Chapter 168: Ire

All military academies in the Gallic Empire share a long-standing tradition: during the fourth year—the final year of their studies—as spring blossoms and the academic term begins, senior cadets voluntarily form various factions to engage in tactical maneuvers that closely simulate actual combat.

The conditions of these exercises are identical to real warfare. In the upcoming simulation, fourth-year cadets put everything they have learned over the past three years to the test on the battlefield. Those who perform exceptionally well catch the eye of military generals and secure a smooth path for their future careers. Conversely, if they commit errors or oversights, their instructors still have an entire year left in their final academic term to correct those mistakes, ensuring these young officers do not lose their lives on a real battlefield.

Each student faction participating in the field exercise must consist of a minimum of fifty and a maximum of one hundred members, and is permitted to invite up to ten external reinforcements from outside the academy.

However, certain restrictions apply to these external reinforcements. For instance, anyone who has previously participated in such a simulation is barred from joining again; active-duty regular military personnel are forbidden to participate; and private guards and soldiers from noble families, provided they are officially registered with the empire, are strictly prohibited.

The reason external reinforcements are permitted is that the caliber of the allies a graduate can enlist serves as a measure of their overall capability. For example, if Enzo were able to invite three high-tier Earth Knights to join his simulation—knights who had never participated in a field exercise before, were not regular soldiers of the empire, and were not registered private guards of any noble house—just how valuable would those three knights be?

Enzo’s own value would thus be perfectly reflected through these three knights, demonstrating his extensive network and powerful connections. Furthermore, since these knights were willing to participate in a military exercise for Enzo's sake, would they potentially become his personal guards and elite retinue after he officially enters military service?

If so, does this not implicitly strengthen the empire's military might?

To put it bluntly, allowing external reinforcements in the academy exercises is a method for the empire to scout for civilian talent, as well as the ultimate pathway for powerful figures hidden among the common folk to pledge their allegiance to the empire! After all, everything in the exercises is based on actual combat. If a high-tier knight can deliver an outstanding performance in the simulation, he will naturally gain the favor of military generals and rapidly receive promotions and key appointments.

Yet, as the saying goes, anything can happen in actual combat. Therefore, the empire permits an annual mortality rate of up to ten percent across all military academies during these exercises. This is a terrifying figure; for instance, the Army Academy had over two thousand cadets in Enzo's year, meaning the empire permitted up to three hundred deaths in the field exercises alone.

These are not ordinary soldiers, but future elite officers meticulously cultivated by the empire. Yet, operating entirely from the perspective of real warfare, the empire permits such a high casualty rate. Precisely because death can strike at any moment during these exercises, cadets from the empire's military academies who successfully graduate step onto the battlefield completely devoid of fear—simply because they have already stared death in the face!

Undoubtedly, this also makes the military exercises the ultimate venue for students to settle personal scores. One can kill an adversary cleanly, rationally, and entirely within the bounds of the law. As long as you manage to slay your enemy on a battlefield indistinguishable from the real thing, no one will hold you accountable.

***

Black Horse House issued a direct challenge to Julian in front of numerous young nobles from the Imperial Capital, cornering Julian with nowhere to retreat.

If Julian dared not accept the challenge, not only he, but Enzo as well, would be implicated. Any Army Academy cadet who lacked the courage to accept an opponent's challenge during the field exercises would inevitably face ostracism from all peers upon entering the regular military. The armed forces do not mind the presence of bloodthirsty maniacs, but they absolutely despise cowards!

Therefore, Julian picked up the white glove that Black Horse House had hurled at his face, threw it heavily onto the ground, and ground his heel into it. With a scornful spit upon the ruined white glove, Julian raised his index finger and gently wagged it at Black Horse House. "I accept your challenge on behalf of Enzo, Black Horse House. We shall see who has the last laugh!"

With a cold laugh, Julian tore off his own black silk glove and slammed it hard against Black Horse House's face.

Black Horse House did not dodge, allowing the glove to strike his face squarely. He looked at Julian with intense excitement. Exactly this—he welcomed Julian's provocation and insults. Julian's actions meant that the enmity between them could no longer be resolved; it had officially escalated into a formal duel challenge!

On the third day after the start of the Army Academy's term, the fourth-year cadets would freely form their factions and enter the designated drill grounds for a month-long combat simulation. Black Horse House had already prepared a massive surprise for Lin Qi and his companions; he intended to wipe out that entire group of thugs and hooligans from the Iron Fist Brotherhood.

Exhaling deeply, Black Horse House clenched his fists tightly.

Bea gently applauded, his voice deep as he said, "House, well done. Such scum deserve to be taught a lesson. When your field exercises begin, I will be there to cheer you on."

Bea’s smile was peculiar. He intended to do far more than merely cheer; he planned to provide Black Horse House with tangible assistance. That penniless wretch Julian had actually become a lackey of Tixian? Originally, Bea had no grievance with Julian, but who asked Tixian to get involved with those two beauties, Ya and Ling? Eliminating Julian as a matter of course would also deliver a resounding slap to Tixian’s face.

Seeing the smug expressions of Black Horse House and Bea, Lin Qi gently shook his head.

Slowly walking over to Black Horse House, Lin Qi rasped out a mocking laugh. "Oh, oh, brave noble daring to fight a duel! If you truly have the guts, do you dare to place a wager with us tonight?"

Shaking his head, Lin Qi smiled queerly. "No, you pretty boy don't have the stomach for it!"

Ignoring Black Horse House's sickly green, enraged complexion, Lin Qi curled his finger at Bea. "You seem like a big shot. So, if you truly are the pride of the nobility and a genuine aristocrat of the Gallic Empire, how about placing a wager with us tonight?"

Lin Qi pulled out a black handkerchief, gave his nose a vigorous wipe, and then fluttered it down right in front of Bea's feet.

"This is neither a challenge nor a duel. It is merely an invitation to the honorable Lord Bea: do you dare to take a gamble with us?"

Bea’s eyes turned bloodshot. Was this Lin Qi's way of insulting him?

When had the arrogant and conceited Bea ever been provoked like this? He let out an angry roar and stomped his foot heavily upon the handkerchief Lin Qi had dropped.

"Ignorant fool, then let's do it! Could I possibly be afraid of your challenge?"