Chapter 436 - Still Inexperienced Practical Training
Opinion exchanges can come later. There’s far more to learn from actual combat, which is something the current Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy desperately needs.
Theory is important, but grasping the feel of real combat first is much more efficient in my opinion.
Effort is only truly effective when applied appropriately. No matter how hard one tries, if the effort isn’t suitable, the results will be minimal. Time isn’t infinite, so if we’re going to put in the effort, we should consider efficiency.
With the same amount of effort, we can maximize our efficiency and outpace other schools.
It seems that Solonton Royal Academy students have already received lectures from military personnel on how to fight in a battle royale format. Individual duels are not the same as group battles, which have their own basics and strategies, making theoretical study crucial.
This is an ideal opportunity to see how far our school, which is still building its foundation, can keep up.
War isn’t something you can win through improvisation. There’s logic, and by formulating and executing strategies based on that logic, we can increase our chances of victory.
I’m a studious person, so I know the basics of military tactics, which are designed for human combat. I’ve taught these to the club members during daily practice, but I haven’t had the chance to apply them to magic doll battles, and it’s not my forte. It’s unclear how much they’ve absorbed and can apply to battle.
Currently, Solonton Royal Academy has the upper hand in theoretical knowledge, so it’s fortunate that we can test how well we can perform against them.
We should see what we can and cannot do, and what we need to practice more. No one wants to waste this valuable time and opportunity. Once the match was decided, things moved quickly.
Following the instructions of both club presidents, we wrapped up our practice and moved to the outdoor training ground carved out of the forest.
The magic dolls wear colored bibs to distinguish friend from foe. While previously any color was fine as long as they didn’t overlap, the new rules specify colors based on the starting position.
For this round, we have pink and blue, while they have yellow and green. Preparing the magic dolls is as simple as that.
The club members prepare by equipping far-seeing magic items and holding control devices the size of a palm-shaped rod. The connection between the control device and the doll is an invisible mana cord that can stretch, shrink, and won’t tangle or break.
The farther the distance, the more mana is consumed, but one match shouldn’t be a problem, even if it takes the full time limit.
However, consecutive matches will cause significant fatigue, both physical and mental. This different environment is also an opportunity to see how much this affects us.
To improve visibility, the controllers ascend to raised platforms placed at the north, south, east, and west of the training ground, each at a distance from the four participating teams. This allows us to give loud instructions without the enemy overhearing.
Given the number of participants, we decided on a special format for the match.
In the real competition, four teams will participate in a battle royale, but with only two schools, we had to adjust. The straightforward option of two teams battling was quickly dismissed by our president, who preferred the battle royale format to get the club used to it. A simple two-team confrontation wouldn’t provide the unique experience we seek.
Therefore, we proposed a half-sized team format, with twenty-four members per team, and this was accepted. As the hosts, they respected our input, which is much appreciated.
Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy has forty-seven members, while Solonton Royal Academy has one hundred twelve. Each school will form two teams, with joint strategies forbidden and all others treated as enemies.
The use of one permitted magic item per team is temporarily suspended.
For subsequent matches, the conditions will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
While Solonton Royal Academy, with its regular practice, has the advantage on this familiar training ground, we’ll make do.
President Hermira had already planned and briefed her members on the split teams the night before.
After Solonton Royal Academy was ready, we separated and moved to our respective platforms.
"Where will you be watching, Sensei?"
The main Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy teams are led by President Hermira, with Edith as her assistant, and Vice-President Mildree, with her younger sister as assistant. Harriet, being her sister’s bodyguard, should ideally be with her, but President Hermira tried to balance the teams fairly, placing Harriet on the other team. I stayed with Vice-President Mildree’s team to be near her younger sister.
Anastasia Union’s bodyguards and those provided by Solonton are on alert, so my guard isn’t necessary but is a precaution.
Anastasia Union, with her countless military achievements, has many enemies. As the leader’s sister, she’s in a precarious position.
"...Yes, I’ll observe Vice-President Mildree’s command."
This is also genuine. Mildree rejoined after the summer break, and while her individual skills haven’t caught up with the others, her leadership seems solid. I want to see how she commands a team.
"Understood. If you notice anything, please let me know."
Mildree has become more comfortable around me. Her stiff tone has softened, and she occasionally shows a more playful side.
"I won’t interfere during the match. Just do your best. Come on."
We part ways with the other team, led by President Hermira. Based on the lottery, Vice-President Mildree’s team heads north, Hermira’s team to the east, and Solonton’s teams to the west and south.
The training ground is roughly a square with sides of five hundred meters. For official matches, the size can vary from three hundred to nine hundred meters on each side, depending on the location and weather conditions. The Magic Doll Federation decides the size based on the situation, and there’s no room for objections.
Movable platforms allow for smaller fields in bad weather, and the decision is final, with no room for protest.
As we confirm our initial movements, I follow Mildree’s team from the back. The preparation time, including moving to the platforms, is strict. Once the time is up, the match begins, regardless of readiness. There’s no time to waste; we must quickly ascend the platforms, position our dolls, and assess the terrain.
"As I mentioned, we’ll be aggressive! Sigurdnaught-san, with this terrain, an attack from the center or right is difficult, right?"
"The center is flat grass, visible from all platforms, making it easy to be tracked. The only advantage is seeing the enemy’s movements clearly, but being surrounded by multiple teams would be disastrous. The right side has a swamp that the dolls would need to navigate around, with few hiding spots. If we move, it’s either through the forest and shacks to the left or a broad deployment."
"A broad deployment sounds interesting, but let’s get used to moving as a unit first. Let’s attack where Hermira’s team is!"
Even if they’re our rivals now, it’s fine. Aiming for easy targets is basic strategy; there’s no point in getting complicated right away. Simple is often better.
With the plan set, it’s time to act. The initial range for doll positioning is within thirty meters of the platform. Each platform allows a thirty-meter radius for positioning.
From the platforms, you can see the other teams’ formations, which helps in predicting or deceiving them. Pre-positioning can be crucial for capturing advantageous terrain or launching a quick attack. However, moving beyond this range immediately disqualifies you, which is strictly monitored in official matches.
Mildree’s team quickly moved their dolls forward, entering the forest ahead. They stopped twenty meters in, just within the safety margin.
While the far-seeing magic items reduce visibility, the dolls are still manageable in not too complex terrain. The training ground is designed for doll battles, avoiding overly rugged or densely forested areas. It’s maintained to allow smooth doll movement while providing some hiding spots and variations.
Thus, even when visibility is low, magic sense and intuition keep the dolls operational. Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy excels in magic sense training, an area where we outshine other schools.
"Sigurdnaught-san, lead us from the forest towards the left front. Everyone, follow closely."
Her younger sister’s advanced magic sense can detect obstacles and terrain, allowing the others to follow without unnecessary complications, minimizing fatigue.
This training ground is meticulously designed with variety. From the west to the north, there are many trees, and a lake or swamp in the northwest. The south is rocky, and the east has scattered low buildings.
The center is mostly open, with a few trees and rocks, but few hiding spots. The terrain has slight elevations and some challenging slopes or traps, a testament to the detail.
A quick scan with advanced magic sense reveals these features, showcasing the commitment of Solonton Royal Academy to their Magic Doll Club.
It’s nearly time to start the match. From the north, our team hides in the forest, planning to attack the east. Hermira’s team, based in the east, has positioned their dolls to move south, hiding behind the scattered shacks, moving slowly and in smaller groups. This might be a trap.
The south team has hidden their dolls behind a large rock, possibly setting up a defense. The west team, like us, has moved into the forest, but their direction is unclear.
Each team seems well-prepared, ready to start. The advisor from Solonton Royal Academy signals the start with a light magic spell.
"Let’s go!"
Following Mildree’s order, the team, led by her younger sister’s doll, begins to move. Twenty-three pink-bibbed magic dolls advance in a neat line, maintaining speed in the forest, a testament to regular practice.
Our target is Hermira’s team based in the east. Hermira’s team is moving south, hiding behind the shacks, moving slowly and in smaller groups.
Observing with my broader magic sense, I notice something interesting. While they appear to move slowly, only about half their dolls are actually moving. The rest are hidden and powered down, waiting to ambush us.
Hermira has anticipated our attack, setting a trap to counter it. She knows Mildree’s aggressive nature and my teaching of the first-strike advantage.
In most cases, the one who strikes first has the upper hand. Historical battles often confirm this. However, first-strike advantage also means securing a favorable position.
Hermira’s team is using this principle by securing a favorable position to execute a first-strike ambush.
Her younger sister seems to have noticed the trap but doesn’t point it out to Mildree. It’s just practice, and the commander should learn from mistakes.
As Mildree’s team approaches Hermira’s, Mildree gives the order.
"Alright! Once we clear the forest, let’s take out the center team first."
As they near the edge of the forest, Mildree’s team stops to form up.
Suddenly, the hidden team attacks from behind. Completely caught off guard, Mildree’s team loses their flagship doll and is defeated.
When a team is defeated, a signal flare of the corresponding bib color is launched, informing the other teams. A pink flare signaled the defeat of the north team.
The practice match ended in an ambush, but we can restart as many times as needed.
The Solonton trip will conclude in the next chapter, and we’ll quickly move on to the next part, titled “Busy Times! Continued Practice Matches.”