Volume 7 - CH 6

Airships were a relatively common mean of transport in Asterisk. They, which were miniaturized by Meteoric Engineering technology, could take off and land well enough if there were landing fields of a heliport size.

That said, they were mainly oriented towards tourists, and students rarely used them. If there was an exception, it would be in case that the student council staff disliked congestion when they went out until the central district.

Like now.

“U-Um, I am sorry for the late introduction…! I-I am Zhao HuFeng, I act as the secretary in the World Dragon Seventh Institute Student Council!”

“You’re the <Tenka Musou>[1] Zhao-kun, right? Of course, I know you. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve also come to my concerts, right?”

“Eh? H-How do you know that…?”

“From the stage, I’m looking as much as possible at the faces of people who always came at my concert. Naturally, I can’t remember everyone though.”

When Sylvia smiled sweetly, the boy ── HuFeng’s face suddenly turned bright red.

“I-I’m honored!”

Speaking of the <Tenka Musou> Zhao HuFeng, he currently is the World Dragon Seventh Institute rank #5. He was a warrior who achieved the runner up status in the <Phoenix> four years ago ── or he should be, but at the moment, he only looked like a mere fan.

“Sorry. That fellow likes Ms. Diva very much.”

XingLu sitting in front of Ayato clatteringly laughed as she said so.

World Dragon Seventh Institute’s airship where a dragon was drawn on the hull was a small size, but the interior was quite spacious. Although saying that, its guest room could gather up to ten people. The indoor was of an oriental structure typical of a World Dragon’s airship, a window was greatly open on the wall surface, and one could overlook Asterisk’s cityscape below.

“Speaking of which, errr…”

“XingLu is fine. You aren’t my disciple, so the honorific is unneeded.”

“Then, XingLu. That event, perhaps will you also participate?”

“No. This time, I’m taking part as the management side. Instead, HuFeng will participate.”

At her words, HuFeng who looked flustered completely switched his mood and knitted his brows.

“I said that I did not want to though. But Master forced me…”

Compared to XingLu, HuFeng seemed to have a pretty serious personality. So, one could easily guess that he was always anxious when it came to her.

“But well, it’s a rare opportunity since I can see <Murakumo>’s ability closely, so since I’m participating, I will effectively utilize it.”

As HuFeng said so, he turned a challenging gaze towards Ayato.

They were upright eyes as to let one feel the heat peculiar to a soldier.

“Also, there is also a big guest whose emergency participation was decided last night.”

“A big guest?”

“Yes, it’s the <Holy Knight>.”

“<Holy Knight>…? Don’t tell me the one from Garrardsworth?”

As he raised a surprised voice, XingLu contentedly nodded.

“Judging only from sword skill, there’s no one who surpassed him currently in Rikka. Well, if that young lady of your school was the same age, I don’t know how it would turn though.”

“Heeh, so even Ernest will participate…”

Sylvia who heard that was somewhat lost in thought.

“──Hey, XingLu. That event, are the registrations still opened?”

“Eh… Sylvie?”

“S- Sylvia-san!?”

To Sylvia who suddenly asked as such, Ayato and HuFeng’s complexions changed; but XingLu suddenly bent forward as to check it.

“Hohoho, aren’t you motivated, Ms. Diva?”

“It’s certain that it’s a rare opportunity after all.”

“Good, good, it should be like that. What, the participation registrations are already closed, but you may leave it to me. I’ll make you participate even if I have to force it. ──Well, I don’t think that there will be fools who will decline if Sylvia Lyyneheym wishes to participate though.”

XingLu said so and exultantly took out her portable terminal.

✱

『Now, ladies and gentlemen gathered here in this hall! Have you fully enjoyed the annual school festival? Those who have already enjoyed themselves enough, no, even those who still haven’t had enough, let’s me assure you that going back home without watching this will be a great loss that will echo throughout your life! Thank you for waiting! It is finally the start of the Grand Coliseum!』

Eishiro’s voice echoed in the Sirius Dome and great storm-like cheers raised undulation as if to respond to it. That climax was in no inferior to that of a <Festa>.

All the participants were already gathered in the stage, and they numbered about 30.

Since as soon as Ayato and company arrived at the hall, they were handed a lux and showed to this stage, they were not yet told what they should do.

『I, Yabuki Eishiro of Seidoukan Academy Newspaper Club, will be in charge of the live coverage of this event jointly organized by three academies. Pleased to meet to you.』

When looking towards the commentary seat, Eishiro was grasping the mike with an indeed excited expression.

Still, Eishiro was making a very fine live coverage even though it was not his principal occupation.

“Yo, Amagiri. You still have that stupid look as usual. You don’t look like the <Phoenix>’s champion at all.”

Then, a familiar voice accosted Ayato from behind.

“Long time no see, Irene. You look energetic as usual.”

“Hmph, not quite. Thanks to a certain someone, <Gravi-Sheath> is no longer usable. I’m also ranked #18 now.”

Irene said so, but since she lost <Gravi-Sheath>, it was probably thanks to her high physical specs that she could be in that position. In fact, Ayato understood it after fighting her, but her self-taught taijutsu was little inferior even compared with the top rankings of World Dragon.

“Which reminds me, I heard that you came to our academy during the day. That you came accompanied by a woman. Unexpectedly, you aren’t to be underestimated, huh.”

Irene said so with a smirk.

“Ah, that’s…”

She had probably heard that from Priscilla.

But, how on earth should he explain it?

『This time, the contenders participating in this Grand Coliseum are only warriors up-and-coming ranks or higher in each academy who went through rigorous scrutiny! Since it’s a rare opportunity, I will introduce particularly well-known guest participants who are among them! First, the <Phoenix> champion and Seidoukan Academy rank #1 still fresh in everyone’s memory! The user of an old style swordsmanship transmitted from the warring eras, the <Murakumo> Amagiri Ayato!』

Then, the spotlights suddenly focused on Ayato, and he unintentionally closed his eyes partly due to their dazzle.

At the same time, cheers calling Ayato’s name rose conspicuously and the hot atmosphere seemed to burn his skin.

『Furthermore, there is the <Holy Knight> of Garrardsworth whose participation was decided in a hurry! The leader of the Silver Wings Knights and rank #1 who won the <Gryps> twice successively, the last time and the time before last! A knight among knights whom that <Holy Sword> has fallen in love with at first sight, Ernest Fairclough!』

This time, the spotlights moved to Ayato’s right and a handsome man wearing Garrardsworth’s uniform lightly raised his hand.

Immediately after, piercing-like shrill cheers arose.

It looked like Ernest’s popularity with women was quite high.

『And, and~! A really unexpected emergency participation! The matchless diva, the world’s best top idol, Queen Veil’s rank #1 and the <Lindvolus> runner-up! The one whose singing voice enchanted all things, the <Melodious Witch> Sylvia Lyyneheym~!』

And when the spotlights moved to Ayato’s diagonal left deafening cheers, in incomparable amount with Ayato’s and Ernest’s, broke out in the Sirius Dome.

Rather than cheers, it was already close to shrieks.

“Wow… amazing.”

“Well, she’s a world-class Diva after all. It’s to be expected, right?”

Irene who said so did not seem that much interested in Sylvia.

“As for me, I’m more interested in that boy.”

Irene set her glance to HuFeng doing warm-ups by the wall.

“I came to think of doing hand-to-hand fighting again. But as expected, World Dragon’s martial arts are more logical. In the way of using prana or something like that, I guess? Among them, that guy is exceptionally skillful at it.”

“Heeh…… So that means Irene has happened to witness a battle Zhao HuFeng.”

The movements of prana and mana were quite hard to grasp with only a video recording.

Ayato has also watched a match video of HuFeng, but it somehow or other gave the impression that his speed was out of the common.

If it was only about speed, he might be faster than anyone Ayato has seen so far.

“Well yes. ──Is it finally the explanation?”

As he returned his attention to Eishiro’s voice at Irene’s words, the explanation about the event contents was certainly about to begin.

『──With all that said, I shall finally explain what kind of event the Grand Coliseum is! After all, we’ve only disclosed the participatory field simulation battle in the prior announcement. I think that the contenders are already impatient to know it, too.』

It was quite amazing since the Sirius Dome was already full despite the fact that only such vague information was revealed. Rather, fanning the curiosity by keeping secrecy to some extent might also have worked effectively.

In fact, an event which used the Sirius Dome must go through the deliberation of Asterisk parliament which managed it. Needless to say that a large amount of funds was necessary, if the outlook as an event was a project with misgivings, it should have been rejected.

On that point, with only the fact that it was an event held in the Sirius Dome on the last day of the school festival, there would be many visitors who anticipated that quality should be secured to some extent.

『First of all, this Grand Coliseum is organized in three phases. The contender who clears each phase’s condition can proceed to the next phase, but in case he fails, then he will be disqualified; so please note that.』

“Clear the condition, huh… it’s seem like a game, I guess.”

“I don’t think it’s something that sweet though. After all, I hear that the organizer of this event is the <Lion Faction>’s vice president.”

Speaking of <Lion Faction>, Camilla Pareto was its president and it was Allekant’s largest faction.

“Currently, the <Lion Faction> is right in the midst of headship dispute of Camilla Pareto. This event too is mostly planned basically as to show off her research results.”

Certainly it was difficult to imagine that she simply organized an event of this scale as a mere entertainment.

“Well then, let’s stop with the chat here. Do your best.”

When Irene said so, she parted from Ayato while waving her hand.

A huge space screen was unfolded overhead of the stage and the small conditions that Eishiro was explaining now were displayed there.

『And here is an important point, the Grand Coliseum isn’t a battle royal! Hence, battles between players are prohibited. In case that one was to intentionally attack another contender, he will immediately be disqualified; so please note that. In addition, in order to expect fairness regarding the contenders’ weapons, we will have them use normal luxes which the management prepared.』

“Oh, so that’s why I was given this.”

What was given to Ayato was a blade type lux.

No matter what the conditions were, if he were to use <Ser-Versta> in a setting where a weapon was necessary, it could not be considered nothing but as unfair.

『Similarly, <Strega> and <Dante> are prohibited the use of their abilities ── though I say that, there is only one person whom it applied to among the participants this time.』

Needless to say, that one person was Sylvia.

It seemed that the management wanted to have contests with only physical ability and technique purely.

(I guess, they probably had their eyes on the <Strega> and <Dante> beforehand with that “strict scrutiny”……)

There was a chance that XingLu might protest against concerning Sylvia, but as expected her name value exceed it.

『Now then, we’ll leave the introduction as this and begin the first phase at once!』

At the same time as Eishiro’s words, the illumination changed completely and countless glitters poured down from the ceiling to the center of the stage.

“Is that a RectoluxShining Type Long-Range Induction Armament…?”

The shining blade of light sword devices and the large gun devices both equally stopped in mid-air. Their number was probably not less than hundred.

Judging from the fact that the users’ figure could not be seen, though one did not know how many people it took, they might be operating from a different place.

『Now, as you see, this is the new type lux which is the topic of talk right now! I will ask the participants to clear the condition while getting through the attacks of these!』

The Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armament that Allekant and Seidoukan jointly developed and that Julis served as a monitor has just been officially announced at the end of last year.

Therefore, at present its users were only limited to the students of Allekant and Seidoukan; but it would eventually be spread to the other academies, too.

“…I see, so the first phase also serves as demonstration of this, huh.”

As Irene said, there seemed to be a lot of expectations behind the scenes.

『The condition to clear is to destroy the target terminals within the time limit. Since the target terminals’ mana dites’ color isn’t the usual green, but changed to red, please aim at it. However, there are 20 in total. And there are 31 participants, so at least 11 people will drop out here.』

When he said and confirmed it, among the Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armament, terminals with a different color were certainly mixed in.

『In addition, in this first phase, unlike the <Festa>, the whole body will be the target for judgment. On the occasion when one was hit by an attack, they will be disqualified regardless of the existence or not of the damage; so please be careful.』

That was again a very severe condition.

A one-on-one fight aside, the fact that, this was an environment where it would force a melee situation and would push the participants to be jumbled up together, even one hit from another participant was not permitted, and the stage was considerably advantageous for the organizer side.

『──You all, participants, are you ready? Well then first phase, start!』

Immediately after, Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armaments deployed so as to surround the participants.

“Sigh… it isn’t fun to be used for somebody’s convenience, but I guess I’ll do my best for the time being.”

Almost at the same time as Ayato released his seal, light bullets came attacking him from 360° all directions. Moreover, the sword type devices flew about so as to close their openings, some of them revolved overhead which was their blind spot, and there were also some which nose dive.

──But.

For Ayato who could use the state of “cognition”, dodging such attacks was a piece of cake.

No matter how many they were, the competency of the user meant everything for the things known as weapon after all.

From what Ayato saw, the users of the Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armaments did not seem to be as skilled as Julis.

As he looked for a target device while casually repelling the light bullets with his sword, he found it before long.

The target device, not participating in the attacks, was cautiously swimming the outer perimeter; but as if having noticed that Ayato aimed for it, it immediately flew to the back as to escape.

“Oops…!”

However, Ayato saw through the angle of a light bullet which attacked him and eluded it, and changed its trajectory to the target. It hit the target accurately and the target lost its balance in mid-air.

When Ayato instantly shortened the distance while slipping through a barrage, he cut down under the handle of the target with one stroke of his sword.

『T-This is early! Player Amagiri clears the first phase within the first minute after the start!』

“Phew…”

While hearing lively cheers, Ayato moved back to a corner of the stage.

“──As one would expect of you, Amagiri-kun.”

Then, a young man who similarly parted from the melee ── Ernest spoke to Ayato.

It looked like Ernest has also cleared the first phase early.

“Hahaha, I’m really honored to be praised by Asterisk’s strongest swordsman.”

“I’m not something that exaggerated ── should I say nice to meet you. Though we met in the award ceremony of the <Phoenix>.”

Ayato grabbed Ernest’s right hand which was held out.

He had never thought that he would shake hands with two ranks #1 twice on the same day.

“Your school[2] seems to assume fights of one against many, so as expected is this kind of situation your specialty?”

“Well, yes. A one-on-one fight is basic in Garrardsworth School’s swordsmanship, right?”

“Yes, it isn’t a development from a battlefield swordsmanship, but rather from duel swordsmanship after all.”

Since he was Garrardsworth’s student council president, Ayato thought that it would be a more formal person; but he unexpectedly gave off a friendly atmosphere. He was slightly older than Ayato, probably around 20 years old.

However, Ernest, still holding Ayato’s hand as is, fixedly stared at his face.

“Errr… what is it?”

“No, it was rude of me. Actually, since some time now I have wanted to talk slowly with you once. Well, I guess we can’t do it slowly in this situation.”

When Ernest said so and released his hand, he revealed a bitter smile.

“I was also told the something similar a while ago… By World Dragon’s student council president.”

“Hahaha, if you’ve caught the princess’s eye, then I guess it means that you’re the real deal.”

“But for some reason, I can’t seem to grasp that person, so I’m a little…”

Then, Sylvia came their way with a displeased face.

“Hmm, so this is a Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armament, huh… it isn’t really what I’ve expected.”

Sylvia did not seem to like the new type lux.

“Oh, Miss Lyyneheym. As expected, you were acquainted with Amagiri-kun, huh?”

“Well, yes. But, what do you mean by ‘as expected’?”

“Yesterday, both of you came to my school, right?”

“Oh my… were we found out?”

To his words, Ayato and Sylvia looked at each other.

They certainly went around Garrardsworth on the afternoon, but it might be said that it was the most peaceful academy without any incident in particular. They did not think that their identities have been found out.

“We have a girl with good eyes in our school, you see?”

“Ah, I see. That girl wearing men’s clothes, huh.”

As she had an idea of whom it was, Sylvia held her forehead with a face saying “oops”.

“Our vice-president who heard that the ranks #1 of Queen Veil and Seidoukan came over together, was a little worried about it. But, it looks like it was a needless anxiety.”

“Well, we were only on a date after all. Right, Ayato-kun?”

“Hahaha…”

“Hou, I’m really envious.”

As the three of them continued their idle chat as is for a while, the big buzzer sound suddenly echoed.

『End of the first phase!』

When they returned their gazes to the stage center at Eishiro’s voice, the Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armament, which were numerous in numbers, had stealthily decreased in number.

At the same time, there seemed to be more participants, who retired at the first stage than they thought.

But, there was something that Ayato was more anxious about.

(The first phase lasts about 15 minutes, huh… if the two remaining phases look like they will take too much time, then it’ll be slightly bad I guess.)

Ayato released the seal applied on him by Haruka, and the time he was able to go all out became much longer than before. But still, it was only over one hour. It was slightly doubtful whether or not he would last until the end of the event.

『──With that said, 15 people broke through the first phase! About half has dropped out! I’m sorry, but those who have been disqualified, please exit immediately.』

To the participants who left as they dropped their shoulders crestfallenly, applauses ── although hard to say that it was too grand ── were sent by the gallery.

There were also the figures of HuFeng and Irene among the remaining participants, and the other members were all people who seemed quite talented, too.

On the other hand, when considering the fact that all the members were ranked, although there were some strict conditions, it was possible to make a standard assessment for the usefulness of the Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armament which reduced their number by half.

『Now then, I’m very sorry for saying this as the participants are tired, but since we must also take the time into account, we would like to begin the second phase at once.』

Following Eishiro’s voice, from the entrance gate that was in the wall surface opposite to Ayato and company, a huge shadow appeared.

“Is that… a puppet?”

At first glance, that huge frame which was wrapped in a dignified and solid armor indeed resembled the autonomous type puppet that fought in the <Phoenix>. However, its overall form was thicker and more rustic than Ardi’s and it was hard to say that it was stylish.

These entered in the stage one after another.

“No, aren’t they rather powered suitsexternal skeletons for battle?”[3]

Ernest corrected Ayato’s mutter.

So it meant that there were people inside moving them.

『Now then, the condition to clear for the second phase is the opposite of the one of a little while ago. It will be clear if you succeeded in escaping from the attack of these new model powered suits within a fixed time. Of course, you participants may also attack. However, similarly to the first phase in case that you are hit by an attack of the powered suits, you’ll be disqualified at that time, so please be careful.』

Eishiro said it was the opposite, but it’d be better to think that substantially what one have to do did not change that much.

“Hmm… there are around 20 of them in total, I guess.”

As Sylvia said, there were slightly more powered suits than the participants who passed the first phase.

“They have probably prepared it so that they aren’t less than the number of people who passed the first phase.”

“That’s indeed possible.”

It looked like even the organizers have really put more thought to it.

『Well then second phase, start!』

Along with the signal, one powered suit took the lead and charged.

“Heeh… This is a surprise.”

Ernest who saw it raised a voice of admiration.

Even Ayato imagined that its movement would be duller judging from its appearance, but it was a speed far beyond it.

The nearest participant, seeming to be aimed at, set up a sword type lux and fought back.

A blade of light similar to the participant’s sword unfolded from the powered suit’s right arm and intensely clashed with the participant’s blade ── or so it looked like it, but to everyone’s surprise the powered suit’s blow sent the participant’s body flying as is. Moreover, light bullets shot from its left arm as they aimed for the participant who fell. Both weapons seemed to be built-in weapons.

『Oh, without delay one participant has already been eliminated! How many people will really break through this second phase?』

“Oh, this looks quite tough, eh.”

Sylvia too frankly admired it, but in the meantime several powered suits were also heading her way.

But as Ayato was about to set up his lux, Sylvia took one step forward and held him with one hand.

“Let’s say that it’s ‘ladies first’ here.”

Sylvia winked at Ayato as she said that.

An extremely normal one hand sword type lux was tightly grasped in her right hand.

“It isn’t a weapon I’m familiar with, so it isn’t quite fitting; but I’ll somehow manage, I guess?”

The weapon Sylvia used during the match was a bayonet type lux. Since it was a borrowed large-scale weapon, the way to use it would certainly differ.

Even so Sylvia, without getting worked up at all, blocked the way of the powered suit.

The fact that the powered suit seemed to be perplexed for an instant was proof that there was someone inside controlling it.

However, it immediately shifted to offensive stance and mowed down straight the blade of its right hand.

At the same time as Sylvia easily dodged its attack, she drove a slash to the powered suit’s torso.

──However.

“Oh my… It’s also harder than I thought.”

Even though Sylvia’s attack should have perfectly gotten in, only a slight trace remained on the powered suit’s armor surface as it did not receive damage at all.

If that attack just now was not good, then it would probably be difficult to penetrate their armors head on.

“…No, does the fact that the organizers prepared the luxes mean that they rather had such an intention from the beginning?”

From the feel of using it, she did not think that the lux’s power was that weak, but if this was serving as a demonstration, it would be no wonder even if it was adjusted to a level where they would be one-sidedly beaten.

“Hmm. That’s a trick which spoils the fun.”

As Ernest also noticed it, he boringly looked at his lux.

“Well, if that’s the case, I shall go at it seriously.”

As Sylvia, who took the distance once, said so, she sneaked around behind powered suit while dodging the light bullets it shot by jumping.

The powered suit also turned around with a swift reaction and tried to shoot the light bullets at her, but──

“…Too bad. Your rhythm is a little too simple.”

As soon as Sylvia’s sword splendidly flashed faster than it, the powered suit’s arms languidly dropped and it fell down to its knees.

“──!?”

Although surprise and perplexity were leaked from within the powered suit, he probably did not even understand what was done to him.

Sylvia aimed at the powered suit’s operation area ── the limbs’ joints.

Although that was the theory when fighting against an opponent with heavy armor, at least this powered suit took measures against it. In order to protect the operation area without hindering its movement, it was constructed so that the armor could change to defend any time.

But, Sylvia aimed at the instant when the armor would transform and slid in the slash.

“As expected of Miss Lyyneheym. If she’s able to pull out such a feat even without her ability, I guess I’ll lose face if I don’t something flashier.”

Ernest said so and activated his lux.

“In that case, could you leave the next to me as your senior?”

Ernest said so to Ayato as he gazed at the two powered suits which were heading his way.

“Um, I will deal with the other one…”

Ayato started to say so, but Ernest interrupted with only a smile.

“…I got it.”

Since his start was spoiled for the second time[4], he could not help but quietly watch here.

When Ernest stepped forward, the two powered suits took position so as to sandwich him from right and left. This was also a standard strategy of a many-to-one fight.

On the other hand, Ernest, not even setting up his sword, stood idly by not showing any signs of attacking. At first glance, it looked like he was full of openings; but Ayato perceived the fact that a blade lay dormant within that defenselessness.

Then, the moment when the two powered suits moved ── the two suits’ right arms were simultaneously blown away along with an explosion.

『O-Ooh! This is, what on earth happened!? The arms of the powered suits which were up against player Fairclough exploded all of sudden!』

Though Eishiro shouted with a stunned voice, Ayato who understood what Ernest did was more surprised.

“And you’ve the nerve to say something like losing face…”

Ernest had aimed at the moment when the powered suits activated their built-in luxes ── exactly just before the blades materialized, and attacked there with the tip of his sword.

And the two suits at the same time, at that.

If the timing was early even a little, it would have been blocked by the armor; also if it was late even a little, it would have clashed with the blades. It would probably be impossible even for Kirin to do the same thing. It was that much of a feat.

“Looks like Asterisk strongest swordsman isn’t just for show, huh…”

Above all else, what was terrifying was that neither Sylvia nor Ernest was even going all out.

At the same time that he was amazed, Ayato shivered as he felt his heart throb.

That feeling did not last long and Ayato set up his sword while looking at the powered suit coming at him.

✱

“N-No way! That’s impossible! Such, such a thing…!”

The Allekant Academy <Lion Faction>’s vice-president Narcisse Perroy who was also the Grand Coliseum’s supervision operation general manager was trembling all over in a special watching room of the Sirius Dome.

On the stage under his eyes, the second phase already ended and five people who broke through it met cheers.

In Narcisse’s assumption, it was originally expected that no one would pass this second phase.

In the first place, this Grand Coliseum was something that Narcisse planned in order to ensure his influence inside the <Lion Faction>.

In the development of the new type lux, in the cooperation with Seidoukan’s Meteoric Engineering Research Club where he made connection, it should just have been an event in order to perform the demonstration of Seidoukan’s Shining Type Long-Range Induction Armament and their (<Lion Faction>) powered suits.

In the first place, it should have been held in a smaller public building originally.

There──

“Hohoho, that was a quite splendid farce, eh. Well, that kind of unshapely toys can only do that much, I guess.”

Narcisse glared at the little girl ──XingLu who was innocently laughing in a seat next to him.

(T-That’s right! After this kid got involved with it, it took a weird turn…!)

About half a year ago when XingLu had contacted Narcisse.

Not knowing where she got wind of the talk of the event, she requested that she also wanted to make one contribution.

At first, Narcisse was not that interested, but he immediately changed his thought when he heard that she would take charge of most of the funds needed.

Besides judging even from Allekant’s viewpoint, there were many interesting things in the technology that World Dragon had. Even their famous Star Senjutsu, although the <Ubermensch Faction> had studied it for many years in an attempt to reproduce it, they failed. Narcisse also thought that, with a little bit of luck, he could steal even one part of it[5].

But, XingLu was added to the management and made the event’s scale bigger at a stretch. She gathered participants on a large scale, seized the Sirius Dome for the School Festival last day and before one knew, the reward total amount jumped up to ten times the one planned at first. Moreover, without hearing the reason why she wanted to be in charge of the third phase, Narcisse unwillingly yield to it.

In addition, because media-affiliated groups were weaker in Allekant than other academies, that area had been entrusted to the Seidoukan side; but with that influence, they went as far as to even have the name of the <Phoenix> champ added as a guest entry.

Moreover, big names such as Ernest Fairclough on the day before the event and Sylvia Lyyneheym on the very day decided to participate, and it already became a situation completely out of Narcisse’s control.

However, although anything and everything was unexpected, still Narcisse had prospects of success.

Be it Amagiri Ayato or Ernest Fairclough, they would be helpless as long as their weapon did not work. The output of the luxes that he prepared was adjusted so that, even if they were to use Meteor Arts, they would not be able to pierce the powered suits’ armors.

Since it was planned from the beginning that <Strega> and <Dante> were not going to participate, he was scared to death with Sylvia’s participation; but even that would be no problem if he forbid the use of ability. Rather, although with a handicap, it would become the best demonstration if he was able to completely block a rank #1. It should have been.

And yet.

“But, it was too bad for you, Mr. General Manager. Your proud toys were pitifully annihilated.”

“That… There’s no way that can’t be! My powered suits should be far superior to Ernesta’s dolls…!”

That’s right. More than extremely absurd defective product like giving a self to a doll, he turned all the resources into weapons and the judgment was that a powered suit which was operated by a human should be absolutely superior.

He thought that the <Lion Faction> ── Camilla joining hands together with the <Sculptor Faction> was a mistake. If he proved it, the seat of the next president should definitely have been his.

“You, who only look at the number, will never understand. But, it doesn’t matter to me. If you are so comfortable in an ivory tower, you should just stay there as much as you want.”

When XingLu jumped off her seat as she said so, she walked briskly to the door.

“W-Where are you…?”

“I’m in charge of the third phase after all. So, I thought I should watch the game closer.”

XingLu’s voice was excited like that of a child who could no long wait for an enjoyment and she opened the door.

“W-Wait…! Could you give me one more chance? There are still reserves of powered suits. If you leave the third phase to me…”

As he said up to there, Narcisse’s mouth suddenly stopped.

“…Kid, say quality after thinking a little. Leave it to you, you said?”

“──”

Narcisse’s body irresistibly froze to the overpowering feeling released by XingLu. He became unable to move even one finger. With fear as if his heart was tightly held, he could not even breath as he wanted let alone uttering his voice.

──But.

“From my viewpoint, what you’re also doing is in no way different from a farce.”

Such a voice suddenly resounded from the corridor and an unknown woman entered the room.

Her figure which wore a hood over her eyes was indeed suspicious, and it was to the extent that it was barely revealed whether it was a woman by the voice and build. This special watching room was a so-called VIP ROOM, so one would be unable to enter unless he/she passed the guards. Furthermore, as the guards would not possibly let such a suspicious person through without contacting the persons inside the room, it accelerated Narcisse’s confusion.

“Hmm… who are you?”

As XingLu had no idea who she was, either, she looked at the woman with a quizzical face.

Then, the woman gave a small sigh and took off her wood.

Her age range was in the mid-twenties. She was quite a beauty with finely chiseled features and the simple clothes like a cloth coiling around her emphasized the lines of her firm body.

“Hmm… as expected, I have no clue about who you are.”

XingLu fixedly stared at her face while cocking her head in puzzlement, but as soon as she suddenly dropped her gaze to the woman’s chest, she struck her hand.

“Oh! I was wondering who it was, that’s again quite a lovely body you have there.”

“That’s my line.”

Narcisse did not know at all what kind of conversation they were having, but ahead of XingLu’s gaze, the woman form was unbalanced because of a necklace she was wearing. Moreover, that was not a normal necklace. The entire thing was mechanical and the huge jewel was arranged as if designing after a one-eyed monster.

“So, for what reason did you expressly come all the way here?”

Though XingLu asked so with folded arms, the woman, not answering it, briskly went across the room and walked to the glass wall facing on the stage.

“…Since you unusually made a public appearance, I just came to invite you again.”

“No matter how many times you come, my answer won’t change.”

“Taking your purpose into consideration, I think that joining hands with us is the quickest way though. At least, it’ll be much better than doing such a troublesome thing.”

While looking down at the stage, the woman plainly spitted out so.

It was about time when the third phase would soon begin below.

“It’s not also like I don’t understand your point, but recently, I too have been enjoying raising/training raw materials from the beginning, you see? Besides ── as I had also said before, I like fights, but I already got tired of conflicts.”

“…I see. Then, it can’t be helped. However, remember this. If you get our way, we too will have no mercy.”

As soon as the woman expressionlessly said so, the jewel of the necklace emitted black brightness.

(No, that isn’t a jewel…? That’s…)

“Hohou, is that a threat?”

“It’s a warning. At least, I am paying respect suitable for you.”

When the woman said so, XingLu stifled laughter.

“Kukuku, I’m thankful for that.”

“……”

The woman sighed again and once again wore the hood.

──Narcisse had two misfortunes.

One was, this time, for having called out to the woman as he was unable to contain his inquiring mind.

“W-Wait a minute…!”

The other was to have known what that necklace was.

Either way Narcisse was a researcher, thus that was the reason for tragedy.

“That’s… the stone of that necklace is an Ulm mana dite, right? Then, perhaps is that… an ogre, lux…?”

A Ogre LuxPure Star Type Armament, as its name said, should basically have been a kind of weapon armament. He has never saw or heard about an ogre lux with the shape of an accessory,

“Who on earth would do such a thing…”

To these words that Narcisse said half muttering, the woman who was about to leave the room stopped.

“Good grief… Even though it is said that curiosity does not kill only the cat.”

XingLu looked at Narcisse with pitying eyes.

“──”

The woman turned around and immediately after the necklace’s Ulm mana dite emitted black brightness again, Narcisse’s consciousness broke off with a snapping sound.