Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 29 (Part 2)

Five members of the committee gathered at the top floor of the central building. Chairman Kreate was not there.

“Sigh, even after a few years, Chairman’s absence is significant.”

“I agree. Something feels missing.”

Chairman Kreate had passed away three years ago.

A considerable amount of time had passed, but the committee had not elected a new chairman. No one was willing to take on the role that Chairman Kreate had fulfilled.

“It seems we don’t have much time left either.”

“True, I have lived long as well.”

There was about a 20-year age difference between Chairman Kreate and the other committee members. This meant that the other members also had little time left.

“It’s a pity. The chairman was just one step away.”

“That one step is difficult. Well, we are even more lacking, though.”

Upon reaching the 7th circle and becoming an archmage, one’s body would be reconstituted. Reaching this stage, living beyond 100 years would be easy.

But Chairman Kreate couldn’t move beyond the 6th circle.

He gave up and abandoned many things to cross that one last step, but ultimately, that was the end for him.

“Let’s get to the main point. The first batch of trainees is scheduled to join the army in just five days. Are their placements all decided?”

“Yes, everything is decided. Most will go to the northern regions, but some will be placed near the border with the Talereh Kingdom.”

The training period for the special forces training center was a total of 10 years.

The first batch had already spent 9 years here. The remaining year would be spent in the military, experiencing military life firsthand.

“What about their positions?”

“Out of 22, 20 will start as ten-man leaders.”

“Unbelievable. We spent nine years training them, and they’re starting as ten-man leaders? We didn’t go through all this trouble just to make ten-man leaders.”

It typically took 3 to 5 years for a regular soldier to be promoted to a ten-man leader. This time passed without any special investment or education.

But with several times more investment and time, the same result was unacceptable. It could be seen as a failure of the training program.

“But didn’t we produce two official knights?”

“Sigh, you mean numbers 7 and 8.”

Trainees 7 and 8 were the most promising talents in the first batch. They quickly became 2nd-tier swordsmen, making it certain they would become official knights.

Eventually, trainees 7 and 8 became 3rd-tier swordsmen, qualifying as official knights. The result was not a failure.

But it took too long to reach the 3rd-tier swordsman level.

Trainee 7 reached the 3rd-tier just six months ago, and trainee 8 only a month ago.

Their growth was much slower than the committee and instructors had hoped.

“They are assigned positions as well, right?”

“Yes, they are also assigned to the border areas with the Ingram Empire.”

“It’s a pity when I think of numbers 7 and 8.”

The instructors had dedicated a lot of time to their education. In the past year, they even taught them personally, like apprentices.

Without such efforts, they might not have advanced beyond the 2nd-tier swordsman level.

“There’s no point in regretting it. Our time with them is over. Ah, what about their positions?”

“They will start as hundred-man leaders.”

“Sigh, the knights’ order is still not an option.”

“They are slaves, after all. Knights wouldn’t want to be treated the same as slaves.”

A 3rd-tier swordsman qualified to be an official knight. In small territories, even 2nd-tier swordsmen often became knights.

But despite reaching the 3rd-tier, the two from the first batch couldn’t join the knights’ order. The knights strongly opposed it.

“Just prepare everything without any problems. But Commissioner Kser, is this why you called us? We’ve already discussed this several days ago.”

“Of course, there’s another reason. Ahem, number 108. You all know, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Not only the magic instructors but also the swordsmanship instructors know him. He’s exceptionally talented.”

Rodin had been famous since the first day of the initiation ceremony. His young age and small stature made him stand out.

Moreover, he ranked first in the continental language exam and first in the etiquette exam. Though not first in the equestrian exam, he ranked quite high.

In the magical talent measurement that followed, he showed outstanding results.

Even though the 4th batch had more talented individuals later, it didn’t diminish number 108’s value.

“Two days ago, Instructor Serion urgently reported something. He said number 108 has become a 5th-circle mage.”

“Oh! That’s great news.”

“A great occasion indeed. The first batch barely managed to produce 3rd-tier swordsmen, but the third batch already has a 5th-circle mage. Amazing.”

While the other commissioners were expressing their admiration, Commissioner Kser remained silent.

The prolonged silence made the surroundings quiet.

“You seem to misunderstand the purpose of the training center. It’s not to make talented children into distinguished people. It’s to hone a dagger that will pierce the heart of the Ingram Empire.”

“We are already aware of that.”

“No, you don’t understand. We need a dagger, not a master. That’s what we must remember.”

Commissioner Kser couldn’t hide his anxiety when he heard two days ago that number 108 had become a 5th-circle mage.

He was so restless he couldn’t sleep, worrying that number 108 might surpass them and wield power over them.

“Commissioner Kser, are you implying that number 108 will become our master? Does that mean we will be under him?”

“Exactly. Commissioner Kser, number 108 is a 5th-circle mage, you say? We have three high-ranking knights and two 5th-circle mages here. We won’t be overpowered by another 5th-circle mage.”

A high-ranking knight was equivalent to a 5th-tier swordsman, the same level as a 5th-circle mage. With five people at the same level as number 108, there was no need to worry.

“Have you forgotten number 108’s age? He’s only 12. A mere 12-year-old who has become a 5th-circle mage. Is that the end? Within five years at the earliest, ten years at the latest, he will become a 6th-circle mage. He will reach the same level as the late Chairman Kreate.”

“Is there a need to worry? He’s still a slave, isn’t he? We can control him anytime.”

“Can you stop number 108 if he forcefully takes the slave stick stored underground?”

Although it was said that the royal family kept the slave stick, it was actually stored in the central building’s basement. It was one of Chairman Kreate’s achievements.