Year 2050

  Month 2

  Arena:

  The white room stretched out before Dante, its walls so perfectly constructed it was nearly impossible to see where walls met ceiling.

  Here I am again …

  Three long years, yet with a family like mine, well, let’s just say this calls for such measures.

  Can it even be called a family?

  Huh…

  I’m feeling some deja vu I’m pretty sure these thoughts have gone through my head before, then again I would be more surprised if they hadn’t.

  Dante looked around at the vast circular space.

  This room is bigger than the one I used to be in. That training room was definitely smaller.

  “Welcome back to the Arena, Young Master Mercier,” a disembodied voice announced.

  With it the room came to life a soft blue glow emanated from the center, where the previously blank floor began to transform. The white surface shimmered and then gave way to a massive holographic table that rose from beneath, displaying a three-dimensional terrain map—mountains, valleys, and a winding river cutting through the landscape. Thousands of tiny figures appeared across the surface.

  Feels like a lifetime ago. But here I am.

  “All cognitive functions and response patterns will be measured and evaluated,” the voice continued.

  Dante looked up as a hologram appeared on the wall.

  “Time will be recorded please begin the moment you see the clock move.”

  The white mirror, the clock, yup memories are flooding back, though last time I didn't use a holomap this is interesting, last time I just had weighted pieces and a big board.

  “Your father has agreed to let you return, do your best.” the voice rang out again.

  “You mean do as all of you expect and then exceed it.” Dante responded as he gazed at the white mirror.

  …

  …

  Silence.

  The holo clock beeped.

  0:00

  And the timer began.

  0:01

  He approached the table, fingers hovering over the miniature holographic soldiers positioned along what appeared to be a mountain pass. The detail was extraordinary—he could see individual weapons, equipment packs, even determined expressions on the tiny faces.

  Interesting, I play the role of general and have all the functions a general would.

  I have full command over troop positioning and formation changes.

  Control over supply routes and reinforcement.

  Authority to issue real-time commands, shift strategy mid-battle, or even pull back if I need to.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  Dante moved holo screens until a list of names and ranks appeared

  0:02

  I can see detailed command pages on the commanders under me, with it I can

  decide who gets sent to die, who holds, who advances based on their previous achievements and known loyalty of me.

  There is even rumored info in here.

  Hmm.

  A report screen?

  Potential routes through the mountains found by our scouts, each one presenting different risks and advantages. Army’s provisions.

  Nothing on the enemy.

  Dante moved his fingers around.

  There now my scouts can go find some information. I told them to focus on anything that tells me where their command is hiding and how many men they have.

  0:05

  The scouts’ reports began filtering in, appearing as small notification icons on the edge of the map. Dante flicked through them with practiced efficiency, mentally cataloging the information.

  The terrain favors a right flank assault. Let’s test their response patterns first.

  Dante’s fingers moved swiftly across the command interface, issuing his first set of orders.

  “First battalion, advance to the ridge line,” Dante ordered as he issued coordinates for his troops.

  “Second battalion, form defensive positions.”

  “Cavalry units to hold and prepare to sweep around the mountain pass.”

  His blue eyes gazed at each command as his fingers wrote down coordinates. Moving his soldiers exactly where he wanted them.

  0:08

  The holographic units began moving into position, tiny soldiers marching in formation across the virtual landscape. Dante watched intently, not just focusing on his own forces but studying the reports brought to him detailing the enemy’s reaction.

  The enemy began shifting to counter his visible movements, reinforcing their positions opposite his advancing battalions.

  Hmm?

  Dante thought as something caught his eye.

  Interesting. They’re moving more forces to their left flank than they need, my advance could be countered many other ways.

  A competent commander would’ve rotated their archers higher onto the slope for line-of-sight coverage, or even baited my cavalry into an ambush path behind the second ridge.

  Are you incompetent or?

  …

  He issued another set of commands, deliberately creating the impression of a major assault forming on their right.

  “Artillery units reposition here and here. Commanders pass my orders down the ranks make yourselves visible. Third battalion to support positions behind first battalion. Make the movements visible to enemy scouts.”

  The orders were carried out, creating what appeared to be preparations for a major offensive. The enemy responded immediately, pulling even more forces to reinforce their left flank.

  Their left flank is suspiciously reinforced. They’re expecting an attack from that direction, which means…

  He expanded the map further, studying the terrain beyond the immediate battle area.

  They’ve either received intelligence about our plans, or there’s something valuable behind that flank they’re protecting.

  Dante zoomed in on a hillside behind the enemy’s reinforced position, noticing a small structure partially obscured by trees.

  Command post?

  It’s a good spot for one.

  Would explain the reinforcement this would mean they’re not just reinforcing randomly - they’re protecting their leadership.

  With this insight, Dante immediately began formulating a different approach.

  I’ll send some scouts to check.

  He quickly directed three scout units to approach the structure from different directions, using the terrain for cover. While waiting for confirmation, he began planning his actual strategy.

  If it is the command post, I can use it. If they’re this concerned about protecting it, capturing or even threatening it would force them to respond drastically.

  “Cancel artillery repositioning. First battalion to maintain position but prepare for withdrawal on my command.”

  “Fourth and fifth battalions to move under cover these coordinated positions,” Dante typed in the positions before continuing.

  “Cavalry to reposition for flanking maneuver from the north.”

  The holographic units acknowledged his commands, the feint position maintained while his real assault force began moving secretly into position for a surprise attack from a completely different direction.

  0:15

  As Dante finalized his deployment, a message appeared in the corner of the display: “TACTICAL ASSESSMENT INITIATED.”

  The holographic soldiers continued moving according to his commands, taking positions along the ridge lines and valleys. Supply lines stretched between units, pulsing with different colors to indicate resource flow.

  Now, let’s see how it goes.

  …