The Magic Corps' Disadvantage

Rolex Military Academy.

Inside Bolent's private office, Li Qi sat properly by the coffee table.

Bolent wasn't putting on any airs as a superior. After bringing Li Qi here, he even personally poured him a cup of hot tea before starting their conversation.

"Warrant Officer Li Qi, let's talk. What you said earlier, I'm very interested. I want to know why you think that way."

"This... is just some humble opinion from this subordinate..."

"It's alright. I'm not your superior yet. You can completely treat me as a regular teacher at the academy, or even a classmate. Our conversation is just casual chat, you don't need to feel any pressure."

Bolent smiled and reassured Li Qi, signaling him not to be nervous.

Although, given his appearance, just a smile was enough to make someone nervous.

Seeing that Bolent seemed quite interested in him, Li Qi thought for a moment, hesitated for a bit, and then spoke frankly:

"Since that's the case, then this subordinate won't decline."

"Mm, just speak freely, I'm listening."

"After this period of understanding the Magic Corps, this subordinate has confirmed that the Magic Corps is an army composed entirely of Mages.

"In other words, barring any surprises, the Magic Corps' method of operation is to combine their Magic Power to strike the enemy on the battlefield, or to carry out certain Special Operations... I wonder if this subordinate's understanding is correct?"

After Li Qi finished speaking, a sharp glint suddenly flashed in Bolent's eyes.

His expression turned serious as he asked:

"What do you mean by 'Special Operations'? Can you give a few examples?"

"For instance... carrying out covert missions, decapitation strikes, assassination missions, or some small-scale operations that need to be resolved quickly... The above are this subordinate's guesses..."

Li Qi spoke to Bolent, drawing from his memories of 'Special Operations' from his previous life.

But seeing Bolent's eyes widening more and more, Li Qi had to stop and summarize.

He seemed to have said a bit too much.

"Unbelievable..."

Bolent stared at Li Qi with wide eyes:

"Regarding the Magic Corps' combat style, it's currently still just theoretical... Did you really figure this out on your own?"

"This subordinate... sometimes likes to let his imagination run wild. I've made you laugh, sir."

Li Qi's mouth twitched slightly, feeling helpless inside.

It seemed he had indeed said a bit too much.

In this era, the concept of Special Operations probably didn't exist yet, or a similar concept was just emerging.

It would be strange if the other party wasn't surprised by Li Qi saying so much all at once and completely hitting on Bolent's thoughts.

Bolent stared at Li Qi intently for a long time before continuing to ask:

"According to your statement, this unit will conduct strategic strikes on the battlefield or carry out Special Operations. This should be considered a 'surprise force', so why do you think this unit cannot last long?"

"Because of the weapons, sir."

"Explain in detail."

"Weapons in modern society are constantly evolving. A decade ago, countries were still using Flintlock Muskets, but in recent years, Bolt-Action Rifles have been developed.

"And this is not the limit for various countries. All countries are actively developing new Firearms, or more powerful lethal weapons. These weapons will gradually replace the position of Mages.

"And if Mages use Firearms, most of their Magic Power cannot be used. But if they use melee weapons or staves, they cannot compete with Firearms."

Li Qi paused here, organizing his words.

This was precisely why Li Qi wasn't optimistic about the Magic Corps.

While others were using Firearms, the Magic Corps could only fight the enemy with long swords and wands.

The maximum range of Magic Power was only fifty meters, and even if a genius developed new Magic Power, this distance probably couldn't be extended much.

However, the effective range of Firearms was six hundred meters. Some Marksmen with sniping talent could even hit whatever they aimed at within six hundred meters.

If the Magic Corps didn't use Firearms, engaging the enemy would basically be no different from sending themselves to their deaths.

But if they used Firearms, they wouldn't be much different from other Army units.

Of course, Li Qi didn't think the formation of the Magic Corps was completely useless. When engaging in close combat, the Magic Corps, possessing Magic Power and Magic Power, would definitely be far superior in strength to other branches of the military.

But Li Qi had been on the front lines for so long, and he deeply understood that often when two armies clashed, they were shooting at each other with guns.

Only a small amount of time did the enemy or their own side launch a charge.

Close combat was rare. Sometimes, those Mages would be torn apart by bullets before they could even cast Magic Power.

What Li Qi remembered most vividly was the incident half a year ago, when he had just been promoted to Corporal and was responsible for protecting a Mage.

That Mage was Tactical Rank and had absolute dominance within a fifty-meter range.

Countless Magic Power spells were cast effortlessly. Many of Li Qi's Magic Power knowledge came from him.

But on the day of the battle, that Mage was shot into a sieve by enemy bullets.

For a Mage to cast a spell and attack others, they need to see them with their own eyes.

They have to stand in a position where they can see their target clearly and without obstruction to cast large-scale magic.

Otherwise, the magic is likely to be blocked by the bunkers or Trenches their own side has built.

But standing out in the open is like putting up a bright, obvious target on the battlefield.

That Mage became the target.

His Magic Shield blocked the first bullet, and it blocked the second, but it couldn't block the third.

So when the enemy concentrated their fire on him, even though he had constructed three layers of Magic Shields in front of himself, they were all torn to shreds.

In the end...

Li Qi only had time to grab his severed limb and retreat; there wasn't even a complete body left.

This is the disadvantage of Mages.

Recalling the Mage who died on the battlefield, Li Qi continued:

"The existence of the Magic Corps might indeed influence the battlefield situation in the early stages, but as weapons become more advanced, the Magic Corps will lose its dominance on the battlefield.

"Therefore, this subordinate believes that the Magic Corps... has limited potential."

Li Qi chose his words carefully.

He didn't say that the Magic Corps would be phased out in the future, but it was obvious that if there were no changes within the Magic Corps, this army clearly couldn't compare to other armies.

Bolent fell into deep thought after hearing Li Qi's words.

His fingers tapped the desk intermittently, and his right hand propped up his chin as he studied Li Qi.

After a while, he suddenly asked:

"Do you know who proposed the formation of the Magic Corps?"

"..." Li Qi's heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad feeling: "...It... it couldn't be you, sir, could it?"

Bolent immediately burst out laughing:

"Warrant Officer Li Qi, you are very smart."

Although Bolent didn't say it explicitly, his words clearly confirmed Li Qi's guess.

Cold sweat instantly covered Li Qi's back.

In front of someone who might be his future superior, and the very officer who proposed establishing the Magic Corps, he had gone on and on about how the Magic Corps was no good.

This was practically slapping them in the face...

For a moment, Li Qi felt his future looked bleak.

Fortunately, however, Bolent didn't seem to have any intention of blaming Li Qi. Instead, he smiled and said:

"According to your thinking, you believe the Magic Corps is ineffective because they don't have suitable weapons. Is that what you mean?"

"..."

Li Qi remained silent. Seeing this, Bolent added:

"Don't be nervous. As I said before, this is just a casual chat between the two of us. I won't get angry because of your opinion on the Magic Corps. Just speak freely."

"...Yes, this subordinate... that is indeed what I mean."

Since he had already said it, there was no point in continuing to hide it. Li Qi nodded to Bolent, admitting that his thoughts were indeed as he had stated.

Bolent's eyes narrowed into a smile.

"In that case, I wonder if Warrant Officer Li Qi is free this weekend?"

"Yes..."

"Alright then, I'll come find you this weekend and show you some 'good stuff'."

Having said that, Bolent didn't wait for Li Qi to respond and issued a polite dismissal:

"Alright, the afternoon class is about to start. You should go back to class first. I'll have someone contact you this weekend."

"Yes! Then this subordinate will take his leave."

Saluting Bolent, Li Qi exited Bolent's office.

Only after leaving Bolent's office did Li Qi let out a long sigh, his expression becoming a little more serious.

During his conversation with Bolent just now, Li Qi instinctively used his Superpower to sense the other party's Magic Power situation.

And according to Li Qi's judgment, Bolent was definitely a Title Rank Archmage.

Not only that, but the total amount of Magic Power in his body far exceeded that of any Title Rank Archmage Li Qi had ever seen!

This was a strong person.

A strong person Li Qi couldn't afford to offend.

He wondered why such a high-ranking and exceptionally powerful officer would want to chat with him about these things...

Looking back at the door of Bolent's office, Li Qi let out a soft sigh.

Forget it, thinking about it so much now is useless.

He should just go back to class first.

Thanks to '你可爱的野爹lhh' and '胃疼怎么办' for the starting point coin rewards!

Thank you for your support!!