Chapter 3 (2/2)

「Y-yos.h.i.+, TRANSFORM!」

Eisuke who seems to be fired up recites the word.

What happened next was similar to the contents of the video that Souji had watched. Light gushed out of the fantasy converter and gathered in Eisuke’s palm.

「I’ve done it, I’ve done it ! Now, I’m a genuine member of A.C.E.!」

In front of the joyful Eisuke the light beings to take shape.

It’s a legendary weapon found in fantasy―― a wooden club that is.

「What the h.e.l.l!」

Eisuke was expecting a cool looking sword, being disappointed, he threw the club onto the ground. And then――

Kaapow!

The club hits the ground, easily cracking the concrete floor, causing a thunderous sound.

「Ahh!」

『Hey now, be careful with the fantasy weapon! Don’t let the name fool you, even though its power is being limited, it still has the power to kill a person!』

「S-sorry……」

From the next room over, Kyouko scolds Eisuke; he apologizes and picks up the club.

『Try to be more careful from now on. I will check the origin of your weapon.』

「Eh, what do you mean!?」

Although Eisuke is disappointed that his weapon is a club, it still has the power to break concrete, thus, there is still some hope left in his eyes.

『Hold on a moment…… let’s see, 『club of olive (クラブ・オブ・オリーブ)』, it is the club that was used by Heracles.』

「Heracles, as in the great hero from Greek mythology?」

「Hey, that quite super cool!」

Even those not familiar with myths would know that name. Eisuke jumps with joy.

『It is too soon to celebrate. You see, fantasy weapons always have a special ability.』

「Say what!? If it is Heracles’ club, its special ability must be the strongest!」

『The results conclude that the special ability of the club of olive is――』

「glup」

『――it does more damage against lion opponents.』

「Say what!」

Having been disappointed for the 2nd time, Eisuke throws the club.

「Lion, this isn’t a savanna, it isn’t a useful ability! What am I suppose? Will lions appear in Gunma?」

『Hey, hey, no need to get angry. Wouldn’t it be effective against lion type C.E.?』

「Is there such a foe!?」

『……yes, on to the next child.』

「So there isn’t!? Wait, give me a retry!」

Eisuke clings to the gla.s.s and pleas for a do-over. The teacher had to drag him away by his arms.

「NO! I was finally able to join A.C.E., I don’t want to be left with a good-for-nothing- club――」

Shhh!

『Next child, please step forward.』

「……yes.」

Souji wipes away the tear of pity he shed for Eisuke and then made his way to the center of the room.

He actives the converter on his right arm.

「Transform」

The light changes into a long object.

「This is……」

In Souji’s hand is a weapon he is quite familiar with.

The staff is twice his height and the tip is long like bamboo gra.s.s.

『Wait a moment, your weapon is――』

「The 3rd most famous spear, Tonbokiri, used by the warrior Honda Tadakatsu.」

「Tonbokiri (蜻蛉切, とんぼきり)」

『Eh?』

「The 3rd most famous spear, Tonbokiri, used by the warrior Honda Tadakatsu.」

Souji had informed them of his weapon before Kyouko could give an explanation.

He knew this because he had seen a photograph of this spear many times.

「Amazing.」

Being excited Souji’s cheeks blush. While showing a child-like expression he swings the spear horizontally.

The spear silently cuts through the air causing a cold draft.

『Ehh…… ah, I see.』

Kyouko is surprised by Souji’s att.i.tude. She confirms his profile on the computer nearby.

『Your family is a part.i.tioner of the Soraichiryuu style of spearman-s.h.i.+p (空壱流槍術), correct?』

「Yes, I was taught spearman-s.h.i.+p from my grandfather.」

Souji gave a reply while he thrust his spear about. He was well disciplined as he showed no wasted movements.

「Grandfather would say, 「in the era of guns and bullets, the spear is merely deadwood」.」

Nevertheless, Souji was disciplined in the martial arts despite it being called pointless. His grandfather would have never thought it would be used against the C.E.

『Hmm, I can’t say for sure, but for now, can you settle down?』

「Yes, sorry.」

『If you press the b.u.t.ton next to the converter 3 times, the fantasy weapon will disappear.』

Souji bows and apologizes. He pressed the b.u.t.ton and Tonbokiri vanished. Souji prepares to exit the room.

『By the way, Tonbokiri’s special ability is, 『to be nimble as a dragonfly』.』

「I see, it is amazing.」

『Ah, you don’t see it as bad luck?』

「Why would I?」

As he didn’t quite understand, Souji tilts his head, his docile expression is admirable.

Kyouko who is surprised by his response shows a strained smile.

『The children your age, similar to the previous child, they prefer a weapon with that fires off beams or some other showy weapon.』

「Oh……」

Because, Souji grew up in the countryside, he wasn’t around an environment with video games and the internet; for that reason, he didn’t see it as such.

Having grip the spear in his hand, Souji found the spear to be sharp and st.u.r.dy; he thought it to be a reliable weapon.

「Before I leave, may I ask a question?」

『What might that be?』

Sensing his intellectual curiosity, Kyouko had the next student wait outside with the other teacher so she could answer Souji’s question.

「Tobonkiri currently exist in this world, how is it possible for it to appear here?」

The spear that Honda Tadakatus (本田忠勝) used 400 years ago still exist; Tonbokiri, is currently owned by a businessman living in s.h.i.+zuoka (静岡).

Does that mean the fantasy weapons are being teleported to them?

With a smile, Kyouko gives the perplexed Souji an explanation.

『Well you see, your Tonbokiri is an illusion. It is a phantom created from one’s imagination.』

「Phantom?」

『You will be learning the details in cla.s.s later, for now, please be patient.』

As they are currently busy, Kyouko ends the conversation.

Following the cue, the other teacher enters the room with the next student.

(A phantom spear……)

As he observing the converter, Souji exits the room as he was told.

With the mysterious material, a phantom child can bring forth a weapon from fantasies and legends.

(Is it really such a good idea to fight a war while relying on something so suspicious?)

Perhaps it isn’t a matter of should they, but rather it meant that humankind has been driven into a corner.

Unlike the other student that are delighted holding their legendary weapon, Souji felt a cold chill down his spine.

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