4-87: To the Exam (5/5)

4-87: To the Exam (5/5)

It was curious if it was her words that tipped the impostor off, or he merely noticed the approaching shadow, but regardless, he turned his gaze in that direction. But even then, it was doubtful that the impostor understood what it was that approached him. After all, what was there wasan enormous fist.

Its a damn shame we have to make our debut at a place like this, Endeavor!

The voice of a young boy covered from head to toe in white armor resounded. That armor was none other than the customized exoskeleton known as Endeavor that had been given to Ryou.

It was as simple as the mass-produced models used in school in terms of color, what with a white base with black lines.

Unnecessary equipment have also been removed, perhaps because they were indoors, so the only thing that stood out on it was its giant arms.

The fists, which were almost enough to fill the space between the floor and ceiling, were a wall unto themselves.

Propelled by the exoskeletons enhanced propulsion and limb strength, the pressure exuded by those fists led the impostor to instinctively extend both of his arms to receive them.

The resulting power was great enough that the impostor kept going despite that, but in the end, the impostor could only be pushed by a step or two.

So you need an exoskeleton just to fight me? The impostor said.

Yeah! Ryou said.

With an indignant shout, Ryou launched his giant fists.

They might have been shaped as a fist, but at the end of the day, they were weapons a pair of colossal gauntlet-like blunt weapons.

As Ryou launched them, the propulsion system kicked in and photon flames spewed out.

Even the impostor couldnt help but briefly marvel at the unfamiliar attack, but even with such a function, Ryou could only push the impostor by another half step.

Not bad!

However, the impostor noticed the presence of another girl, so he turned to her and said that.

There, Tomoe could be seen standing half turned with her left arm extended, then as her right arm slowly retracted, her fingers abruptly let go.

What was released could not be seen by anyone else, but regardless, an arrow of spiritual energy shot out.

In a battle such as this, where only Ryou and Tomoe could see that arrow, and normal people couldnt even so much as pick up on the sound it made, that attack shot out right at the moment the impostor resisted Ryous attack, in that very moment when the impostor had paused.

Thats why Tomoe was so sure of it that shed gotten the impostor.

Eh?

But what awaited her was not the reality shed drawn but something completely unexpected.

The impostor had used two hands to catch Ryous attack, and supposedly that was out of necessity, but in the next moment, he took one of his hands and caught Tomoes arrow, then that arm went limp.

If only that arrow could have hit the impostor on the body, the damage would have been much greater, but alas

I see This is definitely a problem.

No way! You blocked it with one arm!? You can see!?

I couldnt see it, but I can more or less gauge where it is based off of your arms position and where youre looking.

When the impostor pointed that out, Tomoe frowned and grit her teeth.

For some reason, she was reminded by what Shinichi told her during training.

Whether its your sword, your bow, or your magic, youre just too precise. Thats why youre so easy to predict, he had told her.

But!

Regardless, Tomoes efforts werent meaningless. One of the impostors arms was now gone.

And as though to say just that, a flash of photons shot out.

Approaching from the side of the immobilized arm was the Sword Saint, Frire, clad in her armor of white and silver.

That was a straight charge of sheer power, an unstoppable tempest that blew away any and all that dared stand in its path.

True, but!Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Yet the impostor showed no fear and just defiantly smiled as he grabbed the giants fists, then with all his might, swung Ryou around and easily sent Frire flying.

The impostor laughed fearlessly, but

Checkmate. Thats what you say at times like this, right?

Three independent floating weapons equipped with Gatling guns suddenly appeared under the control of Aristel.

Eh?

The gesture neither seemed hostile nor a demand to keep quiet. Instead, it conveyed a simple plea that was evident from the pained expression on the impostors face.

You want me to wait?

But the impostor didnt react, almost as if he was ignoring them. Then he blinked repeatedly, tapped his ears, and inexplicably pressed his head as he muttered meaningless words.

Ah, ahhh, ahh, ah waiyueuo?

Oh, I see, he cant ear anything because of the earlier attack. Frire said.

I specifically chose a powerful stun grenade, so he probably cant see well either, Aristel said.

Hes not a Japanese too, so hes probably struggling to speak the language too, Myuhi said.

As theyve already noticed the true identity of the person before them. They patiently waited for him to regain their composure without making any moves.

Ryou and Tomoe too did not resist. They seemed puzzled but they patiently waited nonetheless and just watched.

Eventually, after some vocalizations and some rubbing of his eyes, ears, and the top of his head, the impostor became able to speak clearly again.

Aa, ii, uu, ee, oo There! Wow, that was pretty good just now. I cant believe being so confident on my eyes and ears would actually cause me to suffer so much. You got me good.

An unusually cheerful smile surfaced on the impostor, causing the Ryou and the others to twitch.

After all, the person before them still looked like Shinichi, so seeing him smile so cheerfully was just so wrong.

But you did well. Despite the sudden battle and being an impromptu team, your coordination was decent So, lets just say you passed for now.

Uh Thank you, I guess? Aristel said.

Though they didnt know what they were being tested on in the first place, Aristel nonetheless said that.

Im sorry, but can you set us free? Also, can you do something about the way you look? That face is unsettling For various reasons Frire said.

In fact, everyone here thought so too.

Being bound by these mysterious threads and seeing a different person in an acquaintances body was surprisingly unnerving. Fortunately, the impostor was more than happy to comply.

True. I also wouldnt that to get attacked by that midget again, the impostor said.

Midge!? Myuhi said.

As for who the impostor was referring to, that was all too clear when he snorted while looking at Myuhi.

Regardless, the impostor released them.

You little! Myuhi said.

Control yourself, Ruona! Frire said.

Myuhi bared her fangs, seemingly poised to jump at the impostor at any moment, but Frire restrained her.

Meanwhile, the person in question just whistled as he picked up the hair scattered in the room, though that in itself was an act of provocation.

Myuhi could tell that much, but for some reason, she just couldnt let this persons provocation off so easily.

She felt as though she couldnt allow herself to be mocked by this person.

Oh, my, how scary. It might be an illusion, but I cant stand it when my masters face is targeted.

Though the impostor yet wore the face of a boy, the way he smiled reeked of femininity, and with a snap of his fingers, the appearance of a boy peeled off and vanished.

W-Woah

When the true appearance of the impostor was unveiled, a breath of admiration left someones lips.

That was a beauty. A woman as beautiful as she was dangerous.

But even while knowing that, no one here could take their eyes off her.

She pushed up her long golden hair, as gold as the rice ears in harvest.

At the top of her head could be seen a pair of lively fox ears, and behind her could be seen three giant tails, which she used as her chair.

Then with a flirtatious glance, and a face that could take any soul captive be they boy or girl, smiled bewitchingly at the people before her.

This would be our first time meeting in this form. Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance.