Aetherion walked confidently into the Advanced Strategies classroom, the faint scent of parchment and ink filling the air. The walls were lined with maps, diagrams of battle formations, and intricate illustrations of famous sieges and military campaigns. This class was different from the others he had attended so far—it felt familiar.
His time as an Archangel in the service of Goddess Boltia had been filled with strategic decisions and leading lower-ranked angels in celestial battles. The concept of strategy was second nature to him, something he had learned through experience rather than study. Now, he would have to relearn it in a mortal setting, but he was confident that it would come naturally.
At the front of the room stood Master Caldevar, a tall and broad-shouldered man whose presence commanded respect. His weathered face and sharp eyes marked him as a seasoned warrior, someone who had not only studied strategy but lived it on the battlefield. His reputation as a former general in the Sky Walk Army was well-known, and Aetherion could sense the quiet authority that came with years of experience.
"Welcome to Advanced Strategies," Master Caldevar said in a deep, gravelly voice. "This course is designed to challenge you, to make you think not only about the battlefield in front of you but the entire theater of war—logistics, morale, terrain, long-term goals. War is more than just brute force. It's a game of chess, and every move counts."
Aetherion took his seat, a quiet confidence settling over him. This was going to be easy.
Master Caldevar wasted no time getting into the lesson. He moved to a large map pinned to the wall, depicting an ancient battlefield. "Today, we'll start with the basics. Force concentration, resource management, and terrain manipulation. These are the pillars of any successful campaign."
He pointed to different sections of the map as he spoke. "When planning a battle, you must first understand your own resources—troops, supplies, time. Without knowing what you have, you cannot form an effective strategy. Next, consider the enemy. What do they have? What are their weaknesses? And finally, the terrain. It can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy."
Aetherion listened intently, his mind already leaping ahead. These concepts were familiar, almost instinctual for him. As an Archangel, he had led many divine campaigns, each requiring intricate planning and the balancing of resources and power. The mortal world's approach to strategy was similar, though perhaps less grand in scope.
Master Caldevar continued, his eyes scanning the room. "Now, who can tell me the first thing you should consider when planning a defensive campaign? Let's say you're outnumbered, and the enemy is approaching. What's your move?"
Aetherion's hand rose almost instinctively.
"Yes, Aetherion," Caldevar said, raising an eyebrow with interest.
Aetherion stood, his voice calm and assured. "The first thing I would do is analyze the terrain. If I'm outnumbered, I need to use the environment to my advantage. High ground, natural barriers like rivers or cliffs, anything that can funnel the enemy into a choke point or slow their advance. Control the battlefield before they even arrive."
Master Caldevar's eyes gleamed with approval. "Exactly. Terrain is often the deciding factor in an outnumbered battle. Those who master their environment can turn even the most dire situations to their advantage."
Aetherion continued. "Once the terrain is chosen, the next step is resource allocation. If I have fewer troops, I need to conserve their strength. Don't spread them too thin—focus on key defensive points. And make sure the supply lines are secure. A strong defense is only as good as the supplies keeping the soldiers on their feet."
Master Caldevar nodded, clearly impressed. "You've grasped the fundamentals well. Many students focus too much on the direct clash of armies and forget that logistics and positioning win wars as much as the sword does."
The other students watched Aetherion closely, some impressed by his knowledge, while others seemed curious about how he had come to understand these concepts so well. But Aetherion gave nothing away, keeping his true nature hidden beneath his calm exterior.
As the lesson progressed, Master Caldevar moved deeper into the nuances of strategy. "Now, let's talk about psychological warfare. Sometimes, winning a battle is less about the numbers and more about breaking the enemy's will to fight. This can be done through misinformation, deception, or even small, targeted strikes that disrupt morale."
He gestured to a series of diagrams depicting different battle formations. "For instance, feigned retreats—luring the enemy into a false sense of security before striking them from a more advantageous position. Or spreading rumors that weaken their resolve before they even meet you on the battlefield."
Aetherion leaned forward, intrigued. He had employed these tactics in celestial battles, leading angels in feints and ambushes that left enemies confused and demoralized. He raised his hand again.
"Master Caldevar, would you say psychological warfare is more effective in longer campaigns, where the goal is to wear down the enemy over time, rather than a quick, decisive battle?"
Caldevar nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. In drawn-out campaigns, it can turn the tide without a single direct confrontation. The longer the enemy is kept on edge, unsure of what's real or what's coming, the more likely they are to make mistakes. A swift battle, however, leaves little room for such tactics."
Aetherion noted this. He had always preferred swift, overwhelming force in his divine missions, but there was value in patience—especially when dealing with mortal forces.
The class continued with more examples of strategy from historical battles. Master Caldevar introduced a case study from the Crimson War, a conflict that had devastated an entire region due to poor strategic planning.
"This was a lesson in overextension," Caldevar explained. "The Crimson Army was winning battle after battle, pushing deeper into enemy territory. But they failed to secure their supply lines, and eventually, they ran out of food, weapons, and reinforcements. By the time they reached the capital, they were too weak to take it. The enemy regrouped, and the Crimson Army was defeated."
Aetherion saw parallels with his own experiences. In the divine realm, overconfidence and poor resource management often led to failure, even among powerful beings. He raised his hand once more.
"What could have been done to prevent that? Was it purely a matter of securing supply lines, or were there other factors at play?"
Caldevar smiled, clearly enjoying the engagement. "Good question. Supply lines were a major issue, but it was also a matter of communication. The Crimson Army's leaders failed to maintain contact with their forces spread across the front. They didn't know how bad the situation was until it was too late. In any campaign, communication between leaders and their troops is vital."
Aetherion nodded, making a mental note. Communication had been crucial in the celestial wars he had fought—angels and archangels needed to be in perfect harmony to succeed. It seemed the same was true for mortals.
As the class continued, Master Caldevar split the students into small groups, assigning them a mock strategic scenario to solve. Aetherion was placed with three other students, each of them eager to contribute but clearly less experienced.
Their scenario was a defensive siege, where they had to protect a city from an approaching enemy army. The enemy had superior numbers, but the city was fortified and positioned near a river, offering natural defenses. Aetherion studied the map of the city and its surroundings, his mind already racing through possibilities. His group members, meanwhile, began discussing different ideas, some suggesting reinforcing the city walls, others advocating for meeting the enemy head-on before they reached the gates.
One of the students, a tall boy named Seren, voiced his opinion first. "We should place most of our troops at the front gate. That's where they'll attack first. If we can hold them there, we can stall until reinforcements arrive."
Aetherion shook his head slightly, his tone calm but authoritative. "If we do that, we'll be playing right into their hands. They'll expect us to concentrate our forces at the gate, and they'll probably have siege weapons ready to breach it. We need to spread our forces more wisely."
Seren frowned but gestured for Aetherion to continue. The others seemed curious to hear what he had to say.
Aetherion pointed to the river on the map. "We can use the river to our advantage. If we divert some of its flow, we can flood the area around the city, making it difficult for their siege engines to move. At the same time, we place our strongest units in hidden positions along the walls, ready to strike when the enemy gets close."
One of the other students, a girl named Lyra, nodded slowly. "But what about the rest of their forces? Won't they just find another way in?"
Aetherion smiled slightly. "That's why we leave the front gate lightly defended at first. We let them think they're making progress, lure them into a false sense of security. Once they commit to an attack there, we strike from the sides with a concentrated force. By that point, their siege engines will be bogged down by the flooded terrain, and their mobility will be limited."
The group exchanged glances, clearly impressed by the level of detail in Aetherion's plan.
As they continued to work through the scenario, Aetherion's confidence only grew. His group followed his lead, discussing ways to refine the plan, but it was clear that he had a natural command over the situation. They debated the finer points of troop placement, supply management, and possible contingencies if the enemy brought reinforcements.
Seren, who had initially been skeptical, finally admitted, "That's actually a really solid plan. I didn't think about using the river like that."
Aetherion nodded, his expression humble but assured. "Strategy is about seeing the entire battlefield, not just what's in front of you. We need to think several moves ahead and use every advantage we can."
The system's voice chimed in briefly, offering quiet praise. [Well done, Aetherion. You're showing your mastery of tactics. It seems your time as an Archangel hasn't dulled your strategic mind.]
Aetherion smirked inwardly, knowing that his celestial experience gave him a unique edge over the other students. But even as he excelled, he remained cautious. He couldn't reveal too much about his true capabilities—not yet.
Once the group exercises were completed, Master Caldevar called for the students to present their strategies. Each group explained their approach, detailing how they would handle the defensive siege. Some had strong ideas, others were less thought-out, but when it was Aetherion's group's turn, the room grew noticeably quieter.
Aetherion stood in front of the class, explaining the plan with precision and confidence. He detailed how the river would be used to hinder the enemy's movements, how their forces would be positioned for a surprise counter-attack, and how they would use the city's fortifications to their advantage.
Master Caldevar listened intently, occasionally nodding. When Aetherion finished, he gave a rare smile. "Excellent work. You've not only considered the enemy's movements but also found a way to manipulate the terrain to your advantage. That's exactly what I want to see from my students."
Aetherion bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment, though inside, he knew this was just the beginning.
As Aetherion returned to his seat, he noticed several of the other students casting glances his way. Some were impressed, others seemed slightly envious, but no one questioned his strategic ability anymore. Even Seren, who had been skeptical at first, gave him a respectful nod.
"Where did you learn to think like that?" Lyra asked after class, her voice filled with curiosity.
Aetherion gave a casual shrug, keeping his answer vague. "I've read a lot about historical battles and campaigns. Strategy just makes sense to me."
Lyra seemed satisfied with the answer, though Aetherion could tell there was still some lingering curiosity in her eyes. He'd have to be careful not to stand out too much, especially in a class where his natural abilities came so easily.
As the class wrapped up, Aetherion reflected on how smoothly the lesson had gone. Advanced Strategies had been exactly what he expected—an opportunity to showcase his abilities and deepen his understanding of mortal warfare. But beyond that, it had reinforced something important: strategy wasn't just about winning battles. It was about thinking ahead, manipulating situations, and keeping one's true intentions hidden until the right moment.
The system's voice echoed in his mind once more. [You've handled yourself well today, Aetherion. But remember, the real challenge is not just excelling in this class. It's keeping your true nature hidden while continuing to grow your power.]
Aetherion nodded subtly, already thinking about his next moves. The Divine Realm Seed in his possession, his studies at the academy, and his future plans for the mortal world were all pieces of a much larger puzzle. And like any good strategist, he would play his cards carefully, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
As he left the classroom, his thoughts were focused, his mind sharp. The path ahead was long, but Aetherion knew he was ready for whatever came next.