[Y/N] - Your Name
[M/N] - Middle Name
[L/N] - Last Name
[F/C] - Favorite Color
[E/C] - Eye Color
<<<O>>>

On the outside, it was a nice day. A breeze gently shook the leaves. The sun shines in all of its glory. On the inside, however, it was much nicer. Inside a small room, Tanya and Y/N slept. Tanya wore her signature oversized button-up shirt. Y/N wore nothing but his [F/C] pants. As the clock hits 6 AM, Tanya opens her eyes and sits on her bed. She gently stretches while allowing a small yawn to escape her lips. She stands up slowly. Her bare feet used to the cold, gently move across the room. She raises her short arms and grasps the curtains before opening them, welcoming the sun inside the room. As the sun made its way inside the room, it shined upon Y/N's eyes. Tanya could only see him raising his arms and pointing at the sun's direction.

Y/N: ["Sometimes I wish I could punch you to death"] He spoke in a sleepy tone before his arm falls limp and gently sits on his bed, rubbing his eyes. He notices the blonde girl in the room and gently smiles at her. ["Good morning, Tanya"] He said, standing up from his bed, allowing the coldness of the floor to welcome his bare feet.

Tanya: ["Morning"] She simply replied, gently moving to the side and turning on a radio.

Radio: ["This is Imperial Military Command with your 6:00 AM war update"] The radio said. Y/N walked towards a small box and moved it with his feet towards a small balcony. [" "Our forces, including our central unit, are expanding in all theaters," says north Norden"] The radio said while Tanya and Y/N brushed their teeth. Tanya used the box Y/N pushed so she could see herself in the mirror. Both kept doing their morning business without getting in each other's way a single time. Living together since they were born, both got used to each other pretty quickly. ["Next, a report by Western Command for the Rhine front-"] Y/N and Tanya stood back to back while changing into their military uniforms. Y/N extends his arm back, grabbing a hat that Tanya threw at him.

Y/N: ["Thank you~"] He said, putting his hat on and fixing it on his head after he gently glides a hand through his head. ["I should get a haircut soon"] He said before gently taking his Silver-Wing badge and attaching it to the left side of his belly.

Tanya: ["I think it looks nice"] She said with a straight face, without facing Y/N.

Radio: ["In response to a Republic night attack, our forces launched a large-scale-"] Before the Radio could finish, Y/N turned it off. He grabbed a small leather briefcase and walked to the door, opening it. Tanya grabbed her rifle by the strap and slid her arm in, carrying the gun on her backside.

Tanya: ["Thanks"] She said, walking off the door that Y/N held open for her. He simply smirks and reaches for his MG 34, holding the gun and carrying it over his shoulder as Tanya did with her rifle.

[Unified Year 1924]
->[Imperial Capital Berun]<-

Merchant: ["Hey, soldiers. Buy something with your ration tickets!"] A merchant said, calling for two young soldiers who were walking by.

Soldier: ["We're already issued enough!"] He and his companion continued walking after he said that. Y/N's and Tanya's boot gently clicked on the ground with each of their steps.

Girl: ["Johann's already defeated, five people?"] A girl with short blonde hair exclaimed in surprise. She wore a white hat with a purple tie on its side. She sat in front of another girl.

Girl 2: ["Yes, he says he should be home by Christmas"] She said with a happy smile on her face while looking to her friend.

Tanya and Y/N continued walking. Tanya had a straight face, while Y/N kept looking around him with a small smile. He sees two white doves flying before they stop on top of a branch. He looks at them with a small smile.

Y/N: ["It's already been over six months since Tanya and I left the front lines"] He commented in his thoughts, allowing the gentle breeze to move a few stray hairs on his face. He looks around, noticing Tanya way ahead of him. He simply giggles and starts jogging to catch up with her. ["Tough the stench of blood and gunpowder has yet to disappear from our nostrils and hair"] He continues, stopping right at Tanya's side. Both look towards a big building, decorated with many windows with red around them, along with four big Empire flags hanging from its side. ["But right now, we're enjoying our studies"]

Tanya: ["There's a sizable difference between their education policies, but a military university isn't that different from a normal one"] Tanya comments in her thoughts, walking side-to-side with Y/N as both go upstairs. ["No, in some ways, you're treated even better"] As they were walking through a corridor, a fellow soldier looks at both. Noticing the Silver-Wings badge on their uniforms, he instantly moves out of the way and salutes.

Y/N: ["Part of it it's because we're back from the front lines with a medal on our chest"] Y/N and Tanya continue walking side-to-side, without even glancing back at the younger soldier. ["But even in the body of a little child, we had no trouble fitting in"]

Tanya and Y/N arrive at a classroom. Y/N steps out of the way so Tanya can go in first. With a quick thanks, she proceeds inside the room.

Tanya: ["All that's left is to use signaling theory to show the value of our resources, and we're sure to go to an elite career track"] Tanya sits down with the briefcase on top of the table, gently putting her rifle at her side. Y/N does the same, with his MG 34 at his side. Both Tanya and Y/N sat side-to-side. ["After graduation, I can live on easy street in the rear echelons"] Tanya and Y/N gently remove their hats. Y/N flips his hair to the side, getting rid of a few stray hairs on his face.

["Everything's going my way"] Tanya said on her mind, with a bright smile. Unaware of Y/N daydreaming at her side.

Y/N: ["So, I suppose it's all set"] He thought, having a small smile. He glances towards Tanya, his smile turning into a smirk. ["That was a wonderful day"] He comments on his thoughts with a low giggle.

Tanya: ["Oi"] She calls out. Y/N looks at her, raising his eyebrow, having a half-smile on his face. ["What's with the giggling?"] She asked, without facing him.

Y/N: ["Oh, it is nothing"] He comments, gently waving his hand side-to-side ["Just a few flashbacks of when I used to mess with Visha"]

Tanya: ["She had it lightly. Imagine me, who has to deal with you every day"] She comments with her always-cold personality, causing Y/N to laugh.

Y/N: ["Don't say it like you actually mean it~"] He whispers after leaning down close to her ear. She looks at him with anger on her features, but before anything else could happen, their teacher enters the class, causing the place to be quiet. Without commenting anything else, Y/N just winks at Tanya, who scoffs at him, still with a slight blush on her cheeks.

<--- -------------------------- -->

<--- -------------------------- -->

Teacher: ["When units deviate from the mission plan, should their commanding officer be held personally culpable?"] It's been a few minutes since Y/N's teasing. Tanya got rid of the blush on her cheeks but still glared at Y/N menacingly from time to time. Y/N simply gave her a sly smile, along with a wink. ["Victor!"] The teacher asked, causing a student with short light-brown hair to stand up.

Victor: ["Yes, sir! Even if he isn't directly involved, he should accept moral responsibility-"] At his response, Y/N could only mentally facepalm.

Teacher: ["I'M TALKING ABOUT THE LAW, YOU IDIOT!"] He said, smashing his hand against the blackboard bend him. ["Next, L/N!"]

Y/N: ["Yes, sir. To clarify the question, are there any senior officers present?"] He asked after standing up, keeping a straight face and his arms behind his back.

Teacher: ["We'll say there aren't"] He responded, crossing his arms.

Y/N: ["A commander who's neglected his duty to stop any such deviation has failed in legal duty. The maximum penalty may include the firing squad"] He replied. Tanya looked up at him with a proud smile. ["Thanks for teaching me this, Tanya"] He commented in his mind, internally sweatdropping.

Teacher: ["And if there were a senior officer?"] He asked after a short humming.

Y/N: ["As long as the officer in question has not done anything illegal, the responsibility lies with the senior officer, as a general rule"]

Teacher: He looks surprised for a second before nodding with a hum, and his eyes closed. ["Very good"]

After the classes are over, the students leave their respective classrooms while chatting among themselves. In all classrooms, everybody left, all but two. Tanya and Y/N gently laid their guns on the table in front of them, starting to disassemble it. Without them noticing, an older man approaches their table.

[Military Academy Student]
->[Captain Maximillian Johann von Ulger]<-

Ulger: ["Degurechaff, L/N?"] He called for both, who look at him slightly surprised.

Y/N: ["Captain Ulger?"] He asked, looking up at him. ["What brings you here, sir?"] He asked with a polite smile, taking his eyes off Ulger and going back to disassemble his gun.

Ulger: ["I have to ask, why are you two always working on your guns?"] At this point, Y/N was polishing his gun with all his care while Tanya scrubbed one of its parts.

Tanya: ["This equipment allows us to fulfill our purpose as at any time"] She spoke while looking at Ulger before turning her attention back to her rifle. ["We feel uneasy unless we make sure it's ready at all times"]

Ulger: ["I see. People who return from the front lines are different..."] He said, walking away.

Y/N: ["Something was bothering him"] He said out-loud without facing Tanya. He looks over to her, and a smirk spreads across his face. ["I can definitely use that later..."]

Tanya: ["This is a matter of respect"] She comments in her mind. ["And a necessary act to reconfirm my enemy's existence"] She said in her thoughts, assembling her rifle along with Y/N. ["Who knows when we might have a chance to shoot Being X?"] Tanya loads an empty clip to her gun, both her and Y/N staying back-to-back with each other, aiming their rifles in opposite directions. ["You should always be ready to grab your chance"] Both of them pull their triggers, allowing the small click of an empty gun to ring through the class. ["And we, personally, will never not be ready"]

A few time has passed, and now, both Tanya and Y/N were in the library. The blonde girl was struggling, standing on her tip-toes while trying to get a book from the shelf. Y/N, however, simply stood there, with his arms crossed, trying his best not to laugh. A few more minutes of her attempt went by before Y/N decided to help her. But before his hand could reach the book, another person grabbed it. Both Tanya and Y/N look to the person who arrived.

Hans: ["Hannibal's Decisions at the Battle of Cannae?"] He reads the title of the book before giving it to Tanya. ["You two surely are studious"] Both look at him in slight confusion.

That is until they notice the red patch on his neck. With an audible gasp, both instantly stand side-to-side and salute.

Y/N/Tanya: ["I - I'm sorry, General! Y/N L/N and Tanya Degurechaff, students here"] Both spoke in synch, looking up at Hans while still saluting.

Tanya: ["I'm a first Lieutenant mage in the Imperial Army, and Y/N is my second lieutenant and sergeant"] She said while Y/N nods.

Hans: ["Strategy and Operations Vice-Director Zettour"] He introduced himself, giving the book to Tanya.

Tanya: ["In the rear echelons, a director of strategy is at the top! In a company, he'd be heading up business strategy!"] She thought while sweatdropping, looking at the book in her hands.

Y/N: ["It's an honor to meet you, sir"] He said, saluting once again.

Hans: ["I've heard a little about you two"] He admits, causing Y/N and Tanya to look at each other for a brief moment. ["You've been quite busy later, I hear"]

Tanya: ["Your words honor us, sir"] She said with a smile on her face. Y/N, also with a bright smile, nods.

Hans: ["If you two aren't in a hurry, could you come with me?"] He asked. Tanya and Y/N instantly salute.

Y/N/Tanya: ["Yes, with pleasure!"] After that, he started walking away, with Tanya and Y/N following close behind.

Tanya: ["This is the chance of a lifetime. Worth spending all that time in the library"] With a smug-smile, Tanya followed Hans along with Y/N.

.

Man: ["Let's drink! Cheers!"] A group of men in the street clicked their drinks together before drinking it. ["How many toasts so far?"]

Back inside the school in a private room, Hans overlooked the scene in the street through a window. Behind him was a table. Behind that table was two chairs, with Tanya and Y/N standing up with the arms behind their back.

Hans: ["Be seated"] He said, Y/N and Tanya complied without questioning it.

Y/N/Tanya: ["Yes, sir. Excuse me"] They said in synch before sitting down. Hans stood in the same place, looking out of the window.

Hans: ["Actually, I wanted to ask you two something"] Y/N raises an eyebrow while Tanya stood still. ["What are your thoughts on the war?"]

Tanya: ["Imperial soldiers are nearly obsessed with precision"] She thought while keeping her hands on her knees. After thinking, she looks up at Hans. ["Sir, I'm sorry. But your question is too broad"]

Hans: ["Huh, let me change it, then"] He turned around, keeping his hands behind his back, looking at Tanya and Y/N. ["What do you think the next developments in the war will be?"]

Tanya: ["I'm afraid I don't believe I'm in a position to say"] She shyly admitted. Y/N was still quiet but had a barely-noticeable smirk on his face. Tanya knew he was up to something but decided not to question.

Hans: ["This isn't an inquiry, give me your personal perspectives"] He said while sitting down. He had both elbows on the table, leaning forward while keeping his mouth behind his hands. ["Speak freely"]

Tanya: ["I guess refusing any more would be rude... Then, with your permission to speak freely"] She said, gently leaning forward a little bit. ["I'm certain that this war will grow into a world war"] She said. Y/N looks at her with a small smile on his face.

Hans: ["A world war?"] He curiously asked.

Tanya: ["A global war, involving the majority of the world's most powerful countries"] She said, narrowing her eyes at the end. ["That is a world war"]

Hans: ["And what make you think so?"] He asked while furrowing his eyebrows.

Tanya: ["The Empire is a relatively new addition to the ranks of the world powers, but it maintains military superiority"]

Y/N: ["Its military power is incredible"] He finally spoke, grabbing Hans' attention. ["In a one-on-one fight, it could defeat the Republic"] He said, thinking back to his time at the Rhine Theater and when he and Tanya alone fought a company of mages. ["If we do defeat the Republic and restore peace, our country will be in a position of absolute superiority on the continent. However..."] His eyes sharpen. Sitting straight with his arms crossed, he looks at Hans with slight concern. ["I don't think the other major powers. The Allied Kingdom and the Russy Federation will ever be willing to ignore that. They need to make a choice. Will they allow a new ruling country's birth, or will they reject it?"] He gently flips his hair to the side. Tanya looked up at him slightly wide-eyed. Hans narrows his closed eyes and nods. ["Fear is both a precious and deadly for both parties. No one can deny that The Empire has great military power that could overwhelm most, if not, anyone in a one-on-one fight. The fear that the Empire strike would it be enough to make them join us, in fear of they being our next target, or will it make them join our enemies, in hopes of bringing the Empire down?"] He concludes, looking at Hans all the time with sharp eyes.

Hans: ["Ah. I'm starting to see what you're saying"] He spoke, leaning back on his chair.

Y/N: ["An intellectual conversation, spent establishing a common understanding, this is wonderful"] He thought, opening a sly smile on his face. ["Thus, the interference of the other countries is inevitable. Even something not so big like a simple murder is enough to spark a war. It may even begin with monetary loans to the Republic and eventually lead to the sharing of weapons or volunteer forces, which will surely, lead to a bigger armed conflict"]

Hans: ["An interesting opinion. How would you handle it?"] He asked, looking directly at both.

Tanya: ["I would try to start talks at an early stage, if it fails, I'd focus on limiting our own resource expenditure"] She said, looking up at Hans. Y/N glanced at Tanya, gently closing his eyes with a low sigh. ["Now, this is how you give a presentation. It's one of the best parts of being an adult"]

Hans: ["In other words,"] Hans said ["You wouldn't try to win?"]

Tanya: ["Crap"] Her eyes widen, and sweat runs down her face. ["Not good! Really not good!"] She was sweating a lot. Her arms were trembling. ["I wanna shoot myself in my stupid mouth!"] Tanya, however, felt something grab her hand. Looking down, she noticed Y/N's hand gently holding hers with a soothing tone. Her eyes widen a little bit more, but her shaking ceased.

Y/N: ["This may be what she said,"] Y/N said with a small smile, sending a glance at Tanya made her calm down, almost as if he said "I got this" ["But by limiting our losses while shedding enemy blood, I believe the Empire would win in the long run"]

Hans: ["Do you have a practical plan?"] He asked after a moment of silence, putting his hands down.

Y/N: ["Cowards get the worst front-line jobs. Usually, I would have no trouble with that, but I don't have to think just about myself"] He thought, glancing at Tanya. ["I would suggest a combination of defensive infantry tactics and offensive strategies with mages"] He said while leaning forward, letting go of Tanya's hand. Tanya didn't know why, but she felt slightly saddened by this.

Hans: ["Mages are powerful, but there aren't many of them"] He continued, raising his hands to the front of his face once again. ["They aren't good for capturing enemy bases"]

Y/N: ["I agree"] He said with a nod. ["However, mages excel in firepower and agility. They're ideal for hunting enemy forces"] He said, leaning forward. On the outside, he kept a serious face. On the inside, however, he had a smirk. ["This is it, this is where I have to show my aggressiveness! Without national power and human resources, no country can maintain a war. In the sense that you win the battle while limiting your losses, you could call it a loss-restriction doctrine. I believe this may be the best use of mages"] He said with a confident smile and a determined face. Hans listened to the entire thing with a hand on his chin, watching the [E/C]-eyed boy with interest.

Hans: ["Huh, interesting"] He said, nodding, keeping his serious face.

Tanya: ["He made it through! To think that the battle-addict would stay by my side so fiercely! That speech even surprised me!"] Y/N's smirk turned into a slightly smug smile along with Tanya's surprised face. ["Once the war ends, maybe we should go for some kind of legal certification"]

Hans: ["If we wanted to put this into practice, how large a force of mages would you need?"]

Y/N: He crosses his leg over the other, gently holding his chin in thought. ["I believe a battalion would be sufficient. That would strain resources less and meet the minimum for combat value"] He comments with a small nod, going back to facing Hans. ["If you wanted a trial run, it would be the best option"]

Hans: ["I see"] He said, crossing his arms. ["I'll look into it"] He leans back on his chair, still with his arms crossed. ["Put together a formal proposal, both of you"]

Y/N/Tanya: ["Roger!"] They said simultaneously, standing up from their chairs and saluting. ["Excuse me!"] They turned their backs and started to leave.

<------------------------------->

[Youjo Senki
[04]
<------------------------------->

During the afternoon, a train moves through the capital. Erich sat in one of its rooms, wide-eyed. Sweat runs down his face.

Erich: ["W - World war?!"] He asked himself, not believing his own eyes. ["An all-out war involving the entire country?!"] He reads multiple papers stacked into a single giant block. He slowly lowers them, looking out the window.

-> [Flashback] <-

Kurt: ["The author's identity is confidential"] The man said after handing multiple sheets of paper to Erich. ["But, Zettour was the one who gave it to me. I'm sure you're busy inspecting all the various theaters. But, read it on the train or something"] He said, while Erich continued looking at the case containing the papers.

-> [Flashback - END] <=

Erich: He nervously sets the papers down on top of their case, taking his glasses off and pinching the bridge of his nose after a tired and nervous sigh. ["A war of madness, which expends human lives as if they were just numbers... And it'll continue until the country's collapse?"] He slowly opens his eyes, looking forward. ["But why? Why can't I say it's impossible?!"] He looks down at the papers at his side, narrowing his eyes. ["What is this strange feeling I have? Also, the feeling I get from this logic and writing..."] His eyes sharpen, even more, looking out the window. ["I recognize it!"]

[#3 Krueger Street]
->[Zolka Cafeteria]<-

Back in the Imperial City, Tanya and Y/N sat together in a cafe. Tanya had her rifle and Y/N's MG 34 at her side, along with their briefcase. Both slowly raise a cup of coffee before exchanging smug looks. They simultaneously take a sip from their cups before lowering them to their small plate.

Y/N: ["Our grades and school reputation are progressing nicely"] He said while gently reaching forward and taking one of the small pieces of chocolate on the table. ["And, we have connections in operations. There are next to zero concerns about our life after graduation"] He said with a small smile. Tanya gently nodded.

Tanya: ["Y/N"] She called. The boy looked down at her, raising his eyebrow while munching on the chocolate. Tanya gave him one of her rare warm smiles. Y/N was caught off-guard, and a small blush appeared on his face. ["Thank you for what you did back there with General Hans. I thought it was over for us"]

Y/N: After swallowing the sweet in his mouth, he offers her a friendly smile. ["Well, I learned with the best"] He said, winking at Tanya. In response, she giggled a bit, looking up at him. Both look at each other's eyes for a moment with smiles on their faces. That is until Y/N notices another familiar face inside the cafe. He looks to the side, causing Tanya to follow his eyes and also meet the familiar face. ["Captain Ulger?"] He called the brown-haired male, who looks down at both. ["It's rare to see you here"]

A few minutes later, Ulger has sat down with Tanya and Y/N. He sat in front of both while Tanya moved their guns and papers to the other side. Tanya and Y/N now sat side-to-side.

Ulger: ["A rifle and a paper. You two are the same as ever, huh?"] He asked with a small smile. ["The ideal soldiers"]

Tanya: ["What about you?"] She asked with innocence, smiling up at Ulger. ["I heard you're certain to be one of the Twelve Knights, the school's pride"] He offers both a small smile, reaching down to grab his coffee. However, Y/N called him once again.

Y/N: ["What's bothering you, Captain?"] He asked, faking his worry and looking up at Ulger. ["Surely something troubles you"]

Ulger: ["Lieutenants, this may be rude to ask, but why did you two volunteer for the army?"] The question caught Tanya and Y/N off-guard, and both simply replied with a confused "oh?" ["With your talents, I'm sure you both could have done anything. So why?"] Tanya looked up at him for a bit.

She looks down in sadness, and to make this even better, Y/N gently reached forward and put a hand on her shoulder, offering her a friendly smile. She looks hesitant for a second before replying.

Tanya: ["My father was a soldier"] She spoke in a low voice, causing Ulger to be slightly surprised by her reply.

Ulger: ["Was? Then..."]

Tanya: ["My mother abandoned me, and I became an orphan. There was nothing for me to do but join the military"] She said, looking down at her cup of coffee. Y/N looks saddened at her.

Y/N: ["I never met my parents"] He said, looking down and gently resting his elbows on the table. ["L/N is just the name they gave me in the nunnery. I don't know if my father was a poor drunken bastard or a respectable soldier. I don't know if my mom was a hooker or a famous writer. I never had anyone since I was born. The kids back there used to pick on me, until I decided to fight back"] He said, looking down at his hands and tightly clenching his fists.

Ulger: Sweatdropping and surprised by their answer, Ulger sweatdrops. ["But... I don't know how to say this. You two are still children"] Tanya and Y/N continued looking down with sad eyes. ["You two should leave the military"]

Tanya: ["You doubt our capabilities, Captain?"] She asked, looking up at him with her big blue eyes.

Ulger: ["No!"] He quickly replied, leaning forward a bit. ["I don't, but..."] Hesitantly, he uses his right index finger, gliding it across his right ring finger. ["I have kids now, a girl and a boy"]

Y/N: ["Oh, wow"] He said, his [E/C] eyes slightly widening. ["Congratulations"] He said with surprise and a bright smile on his face.

Ulger: ["When I look at you both, I ask myself if my own daughter will have to go to war"] He said while looking down at the table. ["Sending cute little kids to the battlefield is insane, don't you think so?"]

Tanya: ["Captain, you're a nice person"] Tanya said, gently tilting her head and offering a cute smile. ["You're rational, and you have a conscience"]

Ulger: ["But-"] He starts, looking down at the table.

Y/N: ["But that's why you should get to the rear before the madness truly begins"] Y/N interjected, leaning forward and furrowing his eyebrows.

Ulger: ["I... Can't do that"] He reluctantly spoke.

Tanya: ["Captain, you need to fight battles to live so that your daughter doesn't end up on the battlefield, too"] Tanya said, looking up at Ulger with puppy eyes. Looking at her now, Y/N couldn't contain a small blush on his face.

Ulger looks down with a small grunt, narrowing his eyes while looking at the table. Tanya gently goes back to sitting straight in the chair.

[A/N - I just wanted to include this here because I think Tanya looks adorable when sitting]

Y/N: ["Say, since you're here, wanna have lunch?"] Y/N offered with a small smile on his face. ["The wurst here is quite good, I hear"] A few more seconds of silence goes by, but instead of words, Ulger simply stands up.

Ulger: ["No, sorry, but I'll be going"] He said with a small smile on his face. ["My wife is waiting for me at home"] He said before leaving the shop.

A few seconds of silence pass between Y/N and Tanya. The boy gently stands up and walks to the seat he was before, right in front of Tanya. He gently sits down and takes the cup of coffee in front of him on his left hand, smirking.

Tanya: ["Captain Ulger has now dropped out of the promotion rank, and we have a guy with a conscience, who knows the battlefield, on our side"] Tanya said, looking up at Y/N, who smirks down at her, taking a sip from the coffee.

Y/N: ["Mentally defenseless people are so easy to persuade"] He said with a small laugh. ["As always, your plans never fail, Tanya"] He continued, a sly smile appearing on his face. ["The fascist who proposed that was a demonic genius indeed"]

Back at the strategy HQ, more specifically in the Conference Room 1, multiple officers sat together on a large table.

Man: ["The redeployment of our central forces to the Rhine front has caused a dull in the battle"] A man with curly light-brown hair spoke at the end of the table.

Hans: ["But it's also true that the forces in the western theater got nearly destroyed"] Hans interjected, gently opening his hand as he speaks. ["It's critical that we reorganize and reinforce them"]

Man: ["But doing a large-scale military reorganization now is going to be difficult"] A bald man at the end of the table spoke, looking at Hans.

Hans: ["I'm well aware"] He said with a nod ["And so, I want to suggest something else"]

Man: ["Do you have a plan?"] The bald man from before asked.

Hans: ["The creation of a new rapid-response force"] He replied quickly. At that moment, the entire room exploded with whispers and muttering.

Man: ["But that would create a force we aren't using"] One of them said.

Kurt: ["Operations need a highly mobile force that we can move at will"] The brown-eyed man spoke, holding a cigar between his fingers.

Man: ["Is this the "Plan for a Rapid-Response Mage Battalion" that you and your people submitted a few days ago?"] The bald man asked. He held a sheet of paper in his hand.

Hans: ["Indeed"] He confirmed with a nod. ["A single battalion isn't a major loss, and we can deploy it quickly"]

Man: ["I understand the plan, but..."] With slight hesitation, the bald man gently leaned back in his chair, looking at Hans.

Hans: ["I have the ideal people in mind"] He said with a smile. All the people at the table continued looking at him, except for Kurt. ["They have combat experience, and the paper they submitted speaks of exceptional vision and judgment"] The bald man narrows his eyes while Hans simply offers a friendly smile.

[Imperial Army Western Theater Garrison]

Inside a small tent protected by two Empire soldiers, Erich and Ihlen sat side-to-side in front of two other soldiers. Standing up and at the end of the table was a soldier wearing the Imperial Army Hat.

Erich: ["Is that set in stone?"] He asked with a menacing tone.

Soldier: ["Due to our situation, they said we shouldn't let talented soldiers sit idly by"] He spoke, slightly nervous. Erich narrows his eyes with sweat dropping down the side of his face.

Erich: ["Did they read the report I submitted to them about their time at the officer academy?"]

Soldier: Slightly nervous due to Erich's menacingly serious tone, he spoke. ["Yes. But it seems they've decided they're grown at the military academy"]

Erich: ["Grown?"] He questions himself while looking down. ["A person's true nature doesn't change that easily!"] His eyes sharpen and tremble in slight confusion before going wide in realization. He quickly drops to his knees next to his luggage and opens it to retrieve the same papers he read on the train. ["Is that why they wanted me to read this?!"] In anger, he tightens his grip on the papers before he throws them against the luggage.

[Imperial Strategic Headquarters]
->[Dining Room]<-

Y/N: ["Once again, thank you so much for inviting us here today"] Y/N and Tanya sat side-to-side. He sat in one of the fancy chairs around the table. Tanya sat on a kid's chair. Y/N would have laughed, but this is far from the first time he ever saw that. ["It's an honor being here"]

Colonel: ["I'm amazed you two became part of the Twelve Knights at your age"] The man sitting in front of Y/N said while the butlers poured him and Hans a glass of wine. Y/N and Tanya had their glasses filled with water. ["Aren't you, Zettour?"]

Hans: ["Yes, it's amazing"] He said after taking a sip from his wine.

Colonel: ["You two are still growing, right? Feast all you'd like to"] He said, extending a hand towards them with a friendly smile.

Tanya: ["Yes, we plan to"] She said, while Y/N nods.

Y/N: ["As far as I'm concerned, I'm still growing. I fear that's not your case"] He thought while glancing at Tanya with a sly smile. Noticing this, the blonde girl hits him with an elbow to the side of his body. He didn't even flinch or showed signals of being hit. Y/N and Tanya take a bite from their food.

Colonel: ["How do you like the dish that the Strategic HQ is known for?"] He asked while Tanya and Y/N chewed on their food.

Y/N: ["On the front lines, you don't really eat steamed food, but... Truthfully, we'd be better off eating in a naval armory"] He thought while chewing on his food, taking another bite from it. ["It does remind me of home, The whole Empire resembles it, actually, well, nothing I can do about it"]

Tanya: With a friendly smile and a little laugh, she looks up at the Colonel, who's holding a glass of wine. ["To be honest, it reminds me a lot of the front lines"]

Colonel: ["Oh, that's a splendid answer"] He replied, seemingly slightly shocked. ["Perhaps we'll call it the "Cafeteria of the Unending Battlefield"] He comments with a laugh, one that Y/N quickly joins in. Seeing Y/N laughing like this causes Tanya to open a small smile on her face. ["Now, let's get to the point"] He said, putting down his half-empty glass of wine, looking between Hans and the two in front of him, he continued. ["I'm sure you two know this, but we've asked you both here to discuss your post-graduation deployment"]

Instantly, four butlers took action. Two of them grabbed Y/N's and Tanya's empty plates of food and pulled them away. The other two held multiple sheets of paper in front of both. While Tanya grabbed hers, Y/N simply offered the butler, the Colonel, and Hans a friendly smile.

Y/N: ["I deeply appreciate the offer, sir"] He stated, with a warm smile. ["But wherever Lieutenant Degurechaff is going, I'm going too"]

Hans: ["Oh? And why's that"] He asked after taking a small sip from his wine.

Y/N: ["I've been following her ever since we were kids. We grew together, actually. And never once she led me astray. I doubt she's even capable of doing so"] He said with a hearty laugh.

Colonel: ["You two work really well together, I hear"] The Colonel commented with a smile while Hans simply continues serious as ever.

Y/N: ["People say that when you and your team are in a mission, it's like you can read each other's mind. It works exactly like that between us both"] He said with a smile. ["We have each other's back ever since we were young. Five years old, to more precise"]

Colonel: ["I'm intrigued, go on"] He said, offering Y/N another smile.

Tanya: ["These are all safe stations within the Empire. And after two years of experience, we can join Strategic HQ, huh?"] She thought while looking through the papers, trying to get rid of the small blush on her face.

Y/N: ["Tanya and I work like two minds in one. Most of the time, she's the one who takes care of strategies and anything else that needs more brain. Me, however, I take care when it requires strength. In a sense, you can think of us like brain and body"]

Hans: ["I heard quite a lot about your abilities when it comes to close-quarter combats"] He states, crossing his arms.

Y/N: ["Good things, I hope"] He said, offering Hans a small smile.

Colonel: ["In light of your past exploits, Personnel will not intervene in your selection"] He comments, going back on topic. ["Pick whichever you like"]

Tanya: ["We have lots of good offers, don't we?"] She asked while looking at the Colonel, still holding the papers in her hand. ["I'm not sure"] At this, Hans gently slides another stack of papers towards Tanya, who gently takes them. ["What's this?"]

Colonel: ["There's actually another one from Strategic HQ"] He said while glancing at Hans, who's smoking. He gently stands up while a butler approaches him front behind and pulls the chair when he stands up. ["I'll be on my way. Good luck, Degurechaff, L/N"]

Y/N/Tanya: ["Yes, sir. Thank you, Colonel"] They said, looking up at him.

Hans: ["Thank you, Colonel"] He said while looking up at the man who saluted before leaving.

Y/N: ["The stuff from Personnel was just for show, huh? We never had a choice"] He said while glancing at Hans before looking at the papers in Tanya's hand.

Hans: ["Knowing you two, I'm sure you'd prefer we get right down to business"] Y/N and Tanya look up at him, waiting for him to continue. ["Lieutenants Degurechaff and L/N, I intend to put you two in charge of a new rapid-response mage battalion"] At this, Tanya's eyes widen, and she starts to sweat.

Tanya: ["A battalion?!"]

-> [Flashback] <-

Y/N: He crosses his leg over the other, gently holding his chin in thought. ["I believe a battalion would be sufficient. That would strain resources less and meet the minimum for combat value"] He comments with a small nod, going back to facing Hans. ["If you wanted a trial run, it would be the best option"]

-> [Flashback - END] <-

Tanya's eyes widen in realization and shock before they turn into pure hatred.

Tanya: ["Was that it?! Leading a rapid-response battalion is a bigger risk than the front lines!"] Tanya grips her knees, her arms shaking.

Hans: ["Due to its rapid-response nature, it would answer directly to the Strategic HQ"] He said. Y/N, with his arms crossed, eyed him carefully. ["Essentially, you would have no superior officer, apart from L/N, who would answer to you"] He said, eyeing Y/N after Tanya.

Tanya: ["B - But we're only first and second lieutenants"] She tried to argue. ["We're not qualified to command a battalion"]

Hans: ["Don't worry. An order to make you two organizers got put immediately"] He said, causing Tanya's slight smile to drop.

Y/N: ["Organizers?"] He asked, confused.

Hans: ["The position of the organizer has been obsolete for a long time, but it's still available"] He said, looking across the table towards Tanya and Y/N. ["When you two graduate, you're going to be promoted to captain and become an organizer. And once you've "organized" the battalion, we'll reward you both by forcing through promotion to Major. I have all the preparations ready"] He finishes by putting the cigar in his mouth and inhaling it, exhaling the smoke right after.

Tanya: ["That's very enticing, officer"] She said, looking up at him with a friendly smile on the outside. On the inside, however.

["Why? Why did this happen?! So, how much time do we have to organize it?"]

Hans: ["The sooner, the better. Pick up to forty-seven people of your choosing"]

Y/N/Tanya: ["Roger. We'll be going then"] They said, standing up. As they stood up, Hans spoke again.

Hans: ["Lieutenants. Rumors are that you can be very tasking to work with. I don't question your ability. But you two have a bad reputation"] He said, gently leaning forward. ["Keep that in mind"]

Y/N/Tanya: ["Thank you for your warning"] They said with a small nod.

Hans: ["Good luck"] He said, saluting. Tanya and Y/N instantly salute back, in perfect synch with each other, before leaving. After they do so, Hans gently grabs Y/N's cup of water. ["Sending kids to war, huh?"] He questions himself.

On the outside, Tanya and Y/N walked down the stairs side-to-side. Both hair their soldier hats on. Y/N continued walking normally and without much care while Tanya kept cursing.

Tanya: ["Damn it! We'll have to take as much time as possible with this selection process"] She stops on her tracks, looking back at the Strategic HQ while gritting her teeth. ["And delay our shipping out"] Her face of anger turned in confusion when she couldn't feel her hat on her head anymore. She looks up to see Y/N holding it before he gently ruffles her hair.

Y/N: ["It seems they used my own plans against me. Not much we can do about it now"] He said with a small giggle. ["At least we're in this together, eh? Come on, let's go get something good to drink, my treat"] He said while walking away, spinning Tanya's hat on his index finger.

Tanya: She looks at the [H/C] haired male for a while as he walks away. She had a small blush on her face. Tanya didn't know why, but her chest felt weird. She gently holds her own chest while she looks down before looking up at Y/N. ["Tsc, this idiot..."] She mutters in slight embarrassment before shaking her head and then jogging to catch up with Y/N, who looks back at her with a warm smile.

[Imperial Strategic HQ External Bureal]
-> [Organizer Section] <-

Tanya: ["What is this?!"] She asked with a mix of surprise, anger, and fear in her voice. ["We only sent out that recruitment notice last week!"] She comments while looking at the stacks after stacks of papers. Y/N walks in, carrying another box filled with them. ["Mages are elite, aren't they? Shouldn't they want the best jobs they can get?! Y/N, what did you write on that notice?"]

Y/N: ["I literally wrote: "Mages wanted. Harshly difficult Battle, little pay. Spend your days in combat and unfathomable danger. If you return alive, you'll receive honor and glory"] He reads out-loud everything while he leans against the table, holding the notice in his hands. ["Why would these people sign up for a one-way ticket to hell?!"] He questions himself, tossing the notice into the air.

Tanya: ["We can't go through all this stuff by ourselves, anyways. It's impossible... Absolutely impossible"] She said. Her serious face, however, turns into a crazed face.

Y/N: ["I don't like it when you make that face"] He comments, taking a step back from Tanya.

Tanya: Putting aside Y/N's comment, she continued. ["Okay. We'll use the lack of personnel as an excuse to buy time"] She moved her hands towards the phone, grabbing it in her hands.

Before she could do anything, however, they heard a familiar voice knocking at the door, followed by a familiar voice excusing herself in. After the person walked inside, Tanya's and Y/N's eyes widen in slight shock.

Y/N: ["What are you doing here?"] He asked, looking down at the girl in front of him

Victoriya: ["It's been a while, Captain Degurechaff, First Lieutenant L/N!"] She tilts her head to the side with a warm giggle and eyes closed.

Y/N: ["VISHA!"] The brown-haired girl was quickly brought into a hug by Y/N.

https://youtu.be/OgXZn_H_QAI

<<<O>>>
[Published in - 10/15/2020]
[Word Count - 7.550 ]

[A/N - Nothing too much happening in this chapter. I mainly took advantage of its calm scenarios and occurrences so I could progress Tanya's and Y/N's relationship. I hope I'm not rushing it too much. As always, tell me what you think!]