Seraphina's order.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Persuasion failed!] [The request's difficulty directly clashes with the target's core values. The target's resistance nullified the skill's effect.]
Gunter snapped his head up.
"...I can't do it, Lieutenant."
It was a low, resolute voice.
"Back in my hometown... I have a sick mother and young siblings. My pay... it's for their medicine and bread. Even if it's your order, Lieutenant... that's the one thing I can't give up."
I swallowed a silent groan and activated the skill.
'Status Analysis.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔📊 Status: Extreme internal conflict resolved, determination😔 Emotions: Deep disappointment, sense of betrayal, wariness toward superior
Gunter's status had changed dramatically. Just minutes ago, there had been "vague loyalty" in that spot, but now it was filled with disappointment, betrayal, and wariness.
'Damn, did I push too hard?'
It was a clear failure. I realized the limits and risks of the skill at the same time. It wasn't omnipotent. In fact, misuse could turn it into a poison that shattered relationships.
There was still a chance to turn it around. I stood from my chair and took a step toward Gunter.
"I'm sorry."
Gunter's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
"...Pardon?"
"I said I'm sorry, Sergeant. I clearly crossed the line just now."
I activated Charismatic Speaker once more.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡Charismatic Speaker
[Applies to Sergeant Gunter.]
[Your apology and sincerity are conveyed with compelling force.]
Gunter's wary gaze wavered. The skill's effect was seeping in. I pressed on without missing the opening.
"That order just now was a test, Sergeant. I wanted to check if my non-com was a puppet blindly following orders, or a true soldier who knew his own convictions and what he had to protect."
I placed a hand on Gunter's shoulder.
"You passed the test brilliantly. Even in the face of an unreasonable order from your superior, you didn't waver in your resolve to protect your family. That steadfastness is exactly what I want from you—and from the entire 3rd Platoon. I want to fight alongside soldiers like you."
It was a lie. But Charismatic Speaker gave that lie weight. My gaze, my voice, every gesture was melting away his doubts.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Sergeant Gunter begins to trust your words.] [His internal conflict resolves, converting to deep respect and loyalty toward you.]
'Status Analysis.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔📊 Status: Misunderstanding resolved, relief and感動😔 Emotions: Trust and loyalty toward superior, deep gratitude for recognition of his convictions
The status window had flipped 180 degrees again. The disappointment and betrayal were gone, replaced by loyalty and trust.
"I'm... I'm just a dumb brute. I only knew how to swing my strength around—I never dreamed there was such deep meaning behind it."
I let out a quiet sigh of relief inside. I'd successfully navigated the crisis. And I sent Gunter on his way.
Left alone, I slumped back into the chair. Without Resilient Mind, cold sweat would have poured down like rain. Charismatic Speaker was powerful, no doubt, but the risk of failure was huge. Mishandling it could breed irreversible resentment.
'I need to use it carefully.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
News of our victory spread through the entire regiment within days.
"Heard about the 3rd Platoon? Those scrap heap guys."
"Oh, the ones always causing trouble? What'd they screw up this time?"
Waiting in line at the mess hall, I'd often overhear whispers from soldiers of other companies.
"Not trouble. They hit the jackpot. Word is they smashed an orc altar in the Ashen Forest and rescued the missing scouts without a scratch."
"What? Them? No way. Even our company's elites hesitate to go in there."
"It's true! And get this—they all returned without a single casualty."
The soldiers listening nearby gasped in shock.
"...Insane. What the hell happened?"
"They say the new platoon leader's the real deal. He took point alone, found the shaman's altar, and ambushed it."
"That even possible?"
The skeptical soldier soon conceded.
"Turns out he got promoted after just six months and even snagged an Iron Cross."
"For real? What a guy. I'd give anything to serve under a commander like that."
"Shh! Watch it. Don't want any of our officers overhearing."
I pretended not to hear and focused on my meal. There was some exaggeration, but it was mostly true. Rumors gonna rumor. I finished eating quickly and headed back to my quarters, mentally reviewing training plans as I walked briskly. Rounding a corner, I bumped into someone.
"S-Sorry!"
It was Corporal Hanna Meyer.
"No harm done. What's up?"
"L-Lieutenant! Um..."
She fidgeted with her fingers in front of me, at a loss for words. I silently activated the skill.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡Status Analysis (Lv. 2)
[Used on 'Hanna Meyer.']
⚔ STATUS ⚔👤 Name: Hanna Meyer🧬 Race: Human🎖️ Rank: Corporal📊 Status: Post-mission, hyper-aware of her own senses😔 Emotions: Deep gratitude toward Lieutenant, confusion over unfamiliar sensations🔒 Hidden Trait: Mana Detection (on the verge of awakening)
'On the verge of awakening...'
The experience that day seemed to have helped somehow. Hanna finally mustered her courage and spoke.
"About what happened in the Ashen Forest last time. I told you I felt a strange energy—do you remember?"
"Of course I do. It was vital information."
Her face lit up at my words.
"Really? I kept worrying it was nonsense, that I'd just confused you, Lieutenant."
"Not at all. Thanks to you, we completed the mission without any friendly losses. That's your achievement, Corporal Hanna Meyer."
Calling her by name and lightly patting her shoulder made her cheeks flush beet red.
"N-No! I just... you believed in me, Lieutenant..."
She bowed her head deeply and trailed off. I spoke gently to her.
"That wasn't just a feeling. It could be a special talent unique to you—one others don't have. From now on, if you sense anything like that, report it to me without hesitation. I'll help you hone it through training."
"Yes, sir! Understood, Lieutenant!"
Hanna saluted with a face full of emotion, her eyes sparkling. After sending her off, I headed back to my quarters. But I hadn't gone far when another soldier came running toward me.
"Lieutenant Jaeger! The Company Commander wants you. Head to the command tent immediately."
'Already, huh.'
I turned and made for the company command tent. Knocking on the flap, an icy voice came from inside.
"Enter."
Inside, Seraphina stood alone, studying the operations map. Without turning, she said,
"I read your report thoroughly, Lieutenant Jaeger. Results that exceeded my expectations."
"Just luck."
"Don't play modest in front of me."
"...I'll correct myself."
She turned to face me. Her jewel-like blue eyes scanned me from head to toe.
"You detected a spatial transfer trap, took down a platoon-sized enemy including an orc shaman, with only two minor injuries—and rescued the missing scouts to boot. Is this really the command of a lieutenant with half a year of service?"
It was a sharp question. I pulled out my prepared answer.
"Not my command alone. One of my subordinates provided key intel."
"Intel?"
One of Seraphina's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"Corporal Hanna Meyer of the 3rd Platoon. During recon, she reported unexplained nausea and discomfort. She said a particularly foul energy came from a certain direction."
I paused to gauge her reaction. She waited silently for more.
"At first, I thought it was just nerves. But enemies appeared exactly where she pointed. She even sensed the energy from the shaman's distant altar. That let us bypass all ambushes and hit their core."
As my explanation ended, Seraphina's gaze sharpened incomparably.
"...A foul energy. That symptom rings a bell."
"Same here, Captain."
I wove in a timely lie.
"It reminded me of a rare casebook from the Imperial Central Academy library. Reactions shown by those innately sensitive to mana when exposed to faint flows or remnants of evil spells. It matched the early symptoms of 'Mana Detection' perfectly."
A flicker of surprise cracked Seraphina's icy expression. I didn't miss it and covertly activated the skill.
'Status Analysis.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔👤 Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt📊 Status: Deep reflection on Max Jaeger's report, wariness and surprise at his insight😔 Emotions: Extreme surprise and strong suspicion, bewilderment at a subordinate surpassing her knowledge
"...You spotted that rare talent on the spot and even used it in the operation? You expect me to believe that?"
Seraphina's voice dripped suspicion.
'Charismatic Speaker.'
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡Charismatic Speaker
Borrowing the skill's power, I spoke in a steady, unwavering voice.
"The situation was urgent. I had to bet on the possibility."
I spun the most plausible tale.
"Her reaction matched the description in the book too closely. It was too clear a sign to ignore. If it was real, I judged it intel that could decide the survival of our entire platoon."
Seraphina's blue eyes narrowed. The suspicion hadn't fully faded, but the intensity of her wariness was diluting.
"What's the book's title?"
She shot back, as expected. A sloppy lie wouldn't fly here.
"I don't recall the exact title. It was part of an old collection of theses I stumbled on in the academy's underground archive. Something crude like 'Studies on Supernatural Manifestations in the Field,' I think."
I bullshitted as convincingly as possible. Keywords like underground archive and old theses made tracing impossible. She stared piercingly for a moment, as if trying to see through me. Cold silence flowed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Emotions: Strong suspicion shifting to rational inference. Beginning to focus more on the intel's practical value than its veracity.]
'It worked.'
I cheered inwardly. Instead of probing the truth, she started weighing the intel's real value. A commander's competence shone through.
"Fine."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Skill 'Charismatic Speaker' successfully applied.] [Captain Seraphina trusts your explanation.] [Her suspicion converts to positive evaluation of your competent insight.]
The tense air softened subtly. Seizing the moment, I activated the skill again.
'Status Analysis.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔📊 Status: Intense strategic contemplation, subordinate value reassessment complete😔 Emotions: Lingering strong suspicion shifts to pragmatic interest and faint academic curiosity
The look in her eyes changed subtly. The interrogative glare softened, wariness lifting. Seraphina leaned back slightly in her chair, relaxing her rigid shoulders. She got to the point.
"If that soldier's talent is real, this goes beyond a single company's tactical asset—it could reshape the regiment's strategy. We need official verification."
"What procedure did you have in mind?"
"Send Corporal Hanna Meyer to the regimental medical unit immediately. Their medics can run mana response tests."
She added,
"You'll escort her personally. Security is paramount."
"Understood."
I saluted and left the tent.
And the next day, I visited the medical unit with Corporal Hanna Meyer.