Gunpowder Plate Armor and the Magic Revolution

"No, no, your parrying is as flimsy as paper. The live sword test is tomorrow, how can you possibly pass with this level of skill?"

Lucas sheathed his sword, looking at him with a disappointed expression. "Don't any of you artillerymen practice swordsmanship?"

"I'm not fighting against your infantry..."

Raymond muttered under his breath, but still gripped the wooden sword tightly again and assumed a fighting stance.

Norzee stood aside, watching the two fight.

Raymond was quickly defeated, waving his hands repeatedly to indicate that he was done fighting, and sat down on the ground to rest.

A huge gap in strength can indeed lead to despair, and even though Lucas has stopped, it's hard to change the situation. Raymond can't be blamed for this.

Lucas stepped off the court, wiped his sweat, and looked at Nozer standing to the side. "By the way, Nozer, you and Andrew have been getting quite close lately, haven't you?"

"I saw you two together in the library yesterday, what were you talking about?"

Nozer began to recall what had happened during this period.

Since he handed Andrew that bottle of water at the training ground last time, he and Andrew have gradually started to interact more.

In the library, when Noze went to look up information, he could always be seen in the most secluded corner.

In front of him were not only magic textbooks, but also tactics manuals, books on battlefield first aid, and even basic artillery ballistic calculations, with notebooks filled with dense notes.

On one occasion, when Norze went to get "The Swift Sword: Practical Experience," he happened to see Andrew also reaching for the book.

Andrew paused for a moment, a hint of unease flashing across his pale face. He withdrew his hand and said softly, "It's alright, you take it first. I'll read this one first and then the other one."

He pointed to another thick book he was holding in his arms.

Norze didn't refuse, taking the collection of battle examples. He didn't leave immediately, but followed Andrew to his desk, looking at the notes spread out in front of him, and casually asked, "Are you also preparing for the final Swift Sword sparring session?"

"Um."

Andrew nodded, his eyes showing no wariness, but also a hint of unease.

"I saw you reading not only books on magic, but also books on tactics and artillery."

Nozer pulled up a chair and sat down opposite him. He could feel Andrew's body tense up instantly. "You don't mind me sitting here, do you?"

Andrew Hart didn't say anything, but he didn't refuse him either.

"By the way, do you know anything about alchemical materials?"

Norze suddenly asked.

Andrew was taken aback by this, his tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Elemental spells, when enhanced with alchemical materials, have a large range and can create many favorable conditions, such as smoke and fire. Of course, they are also prone to problems."

"I see. You understand elemental magic much better than I do."

It wasn't that Norze was being modest; rather, he genuinely wasn't very good at using or understanding elemental magic, and aside from the most common fire spell, he hadn't accomplished anything else.

"It's... alright."

Andrew's eyes flickered, but he didn't say anything more. He didn't get up to leave either, but just kept looking down at his book, only turning the pages much more gently.

The two sat quietly in the corner, each reading their own books. Occasionally, when Noze encountered a term he didn't understand, whether it was elemental magic or swift sword combat techniques, Noze would ask, and Andrew would quietly explain it to him.

His understanding of elemental magic was far deeper than Noze had imagined; he was not only clear about the theory, but also about many details in actual combat.

Before leaving, Noze sincerely thanked Andrew, "Thank you, Andrew. If we were really on the border battlefield, I believe no one would refuse to have an elemental mage like you in their team."

Andrew suddenly looked up, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

He opened his mouth, his lips moved several times, but in the end he only managed to squeeze out a dry "thank you."

Noze waved to him, turned and left the library.

It's not that no one has asked Noze what he was thinking, but Noze himself couldn't quite explain it.

If one absolutely must ask why Norzer would risk public condemnation by proactively contacting Andrew Hart, a widely acknowledged "traitor"...

Perhaps it's because Nozer believes deep down that anyone who works hard and puts in a lot of effort shouldn't be treated differently because of such an undeserved misfortune?

Of course, it could also be because of the unique desire of teenagers to be different and unconventional?

Who knows? But one thing is certain: Andrew Hart is truly grateful to him, both now and in the future.

"It's nothing, just brushing up on the basics of magic. I'm way behind."

Nozer replied casually, "His theory of elements is much more solid than mine. There are many things I don't understand that he explains to me immediately."

"This is the first time I've ever met someone who can actually talk to him."

Lucas clicked his tongue. "He used to be such a quiet guy, but I didn't expect him to get along so well with you."

"He was just too afraid of making mistakes, and no one ever showed him any kindness. It was not his fault at all."

Nozer sighed softly, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Perhaps you really should re-evaluate him. Really, cast aside your prejudices and damned herd mentality. Do you want to be like that flock of mindless pigeons? Two esteemed 'knights'! Have you all forgotten the virtues of knighthood?"

"Humility, honor, sacrifice, courage, mercy, honesty, spirit, justice... Ah, Norzell, you are right, perhaps everyone knows you are right."

Sitting on the ground, Raymond clearly understood the situation and began to criticize himself, saying, "In a way, we are all...bad people."

"Instead of discussing good guys and bad guys, let's think about whether we can win tomorrow's armored and sword-wielding confrontation."

Lucas had no interest in playing games with these two intelligent people, so he quickly changed the subject, looking at Nozer, "So, are you confident?"

If you had asked Noze this question two weeks ago, his answer would most likely have been an awkward smile followed by a comment about how nice the weather was today.

But if you were to ask Nozer, who has now undergone personal training and coaching by Lucas, his answer would be:

"cum levi ambulatione, Master Luke, cum levi ambulatione!"

[It's as easy as taking a walk!]

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Time always flies when you're having a good time, and before you know it, it's time for the final and most important exam – the Armored Swift Sword Combat Test.

In the close combat training hall of the military academy, infantry cadets wearing cotton military uniforms stood, and on the long table in front of them, a row of matte steel training round-headed swift swords were laid out.

Captain Lyman, who was in charge of the lecture, stood at the front of the line. He raised his hand and picked up the Swift Sword on the table, the blade drawing a cold arc in the sunlight outside the window.

"...Many people, when they first get their hands on it, will call it a 'rapier' or a 'flower sword,' and they will think that it is just a fancy weapon used by the imperial nobles in duels and is not suitable for the current battlefield. I can only say that this idea is completely wrong."

"I must reintroduce myself to you. What I am holding is the standard-issue Swift Sword of the Federal Army, a weapon that every Federal Army officer must carry at all times."

He raised the sword so that all the students could see every part of its structure.