The infirmary was the cleanest building, tucked away in the corner of the base. As soon as we stepped inside, the sharp sting of disinfectant hit our noses.
Hanna, standing beside me, fidgeted restlessly, toying only with the sleeve of her uniform.
"L-Lieutenant... Do I really need to come all the way to the infirmary? Is it that strange?"
"It's not strange. It's special, Corporal."
I spoke to reassure her.
"There's nothing to fear. This is just a simple check-up."
We headed to the inner examination room. When we opened the door, a woman looked up from sorting documents.
Her honey-sweet golden blonde hair was braided and draped over one shoulder. The white coat over her uniform added an air of intellect. Her warm brown eyes curved into gentle arcs.
"Oh, Lieutenant Max Jaeger."
She recognized me and smiled.
"You're not here injured again, are you?"
⚔ STATUS ⚔📛 Name: Elise von Kleist🧬 Race: Human🏛 Affiliation: Imperial Army, 7th Infantry Regiment Medical Unit🎖 Rank: Captain (Medical)📊 Status: Slight fatigue from excessive duties😊 Emotions: Genuine joy at unexpected visitor, curiosity toward Lieutenant
Captain Elise von Kleist. A noble-born prodigy and highly capable medical officer. Whenever I'd ended up in the infirmary, she'd treated me with her gentle touch.
I returned a simple salute.
"It's been a while, Captain Kleist. No injuries this time. Just stopping by on orders from the Company Commander."
"Captain Reinhardt, you mean?"
Elise looked puzzled but soon turned her characteristic soft smile toward Hanna.
"Something to do with the soldier beside you?"
I explained on her behalf.
"This is Corporal Hanna from my platoon. We're here for a mana response test."
"A mana response test?"
Elise's eyes widened. She glanced between Hanna and me, looking troubled.
"But that's... officially a special test only for priests or mage candidates. For regular soldiers, the procedure is..."
"It's under Captain Seraphina's direct authority. Here's the order."
I pulled the document Seraphina had prepared from my pocket and handed it over. Elise read it carefully, then looked at Hanna again with surprise.
"...Understood. It'll take a little preparation, so please wait a moment."
Elise led us to the inner examination room. It was a small space with a bed and various medical instruments. She had Hanna sit on the bed.
"For an accurate reading, you'll need to remove your top. The mana measurement crystal must touch the skin directly."
"P-Pardon? My... clothes..."
Hanna's face flushed bright red. She glanced helplessly between her two superiors, her hands clenched tightly on the front of her uniform, trembling faintly.
"B-But... with the Lieutenant watching..."
Her voice was mosquito-thin. Undressing in front of a male superior officer was unthinkable. Elise, aware of this, gave me a troubled look.
"Lieutenant, perhaps wait outside..."
"...No."
But I cut her off firmly.
"This test requires strict security. The Company Commander ordered me to oversee the entire process personally."
I wove in the lie smoothly. Of course, Seraphina hadn't gone that far... but I took a bit of liberty to steer things my way.
I turned to Hanna, who looked like a frightened little animal.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡Charismatic Speaker
I activated the skill, speaking in the softest, most reassuring tone I could muster.
"This is nothing to be ashamed of, Hanna. It's just an important step to confirm the special talent sleeping inside you. As your commanding officer, it's my duty to stand by you in this moment and protect you. Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Skill 'Charismatic Speaker' affects Hanna Meyer. Hanna begins to trust your words and feel a sense of stability.⚔ STATUS ⚔📛 Name: Hanna Meyer😊 Emotions: Extreme embarrassment, trust and reliance on superior officer
The effect was immediate. Hanna hesitated but began to move slowly. She took a deep breath, then unbuttoned her uniform with trembling hands, one by one.
Her skin peeked through bit by bit. Toned from training, but not muscular—smooth and supple lines instead. Her pert breasts were wrapped in a plain-issue cotton bra without any frills. Finally, all the buttons undone, she parted the uniform top to the sides. After slipping off the bra too, Hanna covered her chest with her arms and bowed her head deeply. From her nape to her ears, she was flushed crimson.
Elise, watching the scene with an awkward expression, cleared her throat a couple times before opening a silver box nearby. Inside was a fist-sized transparent crystal orb.
"Alright, let's begin."
Elise approached Hanna with the cold crystal.
"Please lower your arms covering your chest for a moment."
Hanna bit her lip and dropped her arms. Her hidden breasts were exposed defenselessly. The full mounds curved softly, topped by shy pink nipples perked up from the chill and embarrassment.
"Ahem... ahem..."
Elise cleared her throat awkwardly to lighten the mood, then carefully brought the crystal over Hanna's left breast.
"It might be a bit cold."
"Eek...!"
Hanna's shoulders hunched at the icy touch. Soon, the once colorless crystal began to glow faintly. At first, like specks of dust floating, then the entire orb suffused with a subtle but unmistakable blue light.
"...My goodness. It's real."
Elise's brown eyes filled with astonishment. Without taking her gaze off the crystal, she said,
"Unbelievable... A regular soldier showing this kind of mana response. Corporal Hanna's talent is genuine. An extremely rare case."
"You're certain?"
Elise explained.
"I only knew it theoretically. For it to manifest in an ordinary soldier is one in tens of thousands... no, even rarer. First case I've seen in my service as a medical officer."
Her eyes turned to me, brimming with excitement and curiosity.
"How on earth did you know, Lieutenant? This talent is so rare, maybe one or two per century across the entire Empire..."
At that moment, Hanna shuddered and let out a small whimper. Elise snapped back, hastily draping a clean sheet over Hanna's body.
"Sorry, Corporal. I got too excited..."
"It's... fine..."
Hanna curled up under the sheet. I approached her and draped her discarded uniform top over her.
"Seems the test is done. Can we head out now?"
"Ah, yes, of course. I'll compile the results and send them straight to the Company Commander."
Elise gave Hanna one last smile.
"Don't worry too much, Corporal Hanna. This isn't a curse—it's a blessing. If you feel anything unusual or have questions, come find me anytime."
"...Thank you."
Hanna replied softly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A few hours after sending Hanna back.
I headed to Seraphina's quarters. I knocked, and her voice came.
"Come in."
Seraphina sat at her desk, waiting for me. The report from Elise lay before her.
"I received the report. It's true."
⚔ STATUS ⚔📛 Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt📊 Status: Conviction in new strategic asset, evaluation of Max Jaeger raised one level😊 Emotions: Satisfaction with exceeding expectations, relief that her secret remains undiscovered
"...Jaeger. You've surpassed my expectations. Beyond the victory in the Ashen Forest, you've uncovered a valuable asset. I didn't realize you possessed not just bravery, but the insight to see through people's talents."
"You're too kind."
"I'll report this merit directly to the Regimental Commander. But more importantly..."
She slid another document across.
"Corporal Hanna must now be specially managed. I'm delegating full authority over her training and protection to you, Lieutenant Jaeger."
"...To me?"
"Yes. You're the one who first spotted her talent, and the superior she trusts most. You're the ideal choice."
"Understood."
I replied curtly and left the company commander's office.
A few days later, I was summoned to the Regimental Commander's office. The regimental HQ was a stone building, a cut above the temporary barracks. My boots echoed sharply down the hall.
A woman stood before the Regimental Commander's door. Her jet-black hair neatly pinned up, wearing impeccably pressed major's uniform. Arms crossed, her sharp gray eyes scanned me from head to toe.
⚔ STATUS ⚔📛 Name: Helga von Strauss🧬 Race: Human🏛 Affiliation: Imperial Army, 7th Infantry Regiment, Regimental Commander's Aide🎖 Rank: Major📊 Status: Cold analysis of junior officer before her, on duty😊 Emotions: Professional curiosity🔒 Hidden Trait: Tactical Insight
The Regimental Commander's aide. No wonder her presence was so commanding.
"Lieutenant Max Jaeger?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"He's been expecting you. Enter."
She spoke curtly and opened the door. Inside, the Regimental Commander sat behind a heavy oak desk, greeting me.
"You've arrived, Lieutenant Jaeger."
"Sir! You summoned me, Regimental Commander!"
"Sit."
The grizzled veteran with white hair smiled kindly at me. Colonel Karl von Dietrich, commander of the Imperial Army's 7th Infantry Regiment. A battle-hardened hero of reversals. Even just sitting there, he exuded pressure.
⚔ STATUS ⚔📛 Name: Karl von Dietrich🧬 Race: Human🏛 Affiliation: Imperial Army, 7th Infantry Regiment🎖 Rank: Colonel📊 Status: Satisfaction from report review, expectations for capable subordinate😊 Emotions: Outwardly kindly, but sharply observant and evaluative🔒 Hidden Traits: Veteran Commander, Exceptional Political Acumen
Regimental Commander Dietrich tapped my report lightly as he continued.
"I've heard of your exploits. Destroying the orc shaman altar, rescuing the missing scouts, and... unearthing a soldier with mana detection talent. Each one a remarkable achievement."
"I don't deserve such praise."
"No need for false modesty. Your merits have boosted the regiment's morale as a whole."
He nodded to Major Helga beside him. She placed a document on the desk.
"A commendation recommendation. I'd love to pin another medal on you, but it's only been two weeks since your Iron Cross and promotion."
The paper Helga presented detailed my contributions from this operation, with my name at the top. Below was the Regimental Commander's handwritten signature and recommendation.
"Instead, we're granting you a bonus. Equivalent to half a year's pay. Also, priority supplies for your 3rd Platoon: waterproof combat boots and new body armor within the month."
"Thank you, sir."
I cheered inwardly. A way to buy my platoon's loyalty without spending a dime. The Regimental Commander smiled satisfactorily and patted my shoulder. This was the real point.
"And... I have one more special mission for you."