Vol 8 Chapter 1 (1/2)

When the School Festival ended, the wind of early su

The sky was high, perfectly clear, the trees shook the bright green treetops and the blazing sunlight becaer day by day; it was such a season

Despite this, Ayato and coe, have secluded the to practice in their special training for the team battle

“Which rees have been upgraded for the <gryps>”

“Yes, looks like it If I’e and the 3 raded”

While doing stretches before the training, when the subject, which she had heard about the other day, was brought up, Julis answered like so as she did not seem to have that much interest in it

“Thanks to that, the Official Ranking Battle’s battle ground has been changed to a e and this is a real nuisance for us”

An Official Ranking Battle was often held es of urban areas, where the general visitors could watch the battles with an observation card, were also used This was a key event which gathered tourists in Asterisk during the period of tih there was exceptions like World Dragon ── and when it cae one=””>’s e was allotted

In fact, both Ayato and Julis turned down challengers in the e, the Sirius Doe battle, it would be desirable that the stage ide

“But even if you say such a thing, didn’t you overwhelm that <thunder> last time?”

The Seidoukan Acadere Lux <deshanks)=””> was an opponent whom Julis herself once said that she had bad affinity with But in the Official Ranking Battle last month, Julis faced that fore battles, and ith a in of safety

Having obtained the new arreat part in it, but above all the fact that Julis herself grew in strength rapidly in this one year was probably the primary factor From her physical ability, amount of prana, and variety of techniques to the subtleties of their activation ti…… all of them showed steady improvements precisely because of the cu

“Huht?”

Julis curled her lips into a sly

Since the time when Ayato had defeated Kirin and took the seat of rank 1, he certainly defeated al Battle Although, even so, the fact that there was no end to the nu students would be evidence of how exceedingly special the title of rank 1 was after all

“Well at any rate, things such as the stage’s upgrade aren’t that unusual I think that it’s not really soh”

“……On the contrary”

Saya, as checking her hand gun type lux, butt in at that point

“I heard that the upgrade this tie scale They said that a new type of defensive mechanism that Allekant developed was incorporated”

“A new type of defensive mechanism, is it?”

Kirin, who had put Senbakiri on the floor and loosened her body, inclined her head to the side as if to say that it was the first she heard of it

“It seeel for shock absorption that Allekant’s <dark lady=”” faction=”” (sonnet)=””> developed was used”

“Hou, you’re quite well-informed, huh”

When Julis replied questioningly to Saya’s unexpected coun in her hand froles

“Last time, I heard it when I spoke with Camilla Pareto”

“Heeh…… wait, eeeh!?”

Because she had said it too casually, they al of Camilla Pareto, she was the head of Allekant Acadee the armaments of the autonomous puppets Ardi and Rimsi; but she should have had principles that are completely contrary to Saya’s……

“Since when did you guys have a relationshi+p where you talk casually like that?”

“Have you reconciled with her?”

It seemed that Ayato was not the only one surprised; Julis and Kirin too looked at Saya with flabbergasted faces

“It’s not really like that I’ll settle things properly with Caed But…… it’s not really like there are still ill feelings between us”

As Saya returned the lux to its setup state, she heaved a small breath

“For a little while now, I’ve come to think about the state of ht of uns ── since they are the weapons made only for my sake, I think that they probably aren’t too fit for team battles”

Although the luxes, which Saya used, certainly have high firepower, judging fro, one could not but say that there was slight difficulty Though Saya’s shooting skill itself was superior, even with it, the possibility of har her allies in the case of melee would by no means be small

After all, in the stage of the <gryps>, a total of ten people, eneether In the area where the rear guard supported the vanguard, it was an undeniable fact thatwas demanded

“That’s why I intend to prepare ht about myself”

“I see, so that’s why Sasa Research club’s factory as of late, huh”

And, Claudia, as listening to the conversation silently until then, clapped her hands as if she understood“Heeh, so that’s it”

According to Eishi+ro, the Meteoric Engineering Research Club, a the prominent major clubs even in Seidoukan, exceeded the acadeh one could say that, Ayato, who had left <ser-versta>’s maintenance to the equipment department, did not feel dissatisfaction towards their work

In contrast with the equipment depart the Meteoric Engineering Research Club see quite peaky[1] adjustments

“……For the ti, since a workshop was necessary, I provisionally joined the club”

“Saya in a club?”

That too was the first time they heard of it

This was because just like Julis, Saya was not one to have too much interaction with others assertively

“Then, since Camilla Pareto showed up there, we just had some conversations”

Cae of the development of the new model lux ── Rectoluz jointly developed by Allekant and Seidoukan Although the Rectoluz was already co, data collection would be carried out as well as support from the joint cooperation of Allekant and Seidoukan

By the way, Seidoukan side started a special co of ineering Research Club on taking part to this project Therefore, the fact itself that Ca Research Club was not strange, but even so the fact that the two girls cae conversations normally probably s, or a source thereof, re between them

“H a neeapon, Saya?”

“As expected,it from scratch would be impossible practically, time-wise and environ weapon Still, it’s doubtful whether or not it’ll be in tiryps>”

“No, it’s ah”

It looked like Saya too was thinking about various things for the teaered by Julis, who rowth, but it ithout doubt a good direction

When Ayato honestly praised her like that, Saya stuck out her shtly bashfully

“Yes…… you can praise me more”

While Ayato sently put his hand on the head of such a childhood friend

“Yo, you’ve gathered, huh, brats”

Having appeared there with a listless greeting was Ayato and company’s homeroom teacher, Yatsuzaki Kyouko She carried her familiar nail bat on her shoulder, and her uselessly excessive pressure was a as usual

“Huh, Yatsuzaki-sensei…… what’s the matter?”

“Hah? It’s not ‘what’s the ht?”

At the same time as she struck her nail bat on the floor, Claudia took a step forward

“Ah, I forgot to mention it, but actually, I intend to hold combat practice for team battle from today on…… so, I asked Yatsuzaki-sensei to be our opponent”

“Eh……?”

“……You should say such things sooner, Claudia”

“I’m sorry I’ll be careful next time”

As Julis glared at her, Claudia honestly bowed her head ── but, her words were quite hollow

“Err…… So, when you say combat practice, youlike until now, but that we’ll actually do team battles?”

“Yes, I think that we’ve already brought our individual coordination up to a level where we should have any problems Also, we can’t confirm how far it ork toward those who are attactics and situation assessroup battle unless it’s an actual combat”

Although they were surprised, nobody showed dissatisfaction

There was persuasiveness in the words of Claudia as the only person in this tearyps>

“Besides, even if a team battle is aNot wanting to reveal the scope of one’s power is the same for both sides, or unless it’s a very confident team, otherwise they wouldn’t accept it Just so you know, there’s also the method of simulation battle, but……”

Claudia revealed a vague smile there

Without her continuing her words further, Ayato could understand, as well A three-di room, but there were a lot of restrictions, so it was incomparable with the experience which would be provided in actual combat

Plainly speaking, itexperience with it

“And there comes Yatsuzaki-sensei”

When Claudia said so, Kyouko exaggeratedly sighed

“Well, it’s botherso that out, I soirl I’ll keep you company to your heart’s content”

“We’re very thankful for that, but……”

Julis looked around quizzically while saying so

“Since we’re speaking about a team battle’s practice match, where are the other members?”

“Ah! You don’t have to worry about that They’ve already gathered”

When Kyouko casually swung once the nail bat in her hand as she said that, the disorderly haht

“……!”

One could see Julis, as a <strega>, holding her breath

A large quantity of raduallywhirlpools ── just as if reproducing a claymation[2], it made up shapes of humans from the feet

These smooth dolls without eyes, nose nor mouth, totaled to four Their whole bodies were dark blue like the depths of the sea and they all had the same stature and build as Kyouko As a matter of fact, they had neither clothes nor weapons

“This is…… is this like Gustave Malraux’s demonic beasts?”

“It looks to me like the shadow dolls of that person who kidnapped Flora-chan……”

Julis’s and Kirin’s impressions were different each, but in any case it ithout doubt Kyouko’s ability as a <strega>

──But

“……If I’m not mistaken, I’ve heard that Sensei’s ability is essentially effective against ability users”

To the words of Saya who did not quite understand, Ayato nodded, too

According to the rua> which possessed overwhela> and <dante> The dolls in front of them did not really look like that

“Taking in the target’s ability andit her own, that is Yatsuzaki-sensei’s power This is also the first tih”

Without hiding her wariness, Julis muttered in a low voice

“In other words, stealing the target’s ability……?”

“So like that Well, it doesn’t seem like the one whose ability is stolen becoh”

If it was true, then it could only be described as a threat for Julis as a <strega> So it was understandable that she would be cautious

“These dolls have the ability of ets’ coh”

“When you say teamryps>?”

The teaendary tearyps> in all Le Wolfe Black Institute’s history Ayato did not know the details either, but he had heard a story that all of the teaa>

“Well, one eye-witness is better than , you’ll understand once you fight”

Kyouko, not answering Ayato’s question, threw out four lux activation bodies fro to her waist to the faceless puppets

“──I’ll show you the power of the <witch of=”” nail=”” severing=””>, former Le Wolfe Black Institute rank 2”＊The mechanical voice announced the uard

In Ayato and couard were three people: Ayato, Kirin and Claudia, as also the team leader It was a relatively offensive tea as the guerilla, as she would attack the enemy or assist her allies as the situation dictated

In contrast, Kyouko’s team had a puppet which set up an assault rifle type lux and two puppets which took aiuard A puppet which took a stance with a long sword type lux held at eye-level and a dual-wielding puppet with two suard

The tea her usual nail bat on her shoulder — had taken position slightly behind the two vanguards; she was probably acting as the guerilla Two vanguards, two rear guards and one guerilla ── this was generally the team formation said to have the best balance

In a teae was destroyed, when the teaive up Conversely speaking, there will no proble

“Haah!”

First, Ayato brandished <ser-versta> as he deter sword, but──

The puppet with the long sithdrew to the rear with a back step and iht bullets attacked Ayato It was a diversionary attack of the opposing teauard

“Kuh……!”

Although Ayato was able to easily evade such a sirasped every nition”, he had no choice but to give up pursuit due the rain of light bullets diverting his attention incessantly

(Is she aiuards……?!)

“Hahaha, listen Airi! In a team battle, don’t think that there’d be all that e someone in close combat!”

Kyouko shouted as such with a fearless smile

“In you guys’ team, the one whom people will be the most cautious about and prepare elaborate countermeasures for, is without doubt, you and your <ser-versta>, Are lux of the same rank, they won’t even be able to cross swords with you There’s no obligation whatsoever to exchange bloith a guy swinging such a frightening thing”

“Well, that’s true, huh…… oops!”

Ayato responded like so with bitter feelings as he cleared away the unceasing barrage with <ser-versta>

Kyouko’s words were probably true

Speaking of being cautious, it was probably the same for Claudia’s

too; but it was not like its (Pan-Dora) actual condition had becoue information that its ability was speculated to allow its user to see the future ── of course, this was the result of Claudia’s careful infory ── there would be no way to create ainst it

In comparison to that, countermeasures to <ser-versta> were clear and simple

For exae coe attacks

Although, having been said that, even if the two of the hindered so easily by ordinary opponents, even leaving aside the shooting accuracy of the puppets that Kyouko ood

When facing an opponent or in an ee to defense and evasion, the opponents will slon their shooting and come to others aid If he were to shi+ft to attack, then a carefully aiht at that moment

The Rectoluz, operated by Julis, sent out an attack intended to interfere with the shooting, but the puppets, while evading it by light footwork, did not break their lines of fire at all

“But Ayato-senpai isn’t this team’s only swordsman!”

Kirin and Claudia, whofrom both sides, headed for Kyouko

They probably ai the victory in one movement

──But

“Of course, I know that”

“!”

The opponent teao, each released a slash so as to stop Kirin’s and Claudia’s advances

The two girls crossed swords with the puppets head on as is, Kirin fiercely exchanging bloith the puppet with the long sword and Claudia the dual-wielding one Unexpectedly, the puppets’ ability was at a level hardly inferior to that of Kirin and Claudia No, judging froirls had the edge, but as expected their (puppets) way of taking the range and their way of taking away one’s tiood Moreover, the puppets of the rear guard, which were holding Ayato, also shot suppressing firing towards the two girls whenever they saw an opening At this rate, even if they were Kirin and Claudia, it would be difficult to shake them off immediately

Only Ayato’s perception which was expanded when in the state of “cognition” noticed movement to the rear

“……Ayato, dodge”

When he heard these words, Ayato had alreadyback

“Kaboom”

Iht bullet frorazed hiin and directly hit Kyouko ── a blast blew violently

While using <ser-versta> as a shi+eld from the incessant rain of bullets, even now, Ayato checked for Kyouko’s presence on the other side of the fiery winds

It should have been a ti which would have been hard to evade, but when the smoke, that had risen up densely, cleared away, a wall of sand stood there, towering, as if to protect Kyouko

(If I had to guess, that’s also the ability of a different person, huh……)

The sand wall slowly cru to mana

If an ability was hidden in each of the nails hammered into that bat, honestly Ayato’s side had no hand to play It was natural as they had no infor of counter her down before letting her use countermeasures of her own

“──Bloom proudly, Six-Petal Burst Firebloom (Amaryllis)!”

Suddenly, Julis’s sharp and dignified voice resounded

Julis, who had sneaked around to Kyouko’s blind spot during the recent exchange of bloung her thin sword and released blazing fireballs Moreover, she maintained the three-dimensional attack of Rectoluz, which she turned towards the rear guard’s opponents, as is Though at this late hour, one could not help but be astonished at her abilities in spatial perception

(But, this is the best ti……!)

Matching his ti with that of Julis, Ayato shortened his distance to Kyouko, albeit slightly forcibly

Although his prana was chipped away as he was struck by several light bullets, incurring soe for this opportunity could not be helped

Were she to try to either defend against or evade Julis’s fireballs, Ayato would ju

Although, if Kyouko were to try to evade it, Julis could simply make her Six-Petal Burst Firebloom (Amaryllis) explode It would be ie In that case, there was also a possibility for Ayato being caught up in the explosion, but he could grasp it[4] to sonition”

Conditionally, Ayato’s side was advantageous

“Oi, oi, scary”

But, there was no impatience on Kyouko’s face

As she caled out of their lines of fire

“In that case, I’ll do this…… explode!”

In response to the dodge, Julis made the fireballs explode as she had anticipated it

A roaring sound shook the air, and flash of light and explosive flaed ── but

“──Isn’t that a bad move with me as your opponent?”

Just like water being sucked up into an empty hole in the bottom of a lake, the flames flowed into the palms of Kyouko’s hands, which were held out towards them

“Wha……!”

“Heeh, the three of theood ability”

Between Kyouko’s fingers, which were grasped as if to squash the blast, three nails, just like the ones stuck into her bat, let their sharp tips stick out

(So, she stores another person’s ability in that way, huh……!)

As expected of so able to counter all ability users were not necessarily a lie

“But, at this distance……!”

Even so, Julis’s attack gained enough time for Ayato to shorten the distance

He slashed with <ser-versta> in a high chop aie on Kyouko’s chest ── Just before that

“──Well then, I’ll use it at once”

Ayato felt a shi+ver down his spine, stopping his attack immediately and leaped back

Iht ran from Kyouko’s hand, fireballs filled with fiery winds appeared before Ayato’s eyes ── and exploded

It was Julis’s Six-Petal Burst Firebloom (Amaryllis)

“Guh……!”

Although he soreatly bloay by the shock and landed while rolling on the training room’s floor

“Oh, your judgood I’ll praise you for that”

Kyouko revealed a carefree sain put the nail bat on her shoulder