Unicorn Cavalry: Revelations and Mounted Mastery
The image of unicorns from my past life and this one was pretty much the same. They like pure virgins and all that jazz. The problem was that this guy suddenly revealed his true nature right in front of a bunch of knights, basically outing my virginity in the process.
Luckily(?), it wasn't a total disaster. If Thunderer had rejected me, that would've sparked an even bigger scandal. "Why would the unicorn reject Her Highness...?" "Does that mean the princess...?" Even without saying it outright, those thoughts must've crossed every knight's mind. If that had happened, I would've defied Father's orders and tried to desert on the spot.
Anyway, now that I knew Thunderer's true identity, a question popped up. Did the imperial knights know he was a unicorn when they handed him over to me? Or was it all just a coincidence? I should probably send a letter to the palace about this.
The unicorn fiasco got sorted out somehow. Since Thunderer was officially my mount, riding him around wasn't an issue.
After wrapping up the chaotic horse bonding session, all the knights mounted up and headed to the riding grounds. It was quite a trek to get there. Being a mountain unit, there weren't many flat stretches suitable for galloping, but that worked out perfectly—it counted as warm-up for the horses, so we could dive straight into tactical drills upon arrival.
"We'll conduct training and evaluations by platoon. Company commanders, you'll act as instructors."
At the battalion commander's order, the knights grouped by platoon. The company commanders conferred with him briefly, then took their positions for their assigned specialties. The training rotated through different disciplines across three zones, with companies cycling through in rotation.
Ours started with the obstacle course led by the 1st Company commander. This wasn't just basic riding; it was about charging through enemy lines on horseback. The mission: navigate pits, bushes, zigzag wooden barriers, and more in one go.
"3rd Company, 3rd Platoon, to starting position!"
At the 1st Company commander's shout, we formed up. Up front: the heavy-armor platoon leader and 2nd Squad leader. Center: me handling ranged, with the 3rd Squad leader. Rear guard: 1st Squad leader.
"Let's go."
Thud-thud-thud-thud—
With the platoon leader's signal, we surged forward in formation. The platoon and squad leaders moved in perfect sync, honed from training together. All I had to do was keep up—and Thunderer, as if reading my mind, delivered outstanding performance. With physics that made the other warhorses look silly, he held the center steady.
Amid it all, I got a bit creeped out. Typical unicorn. This crazy horse neighed happily every time my stirrup tapped him. With my past-life memories, it felt weirdly off-putting, but he obeyed perfectly and performed great, so it was kinda nice too.
"3rd Platoon, clear!"
We passed without a hitch, so good was good.
The next drill was ranged training under the 2nd Company commander. Two platoons faced off: one kept shooting arrows while mounted, the other broke through to the goal. It tested defending against enemy fire from horseback and desensitizing horses to arrows.
For safety, attackers used no mana—just training arrows with cotton bundles instead of tips, painful but not wounding.
Ranged training pitted companies against each other. Our rotation put 3rd Company versus 1st.
They started with each company's 1st Platoons. As 3rd Company's 1st and 1st Company's 1st advanced, company pride kicked in.
"Win this for 3rd Company!"
"Don't come back humiliated!"
"Make it quick!"
Cheers and jeers flew between knights. Even in training, this rivalry made it fun.
1st Platoons: we lost. A rookie's horse took an arrow to the nose and veered off course.
2nd Platoons: we won. Their slip-up this time.
Meanwhile, regardless of results, our platoon held a tactics huddle.
"We scatter and encircle. Ignore the heavies—focus fire on their platoon leader. Deputy?"
"Yes."
"Good with a bow?"
"Bow... honestly, not confident."
No choice. For long-range, I'd just blast magic anyway—no need for arrows.
"Fair enough. Stick by the 3rd Squad leader then, pass him arrows."
"Got it."
Past life terms: like a machine-gun loader. Yeah, something's better than nothing.
"What about the charge?"
"Magic's allowed on charge. Deputy?"
"Yes."
"Go wild."
"Understood."
Briefing over, the 2nd Company commander's voice rang out.
"Each company, 3rd Platoons forward."
Our turn.
"3rd Company attacks first, 1st defends."
I mounted Thunderer, eyed the goal flag. Whole platoon reaches it for success. I grabbed my assigned quiver, slung it over my left arm. Per plan, no shooting for me.
"Go!"
"Hyah!"
Company commander's signal—both platoons launched. "3rd Platoon, scatter!" Platoon leader's order—we encircled theirs. I stuck with 3rd Squad leader to their left flank.
"Deputy, three arrows at a time."
"Three? Got it."
Easy to say, but yanking arrows mid-gallop? Balance was a nightmare.
Meanwhile, 3rd Squad leader nocked and fired from his quiver. Fingers wedged three arrows—he rapid-fired like a pro.
"Here, here!"
Perfect timing as his bow emptied. Pass, nock, pass, nock—we kept the barrage going. He machine-gunned arrows solo.
One clipped their platoon leader's temple. "Ack!" Training arrow, helmet on—no injury, but it disrupted their line.
"Keep firing!"
They realized we targeted their leader, tried blocking—but arrows from all sides pierced gaps.
Then I saw it: 3rd Squad leader aiming for their platoon leader's horse foreleg.
Arrow flew. Timing seemed early. Miss? Nope.
It dropped perfectly under the hoof. Horse stepped on the cotton, slipped. Platoon leader tumbled off.
"Dismount!"
"Aldric's archery is top-tier!"
Cheers from our company afar. Opposite from 1st Company's knights.
1st Company 3rd Platoon's breach time: 1:25. Worst so far.
Now we swapped to defense. I ignored their fuming platoon leader's glare, prepped.
"Deputy."
"Yes."
"We charge flat-out, no defense. That's all on your magic."
"Got it. Ah, I'll lag a bit—horses might spook from lightning."
"Your call."
I tapped stirrups, easing Thunderer back slightly.
"Thunderer, magic incoming. No freaking out."
Neigh! He'd probably handle lightning fine—unicorns don't embarrass themselves among horses, right?
"Go!"
"Hyah!"
Platoon surged. I watched them nock arrows, gathered lightning in my free hand.
Observed first: they copied us, encircling from all sides.
"Thunderer, hold position if I peel off."
I planted feet on saddle, stood. Electricity cloaked my armor.
They hesitated at my magic, then drew.
"Fire!"
Five arrows inbound. I leaped from saddle, unleashed bolts—one stroke drawing a star, zapping all five midair.
"Whoa, Her Highness!"
"What kinda magic is that?"
"Heard she graduated second from the academy."
"...Second?"
Cheers erupted from spectators. Pride swelled, but training wasn't over.
I hovered, scanning below. Platoon leader and squad pushed straight ahead. Thunderer matched pace right under me.
Good— if I nail this...
Recharged mana, kept eyes on them.