Chapter 866 - Mech Demonstration

"Her highness said that the mech demonstration was going to be today. That's why everyone's gathered at the main square but where's Shiina? I know she's going to be used for the demonstration but it's been a whole day hasn't it?" Oran asked as Akhess stayed silent.

"I don't know. If it's a demonstration, there's no need for Shiina is there? She doesn't know anything about these 'mechs'." Akhess shook his head.

"Well her highness did say something about training but what can you even do in one day. At most I think they would have Shiina enter a mech but that's about it." Oran said while looking at the crowd that had gathered at the main square.

*Whistle~

"That's quite big isn't it? I'd say it's pretty much everyone in this city." Oran glanced at Akhess who nodded his head in agreement.

"Last time her highness made an announcement she gifted everyone the Asharia. They would naturally expect her announcements to be something grand." Akhess explained.

"Mn true. Wait… isn't that Shiina? I almost couldn't recognise her then. Shiina!" Oran called out as the distance Shiina turned towards them with a lifeless expression.

"Oh it's Oran and Akhess. Are you two here to watch as well?" Shiina forced a smile. Currently she was wearing a hoodie version of the uniform to block out the light since it was too bright.

"Yeah we are. Are you ok? You don't look that well." Oran asked in worry as Shiina only chuckled.

"I'm fine, I just need some sleep once this whole thing is over." Shiina yawned slightly as Oran nodded his head.

"What does her highness need you for though? It's only been a day no? Are you just going to enter a mech then get out?" Oran asked.

"I wish. Haha, I had to spend the last 24 hour doing a god damn tutorial and her highness watched with a sadistic smile. I didn't know something so small could be both adorable and sadistic at the same time. Do you know how it feels for her to say good luck, I believe in you then immediately thrust you in a flight sim against flying targets? Activating two rail cannons support anchors so that I don't miss my shot, making sure the right thrusters are on so I don't go slamming against the ground, the feedback of the whole system and melee combat in that thing is cursed dammit! Cursed I say!" Shiina complained as the two were taken aback by her attitude since she wasn't like this a day ago.

"Ah was that a bit too much for you? Don't worry, you'll have more than a day to complete the tutorial so you won't have to go through all of this. Che." Clicking her tongue at the end, Shiina pulled her hood up and made her way to the back.

Staying silent, the two glanced at each other and couldn't help but cough awkwardly.

"Do you think we should treat her to a meal since we're technically the ones who volunteered her?" Oran forced a smile.

"Maybe. But she was quite enthusiastic about the chance anyway. I couldn't take it away after seeing her expression." Akhess nodded his head.

"Well maybe we should think things through when we accept something from her highness. While the rewards are good the risks are just as high." Oran said, remembering what Shiina became after a day with Shiro.

Shivering slightly, he sighed and prayed that he won't have the same outcome as her.

When it reached midday, Shiro appeared in the middle of the stage as the chattering quietened down.

"Ahem, like before, I'm still not good with speeches so I'll keep this short. As you know, in this world talent with magic is top priority. Even warriors use magic to empower their skills, enhance their body and so on. What if I told you that talent in magic is no longer needed. Even if you have the poorest talent, as long as you are willing to put in the effort, I can make it so that you can surpass those with better talent but don't work as hard. This is where the mechs come in, mechanised giants fitted with some of the best weapons and spells that I can provide. With a single press of a button, you can launch spells that are recorded in the mech during a battle without needing to cast it yourself. Naturally, if you have your own spell, you can also cast it using the casting system that is integrated on the mech.

"For those of you who are confused at what a mech is, let me explain." Shiro grinned as she waved her hand.

Hundreds of holograms appeared in the sky so that everyone in the main square could see it no matter where they were.

Spending a bit of time to explain the mech's systems such as the weapons, movement, defences and so on, Shiro used the holograms to help explain things a little better.

"Naturally, explaining things using images and demonstrating are two very different things. As some of you know, the city of Asharia has been moving through the sky since yesterday, we have been travelling towards a nest of Hydra's so that we may show you the effectiveness of the mech. Our pilot and demonstrator of the first mech to be deployed from Asharia is Shiina Isirvyn, a talented soldier who I have personally trained in using the mech. She will be attacking the nest by herself. Normally, a soldier of her standard would be using a specialised unit tailored for her skill set but to show you that even the most common mech can be powerful when piloted with skill, I shall have her pilot the cadet mech to attack the Hydras. I know you have your doubts but worry not, this entire city will be her backup as the cannons will fire upon the nest to clean up should any unexpected situations arise but I doubt that would happen. Now turn your eyes towards the screen." Shiro smiled before taking a step back and gesturing towards the screen that had appeared.

Seeing Shiina with a serious expression on her face while wearing a hooded army uniform with a skirt and tights, a few of the spirits couldn't help but wonder if that's really a uniform suited for piloting a 'mech' but they didn't say anything just yet since this was a demonstration. Questions came later.

Suddenly, a hologram of Shiro appeared next to Shiina as she couldn't help but shiver for a moment.

"Pilot Shiina, are you ready for deployment?" Shiro asked with a smile as Shiina nodded her head.

Stepping forward, she put on the gloves which automatically adjusted themselves to fit her size.

[User Confirmed]

[Registered Pilot 01 – Shiina]

[Cranial Connector Link Confirmed]

[Glove Connector Link Confirmed]

[Leg Connector Link Confirmed]

[Full Body Sync Confirmed]

[Connection to Standard Unit 01 Finalised.]

[Ready for deployment]

With the words ready for deployment on the screen, Shiina didn't hesitate to do some test movements to follow standard procedure so that she can confirm that everything was working.

"Standard Unit 01 no problems. Deploying now."

Taking a step forward, Shiina broke into a sprint as a second screen showed the mech from the outside.

Opening the hangar door, Shiina dived off Asharia and plunged head first towards the ground.

Tapping the screen to her right a few times, several panels appeared in front of her as she navigated the menus with speed and efficiency.

The spirits barely saw what was on the screen before a new menu appeared.

"Flight systems activated." Shiina said as the thrusters on the mech hummed with power.

*BANG!!!

Firing up at full strength, the mech shot towards the ground like a meteor.

"Target sighted, preparing to engage."

Tapping the left screen, Shiina deployed the Mk 3 orbital rail cannon as nanobots surged towards the mech's left hand.

Creating the rail cannon, Shiina aimed at the nest and fired without hesitation.

Suddenly, tens of tier 6 magic circles appeared around the barrel of the rail cannon as everyone watched in shock since the highest tier they knew of was tier 5 but despite that fact, Shiina was actually using tier 6 magic without any difficulties.

Everyone knew that Shiina was not a tier 6 spirit so this already proved how powerful the mechs were.

*BOOM!!!

Firing a radiant bolt of energy towards the nest, the recoil of the gun immediately slowed down the mech's descent towards the ground.

*BANG!!!

Landing on the ground with ease thanks to the rail cannon decreasing her velocity, she dismissed the gun before summoning two swords.

Looking at the flames erupting out of the Hydra nest, Shiina glared at it fiercely.

'It's because of this that I had to go through that hellish tutorial in just one day! Die for me!' She shouted out in her mind as she activated all of the thrusters and dashed towards the burning nest with two swords in hand.

"How familiar." Lyrica muttered remembering the rage that Silvia had when she bit off the neck of that rabbit after some training with Shiro.

Realising what had happened, she put her hands together.

'Rest in peace, 'normal' Shiina.' May your sacrifice be remembered.'