edward’s reserve lieutenant’s examination and medication prescription, and Roxanna Elim’s prompt first aid, the condition of the magic core was quickly stabilized.

At this level, wouldn’t it be possible to build a level 2 magic barrier?

‘The thing that comes to mind is a solid barrier, and the size of the magic circle is small. Mana density is as meticulous as possible.’

Magic was like programming. Running the calculation as it is after quickly and quickly forming the mana array.

In a state where there is a nuclear power plant worth referencing as it is now, the calculation processing speed becomes much more efficient.

“Protection.”

After the chanting ended, the defensive barrier I created was created on top of the scarecrow.

Unlike Debra, who wrapped her body like armor, my barrier was in the form of a tray that was twisted at a 45 degree angle to protect my head and body.

Since it’s the first magic I’ve ever used, I feel like the level of completion itself is noticeably inferior.

“Yeah, what…… This isn’t bad enough. Originally, a 3rd or 4th grade barrier is like this.”

Lieutenant Debra shrugged his shoulders.

“Still, it’s a bit disappointing. I don’t know if it’s because it’s twisted at a 45 degree angle, but the mana density is imbalanced.”

“It can’t be helped. It’s the first time I’ve ever opened a magical barrier.”

“I took that into consideration when I said it. Don’t worry. It’s because I made it so well that it was excessive for a first time. Most of the time they fail.”

It was Debra who belatedly praised her with the feeling of not being discouraged, but that would be more than just giving her sickness and giving her medicine.

I had no choice but to lick my lips bitterly.

“Now, shall I break it down? Looking at it, it seems like it can only block intermediate level magic…….”

Swish, as Debra casually gestured, thick fire arrows rose in the air and flew rapidly toward the magic barrier.

Intermediate red magic, Blaze Ballista.

Instead of not exploding, it was a magic that was often used as an anti-magic barrier because it extremely increased penetration.

Because Debra Bennett was supposed to be at least a 2nd-class mage, I had to simply break my imperfect magic barrier.

Kagagak, keying!

Instead of the sound of glass being shattered, the impact of magic bouncing off the barrier hit my ears.

“…… What??”

The Blaze Ballista cannot penetrate the barrier and scatters into the air.

“Huh…… , Even if it looks like that, it seems surprisingly solid, right? Is it because you are so talented?”

Debra noticed that she was slightly surprised, but she passed it off as if it was nothing.

She immediately prepared the next magic.

“Let’s go with something bigger this time!”

Unlike Blaze Ballista, which could be cast by lightly waving her hand, this time, the spread mana gathered around the lieutenant.

‘Solar Prominence!’

I didn’t have a hard time figuring out what kind of magic she was preparing.

With the same power as the explosion of the sun, it is a magic that envelops the whole area in tremendous flames the moment it lands.

It was also the magic that Bell Meyer misunderstood my flare last time.

Actually, the visual effect of Solar Prominence was like throwing the sun at you.

Among advanced red magic, magic that is considered to be of high power for its destructive power alone.

I thought I couldn’t stop this. As much as the Blaze Ballista was deflected once, the density of mana must have been disturbed a lot.

“Huh!!”

With Debra Bennet’s spirit, crystals of highly compressed flame poured toward the magic barrier.

Kwaaang-!!!!

The ground shuddered at the same time as the impact, and a meteorous cloud of dust rose into the air. It was tremendous power.

I saw flames roaring like hell through the thick dust.

It’s finally broken.

It was natural, but on the other hand, it was a little sad. No matter how much the stat is maxed out, is it okay?

By the way.

“What, what???”

Exclaimed Debra Bennett in surprise. Bell and Rumia, who were watching the progress, also had their faces stained with astonishment.

No way?

When I turn my head and look at the target, the sight is revealed…….

It was a scarecrow standing firm in the midst of the flames that engulfed the ground.