Volume 1, 4 — Platoon Match(1/2)
It's been a while since I wrote my last letter. A lot's happened over here, so I'm a bit tired. It's because of the cleaning duties in the Central Mechanism Chamber and school life.
I still haven't received your letter. I wonder whether my letter arrived safely?
I'm finding it very difficult to look for my future goal.
In Grendan, I was fortunate to have ability and it didn't take me long to choose the path of the Katana. But now I feel that I need huge courage to determine my own future.
Every time I look at these people who strive forward for their goals, I think they have lots of courage, yet I feel stupid and ridiculous for thinking that. I know there's no need to admire them. It's enough to look at my own goal.
Haha, how weak I am. Uh, I know that too. I've come to Zuellni, but I still haven't found my goal.
My school life is smooth.
It'd be great if I could find what I want to do in these six years. I can't be too lazy about it, but there's no point panicking.
How're you over there? I'm sure you're doing fine.
May you have a happy future.
To my dear Leerin Marfes,
Layfon Alseif.
◇
He wanted money.
He didn't really care for the reputation that came with the Heaven's Blade. He thought learning the katana was the fastest way to earn money, as his Master had praised his talent with the katana.
historical
Lance Shelled Grendan. It was fortunate he was born in this city that prospered on Military Arts. He didn't know his parents, but he was thankful of them for giving him talent with the katana.
He had to use this power to make money.
He lived for fifteen years with that purpose alone.
The luckiest thing that happened was that he became a successor of the Heaven's Blade before he was 14.
But he was still troubled by money.
The air of commotion stretched out from the locker room to the narrow corridor.
Layfon walked silently in the corridor. He let out a light sigh and tried to relieve the illusive pressure that was bearing down on him from the air.
But he couldn't do it.
He thought he had let it all out, but the irritating feeling rushed back into his chest. He felt his stomach, the pressure refusing to go away.
"Wuwu...."
"Are you all right?" Nina asked beside him.
"....I should ask you, senpai. You don't look well yourself."
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm very calm."
Despite her reply, it was clear that she didn't feel as calm. Her eyes were darting around, and her footsteps were less firm.
"Anyway, the 16th platoon is good at formations, but once a formation becomes shaky, there'll be an opening."
"You said that three times already."
Nina glared at him. He wasn't afraid of her getting mad. The light pink on the edge of her cheeks meant she was only covering up her embarrassment. Even so, he moved his gaze away from her.
"Listen. I'm sorry, but we can't rely much on Sharnid's support. I need him to move alone today. And Felli's progress in tracking enemies hasn't improved," she said with a sour expression.
Although they had been training since that day, Sharnid's long-distance shots failed to coordinate with the team's movement, and Felli's detection of enemies hadn't improved.
(Uh, of course.)
He didn't know what the deal was with Sharnid, but it was expected of Felli. She was determined not to work at her best so her brother would let her go.
(About that point, I'm the same.)
"This time we're on the offensive. As long as I don't fall, we won't lose. We'll respond depending on the situation today and win the match. Thank goodness my coordination with you has improved."
She thwacked a fist against Layfon's chest. It was a light strike, but he still coughed at the contact.
After platoon training, he always trained alone with Nina. Because of that, he could accurately read Nina's attack pattern, and she also seemed to understand how Layfon would react.
Nina mumbled as she looked at the map in her hand. This must be her strategic plan. She was thinking hard on how to win with the current strength of the team.
From dark bags under her blood-shot eyes, it was clear she was determined to win this match.
Yes, today, they had a platoon match.
Match. Just thinking of that word made his stomach hurt.
"I'm sorry. I need to go to the bathroom," Layfon apologized.
"Got it. I'll go ahead then," Nina said, still deeply absorbed in the map.
In the men's bathroom, Layfon splashed tap water onto his face. The coldness of the water cleared his head.
"Ugh, it's still not working."
The pain in his stomach hadn't subsided, and he could also feel the pressure in his chest.
"Damn."
"What's wrong? You don't look well." A voice floated over just as he was about to splash his face again. He didn't turn to address the owner of the voice, but he saw the other person's face in the mirror.
Felli would never have thought such a gentle smile could adorn Karian's face.
"....What do you want?"
"There's no need to be on guard. I'm here to give the new platoon some encouragement. I just saw you on the way here. You don't look well."
"I'm tense because it's almost time for the match."
Layfon didn't detect any pressure from Karian, the pressure he felt when he first met the Student President. But there was a certain dissatisfaction mixed up with the pain in Layfon's stomach. His gaze reflected in the mirror also looked worse.
"How could that be? This is child's play to you, Wolfstein."
"....It's meaningless no matter how many times you repeat that title. It doesn't belong to me anymore. I was expelled from Grendan and I don't have the Heaven Blade."
His disapproval of Karian....Could be because of Felli's words. He resisted Karian who even used his own sister to reach his goal.
"And why is that? Are you not satisfied with me waiving your school fees? Speaking of which, you're still cleaning in the Central Mechanism Chamber. Do you still need money? If so...."
"....That isn't the problem."
"Then what's the issue? Layfon Alseif. The Heaven's Blade Wielder Wolfstein I know cares more about money than reputation."
Karian didn't change his expression, but his words cut straight to the core. Layfon only collected himself at the huge noise that came from the floor tiles when he stomped on them.
Karian's reflection on the mirror maintained his smile.
"I don't know where you got that information from....but it's incomplete."
"Um, just what's going on? Can you explain to me what kind of a person Wolfstein is?"
"No. That's something you don't have to know."
"It's fine if you don't tell me. I just want you to perform well in the fight."
Karian ended the conversation one-sidedly and went out into the corridor.
Layfon watched his back, having no desire to chase after him.
"Yes, yes...." Karian suddenly halted his steps.
"I hope you can stop your naive thinking that playing around in the match can get you back into General Studies. I've said so already. I'll do anything for the survival of the city. As long as something is useful to me, I'll use it."
"Even if it's your sister?"
"Even if it's my sister. Well, I'm going now."
Karian moved out of Layfon's sight. He must be heading for the locker room of the 17th platoon. Layfon stayed rooted to the spot. He didn't want to see Karian again in the locker room.
He sat on the edge of the sink, lifted his head to watch the ceiling with his hand covering his wet face.
"Ah~~Damn it!"
Letting out his emotion failed to alleviate the pain in his stomach.
◇
Meishen looked at the basket resentfully on her knees.
"You can't help it. They said non-related personnel can't enter before the match," Mifi comforted her in the audience seat.
"....But...."
Meishen gazed at the basket regretfully. She got up early today just to make this bento.
"....Lay....ton lives alone. He might not have had breakfast."
"Perhaps, but we didn't ask him to come out. Just forget it," Mifi said, pretending not to have heard the pause between "Lay" and "ton".
(Layfon? Layfon-kun? Just which one is it? Hmm, with Meishen's personality, it probably is Layfon-kun....I don't think she'd want to call him just "Lay.")
Mifi thought so.
She knew Meishen greatly admired Layfon, that was why they became friends, but she never thought Meishen would have made him bento with her own two hands.
(Is there a chance? Layton seems pretty slow with this kind of thing.)
She looked at Meishen. Meishen was delicate and small. She was about the same height as Felli. Her face? It would be Felli's overwhelming win in that area. The two girls were of different types, but the girl in the 17th platoon was exactly like an exquisite doll. She gave off an illusive and dangerous allure from head to toe. Compared to her, Meishen definitely wasn't not cute, but she always had this about-to-cry look in between her eyebrows.
What about body build? Meishen had the advantage in this area. She was the most physically matured out of the three of them. Although her small stature didn't quite match, her body was so grown up that even Mifi herself felt inferior.
Even now, the surrounding males were boldly staring at the curve of her chest.
About chest size, the order went: Meishen, Mifi, and lastly Naruki. The order was reversed when it came to height.
(I'm always in the middle. It feels like I'm losing out.)
Meishen didn't let any boys get close to her because of her shyness, but at the same time, she was protected by many guys. Naruki's brave and bold personality also made it hard for anyone to get close, but everyone agreed she was beautiful.
(Only I'm not liked. I haven't received a love letter either.)
"What is it? Still sulking?" Naruki came back with some juice.
Naruki's short hair danced in the wind. She frowned at it. Both her hands were occupied with snacks and three paper cups of juice, so she couldn't smooth out her hair.
That pose suited her.
"It's unexpectedly crowded. I waited a long time in the queue....What's up?"
"....Nothing."
Mifi snatched up her own juice and snack, and lifted her gaze to watch the arena.
The uneven ground of the war field, dotted here and there with trees, was fenced in. Above was the camera of the Alchemy course, controlled by a Psychokinesist. It was currently being tested; The big screens facing the audience seats cycled through different areas of the field.
"Isn't it about time? When is Layton's match?"
Meishen should know, but why was Mifi angry? Naruki didn't get it.
"There are four matches today and Layton's is the third. How is the unknown 17th platoon gonna react to the speed of the 16th platoon? Everyone's interested in that, but the odds on them aren't good. Layton's team falls way behind."
"People are gambling on this?"
Sharp light shot from Naruki's eyes. Gambling over a platoon match was illegal. In Naruki's harness was a Dite with the symbol of the City Police on it.
"I didn't place a bet."
"Of course."
"Besides, it's useless for you to stop it. It hasn't received official permission, but it's mutually acknowledged. As long as they don't make a mess, the City Police won't do anything about it," Mifi said.
Naruki grunted, looking around with outrage in her eyes.
Mifi sighed.
"Really.... Why are all Military Artists obsessed? It's just entertainment."
"What nonsense! Military Arts is heaven's greatest gift to humanity. To dirty it through one's own desire...."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. What do you think of Layton's situation?" Mifi changed the subject.
Naruki thought for a moment.
"Well...." she said with a different feeling from before and touched her chin.
"I'm not sure how good his comrades are, but I think he's strong. Yes, that's what I think...."
"What is it?" Mifi said, noticing her hesitation.
"I've only trained with Internal-type Kei, but Layton's External-type Burst Kei isn't too bad. But I feel that..He himself isn't too keen on the match."
"Yes."
"....Layton, he wouldn't get hurt, would he?" Meishen said, a deep frown sitting between her eyebrows, as if she was about to cry.
Naruki smiled and shook her head. "They're using blunted weapons. We don't have to worry about him sustaining any injuries."
"Though, every year, the average number of people getting injured in Military Arts is around 300. It's three times more than other courses and it's mostly caused in training and matches."
Mifi's words made the tears fall from Meishen's eyes.
Naruki's fist connected with Mifi's head.
◇
His stomach had stopped hurting, but now his brain felt dull and listless. Layfon wasn't keen on the match at all.
The team walked into the corridor, leaving the locker room for the match. Sunlight replaced the artificial light. The fervent atmosphere surrounded them.
"Ah!" Layfon voiced his annoyance at the unusual scene in the battlefield.
Numerous students sat in the audience section and a camera hovered in the air. One of the big screens showed the members of platoon 17.
"Not bad!"
Sharnid waved at the camera. Some students in the audience section shouted in shrill excitement. Sharnid's smile widened.
"This atmosphere suits me the best. I think I can perform three times better than usual!"
"I hope so," Nina said, coldly glancing at him, disapproving his flippant attitude. She then scanned the field.
"Except for the area we're now in, everything else is about the same as usual."
As Nina said, the terrain wasn't that different from usual.
"We can't be careless. The defense team might have set traps. Felli, search for the enemies and traps when the match begins. Can you handle both?"
"Who knows," Felli replied, supporting herself on her staff. Nina's expression turned harsh.
The atmosphere made Layfon feel weak on his shoulders.
The commentator for the match spoke through the loudspeaker, his voice full of energy. The match was about to begin. Layfon restored his Dite.
He held a greenish blue sword.
In the past, he held it because of money.
But now?
The light from the green Dite didn't have Kei in it. It was simply reflecting the ray of the sun. The beautiful and empty light weighed down on Layfon.
It was all because of his recklessness at the opening ceremony. He was hassled by the riot. Before he knew what was happening, he had suppressed the culprits of the riot.
Why did he do that? He regretted his action.
"Really."
"Hmm? What is it?"
He spoke in a whisper, but Nina had heard it.
"Nothing."
The siren signaling the beginning of the match drowned out his reply.
"Time to go," Nina said.
Layfon followed behind her.
◇
Inside the Student President's room, Karian watched the screen. Both camps in the match had moved out after the siren sounded. Karian's gaze followed the attacker who was dragging his greenish blue sword behind and clumsily chasing after his captain.
"Is this the guy that the Student President admires?"
The owner of the voice was a Military Student, standing before the office desk. With an awe-inspiring countenance, the muscular man patted the beard on his chin, watching the screen.
"His movements are clumsy and his flow of Kei is really bad. Did he really suppress the riot in the opening ceremony?"
"The very same, Military Arts' Commander Vance."
"Ha?"
Vance Hardy, Commander of Military Arts - the representative of the Military Arts course leaned on the office desk, watching the screen with incomprehension.
"Well then, he lacks enthusiasm. What a useless guy. This includes the one who transferred him into Military Arts."
Karian shrugged and avoided eye contact.
"I can guarantee his true ability. No one in Zuellni can be his opponent if he's serious. This is only a gathering for a group of novices, an amateurish organization. To one who immersed himself in the professional world for so many years, this match is a child's game."
"We're betting our lives on this game."
"Yes, even if it's a game , the ideal we hold to keep the city alive is the same, but he doesn't seem to understand that."
"And there's also your sister."
"Have you a different opinion, Commander?"
"Of course. The two who lack enthusiasm and the Sharnid with real power but no cooperation. As the Military Arts Commander and the one who is responsible for the city's defense, I have a lot to complain about for giving Nina a platoon with so many issues. It makes more sense to put her in another platoon and nurture her that way."
"Wasn't she the one who refused that proposal?"
Vance shut his mouth.
"Two years ago, everyone had huge expectations for her. She was accepted into a platoon when she was only in first year. But she'd changed her mind since we failed in the Military Arts competition. She formed her own team because of that. She chose Sharnid herself. I gave her the other two, but I did it with the belief that she could use them well."
"I'm against her forming a platoon."
"Unfortunately, I have the final say."
"....Are you planning to destroy the future of an excellent student!?" Vance roared and struck the desk with his fist. The air vibrated. He was twice as muscular as Karian, but the Student President remained calm.
"Only if this city survives," Karian waved away the vibrating air. "Can you guarantee we'll win in the next competition?"
The gentle smiled disappeared. Karian challenged Vance with a gaze as sharp as the blade of a knife. The Commander lifted his thick eyebrows and accepted the challenge.
"There are no absolutes in war," Vance said.
"Yes, but I still want an absolute guarantee. We must win to guarantee the survival of this city. Humans can't live without the city. This cold world rejects us. I think you should know the meaning of losing a city?"
What was outside the city - The few plants that managed to survive on this polluted earth were poisonous. The only survivors were the filth monsters that had overcome the poison.
Unable to survive in this harsh world, humans could only live in an artificial world - in a mobile city.
"Of course I understand that. But this is an Academy. It's a place of learning. I won't abandon good students!"
"I'm nurturing them."
"How so?"
"You can obtain something by failing. Humans grow through failures. The greatest proof of maturity is what one obtains through enormous suffering. My sister and Layfon Alseif haven't yet understood this point, so I've thrown them over there."
"Meaning this platoon is full of abandoned students?"
"They haven't been abandoned. You can only make conclusions after the result."
"In the end, even you can't guarantee the result."
Karian nodded as if this was natural. "There's nothing absolute about people. If it exists, I'll become a mad believer."
He moved his gaze back to the screen.
The camera controlled by Psychokinesis was filming a certain area of the war field.
Layfon's desperate expression, his face stuck with sweat and dust, appeared on the screen.
"In this life and death situation, you'll be suspected. Have you truly given up? Or have you not?" Karian's murmuring turned Vance's gaze to the screen too.
The 17th platoon was losing.
◇
A platoon must have at least four fighting members.
Yes, that was written in the Military Arts handbook. The 17th platoon had four people, so it fulfilled the minimal number. Harley wasn't in the count as he wasn't a fighter.
Then what about the maximum number?
Seven people.
The 16th platoon had five fighting members. This was already counted as a small platoon. Usually, a platoon had seven fighting members.
Preparing the fighting strength of the team was an absolute must to win and survive, but the 17th platoon lacked this.
The excuse of not having enough time made no difference in the field. The excuse of the losing team was just a dog's barking, not worth listening to. Besides, Nina had no intention of giving voice to it.
The 17th platoon lacked the strength of one more member.
He couldn't help but think that the result could be overturned.
Truly, that was what Layfon was thinking, even though he didn't plan to win.
How naive of him.
When the siren sounded, he and Nina rushed forward to the enemy base. They had to eliminate the entire enemy team to win, or make them lose their fighting capability and destroy the flag they were protecting. On the other hand, the defense team had to either defeat the captain of the enemy team or protect their flag within the time limit. The defense team could set traps in the field before the match, so they had the advantage if they were to just keep on the defensive side.
It was like this because the victory conditions in a real Military Arts competition were the defeat of the enemy's forces or the destruction of the city's Central Mechanism, which was represented by the flag.
"The other team will probably choose to defend. All they need to do is protect their flag until the time limit," Nina said in the locker room.
"Me and Layfon will act as bait. During that time, Sharnid is to snipe the flag. It's an old-fashioned but realistic plan."
"Layfon, the first problem we'll face is getting through the traps as fast as we can. The 16th platoon can't easily detect Sharnid's Kei, but we'll have to attract the Psychokinesist's attention with our speed. Our mission is to confuse the other team."
That was why the two of them were running on the uneven ground and heading straight for the front line of the opposing team. They moved at their highest speed while running through bushes and staying alert for traps.
Something felt wrong.
"Layfon, be careful," Nina said from behind. She felt it too.
There weren't any traps.
On the ground could be simple traps like pits, nets, conductive wires....and bundles of grass to trip one's feet....They didn't find any mines controlled by Psychokinesis. Except for the changes made to the terrain for the match, nothing else looked different.
On Nina's gesture, Layfon stopped running and hid inside the shadow of the bush.
"Felli, have you found the enemy's position?"
"Two reactions in the enemy camp, and three at the front. None of the targets are moving," Felli answered lightly through the transmitter. The opponents didn't plan to hide any of their moves.
"They plan to receive our attack without reducing our strength through traps? Are we being underestimated?" Nina mumbled.
Another voice came through the transmitter. "This is Sharnid. I'm in position. There's something blocking my target, but this is the best position I could find. If there's a better opening, I guarantee my shot will hit."
So he planned to hit the obstacle before sniping the flag. But with that much time wasted, both the Psychokinesist and people who could use External-type Burst Kei might discover Sharnid's position. He'd become the target of the enemy's sniper.
"Wait a minute. Just stay there and wait for your order."
"Roger. I'll shoot if a chance presents itself."
"I'm counting on you."
Nina's gaze threw out a question at Layfon.
(What do we do?)
He knew they could only keep on moving. The 16th platoon couldn't be unaware of the two of them. Even so, three members of the enemy team hadn't made a move, meaning they planned to receive attacks head-on.
And if the 17th platoon didn't take any action, the enemies would remain where they were till the time ran out. They would win.
There was only one thing left to do.
Fight the enemy. In a 2 vs 5 fight, the 17th platoon was at a disadvantage.
"Geez," Layfon complained in a low voice. Although the situation was as predicted, this was exactly what the other team had planned.
(What do we do next?)
Layfon's gaze reflected his question, and Nina wordlessly nodded. Now they had to rush the front line, just as they had agreed. He didn't understand why she was full of confidence. Her voice came through his transmitter.
"We'll follow the original plan. We'll draw the attackers into the front section of the field. Aim for the ground when we get there and use the smoke to confuse the enemy."
"Just don't get in my line of sight!" Sharnid said.
Felli asked for Sharnid's position, and Nina gave Layfon an order.
"Draw the enemy to the west."
The two of them signaled through eye contact. Layfon emerged from the bush, followed closely by Nina. As he ran, he extended his Kei to his blade. The Kei flowed like blood. This was a Kei vein. It connected Layfon's palm to the sword so the blade became a part of his body. The blade gave off a clear, blue light that was unlike that of the sun's. Layfon could feel the murky feeling from the blade.
Because he could feel the blade as if it had grown a nervous system overnight, he experienced the unnatural, numb and irritating feeling....a novice might be satisfied at this stage, but not Layfon. He needed it to be more intense. The colour of his Kei could be more vivid, more exciting.
The color of Kei on his blade looked so unsightly!
He clamped down his teeth to suppress his desire. He knew his best Kei wasn't of this level. But what would it do to use his best Kei here? What did he want to do? Nothing. He couldn't use his full power because he didn't know what he wanted to do.
What he was searching for wasn't the gem-like color of his Kei.
"Layfon!"
The shrill voice came not from the transmitter. He realized his consciousness had drifted off. He gazed back at the scene before him, but his heart was not in it.
When he collected himself, he was in a sea of dust.
In the moment they emerged from the bushes, their enemies had also arrived with high speed. And that speed had filled the air with dust and soil particles, blocking out the sun and dimming the surrounding area.
Layfon stopped running. He looked around, sensing Nina behind him.
"Look closely at the flow of the air!" Nina's order came through his transmitter.
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