Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 122 The First Training Assault Battalion of the Imperial Guard

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the studio's large glass windows, bathing Maureen in its glow.

Helga, carrying her blueprints, excitedly headed to the temporary suburban workshop that Cecilia had prepared for her.

In the huge studio, only Maureen remained.

Instead of idling, he spread out an equally huge blueprint on another clean workbench.

That was the design draft of the 'shaped charge armor-piercing projectile' that he had made before.

After communicating with Patricia and receiving inspiration about the synchronized detonation technology of the [Magic Spark], the system optimized the technology as soon as possible.

What Morin needs to do now is to add the newly optimized [Magic Spark Detonation Fuse] from the system to the blueprint for this 'Energy-Condensing Armor-Piercing Bullet'.

Unlike the previous purely mechanical impact fuses, the new [Magic Spark Detonation Fuse] has a much more complex structure.

At its core is a triggering device composed of tiny magic crystal fragments and etched magic circuits.

When the warhead strikes the target, the magic crystal at the tip of the fuse is compressed, generating an extremely weak magic signal.

This magical signal will instantly activate that miniature magical circuit.

Then, the magical circuit will simultaneously generate magical sparks at six pre-set detonation points within the projectile, ultimately detonating the explosives throughout the entire projectile.
During the drawing process, Morin was surprised to find that the underlying logic and structure of this so-called [Magic Spark] spell model was unexpectedly simple.

In fact, it could be said that it doesn't even qualify as some kind of profound 'magic'.

It's more like an energy application technology based on specific rules.

Morin was certain that even if he hadn't awakened as a spellcaster, he was just an ordinary person who had received higher education in the Empire.

Given enough time and information, he will be able to thoroughly study this spell model.

This further confirms his previous speculation.

The so-called learning threshold for magical techniques is purely artificially raised by mage groups to maintain their monopoly.

They used obscure language and elaborate rituals to package an engineering technology that could have been widely adopted as a mysterious magic that only the "chosen ones" could master.

"A bunch of damned academic tyrants"

Morin cursed inwardly, but wrote even faster.

More than two hours later, Morin finally finished updating the drawings.

He carefully checked it over and, after confirming that nothing was missing, he carefully rolled up the brand-new drawing and put it into the drawing tube.

I glanced at the time—it was almost time to leave work, and the Imperial Patent Office obviously wouldn't be working overtime.
He didn't dare delay and immediately got into the manor's car, delivering the updated drawings before the Imperial Patent Office closed for the day.

It was still that familiar 'confidential patent' review room.

It was still that same gray-haired but vigorous old gentleman, Horsch Kruger.

When Mr. Kruger saw that Maureen had returned and handed him an updated set of drawings, a somewhat surprised smile appeared on his face.

"Lieutenant Morin, you've come at just the right time."

As the old man spoke, he put on his reading glasses and carefully unfolded the new blueprint.

Are you about to leave work?

"."

Kruger paused for a moment, then burst into laughter:
"Hahaha, of course not. I'm planning to find some time to send someone to ask you about the reliability of the fuse."

"After all, the purely mechanical fuse you designed before, although ingenious in structure, theoretically has a very low success rate of synchronous detonation under high-speed impact."

"I never expected that you would have updated it yourself."

Mr. Kruger's gaze was quickly drawn to the novel [Magic Spark Detonation Fuse] on the blueprint.

He observed very carefully. As a confidentiality review specialist at the patent office, he had a considerable understanding of magical technology and other conventional technologies.

Soon, the expression on his face changed from initial surprise to deep admiration.

"Genius. What a brilliant idea!"

After a long while, he finally raised his head, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration as he looked at Morin.

"Using magical technology to solve the bottleneck of mechanical structures is a brilliant idea!"

"Lieutenant Morin, I'm really curious, how did you come up with this idea? And how did you even come up with its basic structure?"

Faced with the old man's praise and questions, Morin could only laugh it off.

He couldn't very well say that he had a magic touch and a 'blonde technical consultant' he had only recently met, could he?

"Maybe it's because I think I have a little bit of talent in the development of magical technology."

Mr. Kruger was amused by his appearance.

“Lieutenant Morin, you’re much more cunning than you look.”

He smiled and shook his head, then rolled up the drawings again.

"However, your solution does indeed address our biggest concerns."

"But at the same time"

His expression turned serious again.

"If it involves magical technology, then the subsequent review and verification will probably require negotiations with the Imperial Magic Research Institute."

"As you know, those mages aren't so easy to deal with."

The old man's words carried a sense of helplessness.

Clearly, the Patent Office also had its share of arguments with those arrogant and condescending researchers at the research institute.

However, upon hearing this, Morin displayed an expression of indifference.

“Mr. Kruger, that’s none of my business.”

He shrugged, looking like a hands-off manager.

"I'm only responsible for providing the technology and ideas." "I believe that if the military really values ​​this project, they will naturally find a way to get things done with the research institute."

"After all, this thing is meant to be used by the Imperial Army, isn't it?"

Mr. Kruger was taken aback by Morin's sly look, but then he couldn't help but laugh.

He certainly understood what Maureen was thinking.

This is essentially passing the buck to the Army Department and the General Staff.

Let the military wrestle with the mage group.

"Alright, I'll take the blueprints."

Mr. Kruger set the drawing tube aside.

"We will handle the rest. Just wait patiently for good news. Because the patent damages are a large amount, they will be paid in five installments."

Molin paused for a moment when she heard the last sentence; she was surprised that there were installment payment options available.
However, at least the money will come through, so it's not entirely impossible.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Kruger."

Molin left the patent office satisfied.

He believed that, faced with a weapon that could overturn the fighting capabilities of armored knights, neither the Army nor the General Staff, including the Teutonic Knights, could remain indifferent.

The next morning, when Morin woke up in bed, a notification message flashed in the [Spells] tab.

[1st Ring Spell - Life Sense] Learning Progress: 100%

Become!

Morin was overjoyed and immediately opened his system panel.

He has been anything but idle during his time in Dresden.

During the day, he was busy running around, poaching talent, setting up weapons manufacturing companies, and planning assault battalions.
At night, while his body enters physiological sleep, his mind continues to learn new spells day and night.

Currently, there are seven formal spells recorded in my spellbook.

[1st Ring Spells: Shield, Mage Armor, Oil on the Feet, Sleep, Life Sense]

[2nd Ring Spells: Invisibility, Shadowstep]

As he studied magic every night, his character's experience points slowly increased.

However, the rate of growth is rather touching.

Just like that tank game I played in my past life where I was imprisoned.

Without using experience books, relying solely on the basic experience gained from each battle to train crew skills to 100% is a long and arduous process.
He is still about half a tube of experience away from becoming a level 4 mage.

"It seems the fastest way is still to seize the mage's magic notebook."

The thought flashed through Morin's mind again.

The experience boost from a high-level mage's notes is much faster than the experience gained through hard meditation and study on one's own.

As Morin pondered this, he got out of bed.

After changing into a crisp junior officer's uniform and having a simple breakfast in the canteen, he returned to the Army Headquarters building with a lot of information about the construction of the assault battalion.

This time, he did not wait in the lobby, but was led directly to a conference room on the third floor by an army officer.

As soon as he opened the door, he knew his guess was right.

In the conference room, besides the lieutenant colonel who had previously been in charge of personnel matters, there were five other junior officers.

Upon seeing Morin enter, the lieutenant colonel immediately stood up, a warm smile on his face.

"Lieutenant Morin. No, he should be captain now. The official promotion procedures have been completed. The relevant information has been updated, and the rank insignia and other items will be issued later."

Immediately afterwards, the lieutenant colonel led Morin to the five lieutenants and introduced them one by one.

"This is Captain Ewald von Kleist."

The lieutenant colonel pointed to a tall, serious-looking officer who looked to be around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old and exuded an aura of 'keep away'.

"He comes from the 1st Guards Division - 1st Guards Brigade - 1st Dresden Guards Infantry Regiment and will serve as your chief assistant, that is, the battalion adjutant of the training assault battalion."

Captain Clyde gave Morin a flawless salute, his movements textbook perfect.

Morin could sense that this was a very typical, even stereotypical, Saxon soldier.

Serious and disciplined, but with absolutely solid professional skills.

"Who are these people?"

The lieutenant colonel then pointed to four other people.

A lieutenant and a second lieutenant will serve as the battalion's medical officers.

A second lieutenant will serve as the battalion's veterinary officer—because, according to the organization, the battalion's supply train will be equipped with a large number of packhorses and draft horses.

The last one was a relatively young-looking lieutenant with a scholarly air about him.

"This is the operations staff officer specially assigned to your assault battalion by the General Staff. He will assist you in developing some complex attack plans."

Morin was somewhat surprised.

They are equipped with dedicated operations staff, a privilege usually reserved for regimental-level units in the Saxon Army.

It seems that the General Staff and His Highness the Crown Prince have indeed placed high hopes on this 'Training Assault Battalion'.

These five newly transferred officers all share a common characteristic.

Without exception, they were all Junker nobles from the Dresden region.

It's the kind of 'Old Dresden Black Eagle Banner' whose ancestors served in the military for three generations, with bloodlines as pure as can be.

(End of this chapter)