Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 35 (Part 2)

A graduate from the first batch raised his hand. It was number 7, who was somewhat known among the trainees.

“Speak.”

“I’d like to know when the war started.”

“The Ingram Empire crossed the border at 4 a.m. nine days ago. Any more questions?”

“No.”

From Albrecht’s answer, Rodin confirmed once again that the situation was not favorable.

If they had seized the initiative in the first battle, they wouldn’t have hidden it for nine days. They would have announced it widely to reassure the trainees and boost their morale.

“Training will proceed as scheduled tomorrow. Nothing changes. You must continue honing your skills to be ready for deployment when the time comes. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“That concludes the announcements. All trainees except the first batch, return to your barracks. Dismissed.”

The first batch had already completed their graduation ceremony. They were no longer trainees but soldiers with ranks of at least ten-man leaders.

However, their affiliation was not a unit but a special forces training center.

Rodin and his peers returned to their barracks.

None of them were worried about the war. They leisurely rested and played pranks as usual.

“Come to think of it, the second batch must have already clashed with the Empire.”

“That’s right. Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Are they all still alive? Since they said they won, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“Who knows? Whether there are no major issues or they’re in a difficult situation.”

Rodin was reclining on his bed, listening to his peers’ conversation.

Even Lant was just listening without participating in the conversation.

“The first batch seems likely to be deployed soon.”

“Well, they’re not trainees anymore. They’re soldiers now, so it’s only natural.”

Hedler and Cory continued their conversation for a long time.

Listening to their conversation, Rodin thought for a moment and then made up his mind.

“Guys.”

“Oh, Rodin. Why aren’t you exercising today?”

“We’ll be next after the first batch.”

Rodin judged that the committee wouldn’t send him to the battlefield.

A 5-circle mage was a powerful force, but making potions at the training center was equally important.

In Rodin’s view, they were of similar value, but the committee would consider potion-making more important. It would also fill their pockets in addition to its value in the war.

“Us? What about the second batch?”

“They’re already on the field. It would be hard to recall them.”

“Why? They have the slave sticks; they can just call them.”

“Even if they want to come, the field unit wouldn’t let them. The second batch members aren’t low-ranking soldiers. There are at least Squad leaders and even Centurions amongst them. They wouldn’t send them back.”

If the leaders of the troops left, it would shake up those below as well. The 34 members of the second batch held the value of hundreds, even thousands.

“True. So, it’s our turn next.”

“Which is why…”

Rodin slightly pushed the bed to the side. It moved without much effort.

“What are you doing?”

“Look here.”

There was a fine crack on the wall hidden by the bed.

Rodin placed his palm on the crack and pushed it to the side, revealing a space about two palms wide.

“Oh?”

“What’s this?”

“What’s this? A secret space? I love this kind of stuff.”

“There are potions in here. More than 40 bottles.”

Rodin pulled out a potion bottle hidden inside the wall. The red liquid swayed inside the clear glass.

“Ah! You’ve been secretly stashing potions while making them?”

“Yes. There’s always a bit left over. I gathered them.”

It wasn’t an ancient recipe potion, but one made by skimming a bit from the actual amount sent to the committee.

Each month, the potion produced exceeded 10 liters slightly, allowing for an additional 3 to 4 bottles.

Of course, there were also a few bottles made from ancient recipes stored in the wall, divided between the barracks and the third deep storage early on.

“What for? Are you giving them to us?”

“If you get a mission, quietly take these without making a fuss. If you get hurt, don’t hesitate to use them. I can always make more.”

Rodin put the potion back inside the wall and covered the opening. He adjusted the bed to make it completely hidden.

“Rodin, I love you.”

“If you come any closer, I’ll kill you.”

“Hehehe.”

Cory, who was about to run over, stopped at Rodin’s warning.

Lant shook his head, looking at Hedler and Cory alternately.

Rodin was embarrassed, but Hedler, Lant, and Cory found him adorable.

Rodin was very pretty, and being young, he had a small frame, perfect for hugging and cuddling.

Of course, Rodin detested it every time. He would kick, push away with his head, and punish them thoroughly at any sign of them pouncing.

“Instead, could you do me a favor?”

“What kind of favor?”

“If you have the chance, please buy me a low-grade mana stone. That’s all I need.”

Rodin had tried to find a way to get a mana stone by himself, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t.

Making magic stones? He had given up. It wasn’t something he could research alone.

Asking the committee? They wouldn’t listen. They weren’t people who invested without results.

“A mana stone? We don’t have money.”

“Sell the potion. It used to be about 10 gold, but it must have gone up a lot now. I don’t know exactly, but it should be more than double.”

“Right. Since a war broke out, potion prices must have skyrocketed. How much is a mana stone?”

“It used to be around 20 gold? It probably hasn’t changed much.”

Rodin decided to rely on his third-batch peers instead of the committee.

He hadn’t heard of any inspections of belongings when leaving or entering the training center.

The first batch openly ate snacks brought from outside, boasting about how they had changed since they were trainees. Many of them had even changed equipment.

“Is it okay to ask this? What do you need it for?”

“I have something I want to research, and I need a mana stone for it.”

Rodin didn’t mention the mana accumulation magic circle.

Explaining would require talking about the shortcomings of the training room, which would make the explanation too long.

“Won’t the committee give it if you ask?”

“It’s personal research. The committee wouldn’t buy a mana stone for personal use.”

“True, those greedy old folks wouldn’t give anything for free.”

“Those old folks are really wary of Rodin. They even blocked him from using the training room.”

Fortunately, the peers agreed to help.

Since they could use the potions for free, it wasn’t a bad deal for them either.

Hyung_Otaku2

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