The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 133

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (133)

“This way! Come this way!”

“Don’t crowd in there! Move according to the groups I assigned and we’ll conduct the test quickly!”

The Imperial Army’s temporary encampment.

During wartime, and right in front of enemy territory no less, an unusual scene was unfolding that one wouldn’t expect to see before an enemy formation.

A newly established independent unit.

Along with news that Arteon would be the independent unit commander, quite a large number of soldiers had gathered.

“…Who said we wouldn’t be able to fill a hundred spots?”

“This is… too many, isn’t it?”

Grain unconsciously clicked his tongue as he looked at the soldiers volunteering for the independent unit.

The number of applicants appeared to be around two hundred.

From among these, they needed to select about sixty.

‘There’s no point in dragging this out… and it’s not feasible either.’

Hadn’t he already finished discussing this thoroughly with Arteon?

The abilities needed for soldiers in the independent unit right now were quite simple.

Grain recalled his conversation with Arteon and immediately infused mana into his voice as he shouted.

“Quiet please!”

With his voice ringing out loudly, the noisy training ground instantly became silent.

All two hundred or so soldiers present looked at Grain.

Grain stepped up onto the prepared platform and spoke to them.

“I am Grain, deputy commander of the independent unit led by Lieutenant Arteon. First, I’d like to express gratitude to those who have volunteered for Arteon’s independent unit.”

Following Grain’s words, many soldiers in the training ground looked Grain up and down as if evaluating him.

Quite a few seemed to be thinking, ‘If that guy is the deputy commander… passing should be easy.’

Of course, some were surprised to see him infuse mana into his voice.

However, Grain paid no attention to their gazes and quickly continued speaking.

“What we require as members of the independent unit is only two things: fast feet and strong stamina.”

“Fast feet and stamina?”

“What, so they’re not testing sword technique or spear technique at all?”

“Fast feet and stamina, that’s me. I’ll pass easily without any trouble.”

The training ground instantly became noisy.

Some were disappointed with the test content, while others showed confident expressions.

However, Grain wasn’t one to just let that slide.

“Quiet please!”

As the training ground became quiet again after his sharp command, Grain looked at them and said.

“The test will begin right now, so please take the prepared spears and shields and stand at the starting point.”

Along with that, one soldier from the 4th Squad came up to the platform carrying a large military pack on his back.

Grain said.

“This is Renfir, one of the independent unit members. Renfir will also participate in the test alongside all of you, and I apologize, but any soldier who cannot beat Renfir will be automatically eliminated.”

Renfir wasn’t particularly fast among the 4th Squad members.

If someone was slower than him running with heavy military gear, they were unqualified from the start.

It didn’t matter if they couldn’t fill all the positions.

If they couldn’t meet even the minimum standards, they’d likely die in the first battle anyway even if selected.

“You said not to use mana, so keep that in mind.”

“Understood.”

Renfir nodded and stood among the applicants.

Grain shouted.

“When the start signal sounds, you will go down the hill and run twenty laps around the hill. After completing twenty laps, when you stand at the hill entrance, our squad members will distribute confirmation certificates. Bring that certificate to the top and the test is over.”

“May I ask a question?”

“Due to time constraints, I’ll only take one or two. Please speak.”

“You said to run twenty laps around the hill, but what about people who lie? Couldn’t someone just run roughly and say they completed all the laps?”

“Our squad members are positioned at each location to verify. If cheating is discovered, you’ll be disqualified on the spot.”

“But won’t there still be guys who try it?”

“Over thirty of our squad members will be checking. If you’re confident you can fool them, feel free to try. Just take responsibility for the consequences yourself.”

The atmosphere grew heavy with his concise answer.

Though simple, the pressure in Grain’s expression and voice was extraordinary.

The eyes of those who had initially looked down on Grain also changed.

Eventually, all the applicants picked up spears and shields.

Though these were things they held every day, perhaps due to the strange pressure.

The spears and shields, and even the armor they wore.

Everything felt heavier than usual.

In the silence, their gazes turned forward.

And…

“Start.”

“Hyaaaaaaah!”

“I’m breaking through to first place!”

“If you get caught up in the back, you can’t move forward! It’s important to break through first right now!”

With loud shouts, the applicants began running. And Claw, who was watching this scene, spoke to Arteon beside him.

“The deputy commander is quite capable.”

“Yes, he’s not ordinary.”

Arteon spoke with a calm expression.

Perhaps among the 4th Squad members, Grain was the one who most wanted to catch up to him and put in the most effort.

In fact, his skills had grown considerably since they last met, and after learning the mana cultivation method, he had quickly gathered mana.

His abilities were already at the end of the 2nd Star level.

If his combat experience using mana increased, reaching the 3rd Star level wouldn’t be lacking at all.

Of course, after that, reaching the 4th Star realm where aura manifests would require enlightenment…

Arteon just smiled warmly at the sight of Grain watching the applicants.

And…

“After selecting all personnel today, I plan to spend about two days briefly coordinating.”

“I’m sorry, the commander knows this isn’t something that can be done so hastily… but it’s not a matter we can drag out for long.”

“I understand.”

Even at this moment, they would be maintaining perimeter security and continuing reconnaissance.

Due to the recent battle, the Kar Tribe couldn’t come out recklessly either.

So it was important to take advantage of this opportunity to find their weaknesses and launch a preemptive strike first.

In battle, momentum was something that couldn’t be exchanged for anything else.

“By the way, this seems like it will take quite a while.”

“The hill’s perimeter was longer than expected. If they can’t maintain proper pace, running twenty laps will be impossible.”

“Heh, even if they want to control their pace, seeing guys running desperately beside them tends to mess it up.”

In a way, it was a test that examined stamina and fast feet as basics, but also looked at composure and calmness together.

Very simple, yet not simple.

However, if there was one puzzling thing.

“But that soldier… can he complete this test to the end carrying that heavy military pack?”

It was Renfir, who served as the standard.

But to Claw’s question, Arteon answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“Except for recently transferred soldiers, every single 4th Squad member who was at Elvarfiel Lake can do it without exception.”

The physical training they had done so far was much more grueling than this.

At Arteon’s confidence, Claw just nodded silently.

And the sun was gradually setting.

“Huff… huff… huff…!”

Forget about fast speed, people began appearing whose faces turned bright red as they breathed roughly.

No, some had already collapsed and couldn’t run due to leg cramps.

“Tw-twenty laps…!”

“You need to run to the top of the hill. Good luck.”

2nd Squad Leader Ragnell, who was waiting at the entrance of the hill, spoke calmly.

1st Squad Leader Bartell, who was beside him, shouted.

“Come on! Renfir hasn’t arrived yet! If you go up now, you’ll pass, so hurry up and run!”

Excited about something, he burst into loud laughter watching the applicants crawling up the hill.

He seemed thrilled about receiving new comrades.

Ragnell said.

“You’re properly checking the twenty laps, right?”

“You’re the one checking that.”

“…Right.”

There was no need to get angry over trivial matters.

Ragnell checked on those who gradually completed twenty laps and climbed up the hill.

And before long, Renfir, carrying his military pack, slowly ran over and asked.

“How many people passed by ahead?”

“About fifty…?”

“That should be about right.”

“Did you run moderately?”

“No way, I feel like I’m dying. Can you see my legs shaking right now?”

Although he had been pushing quite hard with physical training, running with a military pack filled with stones without using mana was no easy task.

Ragnell spoke to Renfir with a sympathetic expression.

“It’s almost over, so endure just a little more. Once it’s finished, rest time will be guaranteed.”

“Right now I feel like I could sleep on the bare ground.”

“Hehe, you’ll get a crooked mouth doing that.”

After exchanging a few trivial words, Renfir soon began climbing up the hill.

A few people passed by during the brief chat, but he didn’t mind much.

Still, the fact that he had run this far meant he had maintained his own pace well without being swept up by the atmosphere.

The sun completely set and the darkness of the Northern Region descended thickly.

The final phase of the test was approaching, with torches lit here and there to provide light.

Arteon, who was at the top of the hill, watched the applicants slowly revealing themselves.

“Fi-first plaaaaaace!”

Though it was a low hill, they had been running for almost ten hours without rest.

The applicant who came up in first place collapsed on the spot as his legs gave out and shouted.

Soon, the soldiers who were prepared distributed water and food and arranged a place for them to rest.

And starting with him, second place, third place, fourth place.

Those who arrived in succession shouted.

And then…

“Fi-fifty-fourth plaaaaaace!”

“Fifty-fifth place. Renfir, test completed.”

Renfir, who came in 55th, saluted Arteon with proper form and spoke.

Arteon nodded.

“Good work, put down your pack and rest. From this moment until noon tomorrow, personal rest time is guaranteed, so rest comfortably.”

“Thank you.”

Renfir, who took off his pack, drew up his mana without hesitation and walked toward the barracks pretending to be composed.

The successful applicants who were watching clicked their tongues and shook their heads.

“Damn, he definitely held back.”

“Are there… only monsters like that here?”

“I heard earlier… that among the independent unit members, he’s a soldier with poor physical strength…”

“…Then what about the ones with good physical strength?”

Everyone spoke with expressions of disbelief.

“The test is over. All those who come after are disqualified, so everyone return to your respective units.”

Claw, who was beside Arteon, spoke firmly while looking at those coming behind.

With Claw’s words, the 4th Squad members loudly announced the end of the test to inform the applicants still taking the exam.

But then.

“What the fuck, what kind of bullshit is this!”

Suddenly, with a shout from the side, Arteon’s gaze turned in that direction.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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