Kallard turned to the board, picking up a long metal pointer. With a sharp clack, she tapped against a projected diagram that appeared on the screen. It was a detailed breakdown of Westoria's Military Forces, separated into branches.
"This is your military. Westoria's forces are divided into several divisions—the Army, Air Force, and the Westoria Magic Corps, which is the branch all of you will be a part of."
She underlined WMC with a single stroke.
"The Westoria Magic Corps is our nation's first and only military branch that fully integrates magical combat. It exists separately from the traditional forces due to the unique nature of magic and its applications in warfare."
She crossed her arms. "It is also the most difficult branch to enter and even harder to survive in."
Arthur raised his hand. "What exactly makes the WMC so different?"
Kallard nodded at the question and continued.
"Unlike traditional soldiers, WMC knights are deployed in specialized squads, each built for different operations. Your teams will function autonomously—meaning no one will hold your hand once you're out in the field. You will be expected to think, adapt, and execute orders without hesitation."
She tapped the screen again, pulling up a list of divisions within the WMC.
Combat Units – The frontline forces. Direct engagement, battlefield superiority, and magical warfare specialists.
Reconnaissance & Espionage – Stealth operatives. Information gathering, infiltration, assassination.
Arcane Engineering Division – Development of magical technology, weapons, and experimental projects.
Strategic & Tactical Command – High-ranking officers and strategists who coordinate large-scale operations.
Medical & Support Corps – Healers, alchemists, and reinforcement specialists.
"You will all be starting as cadets in the Combat Units, though some of you may be reassigned based on your skills later."
Sosuke leaned back slightly. "So… we're basically being trained as frontline soldiers?"
Kallard smirked. "That's a polite way to put it. The reality is worse."
Rin raised an eyebrow. "Worse how?"
"WMC operatives have the highest mortality rate of any branch. The missions we take on are beyond the capabilities of traditional forces. While normal soldiers have weapons, armor, and tactics—our enemies often have abilities that render those useless. A WMC operative must be stronger, faster, and more skilled than any standard combatant."
She paced in front of the class.
"Your training will be grueling. You will master close-quarters combat, mana efficiency, large-scale magic applications, and strategic warfare. You will undergo stress tests designed to break weaker recruits. If you fail to meet the standards, you will be reassigned to a non-combat role or dismissed entirely."
The room was silent.
Arthur frowned. "What happens to those who quit?"
Kallard turned to face him fully. "They don't."
A weight settled in the room.
Sosuke exhaled sharply. "So, if we don't pass, we're—"
"—done," Kallard finished. "You'll either be transferred to standard military service or discharged. WMC doesn't take in failures."
Rin tapped a finger on the desk. "What about officers? How do ranks work?"
Kallard nodded. "Unlike traditional branches, WMC doesn't promote based on time served. Advancement is purely merit-based. The strongest, most capable soldiers rise, and the weak remain where they are—or are removed entirely. If you want to become a squad leader, a captain, or even a general—you must prove you're worthy."
She then smirked. "Of course, for recruits like you, that's a long way off. You'll be lucky to survive the first six months."
Sosuke sighed. "Great, just what I wanted to hear."
Kallard chuckled. "Get used to it. Your first tactical simulation test is in three days. Prepare yourselves."
Kallard closed the textbook with a sharp snap, the sound echoing through the quiet classroom. The air was heavy—not just with exhaustion but with the weight of what was about to be said.
"The war we're fighting," she began, pacing slowly to the front of the room, "wasn't born out of mindless conquest or simple greed. It started with a choice."
The projector flickered on, displaying a map of Westoria and its eastern neighbor, Virenia. The border between the two nations was marked with deep, jagged lines, remnants of conflicts long past.
"Years ago, Westoria sought a diplomatic agreement with Virenia. We needed their resources—strategic minerals, rare magical catalysts, things our country lacked but theirs had in abundance. Negotiations were attempted, deals were proposed… but Virenia refused."
She turned, facing the class. "Why?"
Arthur leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Old grudges?"
Kallard nodded. "Precisely. There was a war between our nations decades ago—long before any of you were born. Virenia hasn't forgotten, and they chose to let their history dictate their future. They cut off all major trade, leaving Westoria with a difficult decision: accept their refusal and let our people suffer, or take what was necessary for our survival."
The class remained silent, absorbing the reality of it.
Kallard continued. "Our King saw only one solution. He believed Westoria's strength alone should dictate our future. That force was the only answer."
She let the words linger before sighing, her gaze darkening. "But not everyone agreed with him. That's where the High Council comes in."
Ren's eyes flickered with curiosity. "Why was it formed in the first place? Why not just let the King rule over everything, including the military?"
Kallard exhaled, folding her arms. "Because the military outgrew the King's authority."
A few cadets exchanged glances. She elaborated.
"The High Council wasn't formed for war—it was formed to prevent it. Westoria's military strength grew so vast that it became its own political force, something too powerful for one ruler to control alone. A council of ten—ten of the strongest and most influential figures in our nation—was established to oversee not just the military, but Westoria's place in the world. They are warriors, yes, but also leaders, strategists, and visionaries. They ensure Westoria isn't just powerful in battle, but untouchable on the world stage."
Sosuke frowned. "Then why did the war happen? If the High Council's goal is peace, why are we still fighting?"
Kallard's expression hardened. "Because sometimes, peace requires fear."
The class listened intently as she explained.
"The High Council's true purpose is to make Westoria an undeniable force—so strong, so advanced, that no nation would dare oppose us. War is a failure of diplomacy, and the Council would rather win without shedding blood. Influence, strategy, control over resources and information—that is their true power."
She stepped closer to the class, voice low and firm. "Gabriel Aurelius was already one of Westoria's highest-ranking commanders when the High Council was formed. He helped build it. He leads it to this day. And while the King rules from his throne, it is Gabriel Aurelius and the other nine who ensure Westoria's dominance."
Ren's fingers tapped against his desk. "But the King didn't want this Council?"
Kallard let out a slow breath. "No. The King hated it. He saw it as a challenge to his rule. But by the time he realized what was happening, it was too late. The Council had already secured the loyalty of the military, the nobles, and the people who mattered. The King may wear the crown, but it's the High Council that ensures Westoria's future."
A quiet settled over the room. This wasn't a story of simple heroics or blind patriotism—it was strategy, influence, and control on a scale none of them had considered before.
Kallard straightened. "Your role, as part of the Westoria Magic Corps, is to uphold that legacy. To make sure that when the High Council speaks, the world listens. You are not just soldiers. You are the strength behind the words that keep this nation in power."
Her gaze lingered on each of them, letting the weight of her words sink in.
"Class dismissed."
As the room emptied out, Sosuke and Rin walked side by side through the hall, the discussion still fresh in their minds.
"She didn't outright say it," Sosuke murmured, glancing at Rin, "but it almost sounded like the High Council runs everything."
Rin nodded, her expression thoughtful. "They do, in a way. The King is still important, but… he's like an old sword someone keeps around for tradition. The Council is the real power."
Sosuke exhaled sharply. "That doesn't bother you?"
She shrugged. "Honestly? No. If they're as strong as she says—if they can keep us from being dragged into pointless wars—I'd rather have them in charge."
He smirked. "You really don't mind a little manipulation, huh?"
She nudged his shoulder. "It's not manipulation. It's strategy. Besides, if Westoria stays on top, it means we don't have to fight as much."
"Right."
Sosuke shook his head, but he couldn't help but chuckle. "Only you could make that sound reasonable."
They continued down the hall, the weight of their future ahead of them.