========================
“Eugene Kim!
Cadet Eugene Kim!”
A booming voice echoed through the room as the classroom door burst open and the history instructor rushed in.
“Yes, sir.”
“What is this supposed to be?”
He waved a stack of papers in front of me.
Ah.
Written in elegant handwriting, full of confident arguments.
Clearly the work of a brilliant and highly educated man.
In other words, the answer sheet of a future great general.
“It is the report I submitted, sir.”
“Are you trying to challenge me?
Do you think I will grade this fairly?”
“I believe you are a man of integrity, sir.
Even if the conclusion is wrong, I trust you will not give a zero if the logic is sound.”
Maybe I pushed a little too far.
If he exploded, that would be a problem.
One unstable man in this place was already enough, and that was Eisenhower.
Speaking of him, Dwight David Eisenhower had become quite the delinquent lately.
The 6–0 loss to Annapolis had hit hard.
It was enough to turn a diligent cadet into a reckless one.
Smoking boldly in the dorm, drinking, throwing punches before words, swearing like a gangster.
At this rate, it would not be surprising if he ended up running bootleg liquor in Chicago after graduation.
All of this was because of Annapolis.
If they had gone easy on him, things might not have turned out this way.
His injury, combined with the team’s collapse, and then that crushing defeat, had struck directly at his sense of responsibility.
6–0.
A narrow loss.
Seven consecutive defeats.
If Eisenhower had been in full condition, they might have won.
Some people were already saying as much.
If the future Allied Supreme Commander Eisenhower got expelled and chose a completely different path, what would happen to the world?
Would Germany win the next war?
The thought was absurd, but also unsettling.
“Y-you…”
While I was lost in thought, the poor instructor stood there, unable to declare in front of everyone that I deserved a zero.
His face was red with frustration.
There is no malice here.
But it is time for me to stand out.
“…Therefore, the prevailing opinion is that a large-scale war in Europe is highly unlikely.”
The instructor listed theories while we copied them down like obedient students.
A perfect example of outdated education.
“Of course, there are regions where conflict could occur.
The Balkans, for instance.
But the great powers are more interconnected than ever, and with shared Christian values and past successes in diplomacy, large-scale war can be avoided.”
How naive.
At least, that was how it sounded to me.
There were less than two years left until the Sarajevo incident.
Assassinations were nothing new.
They had been happening for decades.
And yet people still believed diplomacy would prevent war.
It was like lighting a cigarette at a gas station and assuming nothing would happen because it had not exploded before.
This “common sense” was my opportunity.
“I have an objection.”
The room fell silent.
“What is it, Cadet Eugene Kim?”
“If a large-scale war is unlikely, then why has West Point increased its enrollment?”
“That is a separate issue.
You will be defending American interests worldwide, not fighting European wars.”
I saw his gaze linger on me when he mentioned “savages.”
Fine.
Then I would push harder.
“All previous crises nearly escalated into war.
If diplomacy fails even once, would that not lead to war?”
“That is enough.
Your role is not to speculate.
Write a report on why a large-scale war cannot occur.”
Groans filled the room.
Sorry, everyone.
But I need you to remember this.
I submitted a report arguing the opposite.
Germany’s isolation.
Alliances forming out of necessity.
Conflicting interests between major powers.
Poor communication between governments and militaries.
Everything pointed toward war.
Naturally, the instructor was furious.
“I cannot grade this fairly.”
The room erupted.
“I predict a great war within five years.”
“So what?”
“Before I graduate, a war will begin.
If not, I will forfeit my diploma.”
Silence.
“And if I stake my future, what will you stake?”
The instructor sighed.
“You are overconfident.
Take this back and rewrite it.”
“I refuse.”
“Then I accept your bet.
If war begins, I will spread your name everywhere I can.”
“Then it is settled.”
“This report will be framed and kept by my bedside.”
“Thank you, sir.”
I had nothing to lose.
That was why this gamble was certain.
“You are insane!”
My friends dragged me away and beat me senseless.
Apparently, this was their version of therapy.
“You just picked a fight with an instructor!”
“You are going to ruin your future!”
“It will be fine.
When war starts, reporters will be lining up to shake my hand.”
They stared at me as if I had lost my mind.
Then Eisenhower pulled out a letter.
“What is that?”
“From Dike.
He invited us to a Christmas party.”
A party.
West Point had social events, but this was different.
“Of course we are going.”
“Plenty of women, right?”
“You idiots.”
They grabbed me again.
“You are the craziest one here.”
Maybe.
But I was already thinking ahead.