The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 11: Astrid Resolves Firmly

“Then, from now on, we will proceed with the assignment of majors. Everyone, stand up.”

“T-Today is just the entrance day, and we’re already starting training?!”

At the instructor’s declaration to move straight to the next procedure after concluding the entrance ceremony, one of the new cadets burst out in shock.

Among the people showing clear signs of confusion, only Astrid remained calm.

‘Well, it’s the military, after all.’

Was there ever a break on the day of enlistment? Of course not.

“Your Highness Leopold.”

“Hm?”

“Your Highness’s major will be Magic Knight, right?”

Magic Knight.

A bracelet on the left hand, a rapier in the right.

They engage in close-quarters combat with a rapier while also using support magic to bolster their offensive, defensive, and other auxiliary abilities—commonly referred to as a “Magic Swordsman.”

Originally, they were seen as jacks-of-all-trades but masters of none, neither reaching the heights of a top-tier swordsman nor a first-rate mage.

However, that perception changed significantly during the War of Unification.

The Tower of Magic, a repository of knowledge located in the East.

The turning point came when Escarot von Jorgien, the head of the Jorgien family and master of the Tower of Magic, developed a bracelet that dramatically shortened the incantation process for magic spells to mere activation words. Its effectiveness was soon proven, and even the current emperor, Kreutz von Einthafen, is a Magic Knight.

“Of course. Magic in one hand, a sword in the other. What could be more manly than that?”

“I’m sure it is,” Astrid replied.

“What’s with that lukewarm response?”

‘What’s so cool about stabbing with a skewer and then throwing some spells around? Has the definition of manliness frozen over?’

“A-Astrid, you’re having weird thoughts again…!”

“They’re moving. Let’s go.”

Along with Leopold, Astrid rose from her seat and followed the other cadets out of the auditorium.

—

Even though it was called “major assignment,” it didn’t hold much meaning.

By the time cadets arrived at the academy, they already had a good grasp of their aptitudes and had steadily honed the necessary skills, so the process was more of a formality. However, Astrid’s case was slightly different.

“Astrid von Miterien.”

A young man, still looking boyish, with a name tag that read “Assistant” pinned to his chest, fumbled through a chart for a long time.

“Lady Miterien… Ah, here it is. It seems your major hasn’t been assigned yet. Do you have any preferences?”

Since Astrid’s admission had been decided somewhat suddenly, her major had not been assigned in advance.

Most cadets go through document screenings and practical tests before being admitted, and their major is typically assigned during that process.

Even if there’s a final check to see if any cadet wants to change majors, Astrid’s case was different—she hadn’t been assigned one at all.

“Heavy Cavalry Knight.”

“Heavy Cavalry Knight… Heavy Cavalry Knight. Ah, yes. The Heavy Cavalry Knight uses four types of weapons.”

Unlike Magic Knights, who have fixed equipment, Heavy Cavalry Knights specialize in pure close-quarters combat.

“The four weapons are the spear, hammer, sword, and greatsword.”

Astrid glanced at the weapon rack lined up ahead of them.

All of them were made of wood. If she remembered correctly, first-year cadets weren’t given real swords.

Since the weapons were made of wood, they all looked like toys.

“Don’t underestimate them just because they’re wooden. They’re crafted to have almost the same weight as real swords—Lady?!”

Before the assistant could finish his sentence, Astrid had already started walking.

From the beginning, there was only one weapon she’d had in mind. She had no interest in the others.

If it’s a man’s weapon, it’s got to be—

“A bit light, but it’ll do.”

A greatsword as long as Astrid’s height and as wide as her waist.

Grabbing its hilt, she smiled in satisfaction.

“This one.”

The assistant’s face stiffened in shock as he watched Astrid grip the greatsword’s hilt with one hand and swing it through the air with a swooshing sound.

Even if it was a wooden sword, it was made to have a similar weight to a real one. It wasn’t a weight that could be wielded with one hand—or so he thought.

But then it hit him. If that’s Lady Miterien, the very one behind all those rumors… Well, it’s not all that surprising.

“Y-Yes! Very well…! Then, Greatsword… it is. The major assessment will be over here.”

Just because she declared she’d be a Heavy Cavalry Knight didn’t mean she’d automatically be accepted.

No matter how famous Astrid’s reputation was, procedures were procedures. She would still need to go through the assessment required to major as a Heavy Cavalry Knight.

—

“Where are the other cadets?”

“They’ve already returned to the auditorium. You should quickly collect your supplies and return as well, Astrid.”

After receiving her approval to major as a Heavy Cavalry Knight, the next step was to collect her supplies.

Since her admission had been decided late, most of the other cadets had already received their supplies and returned to the auditorium.

Astrid took the supply bag handed to her by the assistant instructor and exited the building.

“You’re late. What’s taking you so long?”

It was Leopold.

He stood right next to the entrance of the supply building, scowling at Astrid.

“What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you. Can’t you tell?”

“How could I possibly know? Why would Your Highness be waiting for me?”

“Just move. They’re in the middle of class division assignments.”

“I suppose.”

The process was eerily familiar. Enlist, go through the entrance ceremony, get assigned to a squad, collect supplies… Ugh.

Memories of a past she wanted to forget suddenly surfaced, and Astrid shook her head vigorously, trying to banish them.

“If you get lost and arrive late, won’t your reputation suffer?”

The path to the auditorium was anything but quiet.

In the distance, the sound of what seemed like a military song echoed. Somewhere else, loud marching steps followed shouted commands, and from another direction, there was a sudden bang! as if something had exploded.

“It’s surprising to hear that Your Highness is concerned about my reputation,” Astrid said genuinely, her eyes widening in surprise.

“It’s not your reputation I’m worried about—it’s my uncle’s.”

“Ah, of course.”

As expected.

While Astrid pouted slightly as she walked, they arrived at the auditorium.

The hall was already packed with cadets.

With the entrance ceremony over, any special treatment for Leopold as the Crown Prince or Astrid as a Duke’s Daughter was gone.

They were now just cadets of the Imperial Military Academy—1st-year students like the rest.

“Cadets arriving late, join in quickly! What are you doing, standing there like statues?! Everyone’s waiting!”

A man in a silver combat uniform shouted at them, veins bulging in his neck as he barked at Astrid and Leopold, who had arrived late.

‘Ugh… seriously, even this…’

It finally hit Astrid. She really was back in the military.

A nun with violet hair stood before them, smiling warmly.

“Nice to meet you. I am Veracien, a devoted servant of the Goddess Eteranne. My major is Divine Studies, and my main weapon is a mace.”

Indeed, there was a mace with a blunt, stubby head hanging at her waist.

“I’m Astein, as you can see, a magician. I look forward to working with you, Cadet Astrid and Cadet Leopold.”

The man’s eyes were so narrow it was hard to tell if they were open. If anything, he could be described as having permanent “squinting eyes.”

Astein’s lips curled into a sly smile as he waved at Leopold and Astrid.

“I’m Eranya, an elf. I’m confident in archery and dagger skills, you know?”

Peeking out from her flowing green hair were long, pointed ears.

Her hair, cascading like a waterfall, reached down to the back of her knees.

It was Astrid’s first time seeing an elf in person.

Magic Knight Leopold.

Heavy Cavalry Knight Astrid.

Cleric Veracien.

Magician Astein.

Archer Eranya.

It felt like this team was put together deliberately.

Up until last year, the 1st-year cadets were split into classes according to their respective majors. This was also written clearly in the academy’s entrance guidebook.

The focus of the 1st-year curriculum was on honing their chosen majors, so students with the same major were grouped together, and their lessons centered on deepening their expertise.

However—

The curriculum suddenly changed with the goal of producing elite knights trained in inter-disciplinary combat from their 1st year. This meant a shift to mixed-group squads.

Astrid let out a deep sigh. Leopold did the same beside her.

“Someone must have pulled some strings,” Astrid muttered.

Leopold nodded in agreement.

“No doubt about it.”

A heavy silence fell between them until a loud voice broke the stillness.

“Has everyone confirmed their squad members?!”

All the cadets in the packed auditorium turned toward the speaker.

An instructor stood atop the lecture podium, glaring down at the cadets with a fierce gaze.

“These people here will be your comrades for the next year. From now on, you’ll be called a squad, not a class. Each squad will be assigned a squad number, which I will announce shortly. While you wait, elect your squad leader. Understood?!”

“Squad”.

Hearing that word again…

Memories she’d rather forget flashed through Astrid’s mind, and she rubbed her shoulder as if feeling the weight of a squad leader’s epaulet.

Fortunately, what her fingers felt was the familiar fabric of her uniform, not the coarse texture of a squad leader’s epaulet.

“…What’s this about a squad leader?”

“It means we’re supposed to pick the leader of our squad. Obviously, Cadet Leopold will take the role, right?” Astrid replied, glancing at Leopold.

Leopold’s gaze turned toward Astrid, his eyes sharp with mischief.

Her instincts flared. She was about to ask why he was looking at her like that when his lips parted.

“A Heavy Cavalry Knight should be the squad leader, don’t you think? They’re at the front, leading the charge, after all.”

“Oh my, that sounds perfect. It’s a relief we have a Heavy Cavalry Knight with us,” Veracien chimed in with an eager nod.

“I’m not sure about her durability, but if it’s Cadet Astrid, she’ll manage just fine,” Astein added, his sly smile unchanging.

“Her frame is slim, so there’s little chance of friendly fire. I’m in favor,” Eranya stated bluntly, though her words sent a chill down Astrid’s spine.

‘…1 year. Just 1 year. I’ll make it through and get out of here.’

It was clear from one look. Aside from Leopold, the rest of them were troublemakers.

Her well-honed instincts told her so.

Astrid firmly resolved herself.