Casual Talk: Graduation

Lieutenant Akatsuki Sumeragi has been aboard the battleship *Okihotaka* for exactly one year, tomorrow.

Since the day before, the battleship *Okihotaka* has been docked at the space station *Wagoyama*, and crew members have been granted shore leave.

However, certain individuals were excluded from this leave.

Those individuals were Akatsuki, Major General Alma, and Colonel Ringe.

If the crew of the *Okihotaka* had seen the three of them together in the captain’s quarters, they might have feared Akatsuki was being harassed again by Alma and Ringe.

This time, however, it was simply due to official duties—none of the three could take leave.

The reason was the issuance of orders to Akatsuki.

One year has passed since Akatsuki arrived aboard the *Okihotaka*.

That meant a new graduate from the Officer Academy had arrived, and one top-performing individual among them would be accepted aboard the battleship *Okihotaka* as a captain candidate.

At the same time, Akatsuki was relieved of duty so that a vacancy could be created for the captain candidate position.

"Akatsuki Smeragi, Lieutenant. I, Captain Sasaku Alma, hereby certify that you have completed the required training as a captain candidate aboard this battleship, *Okihotaka*, over the past year."

"I, Major Quichi Ring, confirm this completion of training."

Akatsuki bowed deeply in response to their words.

"Thanks to the guidance of both of you, and to all who serve aboard *Okihotaka*, I have managed to fulfill my duties thus far. With the experience gained over this past year, I intend to strive tirelessly in another assignment to become a better captain."

Just as Akatsuki finished delivering the polite response, General Alma's demeanor returned to normal.

"Yes, yes, do your best. And your next assignment—"

Alma hesitated, then picked up the traditional paper orders issued by the Amato Imperial Japan, frowning at the document.

A surprising gesture caught Akatsuki's attention.

"Is this an unfavorable order?"

"Expecting it to be bad, why are you so pleased?"

"Because my friend has proven that turning a bad situation around leads to better evaluation."

"Friend—ah, the one who became a lieutenant less than a year after graduating from the Officer Academy."

Alma smiled wryly, then, if he was so eager, handed over the orders.

Akatsuki stared at the paper, eyes widening, then furrowed his brow.

"Commander of a destroyer and promotion to second lieutenant...?"

"Discontented?"

"Though it is uncommon, there are precedents for a ship's captain candidate to be appointed commander of a destroyer after serving as a candidate on a battleship. But promotion to second lieutenant immediately after candidate status—"

"Unprecedented?"

"Yes. No commendations have been earned. Even by seniority, a second-year officer would barely be a second lieutenant."

Akatsuki hesitated in his words. He understood the reason behind the appointment and the promotion.

Alma, captain, cut straight to the point.

"Consider it. The Officer Academy's top graduate, the Emperor's son, surpassing the second-place graduate of his cohort—someone from an orphan background. How does that sit with you? That's the reason. That's all."

Dawson Ida. No information available on his whereabouts or duties following graduation from the Officer Academy. Yet in the official military bulletin announcing promotions and demotions, a small entry noted his advancement to second lieutenant.

That Dawson—raised as an orphan, with no influential backers—had achieved second lieutenant before any of his peers was proof of accomplishments so significant that promotion was unavoidable.

Akatsuki genuinely rejoiced at his friend Dawson’s achievements, using them as motivation to improve himself.

But now, thanks to Dawson’s success, Akatsuki himself was being promoted despite having done nothing.

Akatsuki felt anger and frustration. Anger at being used as a pawn in a balance of prestige maintained by the noble faction. Frustration at his own inadequacy—his inability to advance without the favor of those nobles.

Alma Major recognized the frustration beneath Akatsuki’s expression. He displayed his usual smirk.

“Don’t look so resentful. If they’re offering the Captain’s position and a higher rank, accept it without hesitation.”

“But the reason—this is such a reason!”

Akatsuki’s protest, born from his blue emotion, deepened Alma Major’s smirk.

“Don’t misunderstand. Regardless of the reason, you’re being promoted because you’re seen as capable of serving as a Lieutenant. Promoting an incompetent who can’t fulfill a Lieutenant’s duties would ruin the reputation of the noble patrons who recommended you.”

“That’s correct, Lieutenant Akatsuki. Besides, a position is something you adapt to after being assigned. Even if you’re dissatisfied with the reason for the assignment, there’s no issue if you achieve merit after receiving it.”

Akatsuki calmed the agitation within, responding to the words of Major General Ruma and Lieutenant General Ringe.

As you two have stated, it is merely a matter of achieving further accomplishments sufficient for promotion. As Captain of a destroyer, there are countless ways to earn merit.

Generals Alma and Ringo exchange a glance, startled by the unexpected activation of Akatsuki’s motivation switch. Both expressions convey concern—each anticipating that Akatsuki might soon initiate some unforeseen action.

Yet Major Alma's expression changed immediately to one of anticipation.

That's right. Well, as a destroyer's captain, you'll have subordinates. Get along with them.

"Subordinate, sir?"

Major Alma returns a look of disbelief to Akatsuki, who seems about to say something unexpected.

"Of course. It's standard procedure for a new Captain to be assigned at least one rookie second-class soldier and a seasoned non-commissioned officer. Additionally, your destroyer will either be placed under a veteran Captain or assigned a Sky Sweeper. If you're considering balance with your friend, the Sky Sweeper is more likely."

Akatsuki listened, nodding to Alma's explanation, but latched onto one part.

"Captain Alma, do you know what Dawson is doing right now?"

"Ah..."

Alma became aware she had said too much. She considered how much information to disclose.

She could not reveal the base establishment and covert operations in the Orion Arm—knowledge restricted to officers above her rank.

Yet withholding information from Akatsuki might dampen her motivation, which had been carefully cultivated.

Major Alma considered the matter and decided to inform her only of details that posed no particular risk.

"Your friend—apparently he’s commanding a prototype battleship now."

"A battleship captain!?!"

"Only a prototype. Otherwise, a lieutenant couldn’t be given command of a battleship."

"Still, it’s a battleship!"

"That’s correct. It’s a prototype, though. Perhaps they assumed that if something went wrong and it detonated unexpectedly, a person without support would suffer little consequence."

Alma spoke the speculation aloud, but Akatsuki did not hear the part.

"Is that so. A battleship captain. Dawson truly is my greatest friend—and my fiercest rival."

Akatsuki’s resolve stirred with quiet intensity. Alma confirmed, with certainty, that his scheme had succeeded.

Watching the two, Lieutenant Colonel Lingge shook his head as if to dispel a headache.