20 Direwolf Company 1 (1/2)
”Hmm, your selection of participants seem interesting,” Johan said as he looked at the various candidates.
”Will it be all right? You seem to have mixed militia and even normal civilians into the selection,” Tarin asked.
”Well, beyond the fact that each of them is fit as a horse and strong as a bear, I cannot see much similarities between them.”
”Some of them will slim down in half a year's time,” Edward replied.
”You do not need such big muscles to accomplish something what smaller and more compact muscles will do.”
”A bigger frame can be a disadvantage on the field.”
”In quick strike operations, a compact frame is far better.”
”What about the stuff here though?” Tarin pointed to his forehead. ”That is the main difference between Elite and normal troops.”
”For all the men here, if they were to go by their normal means. How long do you think it will take them to get 2 grade 4 monster cores and custom spheres and gems?” asked Edward.
”In their lifetime, on their own? Probably years if they wish to support a family and such at the same time.”
”I stressed the difficulties of this one year training and how arduous it will be.”
”Despite knowing the difficulty, these men have chosen to be here. Now it is my job to turn them into special forces elites.”
”Of course , I included the usual healthy dosage of defending your country and making a difference in the defense forces but for some strange reason, the various participants seem far more interested in the monster cores.”
Tarin and Johan's lips were curling as Edward continued on.
”I must say , they seem equally glad when I was going through the training menu on what they could possibly eat. I swear, they were asking me more questions about the potential lamb and beef steaks they may eatduring the weekends than how tough the training could be.”
”Such fighting spirit in the face of difficulties, such discerning vision on priorities these men have. I expect training to be successful with these 100 candidates.”
Tarin was looking at the sky and seemed to be praying for something while Johan refused to look Edward in the eye.
”Does every military outfit from your realm share such a unique take on military leadership and training? Your realm appears far more incomprehensible to me now,” Johan asked.
”No no, the training program is derived from the training system of my realm but it has my, shall I say, unique take on it. I was never granted such freedom back in my realm.”
”Yes, I wonder why.”
Appearing not to hear anything, Edward continued ”Now I am here, how can I let such a unique opportunity go by?”
”I looked through some personnel you recruited from the Everdawn forces. Some of them are famed troublemakers and black sheep of their units. Will it be all right? Gathering such a high density of malcontents into a single company,” Tarin looked worried as he asked.
.
”Some of the most brilliant field commanders I met started out as troublemakers. Once they are able to channel their full potential in leading, the results can be astonishing.”
”If the training is successful, you will transform these Steel tier combatants into Damascus tier combatants,” Johan said.
”Potentially yes but until they have been blooded in the field, I would not put any faith into such strength classifications,” Edward replied.
”I see you recruited the hardest and meanest sons of a bitch as drill instructors.”
”They were rotting in the Aureus army as they have no one to train. They seem to be intrigued in the training menu I provided though. The gleams in their eyes makes me feel uneasy.”
”There is something I do not understand though. During the rest days, you or an officer will train the company in general knowledge, tactics and strategy? Even logistics and basic medical knowledge?” Johan asked. ”Are you training them as potential officers too?”
”Nothing as extensive as that. The nature of their operations will require a great deal of decision making on the ground level. It is impossible to be bucking every issue up the command chain when operating. Hence the men will need to be able to make a command decision on their own and carry it through.”
”The most successful of commanders are aided by the most talented of aides. I believe this is one rule of warfare that has not changed throughout the ages.”
Tarin and Johan were nodding in agreement.
”How are you going to incorporate sphere training?” Tarin asked.
”Beyond the augmentation effects, spheres will not be used in this training.”
”Separate sphere training for aether gem ability usage will be conducted at the end of the half year training. Reaching the peak level in physical performance, team tactics and adherence to orders take precedence.”
”I have several gadgets I wish to introduce to this iteration of special forces…”
”Looking forward to it my man. By the way , how goes the recruitment of the Golem mage?” asked Tarin as he turned to leave with Johan.