I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

“Did Kiina really say that?”

“Yes. I don’t think she’s wrong. Especially when you think about why we’re here like this…”

“That’s Kiina’s characteristic ideology and thinking.”

Erich scratched his head with a bitter smile. The news Deina conveyed showed how Kiina would lead the class in terms of atmosphere and methods going forward.

“By the way, you don’t seem to hate Kiina anymore?”

“N-no, that’s not it. Just, well, I’ve a-acknowledged her, that’s all.”

Erich spoke playfully, seeing Deina who had somehow come to agree with Kiina’s words. Startled, Deina shook her head hurriedly, rambling in confusion.

Though she denied it reflexively, Erich already realized that Deina had completely crossed over to Kiina ideologically and let out a hollow laugh.

Regardless of emotions, if their ideologies align perfectly, Deina would no longer be able to push Kiina away.

‘She’s like a high mountain I wouldn’t dare to climb, inspiring awe. But at the same time, I can’t help wondering what might exist if I were to reach that peak.’

Erich’s lips curled up as he thought of Kiina.

Among the surrounding students, Kiina was the only person whose inner thoughts he couldn’t read. Though the same age, she had red eyes that never wavered as if she had lived for several decades like himself, and a sculpture-like face that never crumbled.

If one could overcome the pressure she exuded, they could not only approach her closely but also develop a desire to look inside and see what was there.

At least one part of Erich’s heart, facing Kiina as human to human, was already firm.

“Let’s go in before we’re late for the meeting. According to Kiina’s thinking, we’ll have a lot to do, so she’ll probably talk about it today. We should be prepared.”

Erich took Deina into the Year Council room. It didn’t take long for all the Year Council members to gather after dinner.

Erich predicted that Kiina would give them many tasks at today’s meeting.

“From now on, the Year Council must pass all exams early.”

And that prediction was exactly right.

“A-all exams?”

“I selected the strongest ones. Since that criterion is from the first month, if you neglect your training later or become weaker by being overtaken by others, you’ll have to put down the armband you’re wearing on your right arm now.”

I informed the horrified Year Council about the plans I had conceived in advance.

Early qualification in all exams is definitely not an easy task. Even those confident in their abilities were wavering.

“The same applies to me as well. If you’re not confident, somehow raise your skills. By training and sparring with peers beside you.”

They have no choice. If they don’t like the law I’ve set, they can challenge me, win, and take my armband.

Since it seemed like I was pushing too hard, I gave them a hint. Erich would handle it well anyway.

“Do you understand why I emphasize strength?”

“Well, that way other peers will follow our words better.”

“Right. Ultimately, we need to urge our peers while also soothing them to help them survive. The duel with the seniors is just a secondary issue.”

I push, the officials soothe. That was my plan, and those who heard it showed reactions of agreement, with wide eyes, just as Deina had done.

“What we fight for. That is important. Among us, there are probably few who wanted to come here.”

Erich murmured quietly. As he said, the freshmen, and probably even the seniors, still lack a clear purpose.

Without at least a desperate determination to survive, it’s not easy to accept the arduous training and cultivation that exhausts the body.

“There will be mental education this afternoon. Change clothes and be seated in the afternoon.”

The Academy people would surely know this.

The next day, instructor Dmish announced mental education to students who were exhausted from mana operation training disguised as physical training all morning.

‘I wonder what level it will be. Will it be effective?’

From their perspective, needing to educate students almost like brainwashing, they would have prepared somewhat, but we would have to see if it was well-made enough to eliminate fundamental fear.

“Don’t think it’s boring. It will be a great help to those who still don’t know why they’re here.”

In the drowsy afternoon, unlike usual, Dmish held chalk instead of a spear and headed to the blackboard.

“Almost everything starts from the Magic Revolution. I guess there’s no one here who doesn’t know this.”

The start was, of course, history. It began with events that happened about 150 years ago. I too had memories of learning this from the inherited memories. History is an essential education for nobles.

“The rapidly developing civilization brought great changes to a world that had been suppressed by demons crawling from the Demon Realm. Now we are the masters of the world, and the demons have been completely driven from this land, to the point where they are immediately disposed of upon crossing over.”

There were largely two types of enemies appearing in the work. The demons from the Demon Realm that had been the arch-enemies of this land since ancient times, and other humans. According to my memory, minor non-human races had essentially been reduced to the level of ethnic minorities and were semi-forcibly integrated into each country.

“After driving out all the demons… peace did not come to the world.”

Dmish introduced historical examples to let us know who our enemies were and what the current international situation was like.

It might be almost a law that development occurs while scuffling with surrounding powers, but if the balance collapses, one is completely conquered.

This Kingdom of Laus I belong to also had complex relationships with surrounding countries, but the biggest threat recently was the Empire, Andras, which was attached right next to it.

“Andras is forcing alliances with harsh conditions on surrounding powers and conquering those who refuse by force. Therefore, we are preparing for their invasion by uniting with other surrounding kingdoms.”

‘When does the war break out again?’

As I listened to the explanation, I sifted through my hazy memories. There was definitely a point in the work where the setting moved from the Academy to the outside.

The main backdrop for that was a major war. It was the ambition of the powerful enemy Dmish was talking about that finally engulfed this place.

“For our kingdom, which has less land and fewer people, to maintain public order throughout the country and stand against a much stronger enemy to protect our bodies and families, we need that much effort. The fruit of that effort is you all.”

Dmish, who had taken off his sunglasses, looked at us with eyes that conveyed complicated feelings.

“I hope you don’t think you were dragged here forcibly. Instead, I’d like you to think of it as a proud opportunity that only those blessed with mana can have, to protect others.”

His voice contained sincerity.

I’m not sure how that sincerity was conveyed to others, but I judged that informing us about the real-world dangers and why we were drafted was a good approach.

“What do you think about the mental education we had today?”

I asked once after the day’s schedule ended to see if that was really the case.

The subjects were my squad members, whom I had to manage.

“I need to work hard, my heart aches thinking about those who died in battle, such obvious things aside, is there anything else?”

I looked at my squad members who lost their words, just blinking their eyes. From my perspective, and objectively based on their grades, the average of these four was actually below the middle. Such people needed a difference in thinking.

“Don’t you think you’re screwed? One of you is still in physical fitness testing, and the other three failed the early basic spear technique exam.”

“!!!”

When I spoke more harshly, they flinched back in shock. Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve spoken such words out loud.

“As the instructor said, there’s a serious shortage of manpower. Given the competitors we’re facing, even students are mobilized to the field. Both I and you are the same, but can you return alive if you go like this? Bets or exams with leave permissions at stake are not the issue. In actual combat, a few people always die or get seriously injured, and you should always think about that moment.”

“B-but we’re still learning…”

“Talent and learning level are meaningless. If the most important mindset is not there, you can’t exert your full strength. If you train with the mindset of doing it forcibly because you’re told to, achievement won’t come.”

I shook my head at Dennis’s words, who had barely gathered courage. They lacked desperation far too much.

“Without the mindset of doing anything to survive, it’s not sincere. And I won’t go easy on you until you have such a mindset. I think those who are weak have no value. Why should I go easy on someone who’s clearly going to die soon anyway?”

I took this opportunity to clarify my position. All my words now are sincere, and the fact that I, as their squad leader, won’t take care of them would have been a big wound for them.

“Especially you.”

I pointed my finger at Isabel, the only one in the squad who failed the physical fitness test. She flinched at my finger, her face pale, barely holding back tears with teary eyes.

“Are you really desperate? Have you ever run until you collapsed or held a spear until your hands bled just to pass? Are you just enduring with the thought that even if you become an incompetent and worthless human, others will only curse and ignore you anyway?”

“Uh, uh…”

As I looked down at her and said a few words, she finally started to shed tears and snot, but I didn’t stop.

“You, you’re going to die like that.”

Compassion, or perhaps the last conscience.

I gave attention that I didn’t need to give to a mindset and appearance similar to myself when I first experienced possession.