Private Salsa, who received no proper training, was deployed as an infantryman on the western front and died in battle after only ten days.

He was only 18 years old, a young man who had recently graduated from high school.

To think that a youth who had been leading a peaceful school life until recently would be sent to the front lines and lose his life... What a tragedy it is.

In the end, such tragedies are common on the front lines.

On average, nearly a thousand people, both enemies and allies, lose their lives in a single offensive or defensive battle. The majority of them are newly recruited soldiers sent to the front lines. It is said that if a rookie becomes a frontline soldier, they will die within six months. Only the remaining exceptional assault soldiers have the privilege of surviving for a while and enduring hellish days.
To be honest, I don't know which is better.

Salsa was not a person I could call a friend. We didn't have a close relationship, and we hardly ever had conversations.

Bernie Noel, who came from the same orphanage and died on the first day, was much closer to me.

I knew well that Salsa, who was careless and foolish, wouldn't survive on this battlefield.

So I built a wall around my heart so as not to get too close to him.

...But despite that, why is it?

His face, incomplete at the time of his death, sticks in my mind and won't fade away.

Salsa's motionless, convulsing body keeps appearing behind my closed eyelids.

If I relax even a little, I feel like I'll burst into tears.

The reason is probably that he saved my life.

If Salsa-kun hadn't shielded me, I'm certain my face would have been half gone.

I never thought it would be so difficult to survive by being saved by someone else.

It seems I am much weaker in spirit than I had believed.

"It seems your legs have healed, Medic Touli." 

In a daze, I was carried into a field hospital, where a senior medic treated me. Then, I was guided by a nurse (someone who assists medics and manages medications like IV drips) and quietly laid on a small piece of cloth.

"...Captain Garback."
"I have something to ask you, so come to my tent immediately."

After finishing treatment at the field hospital, the captain came to me and issued that order. He looked down at me with a stern expression. I could think of a few things that could have provoked his anger.

"Understood."
"Wait! Soldier, the girl still needs to rest..."
"Silence! It's an order from a superior officer."

Honestly, at that moment, I felt grateful to be scolded.

Because if I had done something better, I had a feeling that Salsa wouldn't have died.

Surely, that's how it must be.

"Get up, Touli. Walk."
"Yes..."

In a state resembling a ghost, I rose as prompted. Then, using the legs that the senior medic had treated so carefully, I firmly followed behind Captain Garback.

"Touli, let me tell you, the thing I hate the most in this world is someone with no learning ability."
"Yes, Captain."
"Just recently, I asked you what was necessary when you use magic, didn't I?"
"To seek permission from you, Captain."

As expected, when I followed Sergeant Garback, I was met with severe reprimand and abuse. The unauthorized use of the [Shield] magic. That was the reason for my scolding this time.

"You remembered, so why did you neglect it?"
"Because I am incompetent, Captain."

Immediately after my reply, Captain Garback's fierce iron fist struck my face, chest, and stomach. It was far more violent than the beating I received when I used healing magic without permission on Salsa-kun earlier.

"Didn't I tell you? If you commit two acts of insubordination, what will happen?"
"...Execution, you said."
"So you do remember the gracious guidance from me. In other words, you deliberately defied me."
"I have no excuse."
"You damn brat, die!"

At this rate, I would die. Captain Garback would beat me to death.
However, I had no remaining will to resist or beg for mercy.

"Die, die, die, you useless piece of trash! If you hate following my orders so much, I'll let you die in the line of duty on the next mission so you won't have to listen to my orders ever again!"

With tightly clenched fists, he repeatedly struck me.

During that time, I didn't utter a word and simply continued to be beaten.

"There are plenty of replacements for you!"

Eventually, the beating continued until my entire body was covered in bruises, like a salted fish left to dry. I vomited blood several times, and some of my bones creaked and swelled.

"No meals for today. Also, stand in front of my tent without breaking your upright posture."
"Understood."
"No medical treatment allowed. Just die like that, you piece of garbage."

Following the Captain's orders, I weakly dragged my broken leg and stood outside the tent as instructed.

"You really took a beating there, Touli, Second-Class Medic."
"..."
"Sergeant Garback really went overboard... I understand his frustration, but this is going too far."

After nearly an hour of the Captain's 'guidance' that felt like an eternity, I was greeted outside by Allen-senpai, the scout. He looked at my battered body and seemed apologetic.

"Um, Senpai..."
"What is it, Touli?"
"Well, about your appearance, Senpai... what happened?"

Seeing Allen-senpai's face, I was taken aback. After all...

"Ah, I got beat up too. It hurts like hell, seriously."
"..."

Allen-senpai had suffered injuries just as severe as mine. And it seemed like he had been punched before me and had to endure it for quite some time. 

"I apologize for being rude, but... did you also commit some kind of violation?"
"Huh? Nah, I didn't do anything."
"So, maybe you've upset the Captain?"
"Well, that's not entirely wrong."

At that moment, I realized that Sergeant Garback's violence had gone too far. Allen-senpai, who was being forced to stand as a punishment, had injuries severe enough that would normally require treatment in a field hospital. No matter how much he had upset the Captain, this level of violence was incredibly inefficient.

"I... I deserved to be punched. After all, I did nothing."
"Huh?"
"It's the scout's job to keep an eye out for the surroundings after the captain went on the mission. I should have noticed that grenade."

Allen-senpai bit his lip in frustration. A small drop of blood trickled down his chin.

"If I had noticed the grenadier, I could have used magic to counter it or directed everyone to take cover. But I couldn't even notice the grenade until Touli used a defensive spell."
"It was fired from quite a long distance. Maybe it was out of your line of sight, Allen-senpai."
"Even so, I should have sensed it through sound. I was too focused on Captain Garback's clash with Thunder Spear Devil Kamikiri, and I neglected to be vigilant of the surroundings."
"..."
"As a result, I overlooked the enemy's grenade that Touli noticed, putting the squad in danger. And now, I'm being scolded by the Captain for why a veteran like me didn't notice it."

Allen-senpai explained the division of roles within the different branches of the military to me.

When a grenade is fired, it is the responsibility of the infantry to notice it and either shoot it down immediately or give evacuation instructions.

A timed grenade has a few seconds of delay from impact to explosion.

The range of the lethal blast radius is approximately 4 to 5 meters, so if one reacts promptly by running and taking cover at a safe distance from the point of impact, survival is not impossible.

"...As the sergeant said, I messed up. I made a mistake and ended up killing a promising rookie."
"N-No, it's not like that. Salsa-kun protected me. It's because I didn't take cover in time."
"It's not your job to be vigilant about the surroundings as a medic. It's not your fault. Besides, it's pathetic that I let a 15-year-old girl, who has only been on the front for 10 days, say such things."

In an ideal situation, a scout should be vigilant of the surroundings and engage in gunfire before the grenadier can launch their projectiles. It's difficult for the grenadier to accurately aim at the trenches amidst the hail of bullets. So, even if they don't hit, shooting at them is enough to deter them.

"If only I had been more competent, Salsa wouldn't have died, and you wouldn't have been beaten up, Touli. If you want to blame someone, blame me instead of the sergeant."
"...I don't hold any grudges."
"He's crazy and mentally unstable, but I'm definitely responsible for this incident. It's only natural for the sergeant to be furious, and he went too far in guidance towards you out of anger towards me."

He spoke in a self-deprecating tone. He feels that all the blame falls on him. Allen-senpai seemed to have that perception.

"Be proud, Touli. Sure, you may have violated orders, but if you hadn't instinctively changed the trajectory of the grenade, there would have been more casualties. It was a direct hit from the grenadier. Half of the squad would have died."
"I... Is that so?"
"No doubt about it. I witnessed the moment when your shield deflected the grenade. Your violation of orders undoubtedly saved lives."

At that moment, Allen-senpai smiled gently for the first time.

"So, don't blame yourself."

"...Has the sun set? Alright, Allen, I authorize the treatment."
"Thank you very much."

Allen-senpai and I had been standing without eating or drinking for a whole day. My broken leg was swollen and dark red, throbbing with pain.

"But Touli, you're still not in the clear. From now on, I will personally give you a hard time."
"...Thank you very much."
"C-captain?"

However, it seemed that the captain was still not forgiving me. My two violations must have really angered him.

"If... if there's anything else to be done, please let me take responsibility! This is my fault!"
"Shut up, Allen, or I'll kill you. Now, Touli, come over here."

I dragged my immobile leg and unsteadily followed the captain. Because that was an order.

"Captain! Please wait!"
"Shut up! Go get treated quickly so you can prepare for tomorrow!"

Even though Allen-senpai tried to chase after me, he stumbled and couldn't move properly.

Ignoring Allen-senpai, the captain walked a few minutes away from the tent to a spot further back and ordered me to stand upright there.

"Now, it's time for your training, you damn brat."

Casually, he picked up a small stone that was lying around.

"Here!"
"Guuh!"

With a forceful throw, he hurled the stone towards me. It struck my side, carving a deep wound into my flesh.

"Don't dodge it. This is part of your training," he commanded.
"Yes, sir."

Despite being battered and bruised, he continued to subject me to merciless abuse. It seemed like Sergeant Garback had a genuine intention to kill me. Perhaps this was his way of executing punishment for insubordination.

"Hey, Touli. How did you learn to cast the shield spell? Who taught you?"
"I was instructed to learn it by Chief Gael of the Medical Department, sir."
"I see. That makes sense."

Wearing an unpleasant expression, Sergeant Garback once again picked up a stone. It seemed like he was going to throw it at me again.

"So, tell me. What's the point of such a weak spell like Shield?"
"Well, it's... uh... for defense..."
"I'm asking what's the point of wasting magic power on such a feeble spell? Alright then..."

Sergeant Garback's eyes turned fierce, as if he was facing an enemy.

"I'll grant you permission to use the [Shield] spell. Show me your defense."
"Huh?"

As soon as he spoke those words, he forcefully threw the stone at me.

"[Shield]... ah...ugh!"
"What's wrong? Weren't you going to defend yourself with your precious defense spell?"

...My shield spell is still incomplete. It is not hard and thick enough like Chief Gael's. The pebble broke through my shield and hit my broken leg.

"What's the matter, try to defend against it. Use that defensive technique you are so proud of!"
"Shi- [Shield]! Ow!"
"All of them hit, you worthless piece of garbage! Who's the idiot wasting magic power on such a useless spell?"

No matter how much I tried to use my shield, none of the stones thrown by the sergeant could be blocked.

"Have you finally realized your incompetence, you pathetic weakling?"

Unable to stand any longer, I collapsed to the ground. I couldn't even muster the strength to move, the pain and despair taking over.

Ah, I'm beginning to understand what Gray-senpai meant. Truly, death would be better than this.

Surviving with Salsa-kun's protection and enduring the abuse from my superior... It's unbearably painful.

"Yes, sir... I am... incompetent."
"This incompetent fool is still lying down! Get up, and prepare your [Shield]!"

It seems my misfortune was sealed the moment I was sent off to war.

If I could be killed here, perhaps that would be for the best... 

"Here's the diagonal defense. You should deploy the [Shield] diagonally, you blockhead!"

Eventually, Captain Garback stopped throwing stones.

He expanded a large [Shield] in a triangular shape, making it clear and visible to me.

"Huh?"
"Gael, Chief of the Medical Department, may be a professional in medical matters, but when it comes to frontline combat, she's an amateur. If you could use [Shield], why didn't you come to me to learn, Touli?"

Captain Garback maintained the [Shield] in silence.

He placed the apex in front of him, demonstrating the shape of the shield, which was bent into a triangular form.

"Try deploying it in this shape, Touli."
"Uh, well, um, Shi-, [Shield]!"
"No, that's wrong. You haven't done it correctly."

Deploy the shield in a triangular shape. Even though I was suddenly told to do that, I couldn't visualize it well, and I failed. As usual, a flat board formed in front of me.

"Until you get used to it, imagine extending the board from your fingertips."
"From my fingertips?"
"And then, form the shape of the [Shield] you want with your palm."

Saying so, Sergeant Garback showed me by interlocking both palms in an outward-facing triangular shape. I also imitated him and tried to form a [Shield] in front of my palms.

"Shi-, [Shield]! ...Ah!"
"That's right, that's it."

By doing so, I could form a thin triangular [Shield] just like Captain Garback.

...I see, this shape.

"Like this."

Without any pause, Captain Garback threw a small stone at me. Just like before, it was a serious throw. But when the stone hit the diagonally formed [Shield]...
The [Shield] shattered, but the stone was deflected and flew in a different direction.

"Do you understand? The way to deal with enemy attacks is to deflect them. It's not about receiving them head-on."
"..."
"If you could form a [Shield] with this diagonal defense in front of an explosion, some of the fragments would have been deflected, greatly changing the situation."

Captain Garback said so with a stern tone. If I had mastered this technique, the damage would have been reduced.

"Then, what about Salsa-kun?"
"If he was lucky, he would have survived."

I felt dizzy. It was such a simple thing. With just some light guidance from Captain Garback, the [Shield] became stronger.

If only I had mastered this technique of forming a shield diagonally, that kind Salsa-kun would have...

"If you had asked for permission to use [Shield] in emergencies in advance, I would have certainly taught you this technique."
"..."
"Do you understand the reason why you received such harsh training?"

I felt the world around me turning dark.

Yes, it was my negligence.

Because I was still in the process of learning the [Shield] technique from Chief Gael, I didn't share information about it with the Squad Leader. 

And because of that, he...

"The training is over. I'll grant you permission to receive treatment at the field hospital."
"Y-yes..."
"Also, from now on, I'll allow you to use the [Shield] spell up to two times in emergencies only. There won't be time for you to ask for permission in a critical situation."

It was only natural that I was punched. Despite being taught the importance of following orders by a superior, I neglected it and caused the death of a comrade.

"There won't be another chance, Touli."

Saying so, Garback returned to his tent alone. 

"T-Touli-chan!?"

With a queasy feeling, I stumbled my way back to the field hospital, with the pain coursing through my entire body and the weight of my own guilt, my head felt like it was about to break.

"...That Garback! How could he do such a thing to a severely injured young girl soldier!"

Unable to think anymore, I listened to Chief Gael's angry screams as if they were a lullaby.

"I've reached my limit! As the Chief of the Medical Department, I will file a complaint! What kind of lunatic would cause more serious injuries right after treatment?! What was that madman thinking?!"

Slowly, I lost consciousness.