Casual conversation: Welcoming graduates of the Officer Academy

After a grand boarding ceremony and a fleet review around the space station and the Amato homeworld, the battleship *Ohotaka* initiated a long-range jump toward the sector where the Space Union was expected to invade.

While crew members performed their assigned tasks, newly commissioned lieutenant Akatsuki Sumeragi was summoned to the captain's quarters.

Approaching the captain's quarters, he found the door open, revealing the captain and first officer inside, both wearing military caps.

The captain was a lean, athletic middle-aged man with long limbs. The first officer was a thin, middle-aged man with a nervous expression.

Akatsuki announced his presence according to protocol and entered the captain's quarters.

"Akatsuki Sumeragi, lieutenant, reporting!"

The captain spoke to the rigidly standing Akatsuki.

"Good to see you, Lieutenant Sumeragi—though I suppose from now on it would be better to refer to you as Lieutenant Akatsuki? Honestly, I cannot tolerate a youth like you bearing the name 'Sumeragi.'"

The captain spoke with considerable impertinence, despite rank.

To be told not to speak one's family name meant the name was not deserved.

Among commoners, this would matter little. No family name carried such weight that its degradation would cause pain.

But for royalty and nobility, it was different. They held pride in their family names. They understood they existed only through the continuous efforts of ancestors who had preserved the lineage.

Thus, Akatsuki was being told here that he did not deserve to be of royal blood—and should have been angry.

Yet Akatsuki offered not the slightest trace of anger. A smile formed on his lips.

"As the Captain wishes. I—am a new recruit aboard this battleship. I cannot, by military regulations, grant forgiveness to the Captain."

"……That is good. Then, Lieutenant Akatsuki. Before you begin duty on this battleship, there is something I must tell you."

The Captain gestures. The Executive Officer speaks in his place.

"Lieutenant Akatsuki. You are the newest recruit aboard this vessel. Others joined at the same time, but all have prior service on other ships. You are the only true newcomer. That makes you the most burdensome asset on this battleship. Do you understand?"

"Yes. I fully understand my inexperience."

"……Are you certain? Let me make this clear: there is no one on this ship—officer, non-commissioned officer, or private—whom you may intimidate. Nor is there anyone who will automatically respect you. Do you understand that?"

Understood! I came aboard with the resolve to earn the trust of my fellow crew members through my own actions!

Dawson’s direct gaze met the Captain’s and First Officer’s. They exchanged glances, then nodded in unison. Both removed their military caps and held them aloft.

“What’s this now? I thought you’d be some brat, heir to the Emperor, top of the Officer Academy. I was ready for a cocky kid. But this? This genuine model student. No room for criticism. No grounds for complaint.”

“Not appropriate, Captain. Such remarks imply you expected a troublemaker. You should rejoice that a proper noble heir has arrived.”

"You're saying it's the superior's enjoyable duty to crush a troublesome brat who's made a bad mistake, replace their mindset, and then move on. Without that, you might as well lament it."

Akatsuki looked troubled as the two spoke in casual tones.

"Um, Captain,副長. Could you please explain what is currently unfolding?"

"Hm? Oh, right, right. Yeah, I should explain."

The Captain cleared his throat.

"Let me clarify. I am Captain Sasaku Alma, of the battleship *Okihotaka*. This is First Officer Chikuchi Ringe, Major. Well, a second lieutenant won't have many chances to meet someone like me again, so remember this."

Captain Almā is a straightforward person. Do not concern yourself with her blunt speech. And stop imitating her.

"Harsh words, man. Now, explain. Well, you know—this is the initiation ritual for a new second lieutenant."

Akatsuki reacts with confusion at the word "initiation," so further explanation is given.

In recent years, the Officer Academy has increasingly produced officers from privileged families who survive due to lineage rather than merit. The Academy has existed for a long time. Over that time, nobles gradually corrupted instructors through bribery, which became the root cause of substandard graduates. The upper command, recognizing this issue, dismissed the previous academy director and installed the so-called 'Makoto' two years ago. Noble interference still occurs, and instructor replacements remain incomplete—thus, Officer Academy reform remains ongoing. Therefore, it was decided to break the arrogance of this year's new officers from imperial noble families, who are likely to be substandard, by testing their reaction to degradation. This applies to all postings receiving new lieutenants.

In essence, the plan was to degrade new lieutenants themselves, or their family backgrounds, as with Lieutenant Akatsuki, observe their reaction, and correct overconfident behavior when necessary.

Akatsuki stared in silence after the Captain and First Officer's confession, then could not help but let out a small laugh.

"Kuha— My apologies. I did not laugh at the Captain or First Officer."

"Ah. Then what were you laughing at?"

"I thought of a friend's face upon hearing 'backlash.' If that friend had been in my position, he would have attacked the Captain and First Officer with teeth bared, just to prove his worth."

"Such a spirited fellow? Then perhaps it should have been him here instead of you. Less boring than dealing with an overachiever."

"Captain, that is inappropriate."

"Truthfully, my friend was never boring. At the Officer Academy, he roamed freely, refusing to tolerate anyone—be they noble or teacher—whose reputation exceeded their ability."

"That one isn't a rabid dog—no. The only ones he bites are nobles and teachers with empty reputations. So he's a wolf. That one is undoubtedly a reincarnated wolf."

"Yes. My friend was truly a lone wolf. A fine one. One that seemed destined to one day lead a great pack."

Akatsuki spoke with quiet reflection. Alma, Captain, lifted the corner of his mouth as if struck by a sudden idea.

"Hey. What's his name? And what's his assignment? He sounds interesting. If we can pull him in, I want him."

Akatsuki, hopeful that his friend might join him at the same post, immediately revealed his name.

"His name is Dawson Ida. His station was the Rear Operations Office, I believe."

"Huh? Rear Operations Office? That Dawson fellow—what was his graduation ranking?"

"Second in command after me."

"Huh? Second in command and Rear Operations Office? That Moro—does he actually do his job?"

"Um, is that really such a significant department?"

"Rear Operations Office? You mean the kind of place where people sit in the back and give orders without setting foot on the front lines. Sending someone like the Officer Academy's second-place graduate there? I don't see the point."

Captain Alma was irritated. Lingue, the副长, leaned close to her ear.

"Captain, just a moment—"

"Huh? Oh. So that's the rumor. Makes sense. Something the foxes in Rear Operations would come up with. If the rumor's true, then Moro's actually been working."

Akatsuki was confused, unable to follow the thread.

Captain Alma, suddenly shifting from her earlier tone, threw out a sharp remark directly at Akatsuki.

"I will make the request for extraction, but the likelihood of acceptance is high. Do not expect anything."

"Wait, why—"

"Look, Lieutenant Akatsuki. You have no room to concern yourself with a friend. A junior officer will be assigned as your instructor. Learn how to conduct yourself aboard this vessel from him. Be treated as a rookie. Adapt. Once you’ve shed the burden of being a liability, you may answer your question."

Akatsuki closed his mouth mid-protest and returned a challenging glance to Captain Alma.

"Understood. I’ll keep that promise in mind."

"Words like 'liability' don’t reach a Captain’s ears. Well, good luck."

Lieutenant Ringo informed Akatsuki of his next destination. Akatsuki saluted, then departed quickly, moving with urgency.

After watching his figure disappear, Lieutenant Ringo exhaled and spoke to Captain Alma.

Placing bait in the form of a friend's information on Lieutenant Akatsuki's face is acceptable, but be careful not to provoke too strongly.

I understand. But first, we need to verify the rumors. It’s rather concerning that they’d send a freshly graduated cadet from the Officer Academy into SU’s orbital zone alone.

Lieutenant Commander Lingge could not help but sigh inwardly at how utterly reckless this Captain was.