Volume 5 Chapter 6 Complete Theory
Randy had to supervise both teams during a special training exercise. By pretending to observe instead of judge, he ended up watching them closely without criticizing harshly.
Should he be happy that he doesn't have to see the group of students who opted out? Or should he lament that he has to watch the other group, which he's not particularly interested in?
Anyway, both Randy and Liz agreed to check out both teams to avoid any feelings of unfairness.
The first team, consisting of 14 members, is the Crown Prince's entourage.
And the second team, with Catherine, has ten members.
They split into 2 groups to explore the old school building, and I quickly followed the first team...
"Magic team!"
...Edgar was super pumped, making Randy chuckle, "Is the Crown Prince really like that?"
"Maybe it's because Gardo is leading them?"
As Liz tilted her head, she pointed out that the passionate Gardo was shouting things like, "Great leadership!" and "You can do it!" so everyone was a bit hyped up.
"...If they keep that energy for the real thing, won't they burn out before the end?"
"Well, that's..."
Liz trailed off, and she was right; Edgar was really fired up. It seemed like he was trying to get the most out of the short lesson, but it wasn't anything that noble.
It was more like the reckless energy of a teenage boy.
When there's a girl nearby that catches your eye, your voice just gets louder. But for Randy, who completely forgot about that, it just felt like a typical "They're really into it."
On top of that, Liz was...
"Right, now's the time. About the mass production of the heated innerwear──."
...skillfully pretending to observe while throwing a suggestion about the heated innerwear they were developing at Randy. She didn't even notice Edgar's over-the-top enthusiasm. No, she simply had no interest at all.
Anyway, Randy responded to Liz's clever approach.
"I think there's a sewing machine, right?"
"Yes, it's a bit pricey, though..."
In a world where ready-made dresses exist, Randy is grateful for the progress made not just in food but also in clothing.
"Let's get the sewing machines ready──"
"Alright! Sounds good!"
"Your Highness, impressive leadership as always!"
Randy couldn't help but click his tongue at the loud voice interrupting his thoughts.
"...They're way too energetic. Their voice is way too loud to reach the rearguard."
With a furrowed brow, Randy received a sharp comment from Liz, "Aren't you seeing the overall size?" Since they couldn't grasp the length of the formation, they were unnecessarily shouting and wasting energy.
In response to such a harsh opinion, Randy shrugged, thinking, "They can't be that stupid." After all, they had been through training in the old school building many times. They should at least be aware of the echo and the team's condition.
"So, is there another reason?"
...In reality, it was an appeal to Liz, but neither of them could understand that.
"Maybe it's dark and scary?"
"That's a bit much..."
"Oh, that's definitely Liz."
With a mischievous grin, Randy saw Liz puffing her cheeks and turning away. Randy tried to smooth things over, saying sorry, while Liz turned her head away, pretending not to know. Edgar probably didn't expect that his attempt to appeal would lead to those 2 flirting in the back.
As Edgar continued to swing and miss, and while Liz and Randy were having a lively conversation, the first team's practical training came to an end. Just as Randy and the others returned to the entrance of the old school building, some of the trainees who hadn't participated were also coming back from a different route.
"...Aren't they being unusually quiet?"
Randy whispered, and Liz calmly suggested, "Maybe it's because of Instructor Burk?" But in reality, this level of energy was normal. The odd phenomenon was that the usually normal group seemed quiet because Edgar and the others had been overly enthusiastic.
Still, it was understandable for Randy and the others to think that way. Even now that the Crown Prince's group had returned, they were still saying things like, "This is a piece of cake" and "We can do more," being lively as ever.
"Being energetic is a good thing, but..."
Burk clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, trying to erase Randy's sigh.
"Save the reflection for later."
"Alright! Let's go, second team!"
Gardo's voice was louder than Edgar and the others who were all hyped up. Randy thought he could do without that loudness again, but luckily, Gardo was leading the students who weren't participating deeper into the area.
"Is the second team heading out too?"
Finally, since the second team was about to depart, Randy and Liz switched their mindset and followed behind the second team led by Burk.
It seemed like Catherine was in charge of the team. She was busy moving her face around, giving warnings and checking the formation. It was clear she was focused, but...
"Maybe she's trying too hard."
Randy muttered, and Liz tilted her head, asking, "Is that so?" No matter how smart Liz was, she probably had no experience in a team.
"This is just my personal opinion, but──."
"Stop!"
Catherine's voice, no longer pretending to be nice, made the team halt. Whether Annabelle had succeeded in her break or if Catherine didn't even have time to pretend, she had a serious expression. Still, compared to Edgar, her commands were lacking.
"Um... use magic to intercept."
As 2 ghosts appeared, magic flew from the rearguard, but the overkill result seemed like a waste of magical power.
In fact, Burk even chimed in with, "Evans. For enemies like that──" giving advice. But this wasn't entirely Catherine's fault.
The strength of the beast they encountered.
The precise attack methods that matched it.
The situation of the team.
Making quick judgments on all these factors and giving accurate commands wasn't easy. From what Catherine said, she was just a high school girl before coming to this world. Even the advantage of her past life couldn't be utilized in this situation.
"Being a leader seems tough."
"I don't have much confidence in doing it well either."
Randy smiled wryly, but Liz's eyes sparkled with interest as she asked, "But you have a theory?" With an expectant look, Randy thought it wasn't a big deal, but... he opened his mouth.
"The leader's main job is to create the right environment, I think."
Randy continues while watching Catherine, who is giving clumsy instructions, using examples from the projects they are working on.
As leaders, Randy and Liz set new policies and create an environment that fits those policies, bringing people in. After that, within the framework and environment that Randy and the others have created, people think and act. When things just aren't going well, it's the leader's turn again.
Whether to change the system or to handle things on the fly──that decision is the leader's job.
"So, Lady Catherine hasn't set up a system to move the team, huh?"
"Before that, she seems to know too little... maybe?"
Randy tilts his head, and in his eyes, he sees Catherine's team slowly continuing their exploration under her clumsy instructions... it's clear that everyone is getting frustrated.
──Frustration over not being able to do things well.
──Frustration over the vagueness of the instructions.
Just when their mutual frustration seems ready to explode, Instructor Burk lets out a big sigh, stopping the team.
"Victor!"
A voice calls out to Randy from the front row, and he steps forward, raising his hand with a "Yes." There are fewer people than in the first group, and since Randy and the others are close by, they can hear each other without shouting.
"I want to hear your opinions compared to the first group."
Emphasizing the first group is Burk's way of being considerate. He probably wants to say it's because they are supposed to be the guards, but by not saying it, he avoids unnecessary confusion.
"Well..."
Randy shows he's thinking, but honestly, he knows exactly what he should say.
"How about we have a meeting with everyone first?"
Randy tilts his head, and a "Huh?" comes from the team. Catherine and the others look stunned, but only Burk and Cecilia remain silent, watching Randy.
"Of course, I know we're running out of time... but Miss Evans and everyone else seem to barely know each other, so..."
At Randy's words, everyone exchanges glances.
"What are you talking about? We're in class together, you know. Plus, before we formed our groups, we exchanged a lot of information."
Just like the voice that came flying in said, they probably exchanged some info before teaming up. Plus, there are likely some good friends among the members. But according to Randy, that's about it.
"I understand your point, but──."
Just as Randy opened his mouth, wraith appeared at the end of the hallway.
"It's wraith!"
"Vanguard, get ready to defend──."
"Ah, no need, no need."
Randy cheerfully brushed off Catherine's command. Catherine turned to him, and it was understandable. Earlier, when wraith showed up, the vanguard managed to hold on, and the rearguard took it down with magic.
So she tried to give instructions again, but Randy dismissed the need for defense.
As everyone compared wraith and Randy, Randy turned his gaze to Cecilia.
"Miss Cecilia, go for it──."
"I suppose I have no choice."
With a sigh, Cecilia raised her hand towards the wraith. A blade of wind shot from Cecilia's hand, slicing through it.
As the wraith vanished into particles of light, someone whispered, "One hit..."
"See? There's a lot we don't know. About our own magic. How many times can we cast it, and how powerful is it...? Can anyone here describe the details of the person next to them?"
At Randy's words, everyone exchanged glances.
"What we can do. What we can't do. What we like. What we dislike. Things we enjoy. How we want to fight."
Everyone listened to Randy in silence.
"And you know... it's a dungeon. You generally know what kind of beasts will show up, right?"
With a sly grin, Randy caught Instructor Burk's attention, who waved his hands in a hurry, saying, "Victor. That's enough."
As soon as Randy was interrupted by the instructor, he shut his mouth, and at the same time, the members of the second team started a little meeting, saying things like, "I-I'm──" and "I'm good at this." He wanted to say, how is a little meeting in a dungeon okay, but he guess it's important right now.
"Victor. Isn't that almost an answer?"
Randy shook his head at the frowning instructor Burk, saying, "The tough part starts from here."
What Randy taught them wasn't that complicated.
'Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be in danger in a hundred battles.'
This was simple advice based on that saying. The hard part is making good use of it.
Each person needs to understand what they can do and what they want to do, and then the leader, or in this case, everyone, needs to create a system that fits the beasts they encounter.
When this beast shows up, do this.
When that beast shows up, do that.
How many times to use magic before switching with reserve.
Just having this cuts down on unnecessary instructions. The leader only needs to check if the system is working well. They should look at the whole picture and make sure there are no gaps in the system. They just need to focus on responding to unexpected situations.
"Doesn't the leader get hazy?"
"Hmm. I wonder. I prefer this way though."
Shrugging, Randy talked about 2 types of leaders.
One like Edgar, who pulls everyone along.
The other, as Randy said, creates an environment where everyone can move easily.
Even the same leader can act completely differently.
"A strong charismatic leader can easily become a one-man show if they're not careful."
With a sigh, Randy remembered how Edgar had been just a moment ago. He definitely has strong charisma. It's impressive how he can bring together such strong-willed people; that's a quality of Edgar.
But training is just training.
"If the goal is to learn command and maneuvering, I think there's a chance for a leader change along the way."
At Randy's comment, instructor Burk's eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly hid that expression.
(Am I right? Since it's a school, I thought there would only be one leader for this valuable opportunity.)
Randy thinks the curriculum is pretty sketchy, but from the school's perspective, training for unexpected situations in the dungeon is absolutely necessary.
There might be times when the leader collapses on the way. In that case, it's only natural to decide on a deputy.
"Still, Victor... you know quite a bit."
"I only know a little from what I've heard. It's not enough to use in real combat."
Randy shakes his head, and his words are not just modesty; they come from the heart. Even Randy was pretty into games in his past life. In RPGs, knowing your allies' skills and the monsters' weaknesses is basic stuff.
So, the advice he gives is just a direct trace of what he learned back then, but if you ask whether Randy can pull it off in real life, the answer is no.
"I'm more the type to charge in alone."
As Randy gives a wry smile, Burk and Liz respond with a subtle "ah" at the same time, just as Catherine and the second team start to move.
"Alright, let's go!"
Catherine shouts cheerfully, but...
"Sorry, but time's up... this is it."
...At Burk's words, everyone in the second team slumps their shoulders. Still, the gloomy atmosphere from earlier has lifted, and Randy exchanges smiles with Liz.
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