Joining the War (1)
With his blue hair neatly swept back, Hicas fit the image of a proper bureaucrat to perfection. He adjusted his glasses and continued reading the papers before him.
Those glasses were made from magically thinned glass, crafted by several skilled jewelers working in concert. The mere fact that he wore them spoke volumes about his wealth.
Was it here that I was assigned as a Magic Assistant under Hicas last time? He cares more about a person's background than anyone else. No doubt he'll send me to the same place again.
The man standing before him for evaluation was Ellen.
The moment he left the inn, he had gone straight to apply for military recruitment. Far fewer people volunteered as war mages than as ordinary soldiers, so he was called in for screening almost as soon as he submitted his application.
"Name: Remi. Age: twenty-three. Commoner."
Hicas read the form in a flat, indifferent tone.
"That's correct."
As an escaped convict, Ellen could not use his real name. He had also deliberately understated his skill by one full rank. Concealing the true extent of his abilities was a habit he had cultivated over many years.
"Nothing particularly unusual," Hicas muttered, skimming the application and identification papers. Then something caught his eye.
"You're currently a 4th Circle user?"
"Yes. I formed my fourth circle only recently."
Until that moment Hicas had kept his eyes on the papers. Now he looked up and studied Ellen carefully.
Skinny, undernourished... clearly not from the Magic Tower. Is this just another Magic Assistant hoping to earn merit and lying about his rank?
A single glance was enough for Hicas to finish his appraisal.
"A 4th Circle mage could have entered the Magic Tower, couldn't he?"
In the ordinary course of things, newly admitted tower mages were 4th Circle users. Anyone who had already joined the tower would have no need to answer a general recruitment call. The people who came here were usually Magic Assistants who had only managed to reach the 3rd Circle required for academy graduation.
"I failed to enter the tower when I graduated from the academy. Afterward I met my master and finally broke through to the 4th Circle. I've been assisting him ever since, so I never applied to the tower."
Hicas regarded him with open skepticism.
"So you claim you actually broke through the wall of the 4th Circle."
Anyone could reach the 3rd Circle through sheer effort. From the 4th Circle onward, talent was absolute; those without it were never allowed to pass.
"Can you prove it?"
Ellen rose from his chair.
"I declare to mana. Seeking to isolate myself from your vibrations, by my will I command you to silence all sound."
⟨ Silence ⟩
Wuum.
Ellen's mana wrapped the room like a drawn curtain. Even Hicas recognized the completed 4th Circle spell Silence. A flicker of genuine surprise crossed his face.
"Judging by the length of the chant, your affinity is indeed low. But there is no doubt you are a true 4th Circle mage."
"Thank you."
Ellen released the Silence and sat back down.
"Given that you stand at the same rank as a junior tower mage, you will be assigned to a war-mage unit."
Instead of using any of the ordinary seals on the desk, Hicas rummaged through a drawer, produced a different stamp, and brought it down hard.
Thud.
The seal struck Ellen's application with decisive force.
A few days later a letter arrived for Ellen. It ordered him to join his assigned unit. At the bottom was stamped the seal of the 5th Army Magic Unit.
Just as I expected—they sent me straight to the front lines. That will make earning merit far easier.
As soon as he received the letter, Ellen set out for Tramore, the border fortress that faced the Gosen Empire.
"Infantry over here!"
"Archers form ranks this way, I said!"
Shouts rang out as men searched for their units. Long lines snaked across the grounds for every branch of the army. Even a glance told Ellen it would take hours for ordinary soldiers to finish processing.
"Magic unit," he said simply.
"Magic units go inside. Hurry along."
When Ellen presented the paper bearing the magic-unit seal, the gate guards waved him through the lord's castle without delay. Inside the walls he soon spotted the banners of the magic units.
"I am Remi, ordered to report to the magic unit."
He showed the paper once more to the soldier guarding the building.
"Hmm...? Ah!"
The soldier's eyes widened. He bowed deeply at once.
"You came as a full mage, sir? Please go straight inside. Report directly to Viscount Jett, commander of the 5th Army Magic Unit."
"I see. Understood."
The soldier's deference was night-and-day different from the way Magic Assistants were usually treated.
Clunk.
"Loyalty!"
The moment the door opened, a soldier snapped a sharp salute and escorted Ellen all the way to Viscount Jett's office.
Thanks to Lord Proveng, I'm finally receiving this kind of treatment.
—Kwahaha! Is this your first time being treated as a proper mage?
Until now I went straight from the academy into Enis, after all.
—Truly baffling. A fellow who has gazed upon the Gate of Truth is still such a green youth.
I find it just as hard to believe, myself.
Even across his previous life, this was the first time Ellen had ever been treated as a true mage.
Knock, knock.
"Loyalty. Viscount Jett, may I enter?"
"Come in."
Ellen stepped through the door the soldier held open. Jett was already speaking with several men.
"I am Remi, newly assigned as a war mage of the 5th Army Magic Unit."
Jett was a massive man. Solid muscle and the scars that marked him in a dozen places left no doubt he had seen hard fighting.
"Welcome. You came on Hicas's recommendation from Harryford, I hear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have a seat."
Ellen sat in the chair Jett indicated. Seven men already occupied the table.
"I had planned to hold the assignment meeting this evening, but since Remi arrived early we may as well begin now."
At his words two of the men produced papers and laid them on the table.
"Three mages have been assigned to our unit in total. Remi and Osla are 4th Circle users; Zenis is a 4th Circle Master."
Jett tapped the table thoughtfully.
"I know little of magic myself, so I will rely on your counsel."
The five aides nodded.
"Anticipating that you might find the decisions troublesome, we have already prepared a provisional assignment. Would you care to review it?"
"Ho. Using one's head is tedious work. Show me."
The aide handed several sheets across.
"Osla and Zenis are tower mages who have studied magical tactics from early on. We recommend they be placed in the rear to protect the command staff and maintain battlefield control."
"Reasonable."
Jett nodded as he read. Faint smiles appeared on the faces of Osla and Zenis.
"Remi, being a former Magic Assistant, is strong in practical combat magic. We therefore recommend appointing him commander of the Magic Assistant contingent."
"Thorough work as always. This looks fine. Any objections from the three of you?"
Jett looked at the newly arrived mages.
"I will give my utmost!"
"Leave it to me!"
Osla and Zenis answered in loud, eager voices.
A commoner who isn't even a tower mage—of course they'd sideline me.
Ellen immediately understood the aides' intent. The Magic Assistant unit was the lowest rung of the magic forces, the place least likely to earn glory.
But you've misjudged me.
Ellen had already fought this very war in his previous life. He knew every twist of its progress. More importantly, he understood the true combat power of Magic Assistants better than anyone alive.
"I will repay your trust."
Jett looked satisfied.
"Reliable words. I look forward to working with all of you."